Xbox 360 HD-DVD player discontinued

Following Toshiba’s decision to cease development and production of HD-DVD equipment, Microsoft has now confirmed that manufacturing of its HD-DVD add-on for Xbox 360 is also to end.

A statement from the firm read: ”As a result of recent decisions made by Toshiba, Hollywood studios, and retailers, Microsoft plans to withdraw from HD-DVD.

Xbox will no longer manufacture new HD-DVD players for the Xbox 360, but we will continue to provide standard product and warranty support for all Xbox 360 HD-DVD players in the market.

As we stated earlier, we do not believe this decision will have any material impact on the Xbox 360 platform or our position in the marketplace. HD-DVD is one of the several ways we offer a high definition experience to consumers and we will continue to give consumers the choice to enjoy digital distribution of high definition movies and TV shows directly to their living room, along with playback of the DVD movies they already own.”

Speculation continues concerning the possibility of a Blu-Ray drive arriving on Xbox 360 at some point, though there has been no confirmation as of yet.