14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft today issued a statement in which the company rejects the previous rumors which emerged after a series of declarations made by an Australian Toshiba executive who said that Xbox 360 will feature an integrated HD-DVD drive, informs Games Industry.
At the end of last year, the software giant announced that it will offer an optional external HD DVD drive for its Xbox 360 gaming console later in 2006. According to representatives of the company, nine out of ten Xbox 360 owners plan on buying an HDTV flat panel TV in the near future - which, the firm believes, creates an undeniable case for an HD DVD for the box.
"We have no plans to release the Xbox 360 with an internal HD DVD drive," stated the company today. "At E3 we showcased our Xbox 360 HD DVD player that is an external drive. Since launching Xbox we have retained a games first emphasis, but we also offer consumers the ability to build on our powerful platform, such as in combination with a Windows Media Center Edition PC. We feel that offering the drive externally is the best way to give consumers the ultimate choice to create their own high definition experiences. We have no plans to release the Xbox 360 with an internal HD DVD drive."
"The new drive will offer millions of Xbox 360 owners the ability to easily enjoy HD DVD movies and will provide consumers with even more choices for experiencing high-definition content, in either physical or digital form," said Microsoft's Peter Moore during a speech which was made to introduce the device at a previous CES Keynote which took place last year.
"We've always had a games-first emphasis with the Xbox, but some consumers can build on the platform - like by adding a Windows Media Center Edition PC. By keeping the drive external, we're offering consumers a choice in creating their own hi-def experiences. So: no plans for an internal HD-DVD," Microsoft added.