x-box 360 is so screwed lol i love it!

QUOTE:Good Day for Blu-Ray

Shortly after 'Team Blu-Ray' announces additional security measures for the format, the Wall Street Journal reports a pullback in HD-DVD support for the holiday season.


By Carl Bender - August 10, 2005 Print Email

In two unrelated but significant developments today, the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) gains additional ground on the HD-DVD format; this coming on the heels of last months announcement of support for Blu-ray from Fox studios. In the first of these developments, the BDA has announced that they will incorporate into their format the most comprehensive security measures seen in existing optical media formats, with two measures beyond what is presently proposed by the DVD Forum.

The three primary means of protection adopted by the BDA include the Advanced Access Content System (to be used by HD-DVD as well), "BD+," and a ROM Mark. What "BD+" brings to the table is a means via which the encryption engine used in disc manufacture and production may be updated in order to stem piracy should the preceding encryption be cracked. On top of this, the inclusion of a 'ROM Mark' - a mark that may only be stamped onto discs by mastering equipment - provides added security by ensuring that Blu-ray players may only play discs with the aforementioned mark present. Though the DVD Forum claims that the AACS security measure provides more than enough peace of mind for studios, anti-piracy is of such concern in Hollywood these days that Blu-ray's more comprehensive approach may succeed in winning some converts among Hollwood executives.

And in the second development, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that the steam seems to have gone out of HD-DVD's 'first mover' advantage, with a significant pull-back in support being announced from both studios and manufacturers for this years holiday launch. Among the announcements are Paramount's move to cut it's previously planned release of twenty movies on the HD-DVD format this winter down to zero, and NBC Universal's move from sixteen titles in the fourth quarter down to twelve. Even Time Warner, HD-DVD's largest studio backer, now says it's plans are up in the air at this point. In addition, it seems that the only stand-alone HD-DVD players available this winter will be manufactured by Toshiba themselves, with an estimated retail price of roughly $1,000.

HD-DVD's loss is Blu-ray's gain, and it seems that todays news has strengthened the hand of the BDA and possibly the appeal of the Blu-ray player to be included with Sony's upcoming PS3.






whats this all mean u ask Sony will get royalty fee from each Blu-Ray CD sold and each BD drive sold. So this is an important battle for Sony SWEET M$ is so screwed Not only do they not have a HD format for there console, but they will end up having to pay Sony for BD This is the best news I've heard all month.


http://psinext.e-mpire.com/index.php?categoryid=17&m;_articles_articleid=160&PHPSESSID;=a91eee7d7995f5754444672b16f1fd2b

So how are they screwed? Oh yeah, they're not. At all. Fanboy comments like this make sony fanboys look the worse. Why would you love for them to get screwed? Did they kill your parents? Oh yeah, you're just a typical fanboy. Just play games man, and stop sucking Sonys dick.

Who ever thinks that the success of a next gen consoles is going to squarely depend on the systems disk format, is completely out of their minds. PC's still mostly use the CD format for games and software even though it out dated.

As for Microsft they got so much dam money they could probably care less if they have to end up paying royalties to Sony to use Blue-Ray format. Secondly if anything is going to be a downside to the Blue-Ray format it's the PS3 bottle-necking. I see Sony using a high compacity disk format with no place to cache large chunks of data to on the system since there is no embedded/onboard memory on the graphics cards which Sony has said will bear the bulk if not all of the graphics processing for the system. What you think just because it's a new disk format there won't be any load times? HA! There will always be load times with any Disk Format. The only proven way to shorten up load times is to cache data to a hard drive for faster acess. And I don't think Sony plans to be selling hard drives for the system at launch.

Anouther thing is Sony will be bearing a huge brunt of the price on the PS3 to get Blue-Ray disk format into the market. Coupled with the price it will cost Sony to get the Cell porcessor into the market as well, and your most likely looking at a PS3 that priced considerably more than the Xbox 360, unless Sony decided to share more of the brunted of the production cost. Microsft has pissed away a fortune just to move the original Xbox to compete with Sony, and they're taking some more brunt when the Xbox 360 comes out. I sereously doubt that Sony could afford to cover similar costs when it comes to components for the PS3, which means you, me , and every other consumer will be paying a pretty high premium price for the PS3. Now I don't know about you but I would like to have some money to actually spend on games for my new system, rather that spend nearly twice as much for a system, that I won't end up with any money left to buy games for. Lets just say for a min that the industry anylists are right in their predictions that the Xbox 360 will launch at $299, and the PS3 at $499. Considering that with the PS3 your also going to have to buy a memory stick to save game data to when the system comes out in addition to the system plus games at $60 a piece. Now with the Xbox 360 on the other hand for the same price as the PS3 you can get the Xbox 360 system w/ 3 games, and still have some money left over to buy an additional face plate for the system if the faceplates are $20. Now which system do you think will sell more based on price alone?

Only thing I want to comment on, because disk format has only hurt one company, Nintendo when they lost Square because they stuck with expensive and low-storage cartridges instead of moving to CD's like Sony, is the expense of Blu-Ray. This same exact argument was being used against the PS2 when the DC was out. People were saying, " Oh DVD is too expensive, Sony will spend bundles, lose bundles by doing this! " and " DVD isn't very popular, why waste money making it work with movies when hardly anyone has them?? ". But in the end Sony made billions upon billions off the PS2, even with its unique architecture and out in left field, for the time, DVD support.
With HD-DVD going down hill, this will once again be the case for Blu-Ray. Thanks to Sony this new medium now has a potential to hit 50+ million peoples homes so producers will have more then enough reason to start making movies for Blu-Ray.
The PS3 also supports DVD movies so all thats pretty much a void argument. All it comes down to is that Blu-Ray will provide gaming developers all the space they will ever need on just one disk for their development. Square will be very happy now
The reason PC games can get away with CDs is becuase they use multipal cds and put all the files on the computer where you dont need the cd's to play the games unlike console games so they can use CDs for ever, even if the game is 50 gigs, they will just have to put it on 60 cds.
They have wanted to switch to DVD format for awhile now on the PC market, but not enough consumers have DVD drives to warrant switching to DVD format. Look at how many CD's are need for most PC games now, even games that were made 4 to 5 years ago.
Sony doesn't have to worry about making games play on machines that do not support Blu-Ray, PC game makers do.

i want the 360, free xbox live on weekends.

Gamespot has just posted an article about the pricing plan for the Xbox 360. It can be read here: Xbox 360 Pricing Plan

The article stated that the Xbox 360 will be available in 2 different packages the "Core System" package which will sell for $299 and include the following:
Xbox 360 system
(1) wired controller
AV cables
(1) Detachable Faceplate
Xbox Live Silver membership

The other package the "Xbox 360" will sell for $399 and include the following:
Xbox 360 System
20gb Detachable hard drive
(1) Wireless controller
HD AV cables
1 Detachable faceplate
Xbox Live Silver membership
(1)Wireless Xbox Live Headset

The pricing plan has also been released for the additional peripherals:
• Faceplate ($19.99, 19.99 Euros, 14.99 GBP)
• Hard Drive (20 GB) ($99.99, 99.99 Euros, 69.99 GBP)
• Memory Unit (64 MB) ($39.99, 34.99 Euros, 22.99 GBP)
• Wireless Networking Adapter ($99.99, 79.99 Euros, 59.99 GBP)
• Wireless Controller ($49.99, 44.99 Euros, 32.99 GBP)
• Play and Charge Kit ($19.99, 19.99 Euros, 14.99 GBP)
• Rechargeable Battery Pack ($11.99, 14.99 Euros, 9.99 GBP)
• Controller ($39.99, 34.99 Euros, 24.99 GBP)
• Headset ($19.99, 19.99 Euros, 14.99 GBP)
• Universal Media Remote ($29.99, 29.99 Euros, 19.99 GBP)
• Component HD AV Cable ($39.99, 29.99 Euros, 19.99 GBP)
• S-Video AV Cable (US) ($29.99)
• SCART AV Cable (Europe) (24.99 Euros, 17.99 GBP)
• VGA HD AV Cable ($39.99, 29.99 Euros, 19.99 GBP)


IMO the $399 price package is worth it, considering that the price of the 20gb Hard drive, and wireless controller are a $150 value seperetly, and your only paying $100 dolars more that the Core system package.

Microsoft has confirmed that the "Core System" will not be backwards compatible out-of-the-box. In order to play current-generation Xbox games, owners of the bare-bones system will have to purchase the detachable hard drive. It is unclear whether or not backwards compatibility will work with the smaller-capacity 64MB memory cards.

Moore explained that the idea behind the two choices came from "lessons learned from the first generation [of Xbox], but perhaps more importantly to provide the gamer with choices in pricing as applicable to their gaming habits." In addition, gamers will be able to select from a range of peripherals available at launch:


i think that's going to turn off a lot people there, basically the Core System users are going have to buy additional part (harddrive) to play current generation xbox games,unless the consumer buys the fullpackage. sony and nintendo got right by making sure there current ps2 and gc games are compatible with there respective next gen systems, and are not forcing the consumer to buy additional hardware to play there old system games like ms is doing(this is why the two types of xbox 360 is a mistake).and i also think the two choices of xbox 360 is a big mistake on ms part, it's only going to confuse consumer even more. ms should of stick with the one system of choice and not this two type of 360 choices.

I totally agree I dont see the point of the core system even if your not bothered about backwards comapatibility or using wireless controllers, once you add $40 for the Mem card and $40 for a second Standard controller (that's if you want a second controller) it's only $20 less than the full package and you get extra stuff with that that you wouldn't with the core system,and I bet sooner or later someone would want the Hard drive and would be kicking themselves that they didn't get the full package.

How do figure? If your buying the Core system, and already have a current Xbox, your Xbox Live headset should work with the new Xbox controller. So it's not like your missing out on anything, if you could careless for the hard drive. The hard drive is a bit pricy though IMO. Sony sold a 40gb drive for the PS2 for $100, and it included FFXI, now Microsoft is selling a 20gb drive for $100 with no pack in game. The wireless adapter is pricey as well. Hopefully my current Microsoft wireless game adapter will work with the xbox 360 without having to buy the aditional wireless adapter. As far as the Memory card goes it isn't as pricy as Sony's, a 32mb memory stick duo for $30.

lol at kabal20 for the post about how much cheaper the x-box will be that he can buy games lol and a face plate


Actually that is kind of shocking that MS have done this, pretty much everyone will go for the first one for sure mostly cause its cheaper and they think they will get a super amazing console with lots of cool things...then the dissapointment kicks in Microsoft just lost the few things they had going for them price! Now if people want a Hard Drive they'd have to pay what the PS3 is predcted to cost. LMAO. Am still shocked by those peripheral prices for xbox360. And no next-gen optical drive! now lets hope sony dont make the same mistake since they alreay have a bad looking controler dont get me wrong im not a ps fanboy or x-box i just buy the better system if x-box is better u bet all be getting it. The only thing the x-box has now is the look of the system which i admit is better looking but i guess im not going to have sex with it no wait no i dont think all try that not my type so no matter ....

How do you figure? The PS3 is expected to launch at $500 with no Hard drive even available as an optional accessory! Even if you do go with the $400 Xbox 360 it will still cost you less than a PS3, and a Memory Stick Duo. So it looks like the Xbox 360 will end up costing less than the PS3, even if your not getting what you would have expected to pay at $299, are are forced to get the $399 package. And if you beleive Sony will get the system out for $400 or less, just because they said they're aiming for it, I wouldn't count on it. Sony said they where looking to launch the PSP for under $200, yet when it launched in the US it cost $250. The Xbox core sytem is still resonable for consumers who currently have an Xbox system and don't plan on trading it in, to trade up on their current system just for backwards compatibilty, and want to save some money. Your also getting a free Xbox Live Silver Subscription which is basically the current Xbox Live but free. No more paying $50 just to play games online. You could upgrade to the Xbox Live Gold/Platinum account which will give you access to compete in tournements, and with the additional Web cam accessor, participate in video confrencing.

Now that I think about it considering what was shown off for the 3 nex-gen consoles at E3, and have been mentioned so far, Sony was the only one who hasn't made any mention of any kind of online service. You'd think that Sony would have relize their mistake with the current system when Microsoft has become a real thorn in their side based on their online service alone. Even Nintendo took the hint. Even after they haveing stated that the reason why they haven't supported online play with the Gamecube, and didn't plan on it is because they don't see it as a profitable market. Nintendo went and announced that the Revolution will offer a free online service, similar to Xbox Live.

I don't get how peopel can compare the PS3, and Xbox 360? Sony is billing it as an all in one entertaonment device. Just like the PSP. And plenty of people have been turned off of the PSP because of it's multi-fuction capability. People are saying why would I buy a portable game system with additional functions that are just half-ass features. If you buy into this mentality, then the same thing can easily be said about the PS3. It's being designed to compete with the PC, the Xbox 360 and Revolution are being billed as a VIDEO GAME CONSOLE!

Wrong.

The silver is just a stripped down version of LIVE. They will open up some weekends for free like they do with movie channels from time to time.

But if you want to play online whenever you want you need the Gold version/transfer your current account.

Linky

#5-7, especially #7

Thanks for clearing that up for me. I thought I had read somewhere that you would be able to get access to play games for free, but i guress I was wrong. Is there any wornd about if MMO's will be fee free if you have a gold account? I'd acutally like to get into MMO's, but I hate the idea of fees, when I'm already payinf for an online sercice.

I still think that both Xbox 360 packages are still worth it. Nothing against Sony, or Nintendo for that matter, but it's just that the Xbox 360 is coming out first. I'll get more excited for both the PS3, and Revolution when there launches get nearer. I'm just a little sick of seeing people bash Microsoft's system without even giving it a chance. I originally picked up my Xbox for MK:DA, and a month prior to the it's original launch, before it was pushed back an additional month. I started looking at what Microsoft had to offer for the system after the push back because I had no other games, and didn't want to end up feeling like I wasted my money on the system. Thats when I releized how impressive a lot of the games where Microsoft had for the system. Given some generas could have had more support like RPG's, but It's still an implressive system IMO, and my Xbox game library is bigger than my Gamecube, and PS2 libraries combined.

How do you figure that the core system is a good deal, you CANT play xbox games without the HDD so that is a feature that is gone from the start i know of many XBOX owners who wanted the 360 for that feature and would be forced to get the $400 one or pay $100 for the HDD which would make it the same price , and even if your not bothered about the HDD you still need to pay $40 for the mem card and $40 for a second standard controller ( and i dont know anyone that doesn't buy a second controller) so that still makes it only $20 cheaper than the $400 version which is what i said in my previous post, what is the point of it. I'm not knocking the 360 just Microsofts logic.

As for Sony's memory stick duo i dont know what stores you shop at but i got my 256mb memory stick duo pro for £22 which is around $40 so you will find that there is a difference between Microsoft's 64mb and Sony's 256mb for the same price.

It's also been confirmed on gamespot that Microsoft will not allow 3rd party's to make any accessories with out a licence from microsoft to use Microsoft developed technology in their products, the 360 will have a chip that detects any deveice that doesn't use it and not let it work so any 3rd pary devices that the Xbox used wont work for the 360, also ONLY Microsoft will be allowed to make wireless controllers 3rd partys can only make wired ones, the whole point of getting 3rd party Accessories was that they were cheaper than the offical one's and you had more choice it seems that MIcrosoft is putting a stop to that for the 360.

I don't think you get what I'm saying. Plenty of people choose not to trade in their exsisting consoles (or games for that matter) for the simple fact that they feel they are getting ripped off by store such as EBGames, and Gamestop by getting payed too little for their trade ins. For these people who plan on holding onto their exsisting Xbox consoles, and games backwards compatibility isn't necesserily a top priority on the system then. I'm also sure plenty of parents who are picking up the Xbox 360 for thir kids this holiday season, who have also picked up an original Xbox system for their kids within the past few years, and don't plan on getting rid of it any time soon; the Core Xbox 360 System is a perfectly viable option for them. Given just about all of the hardcore gamers, including myself see the Core System as a joke for anyone who wants full fuctionality right out of the box. I'm just saying for some people the Core system can be reasonable.

As for the memory stick duo here is a link to a product listing for a brand new 32mb Memory Stock Duo from EBGames for $25. (2) 32mb Memory Stick Duos (64mbs) can cost $50, which makes Microsoft's 64mbs memory card cheaper than what Sony plans on using for the PS3. 32mbs Memory Stick Duo PSP
As for additional controllers why are you even counting them as part of the cost? There a given and shouldn't be included when comparing the prices of the consoles. Which would mean if you where comparing the Core Xbox System with a 64mb memory cards, to a PS3 with (2) 32mbs Memory Stick Duos, the PS3 would still cost more, if it launches at $500.

Ok vaild point on the core system, but your point about the Mem stick is still not valid as i said i got my 256mb for £22 / $40 and if you shop at EB then yeah your bound to pay more and you dont need to get the offical sony ones 3rd party ones work just a good and, there are plenty of online places that offer them cheaper so the PS3 wouldn't work out more based on that reason.

The reason i counted a second controller is that i know not everyone can afford to get the New consoles at launch so if you want to play games with your friends then your going to need to get a second controller, I guess that part is selective so i'll give you that one

WHAT THE FUCK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FUCKING HACKERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was just running a serch on Xbox Controller Replacement tag (the center jewel on the controller), and came across an Xbox modding site, that i guess manufactures mod chips. Aperently they had managed to get their hands on a number of Xbox 360 development kits, and have cracked them open. FUCKING HACKERS have a jump already on getting mods chips for the Xbox 360. Man they fucking killed some of the fun on the original Xbox, now they already have a jump on the next-gen systems before it's even out. Here is a link to the bastards: Xbox-Scene.com

On a side note they did mention that the Xbox 360 is supposed use a water cooling system. Something I haven't heard mentioned yet about the Xbox 360.

I just came across an article on Gamespot about an article in in the Japenese magazine Famitsu Xbox. Where japenese developers talk about the pros and cons about developing for the Xbox 360, and how it compares to exsiting console. The article can be read here: Japanese developers weigh in on Xbox 360.

One of the things that was mentioned by the developers of Rumble Roses XX is "The number of polygons per character by itself is 10 times larger than current consoles. ... It's as though we need to bring the quality graphics from pre-rendered movies into to the actual game." One of the downside that was mentioned though is everyones obious pick up on the Xbox 360 not going with HD-DVD, or Blue-Ray. The developer of Enchant aRM had this to say "The volume of data in Enchant Arms won't fit into a single DVD. It's an RPG, so we're thinking it would be inevitable that we release it on two discs," says Takeuchi. "But to be honest, that's even looking grim." Thats really interesting that Enchant aRM could wind up shipping for the Xbox 360 on 3 disks on launch day.
On a bit of a bragging note I just paid off my Xbox 360 pre-order in full earlier today, along with a $5 depost on Perfect Dark Zero (Limited Edition), DOA 4, and Project Gotham Racing 3. I'm still looking at a few other games as well, I'm just wating to see more info on Enchant aRM, Need For Speed: Most Wanted, and and any other RPG beside FFXI, like Blue Dragon.

That's some interesting info thanks, I'm suprised that MS didn't go with a HD-DVD drive from the start , MS may find that it could start costing developers more to expand the games over many discs (even more so if they start using HD at 1080i/P) than to have it on just 1 HD-DVD, i can see a external HD-DVD drive being released in the not to distant future.

I don't necesserily think it will hurt the Xbox 360 though. Plenty of games for the original Playstation shipped on multiple CD's, and that didn't hinder developers supporting it. Or sales of the games, and console. FFVII shipped on 4 disks, and is porbably one of the best selling games of all time for the Playstation. It all depends on how good the games are. Thats what isi going to drive the system. If Japenese developers make great games, that sell really well, I didn't think there going to be too worried about having to put games on multiple disks. I think the cost of making DVD's has also come down considerable to where it's comparible to what it cost to put games on CD's. So I don't think it will cost them too much really. As far as I understand it HD-DVD can actually work with exsisting laster technolgy, so I think Microsoft could prably just release a firmware update for the system that would probably allow it to read HD-DVD's.

I just came across a listing for a limited Edition version of Perfect Dark Zero. It has listed as extra content on a second disk this:
Bonus DVD Disc Two:
The Art of Perfect Dark Zero video feature
Kepi & Kat music track from the game
Perfect Dark Zero Gamer Tiles to customize your identity on Xbox Live
Perfect Dark Zero Heads-Up display (HUD) UI Skin to customize your Xbox 360 experience.
The first chapter from the new novel, Perfect Dark:Initial Vector

Plus:
Perfect Dark Zero special edition comic booklet, Hong Kong Sunrise
A collectible Perfect Dark Zero Glyph Card
Game Manual


Thats pretty interesting that it comes with customizable skins for the Xbox Live and HUD dashes. Thats going to be cool. I wonder if Microsft is going to let users, and 3rd parties develope skins as well. As long as their free. Nobody pays for wallpaper for their PC's desktop.

Gamespot has just posed an article about the company Intec. Who has listed Xbox 360 accessories they will have available on launch day for the Xbox 360. What more Intec is claiming that the Xbox 360 will be available for sale Nov. 4. Among the list of Items:
TFT screens for portable gaming in both 8" ($169) and 9.2" ($199) models. For more sedentary gamers, there will also be an A/V selector and storage unit, which permits gamers to easily select between systems and store various accessories. Intec will also provide a vertical stand ($19.99), a travel case ($39.99), a 10-disc aluminum case ($14.99), and a vertical 10-game holder ($14.99).

The article can be read here: Intec List Xbox 360 accessores for Nov. 4 Launch

Personally, i think the Core Pack is nothing more than a marketing scheme. They will advertise the fact that they are selling the XBox 360 for an amazing $299, OMG, Thats right, only 300 bucks for a next-gen machine, then consumers get to the store and go "HEY LOOK, only 100 bucks and we get all this bonus stuff!!!"

Thats how i look at it. I dare say that the number of core packs shipped compared to the premium pack will be 1:10 or something. But to be honest with you, despite the fact that the Core Pack is a retarted idea IMO, the 400 dollar deal isnt all that bad, and I would much prefer them JUST to release that pack and stop talking this "choices" BS.

On the PS3 being bottle necked since it has to read from the disc, the 1x Blu-Ray drive, reads at something like 36 Mb/s as far as my memory goes, and a 2x specification will be ready when Blu ray is first released. 36 Mb/s is quite fast, around the speed of a 32x DVD drive, so the PS3 should have sufficient read speed, and, hopefully, it wil have 2x which would just leave all concerns inthe gutter. Also, the system has sufficient RAM that if an initial load occurs, it will likely be the only load.

I don't know about you guys,but I 'm getting th Nintendo Revolution.It has the same price as current-gen consoles and you can play NES,Game Boy,SNES,Game Boy Color,N64,Virtual Boy,G-cube,GBA/SP,DS + the new games on it!!!!Well,maybe I'm a sucker for Nintendo,but who isn't?

Yeah your right about being able to play Previous gen games but it's via downloads you cant put cartridges etc in it, so if you dont have internet acess you wont be able to play the games not only that it's only Nintendo games at present and only Nintendo ones will be free to download other developers have yet to offer their games for download and they wont be free either so it's not that good of a deal as everyone thinks it is.