Since its release, people have been asking when the Xbox 360 will embrace Blu-Ray technology, and each time they do, Microsoft answers that the growing format isn’t important and that it’s a passing fad. Will their thoughts change as mega developers like Capcom and Mercury Steam have complained about the hassles of developing multiple disc DVDs for the platform? Nope.
In a recent interview, Stephen McGill, head of Xbox UK discussed just why the console doesn’t need a Blu-Ray add-on. “I think people now recognise what a smart decision it was to keep the pricing low, and actually Blu-ray is going to be passed by as a format. People have moved through from DVDs to digital downloads and digital streaming, so we offer full HD 1080p Blu-ray quality streaming instantly, no download, no delay. So, who needs Blu-ray?”
What do you think? Would you pay more for a new Xbox console because it has Blu-Ray capabilities? Let us know!
Zune streaming isn’t “Blu-ray quality”. Netflix streaming is no where near Blu-ray quality.
While those things will improve, it will be quite some time before they reach the quality of Blu-ray.
I’m a huge fan of Microsoft, a huge fan of the Xbox 360, and initially supported HD-DVD, but the facts are clear. The best movie quality and selection is only available with Blu-ray media. I didn’t have any interest in the PS3, but was forced to get one because after spending well over $5000 on home theatre equipment, I don’t want to waste the potential of my system on streaming HD video. It’s unreliable, but worse than that – even in ideal conditions – it’s not Blu-ray quality… and noticeably so.
Microsoft, just bite the bullet and make a Blu-ray add-on. Then I can sell my PS3 once and for all.
Actually, the only difference between say a netflix streaming 1080i movie and a Blueray copy of the movie is the occasional buffering (hate that!), and the compression format. Thats it. They are both in 1080p resolution. However, Bluray is able to squeeze more data per disc as a result of the blurays impressive compression ratio. As a graphics and animation specialist for a local television station here in San Diego, I can tell you without a doubt, the only difference is the “compression” factor. It’s simply a more efficient format for storing data. Bluray would mean less “multi-disc” titles for xbox, and potential for 3d movies, games and such, which are difficult if not impossible to format to dvd. That said, I dont see it as necessary, as xbox is doing just fine at the moment. Although, for future iterations (xbox 720?) it would be important, as bigger, better graphics and games need far more storage capacity than the traditional dvd that we use now.
Well,when you as a tech pioneer officially launch a website to downplay rival(as recently called “one of our rivals”)motion control add-on with some dirty and silly $%#*!!?!,and more ever after undeniable impressive launch of Halo:Reach(Yes that was totally expected)like #$%*!!?*! keep saying “one of our rivals only rely on shooters” then it’s no surprise(at least to me)that “one of your rivals” react and do something to remind you if you as a tech company have something to say say it with your tech and product instead of talking S*$%#(!!?.
We all know it’s marketing speech only.
Take into account that you need high speed internet hooked to your Xbox, plus mostly unlimited bandwidth as a HD movie is 2-10Gb streaming each. You also need a reliable internet connection, internet down in the middle of a movie and you’re done.
You can resume a Blu-Ray session 1 month later if you like.
The streamed sound is only 2 channels vs up to 7.1 on Blu-ray.
You can lend(borrow) Blu-ray to(from) your friends, you can watch and re-watch them as many times as you want.
Renting Blu-ray is often cheaper than goinbg through Netflix.
Netflix choice is more limited than Blu-ray.
In 5 years when your Xbox 360 will be dead and burried and you move to the next console you’ll keep your Blu-ray and will still be able to enjoy them. How about your Nteflix/Xbox live account that you canceled?
Streaming content is certainly intersting as you don’t need to move from your couch to rent/buy/bring back the disk from/to the store but the infrastructure isn’t there nor bandwidth that cheap for most customers.