New Xbox 360 HD DVD Drive Coming In 2008?

[Ian]

According to Personal Computer World, Microsoft plans to release a new HD DVD drive for the Xbox 360 in 2008. I'm not sure how they could improve it. Maybe this will use the Lite-On HD DVD drive DigiTimes keeps mentioning?

http://www.pcw.co.uk/personal-computer- ... drive-2008

Microsoft will launch an updated HD DVD drive for the Xbox 360 in 2008, it said at its 25th hardware anniversary in London today.

[Ian]

More info here:

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=42528

Speaking at an event in London, the chief Volista in charge of HD-DVD said that the new hardware would support more advanced HD-DVD features, such as picture in picture and interactivity.

The drive shouldn't really matter in regards to advanced features. This is all done in the software. Maybe the HD DVD spec isn't as final as they'd like us to think?

[dolphinius_rex]

The new and improved drive will likely boast the new HDi logo... that's probably what lef the person to believe it will offer more advanced interactivity features

[Ian]

The new and improved drive will likely boast the new HDi logo... that's probably what lef the person to believe it will offer more advanced interactivity features

Yep, you're probably right.

[Grain]

Perhaps trying to make it less hackable when used as a PC ripper?

[Wesociety]

Ummm... yeah... the current Xbox 360 HD DVD drive supports all known HDi features already AFAIK. So the claim that the new drive will support "more advanced" HD DVD features sounds like bull. I'm going with Ian on this one, it's probably a new drive, manufactured by LiteOn. I'm also guessing they will offer a black version this time around, to better blend with the Xbox elite black console.