HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc Rivalry Intensifies Ahead of Holiday Season
As the holiday season approaches, the competition between high-definition (HD) video formats, HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc (BD), continues to heat up. Toshiba, a key player in the HD DVD industry, has announced the launch of two new HD DVD players, while Microsoft has rolled out the HD DVD add-on drive for its Xbox 360 console. Meanwhile, Sony has slashed the price of its BD-compatible PlayStation 3 (PS3) console in Japan.
Toshiba's new HD DVD players, HD-A2 and HD-XA2, will offer improved specifications and features, with the HD-XA2 model priced at $999. The company will also make its European debut in November with the launch of the HD-E1 player. Microsoft's HD DVD add-on drive for the Xbox 360 console will arrive in the US on November 17, priced at $199.99, and will be bundled with an HD DVD copy of Universal's King Kong.
Sony's price cut for the PS3 in Japan, from ¥ 59,800 ($509) to ¥ 49,980 ($425), may not directly impact the competition with HD DVD, as the price reduction is likely in response to the launch of Nintendo's Wii console. However, Sony's inclusion of HDMI 1.3 ports in all PS3 models will enable high-definition video output, potentially reducing the negative impact of image copy protection systems.
Key Takeaways:
- Toshiba has launched two new HD DVD players, HD-A2 and HD-XA2, with improved specifications and features.
- The HD-XA2 model is priced at $999, while the HD-A2 model is priced at $499.
- Microsoft has rolled out the HD DVD add-on drive for the Xbox 360 console, priced at $199.99 in the US.
- Sony's price cut for the PS3 in Japan is not directly related to competition with HD DVD, but rather a response to the launch of Nintendo's Wii console.
- All PS3 models will include HDMI 1.3 ports, enabling high-definition video output and potentially reducing the negative impact of image copy protection systems.
- Xbox 360 consoles will receive a free software upgrade to enable 1080p gaming and video.
Statistics:
- Toshiba's new HD DVD players, HD-A2 and HD-XA2, will be priced at $499 and $999, respectively.
- Microsoft's HD DVD add-on drive for the Xbox 360 console will be priced at $199.99 in the US.
- Sony's PS3 price reduction in Japan is equivalent to a 20% reduction.
- PS3 models will include HDMI 1.3 ports, enabling high-definition video output.
- Xbox 360 consoles will receive a free software upgrade to enable 1080p gaming and video.
Sources:
- Toshiba's HD DVD players: Toshiba Corporation
- Microsoft's HD DVD add-on drive: Microsoft Corporation
- Sony's PS3 price reduction: Sony Corporation
- Xbox 360 software upgrade: Microsoft Corporation
- HDMI 1.3 ports: HDMI Licensing LLC