Xbox 360 HD-DVD Price Drop, Plus Five Free HD-DVD Movies
Earlier today at Comic-Con 2007, Microsoft brought word of an imminent price drop on the Xbox 360 HD-DVD player from $199 to $179, in the U.S. only, beginning August 1, 2007. To sweeten the deal further, anyone purchasing said accessory will be treated to five free HD-DVD movies from a selection of 15 between August 1 and September 30. Other big news coming up is the upcoming HD-DVD launches of 300 (totally all over that one) and Heroes: Season 1 (must buy!)
To promote the HD-DVD versions of both 300 and Heroes: Season 1, Microsoft has added exclusive content to Xbox LIVE Marketplace. Beginning August 14, 300 will be available for download in HD and they are currently working with Warner Bros. at Comic-Con "on a Bringing It Home campaign featuring 300 and other Warner Bros. properties." Before the first season of Heroes is released, the pilot episode will be made available for download in HD goodness for a limited time. You'll also be able to download teaser scenes and other promotional materials "highlighting the Heroes: Season 1 boxed set on HD DVD."
So, yay for that price drop in addition to the one coming for the Xbox 360, itself. I may consider dropping some cash on the HD-DVD player for the 5 free movies, but I want to see what the selection is first and I'd appreciate a much deeper price cut than a mere $20. Does this change anyone's mind about jumping on this accessory?
Full press release, after the jump.
Xbox 360 HD DVD Player Moves to $179, Adds Five Free HD DVDs
Xbox LIVE to promote HD DVD versions of "300" and "Heroes: Season 1."
SAN DIEGO — July 26, 2007 — Today at Comic-Con International 2007, Microsoft Corp. announced it will lower the price of the popular Xbox 360™ HD DVD Player from $199 to $179 ERP (United States only) starting Aug. 1, 2007, and will add five free HD DVD movies for anyone purchasing an Xbox 360 HD DVD Player between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30. In addition, Microsoft further solidified the Xbox 360 as the ultimate high-definition (HD) entertainment platform, with key announcements around the HD DVD launches of “300” from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group and “Heroes: Season 1” from Universal Studios.
To promote the HD DVD versions of “300” and “Heroes: Season 1,” Microsoft unveiled exclusive content for Xbox LIVE® Marketplace. Xbox LIVE will offer “300” on demand in HD starting Aug. 14, and is working with Warner Bros. at Comic-Con on a Bringing It Home campaign featuring “300” and other Warner Bros. properties. In advance of the street date for the “Heroes: Season 1” HD DVD boxed set, Xbox LIVE members will be able to download for free the show’s pilot episode in high definition for a limited time. Members will also be able to download trailers, teaser scenes and other promotional materials highlighting the “Heroes: Season 1” boxed set on HD DVD.
Already the most affordable high-definition player available, the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player is the best solution for movie lovers seeking HD content in the highest possible resolution. The player’s price reduction to $179 (U.S. ERP) continues to set the bar for value, making the Xbox 360 platform the most affordable solution for consumers seeking the broadest, most compelling selection of next-generation gaming and HD video experiences.
“With the price reduction to $179, the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player continues to be the most affordable way to enjoy high definition,” said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of Global Marketing, Interactive Entertainment Business, Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. “From the beginning, we set out to offer Xbox 360 owners an unrivaled high-definition experience, with a choice of optical discs on the HD DVD format and digital downloads through Xbox LIVE Marketplace — both of which have a selection of the best content Hollywood has to offer. Today’s announcements around ‘300’ and ‘Heroes: Season 1’ are great examples of how we believe HD content can be offered to consumers.”
In addition to the price drop, Microsoft is extending Toshiba’s highly successful “Perfect Offer” of five free HD DVD discs to Xbox 360 consumers. Previously exclusive to Toshiba HD DVD Players, with the purchase of an Xbox 360 HD DVD Player at the new low price of $179 ERP, consumers can choose five HD DVD titles for free from a selection of 15 popular titles through a mail-in offer. With a retail value of over $140 (U.S.), this promotion makes the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player one of the most compelling offerings for consumers looking to make the leap into HD this holiday season.
Super Timsy
Posted to Video Games on 26 July 2007
· Comments (5)
Other stuff like this: 300, HD-DVD, Heroes: Season 1, Xbox 360 HD-DVD Player
My partner and I bought the 360 HD DVD player not long after we got the 360; it came with King Kong and a remote control. We've gotten a TON of use out of it, buying a few HD DVDs but mostly renting them from Netflix. Planet Earth in HD (a rental) is absolutely breathtaking. And of course we had to buy, not rent, the HD versions of Brokeback Mountain, 12 Monkeys -- Bruce Willis getting scrubbed down! -- and Jarhead -- Jake Gyllenhaal in the shower, and drunkenly cavorting about in his Santa hat! "HD DVD: The Look and Sound of Perfect"? Amen to that!!
I'm looking forward to the HD version of 300 next week, and being a fan of the recent TMNT movie, that's comming a week after that.
Planet Earth is what sold my business partner on HD-DVD over Blu-ray, and I look forward to seeing it someday myself.
As for this announcement, I don't think a 20 dollar price drop is enough to tip me from "eh, i'll get it eventually" on the 360 to "oooh, gotta have it." But maybe this means that by the time I get around to buying a 360, the drive will be down to 99 bucks.
I'm deffo gonna get one now! But I'm in the uk, does anyone know if the US HD DVD player is compatible with the UK Xbox 360? I know the discs are region free, but what about the player?
Ok, why not lower the price to $149 or even $99? Also why not discontinued the Core system and just sell the Premium at $299 and elite at $399?