Just weeks after Blockbuster decided to shun HD DVDs in favour of Blu-ray discs for a national roll-out in the US, Microsoft has reduced the cost of the HD DVD add-on drive for the Xbox console to $179 [£88].
This is down from $199. Even more drastic – and better for consumers – is that for the next two months it plans to throw in five free HD DVD movies with each one sold. What a bargain, regardless of your stance on the format war, especially since the HD DVD drive can upscale your existing DVDs to near-high def. Don’t start jumping for joy just yet because this applies to US-only gamers [as usual] for the moment.
In addition, Microsoft will be offering HD DVD versions of sword n’ sandals smackdown, “300”, and “Heroes: Season 1,” for download on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace.
The pilot of episode of Heroes in high-def will be available on
Xbox Live before it hits the streets
