Although some may have argued that the
unofficial, unauthorised press shots we showed you last week were not the best way for Microsoft's HD-DVD Xbox 360 add-on to be unveiled to an already skeptical world, this bunch of new PR shots just unveiled have done little to defuse the increasing cynicism regarding the add-on amongst early adopters and consumer-tech watchers.
"You've experienced next-gen gaming on Xbox 360," enthuses Microsoft in a press release issued to mark the release of the HD-DVD pics. "Now experience next-gen DVD movies with HD DVD. The Xbox 360 HD DVD Player is the most affordable way to jump into the next generation of DVD technology, along with the flexibility to enter when you are ready. Just plug Xbox 360 HD DVD Player into Xbox 360 and enjoy the ultimate home theater experience with more clarity and detail than broadcast, cable or satellite HD. Feed your HDTV the high definition content it craves with HD DVD on Xbox 360!"
It would appear that as we pick over the images, Microsoft would have us focus on price and the fact that they are offering scalable HD building blocks to slot together at your leisure, which is a fair point, though at this moment, the raw brand power bolstering the PlayStation 3's Blu-ray looks likely to ensure it will be the technophile's HD console of choice. If they can afford it...
Which also brings us on to the fact that although Microsoft has been openly touting an attractive price-point for the add-on, no actual retail mark has been set. This has led many to speculate that a super-low price-point shocker is on the cards, with murmerings of a sub-$100 figure waiting in the wings to wow consumers who are more than likely currently weighing up the offerings of Sony and Nintendo, one for high-power bragging rights, one for gaming.
We'll let you know as soon as we learn more.