Earlier we passed along the rumor that Microsoft was set to launch a Blu-Ray player for the Xbox 360 in May. Well, it’s time to pass along even more Xbox 360/Blu-Ray news. A fairly cool cat over at Gaming Today has gotten his mits on the actual specs for a new Xbox 360 SKU with Blu-Ray built-in.
According to the unnamed source at Microsoft, the big M is currently working on a new SKU, the Xbox 360 Ultimate. If that sounds familiar, it’s because that was the name for the rumored 360 SKU that was to have HD-DVD built-in. It wouldn’t be too out of the realm of possibility that the HD-DVD was simply swapped for Blu-Ray when HD-DVD crashed and burned (see: Hindenburg). So what exactly gives this rumor merit? Specs.
Xbox 360 w/ built-in Blu-Ray 2 Quad-Core Processors 2GB RAM HDMI 7.1 Surround Sound 1080p DVD upscaling IPTV capable Bluetooth Cable Card (or HD-DVR) 500GB HDD (size necessary for IPTV use) Home Server Integration and Home Automation Options PhysX Tech card by Ageia Near Silent Fan Operation
I’ve always been one to brush off the idea of Blu-Ray on the Xbox 360 simply because Sony owns the Blu-Ray license. However, over the past few days there has been more and more evidence that would seem to lean towards Microsoft working on a Blu-Ray player. Am I completely sold yet? Not by a long shot. But it’s starting to look less and less absurd.
UPDATO MAGNIFICO!
Guess what? This rumor has been proven false. A representative of Microsoft has told the original author of the post featured at Gaming Today that while they could not comment on a possible Blu-Ray player for the Xbox 360, the specs listed above simply do not make sense. This is why we call these rumors, people — because sometimes, even publishers don’t know what to think.
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Less absurd? Excuse me?
This rumor actually makes the idea sound more absurd.
The inclusion of PhysX cards and two physical processors actually debunk this rumor immediately. (see me comment when you got the info from) Sorry, but this rumor just reeks of fish.
The idea of a Xbox 360 SKU having Blu-Ray in some capacity down the road is nowhere near as preposterous as it was, say, six months ago.
As for the specs… well, that’s why we call them rumors.
Smartest move Microsoft could pull. They obviously don’t care about the HD download service with the outrageous prices of hard drives for the system (and most people on only 20 gigs), so backing the winning video format is definitely the way to go.