Almost six months ago in early May I posted my predictions for the HD-DVD vs. Blu-Ray format war. The original list can be found here. I wanted to update a few of my predictions that have come true and others as false. I will do another update in January once sales numbers for CY06 are finalized.
1. Microsoft will release a HD-DVD add-on for Xbox 360 for less than $200 (maybe as low as $100) by the time the PS3 launches in US. - The HD-DVD add-on will be released in Mid-Nov for $199.99.
2. Microsoft will offer a bundle of Xbox 360 and HD-DVD player for the same or lower price as the PS3 in CY06. Microsoft will not however revise the Xbox 360 hardware to include a HD-DVD internally in CY06. - This one looks like it won't happen, it may yet happen next year.
6. The first fully capable dual format player will be Windows Vista based Media Center boxes that include individual drives for each format. This will not happen in CY06 and may not even happen in 1H07. The machines may not be sold with both drives but will be easily upgradeable to add which ever drive did not ship in the original configuration. - Well I wasn't quite right on this. There will shortly be available a Windows XP based computer that contains both drives and thus enabling a single device dual format player. It will be released by Vidabox. At this point it would be much cheaper to buy standalones.
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