Irreverence

posted on 18 April 2008 07:35

What is it with Microsoft? It produces Windows system that use to crash with BSOD, the blue screen of death. Many Xboxs crashed with RROD, the red ring of death. Now the HD-DVD drive is a piece of kit with absolutely no future because its been hit by BROD, the Blu-ray of death, Microsoft is telling people to use it to expand their HD-DVD movie collection and pay DVDs 

Shane Kim is a Microsoft VP in its Game Studios organisation. He is reported as saying: “While it is unfortunate that HD DVD was discontinued, there is still enjoyment to be had from your Xbox 360 HD DVD Player. You can take this as an opportunity to build out your movie collection! There are around 500 HD DVD movies to choose from and many at great deals, so there is a fair amount of content for HD DVD on the market.”

"It also is a terrific DVD player and it allows you to have game discs and movie discs, whether HD DVD or DVD, within the console at one time. The HD DVD player also adds two additional USB ports to your console.”

There is no realistic road map here at all. The sub text is: "PLease don't abandon your Xbox and buy a PlayStation." But the alternative presented is uninspiring to say the least.

Microsoft persists in saying that the game and movie distribution future for the Xbox 360 is downloads through its Xbox Live service; presumably high-definition movie or game downloads will take place in the background while you play one, two, three or even more DVDs on your end-of-life HD-DVD drive waiting for the downnload to complete.

I think the 360 in the Xbox title refers to the 360 degree turn performed by Microsoft away from using optical disk distribution methods at all. What, us? Use Blu-ray - no wa-a-a-y man!!!

"It is also a terrific DVD player." Give that man metal polish for his brass.

^{[Chris Mellor.]}