Internal HD DVD drive for Xbox 360 to be revealed in 2008 CES?

Both rumors and consumer demand of an internal HD DVD drive for the Xbox 360 have been circulating for a long time now. A recent article from Brier Dudley of the Seattle Times seems to have given new fire to the call for an internal HD DVD drive, speculating that Microsoft will make that very announcement at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Read about Dudley’s prediction in the full article.

Talks of an internal HD DVD drive for the Xbox 360 have been circulating for a long time now. Numerous rumors have already been shot down but that doesn’t stop new ones from popping up, and a recent article from the Seattle times may have rekindled its fire.

Brier Dudley of the Seattle Times speculates in a recent article that Microsoft will be “preparing to license the Xbox gaming platform to consumer-electronics companies,” particularly Toshiba, an HD DVD backer.

Dudley furthers that an alliance between the two would benefit the HD DVD format not only in the format wars but also in the Japanese market where the Xbox 360 console remains behind its competitors in sales. Dudley goes on to speculate that:

Microsoft could also make a splash by announcing plans to give the Xbox 360 an internal HD-DVD drive, putting it on par with Sony‘s PlayStation 3 that has a built-in Blu-ray drive.

While this isn’t exactly a solid prediction, it does make for good speculation. With talks that the competition between HD DVD and Blu-ray coming to a stalemate, we may see Microsoft and Sony make some deciding moves that will finally conclude the format war.

On the other hand, they may make some moves that will extend the war till the next New Year. At any rate, we’ll have to wait for CES 2008. Check back for updates.

Via Seatlle Times