Xbox 360 HD DVD dated for Oz

Microsoft's HD DVD add-on for the 360 to arrive down under on March 29 for A$249 ($192).

It looks like the PlayStation 3 isn't the only major piece of console hardware that will be released in Australia in March. Microsoft has announced it is finally bringing the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player into Australia on March 29, one week after the PS3 makes its local debut.

The add-on player, which was released in the US last November, will retail for A$249, and will be packaged with a remote control and a copy of director Peter Jackson's King Kong. The Xbox 360 HD DVD Player can play movies in 720p, 1080i, and 1080p high-definition resolutions.

A Microsoft Australia spokesman said that close to 40 HD DVD titles would be available in Australia by the date of the 360 player's release.

67 Comments

  • Riverwolf007

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 10:34 am PT

    daritefeacha, LOL do not question Blu-Ray or HD-DVD for it is our master. Go right on using up your game money for $30 hi-def movies after all you have a PS3 what else are you going to do with the money you cant buy games for it. What I am talking about is that for the price of three movies a year you can watch a ton of HI-DEF programming recorded to your DVR. You are so sensitive that any comment is an attack on the Ps3 and I'm saying both formats are a waste. If you really want me to jump up in the PS3's grill I would say something like have fun playing SONIC since it is the only release you have had in 3 months. I will buy a PS3 when those "AAA" titles you are talking about(I'm assuming MGS, FF13, GT5, and DMC) come out in the fall of 2008. My basic point here is that you can't imagine all the cool movies and TV shows you can get in HI-DEF for way cheap leaving your money free to buy games. Now obviously if you have a fat trust fund or a rich mommy and daddy my comments don't really apply to you, but if you don't then you are better off skipping the new formats and buying cheap programing.

  • daritefeacha

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 9:04 am PT

    Riverwolf007, you're wasting our time with your pointless comments. To say that both formats are obsolete because of HD programing is like saying DVDs are obsolete because of cable TV. Riverwolf007, go home... we all already know that Blu-ray is already the dominant format and the ps3 is the best thus far for watching great HD movies and playing AAA titles all on one console. It's quite reminiscent of another great console, the ps2.

  • Riverwolf007

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 8:53 am PT

    Both formats are obsolete before they even got started, the best HD option is to just buy HD programming from your cable or satellite providers. For eight dollars a month(on top of the regular cable fee) I have a 60gig DVR and 20 channels of HD programming. I bet five years from now we will be saying "what?, put a disc in a player to watch HI-DEF? what are we? cavemen?" The majority of people will just have HD programming or downloadable movies in the future. I can't really see any disc format sticking around much longer as memory just keeps getting cheaper and cheaper.

  • daritefeacha

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 8:40 am PT

    HAHAHAHAHA.... What's the point. BLU-RAY is Killing hd dvd. If you want a true next gen and movie experience then don't waste your money, Get the PS3. Hd Dvd is dead. All the analysts are saying it. IF you want movies in HD quality on a format that is winning, then ps3 is the best player for your money.

  • gmayronne

    Posted Feb 4, 2007 11:25 am PT

    i have a ps3 so its blu-ray all the way for me, im watching my movies right now on my old school 480p, 1080i tv that unfortunately due to its age does not have HDMI, but i plan on upgrading tvs soon so it dosen't matter and the blu-ray movies i have (Saw III, Stargate) look incredible even in 480p, easily better than starndard dvd by a long shot. from what i hear, people that have compared blu-ray and hd dvd side by side on the same tvs have stated that blu-ray looks better, blu-ray is slightly sharper, colors look more vivid and rich most notably blacks greys and darker colors. over-all ive heard from several sources (mostly magazines Electronic Gaming Montly, Hi-Def tv magazines) that blu-ray is the better but more expensive choice.

  • SumerianDaemon

    Posted Feb 4, 2007 10:36 am PT

    PS3 expensive huh???

  • runbmp

    Posted Feb 3, 2007 2:34 pm PT

    " P.S. Wait till Lair/Heavenly Sword comes out and then tell me if 360's GFX are better "

    Probably wont notice much, both systems are running Direct X 9 API's. The advantage you have is in CPU... and in some ways may not even be used at all since it requires proprietary programming and knowledge.

    In all neither consoles we exhibit a large difference in terms of graphics. I think Crysis will be pushing the bar in those terms and that's going to be running on direct x 10 hardware for pc.

  • lostn

    Posted Feb 3, 2007 9:34 am PT

    Aust isn't NZ. When they say that this player is dated for 'Oz', I assume they mean Australia and not including NZ.

    HD-DVD has not launched here and has no presence at all. MS will be the first to market, and they expect 40 titles to be available in time for their launch... Sorry, but that's not realistic. Blu Ray has been around for about 6 months down here, and they still don't have 40 titles available. They have more industry support than HDDVD also.

    Microsoft should make a new model of 360 with a quieter fan, less heat, HDMI output, bigger hard disk, and a BUILT IN hd-dvd player. Then we're talking. Maybe even built in wi-fi.

  • SnuffDaddyNZ

    Posted Feb 3, 2007 7:30 am PT

    Gyruss is the killer app for 360 as a matter of fact.

    This HD-DVD addon for the 360 is a very bad decision by Microsoft. What they should have done is waited until the dust settled to see who the winner of the format wars ultimately was and THEN supported it. Now that they have backed HD-DVD so heavily, if it was to fail then I cant help but feel that the 360 would get "painted with the same brush" in the minds of Mom and Pops planning on buying one down then line when they are more affordable.

    EDIT: Hey "lostn" HD-DVD has been selling in NZ since near the end of 2006 to my knowledge. But don't quote me.

  • makemeweak

    Posted Feb 3, 2007 7:00 am PT

    notorious06 - "P.P.S. What was 360's killer app again?"

    Gears of War. Duh.

    Who has time to watch HD movies anyway? There are too many great games out to waste my time with movies.

  • darin925

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 7:51 pm PT

    What does it matter if Disney not an anchor , I've seen slated this year Lord Of The Rings Trilogy , Jaws , Scarface, Jurassic Park. People quit trying to shoot down HD DVD just 2 months of marginal sales of Blu-Ray!

  • lostn

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 7:49 pm PT

    Well that's funny, because right now there are ZERO hd-dvd players selling in Aust, and ZERO hd-dvd movies.

    So Microsoft magically expects 40 movies available at the time it ships? To my knowledge, this addon's release is pre-ceding the release of actual standalone HD-DVD players.

    Good luck getting 40 movies. Blu ray's been out for about 6 months here, and they still don't have 40 movies yet. And they have 7 of 8 major studios signed up, while HD DVD only has 3 of 7.

  • X_CAPCOM_X

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 7:36 pm PT

    Soon HD DVD will be dead. Without Disney, they're dead.

  • jrod9999

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 2:06 pm PT

    Its nice becz if you want a game system for an affordable price you can buy it. and then a year later when you have more funds you can buy the HD Drive...makes sense to me. Probably one of the few more expensive accessories for a game system that will sell well.

  • Cellien

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 11:30 am PT

    @notorious06: Thats the point.. some people just flat out dont have any desire to watch HD movies, so they dont have to pay for a HD player, regardless if it makes it the same price as the low end PS3. Having that choice is clearly not an option with the PS3.


    And, why exactly did you start talking about Lair all the sudden? Sounds to me like you are trying to sway the argument away from the real topic...

  • darin925

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 11:16 am PT

    I agree with L-5-R , it does'nt matter who wins but my opinion is all these titles for Blu-Ray right now outselling one format Sony does owns a major part of Hollywood studios so of course titles people want. Got to think Ps3 and the HD DVD add on has only been out since Nov. 2006. Please people its still early to throw in the towel yet give it time! Like I said here is a link for 2007 HD DVD titles.http://www.dvdtown.com/news/spielbergclassicsonhddvd/4300

  • L-5-R

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 10:51 am PT

    Im not surprised...every time i look at the comments on somthing to do with sonys ps3 or MS 360 i see a bunch of fanboy BS. I seriously laugh at half of it...to actuly fall into the market plot. They wan't you to side with one or the other..makes sence then you spend more money buying there games.

    Heres a thought why don't we behave more like Intelegent beings then midless pack hounds...

    I personly don't care...i own a 360 and love it...havn't yet bought the hd dvd add on but might once the library is expanded. I also will buy a PS3 becuase a few of the games look promising. The whole Blu-ray/HD DVD war is also imo trivail. I'll still watch movies when the dust settles.

    (@ all the none fan boys, and Intellegint people, my rant is not aimed at you. the rest might be wise to think before they post retarded one sided crap)

  • bruce1lee

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 10:50 am PT

    "It looks like the PlayStation 3 isn't the only major piece of console hardware that will be released in Australia in March." You consider the HD-DVD a major piece of hardware? That thing is gonna be obselete in no time. Its just a cheap gimmick item to sell you.

  • SolidTy

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 10:42 am PT

    I have the 360 Add on, and it's nice, but now I am worried I spent $200 on a format that is dying....Blu-Ray is beating it worse and worse every week. Oh well, at least, for now, I have one. I might sell it before it becomes worthless if this keeps up.

  • bcolter

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 10:35 am PT

    notorious06 - Good try on using a "Big Word".... but it's hypocrites.

  • bcolter

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 10:29 am PT

    Same ol... same ol... Fanboy BS! This is getting old fast!

  • ColoradoKindBud

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 10:28 am PT

    I laugh at people who say Blu-Ray or HD DVD looks better than the other. I have both & play them on a very nice 51in LCD HDTV with 1080p support & the quality of the movies look the same. It's the qaulity of the transfers that determine how good the movie looks, not the format, Hi-Def is Hi-Def no matter which player you are using so they look exactly the same.
    The only difference I have noticed is that HD-DVD has the IME functionality, (Interactive Movie Experience), whereas Blu-Ray does not. Otherwise, they are pretty much identical & it will be the studios & consumers that drive which format will be the "winner" not how either one looks compared to the other. Class dismissed...

  • rich181

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 10:27 am PT

    Raiden2688 made a good point, if the public (aka non-gamers) is going to buy a device that plays high def movies, they are going to want one that is compatible with the huge DVD collection they already have. I still have a VCR (not that i use it much, but i'm sure a lot of other people still have a VCR too). I don't think everyone is going to want to HAVE to have a DVD player and new hi def format (Blue-Ray or HD-DVD) taking up even more shelf space. So whatever player can use both DVD and the new hi def format will sell more, period.

    If Blue-Ray cannot play regular DVD's and HD-DVD can, that is a huge advantage to the general public, and whatever the general public puts its money behind will emerge as the new technology.

  • Proust

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 10:26 am PT

    Hmm... HD-DVD is taking a royal beating right now. It looks as if the beta max comparisons were right only Sony isn't in the losing camp this time. Read somewhere that MS said they would release a Blu-ray add on if HD-DVD fails. Looking at recent sales reports it would be prudent for people to avoid this addon for better reports unless of course they want $200 turkey. (Good luck getting 1080p to your TV through a VGA output. You will need it.)

  • darin925

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 10:20 am PT

    notorious06 you have your opinion about 360 thats okay but why are you on 360 topic spilling your hatred for one platform. Soon as Halo 3 comes out PS3 will be on the backburner once again my friend . HD DVD titles coming out for 2007 is huge check digitalbits.com web site see a link for upcoming titles.

  • notorious06

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 10:08 am PT

    lmao choice...rightttt

    You ppl ALWAYS have an excuse, like ALWAYS.

    So yeah, answer my question, if you DO want to play at HD you have to pay more than for the 20GB version of the PS3.

    How does that feel?

    BTW, its not the 360 games that are being downgraded to fit in Blu-ray disks, are they?

    But probably you ppl have an excuse to that too.

    Oh btw, check amazon to see who is selling more, HD-DVD's or Blu-ray movies

    P.S. Wait till Lair/Heavenly Sword comes out and then tell me if 360's GFX are better

    P.P.S. What was 360's killer app again?

  • Cellien

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 10:07 am PT

    @Eagles5: Just visited the link you posted. It says its still exclusive, but they put a scapegoat in there: "Capcom does not comment on rumors. Devil May Cry 4 is exclusive to PS3. No other announcements have been made."

    That last part can make the previous statement mean absolutely nothing. Many developers said that before spilling the beans that a game is no longer exclusive. Its typical PR and the right choice of words. I still wouldnt bet money what their plans are either way, it can go any way at this point.

  • Raiden2688

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 10:02 am PT

    Umm of course the Blue Ray is going to sell more because it's built standard into the Playstation 3 so it's like already openly available if you just simply buy a Playstation 3. There are no HD-DVD or Blue-Ray standalone players that are openly available to the general public unless you go to a high-end electronics store. Right now the only HD-DVD player is the add-on that is openly available and can be picked up at a local Wal-mart or K-mart or Target. When stand alone HD-DVD players come out all over along with Blue-Ray we're going to see the sales level off and probably tip over to HD-DVD because general public you know who they are the ones that don't come to this website don't want another format that isn't backward compatible.

    You all know how we're all stupidly in love with backward compatiability with the Playstation 3 and XBOX360, well apparently so are they when it comes to picking up a new DVD player for their living room they want something their old DVDs will run in as well.

    By the way I like the 360 more than the Playstation 3 but don't play either though I do own a XBOX360 I just use it as a DVD player nothing more.

  • Eagles5

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 9:59 am PT

    http://www.psu.com/node/7426 sorry man Capcom just said once again its STAYING ON PS3 so Stop trying to spread rumors again

  • Chief_Kuuni

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 9:54 am PT

    wow, thought that'd be out everywhere already. suprising

  • Eagles5

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 9:49 am PT

    den4sir

    better graphics? can u even tell a difference? and do you even own a ps3 to even begin to talk? get ur facts together b4 you start ur fanboy rant 1

  • bcfish

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 9:48 am PT

    well put cellien! couldn't have said it better myself. choice is the key word here, and sony isn't giving one!

  • 00Huddy

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 9:48 am PT

    Notorious06

    Not trying to be a fanboy but I if you really think about it you don't have to buy the HD-DVD if you are not going to play movies on your GAME system. If you do then yea it is as expensive as the PS3 but you have that option. In addition the HD-DVD is by all rights not close to Blu-Ray it is as good or better in every review I have read of the two. Finally the type of player that is in the system has no bearing on the quality of the games just the storage capacity so again if you aren't watching movies on your GAME system then you just spent an extra 200 on something that has no effect whatsoever on the systems usage.

  • den4sir

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 9:40 am PT

    Notorious06, the X360 has better graphics, online, and HD-DVD has looked better and is cheaper than Blu-Ray. Oh and X360 has had better titles than PS3 since launch, so that one year excuse is one year late for Sony.

  • Cellien

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 9:39 am PT

    @notorious06: Its called choice.. something Sony will never give you. They will force their propriety media on you for the rest of time. For ex: Sony DUO Sticks rather than all the other media sticks out there thats the same and cheaper, Sony makes you pay for their different sized plastic casing. UMD, MiniDisc, BluRay.. Betamax.. you get the picture. They have never been able to monopolize a media format yet, so this time they forced it onto gamers in the PS3. Brilliant strategy, but very cut throat to MAKE gamers be early adopters of the new format. At least MS gives you the choice. Also for the record, PS2 did not win any format war by putting a DVD player in. There was almost no competition and DVD was already selling years before PS2, unlike the PS3 and BluRay players which both came out the same year and against numerous competitors such as HD-DVD and digital distribution movie downloads.

    You ask if the PS3 is too expensive now? Yes, for gamers its too expensive. Most gamers dont even have an HDTV so there is no point of BluRay for them.

  • FFVIICloudSSJ27

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 9:33 am PT

    umm... some people don't WANT to play hi def movies so Microsoft is giving them the option to spend less money, whereas Sony is MAKING you spend more money. Microsoft fanboys aren't hypocrites, and please learn how to spell if you want to rag on people.

    I'm sorry, but notorious06, you ARE joking, right?

  • notorious06

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 9:28 am PT

    Wait, the 360 is $400 + the HD-DVD $192 to at least be close to the Blu-ray quality is = to $592.

    Thats $92 + then the 20GB version of the PS3 that already has Blu-ray built-in and only $8 less than the "ULTRA-EXPENSIVE" 60GB version of the PS3.

    OMG!!!!!1

    Where are you 360 fanboys saying its too expensive now?

    Where are you?????

    Hipocrites....

  • Riverwolf007

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 9:21 am PT

    OR you can buy Hi-Def programming through your local cable or satellite provider for a fraction of the cost of buying and renting movies, and have money to buy games with. For the most part both Hi-Def formats are a bust since five years from now we will just buy movies as digital downloads anyway. It costs me a measly $8 dollars extra a month(on top of the regular cable bill) for a 60gig DVR and more Hi-Def movies and television programming than I even have time to watch.

  • darin925

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 9:14 am PT

    I own a 360 HD DVD player and I love it ! Hell they cannot make up there minds one minute HD DVDs win one month then Blu-Ray who cares its so early to tell its in the early stages of titles. Its probably just hype right now just to sell PS3s where I'm from you cannot give them away every store has plenty in stock. Microsofts backing of HD DVD Bill Gates always has something up his sleeve do not count this format out yet!

  • TintedChimes

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 8:53 am PT

    gonna wait until its in one machine...then I'll buy the xbox360 or wait until a price drop

  • hotdork70minus1

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 8:44 am PT

    Why is gamespot soo freaking slow ? Devil May Cry 4 is on 360 now...for real.

  • amh77025

    Posted Feb 1, 2007 8:09 pm PT

    I love my HD, ah...

  • XTy

    Posted Feb 1, 2007 8:05 pm PT

    man, I love HD-DVD I hope this helps, since Blu-Ray is destroying the HD-DVD in sales and exclusives.
    I have the addon, but more and more Blu-Ray movies are exclusive, and this link is crazy. Hopefully sales in Australia change the tides, we desperately need!

    http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/456

  • TheGamer4Life

    Posted Feb 1, 2007 8:04 pm PT

    I have a 46'' HDTV (YES, full 1080p), I got a 360 last year, so when this add-on came out it was the cheapest way to upgrade. It was worth it, the picture quality is superb and it's only $200.00, cheap compared to the alternatives. That includes the PS3, cause it's games are crap!!! I don't think Beta-Ray is going to be the standard and I say that knowing I will own a PS3, in 2 or 3 years when a few quality exclusive games merit it's purchase.
    Posted Feb 1, 2007 8:03 pm PT>>>>

    The lineup of movies on HD isn't as extensive as Blu Ray yet though... which is a bummer.

  • epormada

    Posted Feb 1, 2007 8:03 pm PT

    I have a 46'' HDTV (YES, full 1080p), I got a 360 last year, so when this add-on came out it was the cheapest way to upgrade. It was worth it, the picture quality is superb and it's only $200.00, cheap compared to the alternatives. That includes the PS3, cause it's games are crap!!! I don't think Beta-Ray is going to be the standard and I say that knowing I will own a PS3, in 2 or 3 years when a few quality exclusive games merit it's purchase.

  • XTy

    Posted Feb 1, 2007 7:54 pm PT

    This link shows Blu-Ray's Sales have far surpassed HD-DVD sales, and I bought the HD add on....this kinda blows. Oh well, at least the aussies may help out there even if the PS3 isn't out there yet too. Dang it.

    http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/456

  • destrozz

    Posted Feb 1, 2007 7:54 pm PT

    I just purchased the HD DVD player waiting for it to be shipped i used my xbox diamond card to get a 10% discount at circuit city hope its a big diffrence because the movies cost 24-40 bucks a pop

  • el_cobra99

    Posted Feb 1, 2007 7:47 pm PT

    "XTy
    I can't believe Blu-Ray is Kiciking HD-DVD butt...but still I like King Kong in HD, even if the movie is okay, the details are excellent.

    Heck, if Blu-Ray keeps this up, I may get a pS3, we'll see..."

    "MattBrian
    sigh...According to VideoScan, during the first two weeks of January, Blu-ray discs outsold HD DVD by more than a 2:1 margin"

    I wonder if PS3 had anything to do with BR selling good.. another duh moment

  • XTy

    Posted Feb 1, 2007 7:36 pm PT

    I can't believe Blu-Ray is Kiciking HD-DVD butt...but still I like King Kong in HD, even if the movie is okay, the details are excellent.

    Heck, if Blu-Ray keeps this up, I may get a pS3, we'll see...

  • DarkSan00

    Posted Feb 1, 2007 7:29 pm PT

    good for people interested in HD, as far as I'm concerned, as long as it looks good, I'm ok with it.

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