MS has been talking to Blu-ray all along

Xbox marketing bigwig Jeff Bell says Microsoft has been talking to Blu-ray about the possibility of a partnership all along. He was speaking about Warner Bros.'s recent decision to exclusively pick the Sony-championed disc format, and did not rule out the possibility MS will adopt it at some point in the future.

"We've been talking to Blu-ray all along because we have the best piece of software in the business, called HDi. It is the backbone that powers interactivity in HD-DVD and we have that available to potentially partner with others," Jeff Bell told 1UP.

"You never say never. I think we'd like to see how things evolve. Our commitment, however, to HD-DVD is profound and consistent, and we have done very, very well in term of our accessory sales."

Microsoft still counts Universal, Paramount and DreamWorks among the supporters for HD-DVD, and Warner Bros. continues to be one of the largest contributors to its IPTV service.

Interestingly Bell also highlighted the relationship between Microsoft and Sony, as its rival uses Windows software on its laptops and what not. They do more talking than you might expect. Bell calls it "coopetition".

[The_Engineer]

MS = PWNED

as far as VAOIs using a windows OS, Sony isn't stupid now. They will use the OS that has the market share. Just like when they went to Nintendo with plans for a console design and the idiots backed out on them. This shows Sony is not a greedy corporation in the sense that they will share the wealth with others in order to bring a superior product to the table.

[SlippyMadFrog]

You are a very misguided soul. You are so far up Sony's ass you can't see daylight.

All companies are greedy. Every single one. It's all about making sherholders happy, the company will make the maximum amount of money that they can.

"They will use the OS that has the market share"
Precisely!! because they can't make money with something else. Microsoft is going to do the same with HD formats. Whichever one wins, they will support at the end. Believe me, Sony would have done the same if Blu-Ray lost.

[The_Engineer]

wasn't stupid enough to compete in the OS market, which is the same as MS competing in the console market.

[ravinash]

This shouldn't be any surprise.
We already know Sony will work with another company in one field when its competing with the same company in another.
It proved that with Toshiba when it worked with it when making developing the Cell and at the same time competing with HD media.
Yes Sony is in it to make a profit like any other company, but its business practices are more to work with other companies to make a better product in turn make a profit.
Its better than pulling the rug out from under the consumers feet by trying to destroy the competition.

[godofthunder10]

i can't belive how far most ps3 fans have their heads up sonys ass.they honestly belive that sony isn't greedy like all the other companies.
i'm tired of hearing how microsoft have to eat their words and go begging to sony so they could use the br drive.hell microsoft doesn't need sony,they just could just keep doing what they been doing for years and that's software but sony needs microsoft because without microsoft sony would be up a creek without a paddle because they use a lot of microsoft software and that's a fact.
ps3 fans fail to understand that sony doesn't even own %50 of br,hell they have hundreds of investers.i bet that know one knows who owns dvds because there isn't a word on the dvds saying a company name because the dvds is just like br,dvds had 100s of investers just like sony.hell i think it was tishiba that was the main company pushing it because they had the names and connections unlike the other investers,but they just couldn't do what they wanted to with dvds because the other investers had a say so in it to and br is the same damn way.sony is the main company pushing it and it looks like they own a %100 of it but the truth is that sony couldn't do what they wanted with br with out having a meeting with the other investers and the people that think sony own %100 of br need to get their heads checked.
ps3 fans that think that microsoft need to go begging to sony to use their br drives are crazy,hell microsoft could buy sony without even making a game system,hell all they did before the 360 was software and they were still bigger then sony.it's sony that need microsoft,if all the ps3 fanboys stop being bias for one minute and use their heads they will see that microsoft never needed sony for any thing but sony need microsoft because they use a lot of microsoft software in their computers and other electronic products and that's a fact.
if ps3 fans still doesn't belive what i'm saying i like to challenge them to name one product that microsoft needed sony for before the 360 and i want them to name all the products that sony have 1 or more software that came from microsoft and the facts will show that i'm speaking the truth.
instead of being childish like the majority of gamers i'll admit the truth,hell i'm not going to lie about one console or company because i like the other company or own the other game system.
hell i hate sony and i will never own a ps3 because i buy american as much as i can because i support my country but i'll admit that the ps3 is a damn good system and more dependable then the 360 but ps3 fans need to remember that the 1st ps had a defect rate around %25 to %26 when it first came out,hell i'm not saying that every one had a problem with their ps hell i had a 360 since launch and i never had 1 problem with it yet but what it's means is that 25 to 26 out of 100 ps had a defected drive and 30 to 32 out of 100 360 had a defect and that's a fact all ps3 fans have to do is check up on it and they will see,hell sony tried to deny it at first but they admitted the truth later because they had to many people complaning about the ps.

[The_Engineer]

all corporations are, what Im talking about is WHAT TYPE of greed, if it's the type that stifles innovation because you won't collaborate with others then that is not something Sony is guilty of. They look to push the envelope with others or by themselves if they have to.

[BrianC6234]

I hope Microsoft isn't dumb enough to add a Blu-ray add-on like they did with the HD DVD add-on. That thing was a waste of money and a Blu-ray drive would be too. It won't help with games so why bother? Anyone wanting a Blu-ray player and owning a 360 would be better off with a seperate Blu-ray player.

Oh, wait. Now I see. Microsoft might be afraid that 360 owners would buy a PS3 as their Blu-ray player. Now it might make sense if that's what they think. But the add-on would have to be cheap. Meaning Microsoft would have to sell them at a loss.

[IntelligentAj]

You sir must be out of your mind if you think MS is bigger than Sony. You do know they make all types of different electronics right? And they're 1st or 2nd in most of those markets right? Damn friggin idiots... think before you speak out your a$$

[Skizelli]

If you're going to make a claim, followed by childish insults, at least have the facts to back it up. By the way, you're wrong.

http://www.forbes.com/lists...

[WilliamRLBaker]

but its a better company;)
but skiz we do have to disagree with you on that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

sony really is a bigger company.

[Skizelli]

Sorry, but Wikipedia is hardly a reliable source of information. I'd trust Forbes more than Wikipedia. Come back when you find a better source. And by the way, I'm neither pro M$ or pro Sony. I'm merely pointing out that the child that started this argument is wrong. Sure, Sony is bigger in terms of employees. But compare market values: M$'s 275.85 (billion) opposed to Sony's 52.14, according to Forbes.com. Big difference.

[drewdrakes]

IntelligentAj - You do know that Microsoft has enough money and power to go and compete in every single market Sony is in right? They could do this on a whim, and wouldnt take a second thought about it.

[IntelligentAj]

First and foremost I was going by revenue reports for 2007. And wikipedia is a valuable source of info if you actually care to look at the references where the info came from. Secondly MS has the money to compete in any market but that doesn't mean they'll do it effectively. Granted no one(here's looking at you apple) will take away their PC dominance, but the Zune(great product btw) is a great example of just how far money alone can get you when you enter a market late with an established frontrunner. And lastly what determines which is a bigger company? I would say revenues and the range of products are a better indicator of company size than Market Cap. Hell you can even go with the most common definition and say it's bigger because it has more employees. Closing point: MS is worth more money than Sony but that doesn't in any way mean it's a bigger company.

[captainjy]

IntelligentAj, you are seriously unintelligent and misinformed. MS can buy Sony ten fold. MS has 90% of the PC market, is in gaming, drving, phone and just about any other device in the market. And as for them working with Blu-Ray, good for them. Obviously this is smart business.

[IntelligentAj]

How am I unitelligent and misinformed. Looking at your previous posts, I think i'm much more intelligent than you especially in my comments. Secondly MS can't buy Sony ten times over. What the hell are you talking about. What are you basing that statement on? And I see you didn't disagree with anything else in my post. What you think because MS has a bigger Market Cap it can take over Sony? Come on man be serious. MS Doesn't have that much cash on hand(Lat I heard 20-30 billion maybe less) and Sony's stock trades higher than MS 46.95 to 32.72.(Stock quotes don't mean much but just figured I'd add them just for reference)

http://www.marketwatch.com/...
http://investing.businesswe...

[Skizelli]

All the fangirls can disagree all you want, but this whole argument is pretty stupid. Why you decided to argue about which company is bigger in the first place is beyond me. Something to prove, perhaps? Regardless, we're both right in a sense. Who really cares, though? If you're going to argue about something, try doing it intelligently next time, and without childish insults. Hell, and preferably without using Wikipedia as a "reliable" source. Sorry, but there are things on those pages that have no source.

[mighty_douche]

Anyone surprised?

A company as large as M$ cover ALL their bases.

[Capt CHAOS]

I bet they went HDDVD, for two reasons..
a) To smack a few punches on the PS3
b) Because it probably worked out alot cheaper for them..

[gaffyh]

So basically MS marketed a HD-DVD drive and poor xbox owners that bought are hung out to dry, because they were talking to blu-ray as well. If I had bought a HD-DVD drive for my 360, I would be even more pissed now(obviously being pissed before due to Warner stuff).

Basically MS gave up on HD-DVD from the beginning and sold HD-DVD drives for profit to some poor saps

[PopEmUp]

Look who come begging

[THE_JUDGE]

it though. They try to act like they don't care when they know they'll look like an ass when BD does eventually win.

[moujahed]

Their smart... if they try and compete ( which they already did ) it would've ended with they're defeat. Now their trying to link up, they still lose... but not entirely.

[Maddens Raiders]

I hope that humble pie tastes good. Just thought that MS would never acquire a taste for it. They should've been talking to Sony too, in order to find out how to build a stable console. Oh well.....The future is blu.

[The_Engineer]

they would have provided a stable of developers for the PS3 and made a boatload on software, since after all "we are the software company in this race". Instead they try to eat the whole pie and end up with diarreah.

[v1c1ous]

why cant MS have a slice?

[THE_JUDGE]

MS may have one the first year battle but the war is far from over.

[moujahed]

^ Your absolutely right...

If Sony would focuse on HardWare, and M$ rack up the developers for games and software. PS3 would kill the market.

I remember before sony made PS1 they were suppose to be helping nintendo create a new system. Too bad nintendo didnt follow through.

[ukilnme]

Considering how well the Wii is selling I am sure Nintendo is okay with that decision.

[shine1396]

except you'd rather have n64 over playstation? gamecube over ps2?
didn't think so...

[Transit]

to^^^
Yes i would rather have N64 over playstation but ps2 over gamecube

[ukilnme]

@ shine1396

I was fortunate enough to have them all.

[ukilnme]

double post.

[Iron Man 2]

Poor Microsoft

For the sake of the Xbox fanboys,please don't do it!;)

[Zip]

haha you are right .... poor xbots ... soon they don't have the lack of game arguments anymore, and now this? someone must have red ears rigth now, and how come those stereo type xbots has disappeared after the Warner announcement? :D ... quite ironic isn't it?

[Iron Man 2]

Yup lol!;)

[captainjy]

Hmmm, since when did HD-DVD = MS VS. Sony? It's always been Toshiba VS. Sony so get your fact straight toaster boy.

[Shadow Flare]

It goes to show though that just because microsoft backs something, it doesn't mean it will automatically succeed. I mean microsoft backs hd-dvd (admittidly not 100%) but hd-dvd has failed. Vista is a piece of crap. Zune has failed. They go after Final Fantasy XIII and Metal Gear Solid 4 and are told to take a hike. Xbox 1 failed. Xbox 360 sales are slowing down and the machine is built like complete crap. They have lost millions upon millions of dollars on the xbox franchise, have never seen a penny of profit from it yet. They paid $50 million to rockstar for exclusive content for gta4, expecting something fantastic aaaaand they get extra missions. On top of the huge amount there already usually are. And look who they come to begging like a dog for bluray. Money doesn't buy success microsoft

[Rocko]

Are you on Sony payroll? You must be cuz thats the only reason you'd have for trashing EVERYTHING Microsoft. You don't just jump into the console business and expect to take down the big boys. MS said from the start it would be an uphill battle entering the console business. And are you forgetting the "millions upon millions of dollars" that Sony has lost from the PS3, they're just NOW breaking even. You also seem to have forgotten the past 25 years of failed Sony formats. Zune, the first one sucked but the new Zune 80 is a great product backed by positive reviews. More competition for the Ipod dominated market is good, but b/c its MS its crap to you. Pretty lame man. As for the GTA content, we have no idea what its gonna be. If its anything like the DLC for Oblivion, it'll be fantastic. Finally, we come to MS and blu-ray. MS said from the beginning that they would support whatever format won, so this is no surprise. Nobody's "begging" anyone. You need a serious reality check droid.

[trunker]

...this from the guys that backed betamax, minidisc and UMD,

fair play and all but just a reminder that you can't always back the winning horse.

the gc didn't have the greatest of run but still turned a profit i believe, sony has done well with the ps1, ps2, the psp is still going strong, ninty pulled off a master stroke with the wii and DS the likes of which we may never see for a long time, xbox learned from their first foray into gaming and stormed into a good lead earning alleged 'record' attach rates, record sales and stealing a good few exclusives on the way - MORE POWER TO THEM THREE, we the gamers are better for it, more innovation, more diversity ...more games

the hd format war really should be treated as a sidenote to the evolution of gaming in such a short time

[captainjy]

Think GTA...yeah, thought so. Dude, you have no clue. You act like you don't like MS because everyone else doesn't like MS. It's funny how you misinformed fanboys seem to forget all of Sony's failures- Beta, mini-disc, UMD (HAHAHAHHA!), shall I go on???

[Bathyj]

Dont let them have it Sony. They're still helping to drag out the format war and Sony doesn't want them to release a year or two early and let them get the jump on them again, only this time with BluRay. Sony had the delay this time but its working out to be their saving grace. If they're a year late next time (actually M$is early not sony late) Sony will need more Aces up their sleeves. They're so adamant DVD is good enough, lets see how it fairs them next gen.

[mighty_douche]

ive wondered this for a while. Would M$ need Sony approval to use Blu-Ray? As i realise they are the major factor in Blu, but there a many other companies involved not just Sony.

[Bathyj]

I dont think they completely own BR on their own but I think they'd have a larger sway than anyone.

I feel the same about Toshiba, if they haven't dropped HDDVD in 6 months they just hurting the customer and the movie industry and BR should not allow them to come aboard. Its ultimatum time.

[Si-Pie]

Well im sure sony will listen to that advice "dont let them have it sony". Its good business if sony does and you need to realise that. If MS adopts it then its a win win for sony and hey who knows Nintendos next console may even employ blu-ray as well. Just like this time its been a win win for IBM being they supply all the cpus for the 3 consoles, sony would also be supplying all the Drives for all of them as well. Sony has already invited them onboard http://www.pocket-lint.co.u...
so it just makes good business sense for Sony.

[Bathyj]

Yes, yes all that is true, but I still think M$ getting a 1-2 year head start WITH a BR drive will hurt Sony. Every advantage XB has is only because of the headstart but going DVD hurt them long term. How would Sony counter if M$ had it all?

[Si-Pie]

I dont get your point? You talk as if MS would develop games on Blu-ray. At best microsoft would develop another add-on and just use it for playing movies. This wouldnt be giving MS a head start in anything but just become like other companies who have released blu-ray players. If sony thought the way you did then they wouldnt be throwing out invites for MS to join the Blu-ray camp.

[ravinash]

Sony have always said that MS were welcome to join BlueRay at any time.
If MS did start using Blueray add ons, this would only help Sony get more sales for BlueRay movies....its too late this gen for 360 owners to take advantage of the disks unless MS forces everyone to buy the add on.
As for next gen, i sure they'll have a whole other bunch of aces up their sleeve, MS and Sony....so only time will tell what they are.

[KillaManiac]

*wonders about future news*

Do you love Addons?!
Did you love that Sega thing that added on CD SUPPORT and even 32/64x support?!
Well Buy the Xbox360 Blu-Ray Addon and you will be pumped up until no games are made for it like the Sega CD!!

:D

[socsca]

Yah because companies are willing to lose a large amount of millions of dollars just to spite Toshiba, great thinking (SARCASM).

[Bathyj]

I'm not talking about an add on or a movie player. I'm talking about their next machine, BR equipt for games and movies, 2 years before the PS4. Now besides the BR royalties, does anyone think this would be a good thing for SOny?

And as for Toshiba, its not spite. They're hurting everyone. The studios, the HD movie industry and the customers, althought the customers are starting to move on now. If they do the right thing in the next 6 months, or maybe even a year, then fine. If they drag this stupid thing out just for the sake of saving face and then come crawling to BR in 2 years then I say fuk 'em, and I'll probably never by anything that says Toshiba again. Its not spite. I'm voting with my dollar.

PS
This is my first comment within the new format.
If you choose you like all games irrelevant of machine you go in the gamer zone. If you choose to like only ONE machine then you're in the open zone. I chose gamer.

The funny thing is when I came into this thread only one comment was by someone in gamer (incidentally a well known fanboy) and everyone else was open. So did we all choosen to be fanboys, or are we just fanboys by default because I changed my setting just to be in the section where the comments were being made. No point posting if theres no one there to read it.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

I totally get your point. To answer the short part of the question...MS, heck Dell, Apple, IBM, et.. they can ALL use blu-ray if they want. Sony will make royalties on the disc tech but that is about where it ends. MS could easily partner with Samsung or one of the other companies currently making Blu-Ray devices... I highly doubt they would partner with Sony on the drives only for competative fears, etc.

To elaborate on the second part of your comments...yes I think MS getting BR tech in the next Xbox would be a major winfall for them. Now not nearly as big as if HD-DVD had won...but certainly the drives and production of said drives will be much easier, etc. Costs will be down by then and MS can put forward a machine that will be a challenger to the title of #1 again.

[jaja1434]

Well three things.
First Sony can not stop MS for using BR once it becomes the official media. I'm pretty sure that would fall under some US anti monopoly law.

Second, aside from the fact that Sony is only one of many on the BR board, it would be stupid as hell for them to say no. As much as people on this site love to think both companies are out to kill each other, fact is both are there to make money, and MS using BR only helps Sony make money.

Lastly, MS could just as easily screw Sony and withhold Windows from them. Now personally I prefer to use Ubuntu over Windows any day of the week, but for the average mom and pop, I steer them away from Linux oh so quickly. It's just not as easy to intuitive as Windows is. As in it's much easier to double click some icon to install something rather than going through the Terminal or Sympathic Manager and god forbid you have to screw around with the shells.

[tudors]

The Xbox gaming division is now making profits, the hardware issues are somthing that Sony fans like to bring up over and over again even though it is becoming a thing of the past, and they have record attach rates so what it your point exactly.

[rofldings]

No, the xbox gaming devision is not in the black. Maybe for ONE QUARTER, but since the inception, they're still in the red.

[olLANDSHARKlo]

Shadowflare is a little kid, nothing he said is true. M$ and $ony are both laughing all the way to the bank together when they read these fanboys comments.

[tudors]

Regards to Blur-ray being used by Microsoft this I think would come in the form of a add-on same as HD-DVD. Regards games MS fans have been enjoying great games month in month out, Xbox-360 fans have very few complaints right now, why do you think there are always tons of disagrees when a Xbox-360 fan says somthing a Sony fan does not like? it's not because you are right but because most of the Xbox-360 users are playing games and have little time to troll these boards.

[mirroredderorrim]

I think if Sony and Microsoft did a partnership kind of thing for the next gen..that would be wild. Even as a thought it's wild.

Sony would obviously do the hardware while Microsoft covers the software.
I could see it now...XBL merged with PSN...oh, what pipe dreams..

[roybatty]

.

[Rocko]

Something we can all agree on. Waffles FTW.

EDIT: Fine whatever, pancakes then...christ.

[ReBurn]

There's more to Sony and Microsoft than just video games.

[Dmack79]

And eventually all people will accept Blu ray.

[RecSpec]

What the hell are people talking about? How many of you are on Sony's payroll? I'm gonna take a guess and say zero. So why are you speaking for Sony. It makes Sony money, so obviously they will do it. It's not like it will hurt Sony in any way (Maybe your fanboy pride though). Of course Sony will work a deal with Microsoft. Imagine if Apple wouldn't allow iPods to work with Windows.

[thisguywithhair]

If what you are saying about Sony having alot of sway with the Blu-Ray company is true (meaning that they own a controlling share (or at least a majority share) in the company), than yes, they can say whether or not MS can use Blu-Ray.

[ROCCOZILLA]

ahh,just like the good old days.xbox following sony,lmao!

[Coke-a-Cola]

"You never say never. I think we'd like to see how things evolve. Our commitment, however, to HD-DVD is profound and consistent, and we have done very, very well in term of our accessory sales."

And Guess who paid for the accessories .........Hello.

[Nykamari]

I'm a videogamer and i see this as good for gamer on both systems. Sony's hardware & M$ software. VIDEO GAME CAPITALISM!!!! If these companys SEES what GAMERS WANT!!!!!!!!!

[Dmack79]

Then shouldn't you be in the other zone?

[Teabag Sony]

Look at all you sony funboys. The more you bow your heads in unity towards Sony and keep klunking them togother, the harder sony laughs at you.

[Audiggity]

Every. Single. Article.

Turns into a bash on MS... it's pathetic. Truly and utterly said. It really speaks to the general intelligence/maturity level of Sony's fanbase. I'm sure 95% of PS3 owners look at all of your idiotic commentary and feel ashamed to be supporting the same company. You Sony fanboys probably drive more 360 sales than you prevent.

That being said, I own the 360 HD DVD Drive. It sucks that BluRay is winning, but, the consumers have spoken - it is over. Kudos to MS for being open-minded enough to accept a competitor's technology. They aren't 'begging' by any means. Haha - remember, these are primarily GAME CONSOLES, which means that MS has absolutely NOTHING to 'beg' for.

My primary concern is that MS doesn't forget about everyone who purchased the HD DVD drives. Some form of credit/discount would be appreciated if a blu ray drives hits the shelves in Q2/Q3 08'.

[thisguywithhair]

What incentive does MS have to give you ppl a credit or discount? You bought them of your own free will and you lost the gamble that HD would win.

[Audiggity]

They wouldn't have any sort of financial incentive - but it would show customer loyalty.

Like you said, they have us pay for all accessories (Just like... hmmm... EVERY OTHER CONSOLE), so the least they can do is show appreciation of consumers when one backfires.

The attach rate we've given them more than pays for a discount on the BluRay. All they'd have to do is cut the profit from the HD Drive and sell us the Blu Ray drive at cost or a bit above with proof of purchase :). Sounds financially irresponsible to me!

[thisguywithhair]

Yes it is true that we pay for the accessories, how else would they make a profit off of them. The problem comes when MS sees this and starts to bring everything out as an accessory (or at least a DL that must be paid for).

[Mikelarry]

see FANBOYS there is no need to stick to only one product and ignore the other. its just foolish. sony runs windows on thier laptop just the way microsoft uses sony laptops to run thier software. while you guys a fighting over whos superior this companies are just chilling making money

[thisguywithhair]

That is true. The first MS computers all had Apple technology in them. MS used the technology as a base and has done some good things since then.

[kewlkat007]

In terms of business these two companies do so much business together, it's sad the fanboy goggles only see the Console market and Blu-ray. Even Toshiba/Ms/Sony do other businesses together and they all benefit in one way or the other.

Obviously this all comes down to business which fanboys know nothing of.

If Ms has a technology that can be implemented in another competitors product, then it is in the best interest of MS to do so, so they never really loose regardless. Of course this is about Movies and not Video games, if this was to happen. MS does not make movies or have their own CD format so where do they loose?

Anyhow MS said this from the start so this is nothing new. unless your a n00b Or some fanboy that HATES everything MS..like I've seen. Ha

[JohnRico]

Funny how Sony Droids were saying that Sony would never allow Microsoft to touch Blu-Ray which would be very stupid on Sonys part because A) ironically Microsoft already has a hand in CREATING Blu-Ray with Blu-Ray using Microsofts Codecs & Sony relies on Microsoft with Windows for their Lap Tops & PCs there is PLENTY OF ROOM for BOTH OF THESE companies to both use Blu-Ray & in the end that will just mean one little simple format with EVERYONE using it.

[Shadow Flare]

"Our commitment, however, to HD-DVD is profound and consistent"

Why

So you can doop more 360 owners into buying a HD-DVD player just because you microsoft make more money from it?
-"and we have done very, very well in term of our accessory sales."

They know the situation with hd-dvd yet they still 'profoundly and consistantly' support hd-dvd. If they actually had consumers interests in mind they would be backing bluray right now

[Stubacca]

Why so many disagrees?

The guy makes a genuine point.

[solidt12]

Good move by Microsoft. You have to keep all your options open. When they launched the 360 the fate of the next gen format was undetermined. I guess thats why they stuck with DVD9. The next one will definately have a Blu-Ray drive since the picture is clearer, and Xbox fans should be glad.

[KillaManiac]

but in 6-8 years or so...when the Nex-Gen consoles are released...PS4 will have some Blu-Ray2 with 1tera or space or some nutso ammount and Microsoft will be like WE GOT BLU-RAY NOW W00T!!

[Lord Cheese]

lets face it, how would the companies in the blu-ray alliance (or whatever they call themselves) react if the biggest company in the world decided to join 'em? Pretty damned chuffed i'd say. Sony know that ms cant suddenly start developing blu-ray games, so its not like they're giving up any competitive advantage in the gaming side of things anyway.

[Goon2k]

People need to stop jumping to conclusions. Anyone that cannot see what Microsoft's intentions are must be blind. This has nothing to do with the console war or the movie war.

Microsoft's HDi software is leaps and bounds ahead of anything that Bluray has to offer. So it makes perfect sense for Microsoft to try and sell their product to Sony. Microsoft realizes that they can fill a void that Bluray currently has. Nothing more, nothing less. It's just a business deal.

As an owner of both formats all I can say is that I am all for the idea of Sony buying into the HDi software.

Could this lead to a Microsoft Bluray player for the 360? Possibly. That could be worked out as part of an agreement with the licensing fees for HDi. Only time will tell. But why is that a bad thing? It only helps to further cement Blurays position.

[dalibor]

Thats great for microsoft. People still need to realize that its just not sony who owns the blu ray technology, its the nine founders of blu ray.

[Doctor Strange]

I'll be happy when this movie format war end.

[whoelse]

OMG Sony laptops have Windows on them!!!!111!!

But seriously, it would be great to have HDi on Blu-ray!

[wallace1000]

A very good point dude. I don't see why people are making a big deal out of this. Microsoft and Sony aren't a big corporation of fanboys like lots of their supports, they don't care about rivalry and mine is better than yours, they care about making money.

[Stubacca]

I want my X-Box brethern to get a chance to enjoy Blu-Ray.

It is truly phenomenal.

Glad HD-DVD is dead.

[Vip3r]

Didn't M$ constantly bash Sony for including BD in their PS3 and how the format would never catch on? Besides I though they we strickly backing HD-DVD instead or have they finally relized that BD is the better format?

[Bill Gates]

BABOONS, take notice at this SLAP across your faces that M$ has given you poor excuse for gamers.....AHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH A

They used you, and spat you out like beef jerkey...HAHHHHAA

[mintaro]

dont you mean you used us?

[moujahed]

If Sony wants to continue with their success they should stay away from anything that M$ creates... if M$ wants to adopt the Blu-Ray media, and drive... ok, fine... but for Sony to use anything M$ used in conjuntion with their Blu-Ray media, or drives will become catastrophic.

[socsca]

There is a disturbing lack of business knowledge going on here, fanboys really are as stupid as they seem, no? Please stop the "dont let them have it Sony" comments, its really sad. I think a lot of you people are in for a nasty surprise when you discover how things really work in this world.

[wallace1000]

Good call but most fanboys on this site don't seem to understand that businesses aren't run by fanboys

[Bull5hifT]

that windows vista. is somewhat a faliure, and apple wants to put blu-ray in all there upcoming computers, and the zune's faluire to the ipod

micrsoft see's mac hates windows and ipod hates zune,..and if sony was best friends with apple, there empire would be at stake
i guess microsoft is slowly killing off the console idea and sticking back to there O.S. where the real money's been made

Linux + MAC .....Sony's Verizon + apples iphone.....sony's artist's +
apple ipod.....blu-ray + apple ,.....it would destroy alot

i personally belive a psp with skype and wireless internet anywhere charging $30 for talk to any where

[meepmoopmeep]

" Our commitment, however, to HD-DVD is profound and consistent"

and yet they are talking to the Blu-ray side about future support?

[wageslave]

Is anyone surprised by this? Microsoft doesnt have any interest in MPAA / RIAA media formats.

They have their own distribution method; Digital Distribution. I expect MS to support HD-DVD on the PC side, and that alone will make it ubiquitous.

That PC-ubiquity will mean that the MPAA / RIAA keeps to BR in order to prevent the kind of free-distribution we see with DVDs.

I dont think its good for the customer, i think its good for the MPAA / RIAA.

[PirateThom]

The only problem with that is that Microsoft don't make PCs, it's up the manufacturers to decided which drives will go into it.

They also have a problem that their digital distribution is locked to a console.

[BenzMoney]

I think that this news is only surprising to the guys you'll find posting over in the "Open Zone". Anyone who's mind isn't clouded by rabid fanboyism will realize that this is just business - it's typical. How many companies are out there that compete with eachother on a daily basis, but still cooperate, on some level, in certain areas where it is mutually beneficial? Hundreds. It isn't about pride or anything else when it comes to business - it's about the $ signs.

I have only a few comments to make:

1) The MPAA is definitely interested in making piracy as difficult as possible. Is this good or bad for consumers? The bad arguement is easy to make - we'd all like easy access to our files and media, and flexibility to go with it - but is that arguement valid? Where does the line between personal freedom and the ability to protect a copyright get drawn? I think that is the bigger question that is going to be answered with this format war - and I think it's coming to an unfortunate result.

2) When it comes to consumer vs. coporate interests, which side of the fence does Sony sit on? And then, which side does Toshiba sit on? Finally, Microsoft? Surely we can all agree that they're all out for their own corporate gain, but only one of these companies is a member of the MPAA and RIAA.

3) Microsoft had been talking digital distribution for years now, to think that they don't have something up their sleeve is naive. It's also naive to think that their digital distribution network, whatever that may end up being, is 'locked' to their console. For now, this is true. But they're only scratching the surface here. I mean, come on - this is Microsoft. They probably have more penetration into households across the world than any other single company via their Windows platform and I seriously doubt they'll limit themselves to a single outlet, particularly one with less exposure than that which would maximize their profits (Windows), for any future DD offerings.

In the meantime I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Microsoft embrace any format that becomes available. They have a vested interest in selling their software to anyone who wants it. The brand name of that company is irrelevant.

[Mikey_Gee]

Quote:
I think that this news is only surprising to the guys you'll find posting over in the "Open Zone". Anyone who's mind isn't clouded by rabid fanboyism will realize that this is just business - it's typical. How many companies are out there that compete with eachother on a daily basis, but still cooperate, on some level, in certain areas where it is mutually beneficial? Hundreds. It isn't about pride or anything else when it comes to business - it's about the $ signs.
============

My friend, you have put it PERFECT.

Bubbles for you ... not like you need them .. LOL

[wageslave]

@1.1

Your correct, but MS will choose to ship their software on HD-DVD, they also have control over the format that Game for Windows is published on.

This helps set the industry agenda. Further, they can release players for HDi and make authoring HDi content easier etc.

The PC became a major factor in the "DVD / Movie" entertainment paradigm, I expect it to become more important in the future.

Further, Windows Media Center Extender will be built into all manner of devices, enabling those PC-installed HD-DVDs to work as the home's HD format of choice.

This is a long battle -- people who write all this off so soon are being silly. Yes, the MPAA has a major say in what happens -- and we know (my original post) that their aims are directly against the interest of your rights as a citizen in the marketplace.

[Daishi]

My take on the anti piracy is this, it will push MS hardware devices even harder than before. Say you have the problem of owning a song for instance, yet due to restrictions you can only use it on one device, format, ect. Here comes MS with a windows ID where you place all your collection into a single library. Then from there you can place any of these onto "any" of your MS registered devices. Great for the push towards digital distribution IMO. Yet still it is a wait and see and one that will affect us all.

[GameHero]

But...But...HD DVD is NOT DEAD! uh? Hello...

[m9105826]

I think it will be a very long time before Digital Distribution is the sole platform for a games system. There are many places in the world that enjoy gaming, but unfortunately don't enjoy widely distributed broadband access, and won't for some time. People also tend to enjoy something that they can hold in their hands, as code is easily corrupted. One ruined hard drive could mean hundreds of games and hours gone to waste.

Also, I love the new system. No more fanboy battles for me!

[wageslave]

Well, at leats half of Xbox 360 owners pay for LIVE. They would have high-speed service (i would reasonably guess).

That said, Digital Distribution doesnt have to be the sole method. I expect the two to exist for some time in parallel until the unnecessary costs are (the physical distribution) finally collapses as unnecessary.

This will happen before stand-alone HD-DVD or BR players are ubiquitous enough to come close to common or replacement for DVD.

The next "format" that is as widely adopted will be Digital Distribution.

@#3
Isnt the kind of empty fanboy tripe in #3 belong in the Fanboy Forum? Where are the moderators to deal with this?

[LastDance]

Sorry wageslave i disagree mate DD for Australia is going to be so far away. our connection is laughable and people are getting banned here for using to much bandwith as it is and no1 barely downloads HD movies yet. plus they will be compressed.

blu ray/hd dvd is here now. its full and true and its familiar(disc form) to the consumer. Digital Distro is something of the future. It will be the niche market for a long time because everyone has grown up with physical media and it will stay that way until our kids are adults(im 18). THEN DD will be pretty much the thang.

Hell I still know so many people who have dial up or dont have the internet at all and people are talking DD its really premature and naive.

[mr_potato]

Agreed with you i hate digital distribuation o and Wageslave stop it with your stupid MPAA / RIAA bs talk cause no one gets it or cares about it.

[Bubble Buddy]

So umm what will happen to the people who bought the HD-dvd add-ons and movies? Sucks for them.

[wageslave]

About 30-40% of the current DVD market will still be shipping on HD-DVD. And, I think the BR / HD-DVD alignment of these firms isnt set in stone just yet.

[Foliage]

That is the risk of adopting new technology early, sadly. There are no guarantees in this industry.

[EastCoastSB]

That's not completely true. It's not like every company has given up on HD-DVD yet.

[mcgrawgamer]

now you see why Msoft supported HD-dvd. Because it used their HDi software. Now that the bluray camp is talking to msft in hopes of using their HDi software looks like msft will have no problem supporting bluray.

[BlazinMethod]

Why doesn't anyone post in the Gamerzone? You guys are a bunch of fanboy losers.

[jaja1434]

Well I for one would hope BR would adopt HDi. Now I "love" Java as much as any other programmer... but it's so very stupid to use such a complex language for something as simple as movie menus. It's like building an elevator to go down 2 starts. It's just unnecessary work. And a side effect to this is the cost to produce the DVD. It cost more to hire experience Java programmers to create the menu vs someone to do HDi(since HDi is simpler).

[DaEnforcer]

LOL

[HarryEtTubMan]

just get a PS3.... and keep ur 360 like I did so u can play all the best games... if u only have a 360 u won't be playing the best games in 2008 and 2009 but I still want Gears 2. Just get both it will DEFIANTELY be worth it over the years.

[Hydrollex]

Sony: Dear Micro$ucks, you sold people Xbox 360 and your own stuff played with our PS3. Wasn't that enough ? Should we Kick your ass ? Get the fuk out of here Bro.

[Rice]

I just want Hairspray and Juno....

[Bill Gates]

It's about time they got the ball rolling for a Blu-ray add-on (even though it has been proven time, and time again, that add-ons don't work well on consoles).

If MS didn't do this, they'd only be hurting their fanbase.

[sloth4urluv]

True, addons usually dont work well for consoles, but if I had a 360 and the BR addon was cheaper than a standalone, id get it.

[INehalemEXI]

You might as well forget an add on just get a PS3 and have both consoles and use the ps3 to watch HD movies.

[Lord Anubis]

unfortunately HDi has no real future. Sony rejected HDi and favored java. They want to use HDi for downloads but once again java can be used with out paying royalties. Only one company supports Microsoft's software in digital distribution.

[ArmrdChaos]

Sony isn't the only one in the Blu-ray group. Maybe they need to approach the other studios/hardware makers to see what they think about HDi. If they feel that quicker dev time and feature set make up for the additional royalties then maybe the others would go for it.

The main promotional point for HD-DVD was the features. If the Blu-ray group adopted HDi then HD-DVD would have nothing unique left to offer...most if not all remaining arguments would be moot.

[LinuxGuru]

It would be highly unrealistic to expect anything BUT this to happen.

I'm not surprised even a little bit.

[Coffin87]

well, i am actually. although i expected m$ to sooner or later show some love to bluray (as they sooner or later couldn't do anything but this), but along with this news there goes this little playstation fanboy named [ENTERNAMEHERE], yelling "i told you so".

maybe this fanboy is me xD

[MANTIIS]

If I owned Sony, I would refuse them the right to license Blu-Ray technology for hardware design purposes, and let their new console come out with plain 'ol DVD...or for a laugh HD-DVD. Then I would watch as they slowly back out of the console business. Its interesting to see how closely this format war ties into the console war, and in that respect Sony has won a major blow against the evil empire, and probably the console war as a result of it. Now when X-bots talk trash, Sony Sheep can laugh at how their console is made with a Sony trademarked optical drive. LMAO! Seriously though, if both companies could be at each others throats as they are now, for the entire duration of this generation, it would be best for all gamers...because we're really the one's who win. I just hate M$ in general.

[Ariexv]

Except Sony would lose more by Microsoft turning around and not letting them use Windows in their laptops then MS would lose from not being able to use Blu-ray in their next console.

[hardmetal]

It was plan A ( supporting HDDVD ). It didn't work, so they started with plan B ( showing some love to bluray ).

I can understand this from business standpoint. However, Plan B doesn't change the fact that Plan A has failed.

[busytoad]

Pls microsoft dont get buddy buddy with sony they are money hungry aholes,Bill gates donates millions to charities all over the world,sony dont help anyone but themselves. i hate sony with a passion,i like the ps2 and everything but i hate sony as a company,they are so dam greedy.

If Ms teams up with sony im going to nintendo.

[Rhythmattic]

Probably Bill Gates donates so much due to "Karma".

If you really want to read some interesting history of microsoft and its business dealings , trust me , it'll put sony in a whole new light.

The Fact still remains , Giving away 10% of you money to charity is a good , honest, thing... But I'm sure its great to know you've still got $42 billion of personal wealth still in the Bank.

Its no go at you , But this certainley is an interesting , very well researched read.

http://www.roughlydrafted.c...

[Coffin87]

OH YEAH I SEE bluray was such a big fat mistake to put it in, omg, how big of a mistake that was, i can't stand it, i may have to kill myself.

(/irony)