Michael Pachter: 360 Elite validates Sony’s initial strategy…
Apparently it isn’t only Peter Dille who thinks that Microsoft‘s Xbox 360 Elite is an affirmation of Sony‘s strategy. GamesIndustry reports that Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter also sees the Xbox 360 Elite as a sign that Sony’s game-plan was on target. Pachter explains:
Microsoft’s move is an endorsement of high-definition output, and its inclusion of HDMI validates that Sony’s initial strategy was correct.
…The 120 GB hard-drive is focused on helping the roll-out of IPTV, and I expect a progression of HDTV broadcast from the current 720p to the 1080p standard over the next few years, so the HDMI output will be relevant.
…On balance, this is a very smart move by Microsoft, but it appears to validate Sony’s strategy, and serves as an acknowledgement that HD content matters.
Pachter sees the Xbox 360 Elite as a move by Microsoft to encroach on PlayStation 3 functionality, only this time, instead of offering an all-in-one package, Microsoft is giving consumers choices. Basically gamers get the option to get a system that has components relevant to their needs, at a price they’re willing to spend.
Pachter goes on to say that Microsoft is probably seeing that Blu-ray will win the movie format war. Matt Martin of GamesIndustry speculates that given that Microsoft isn’t offering an external HD-DVD drive as part of the Elite package is an omen of Microsoft’s future plans: a Blu-ray drive for the Xbox 360 Elite.
Here’s Michael Pachter’s analysis:
It appears to me that Microsoft sees the writing on the wall – Blu-ray is going to win the format wars. …Ultimately, Microsoft will likely offer a Blu-ray drive with the 360 Elite, and I think consumers will be able to select based solely upon other drivers.
At this point we feel that it is good to note that Blu-ray on Xbox 360 is starting to seem more likely as time passes. For one thing, Xbox UK boss Neil Thompson did note that “Whatever format wins it is highly likely we will offer a solution.“
Pachter goes on to note that he hopes that Microsoft does not phase out the 20GB model, saying that he believes that most users will be perfectly happy with it. He also says that he believes that Microsoft is in a good position at the moment to lower the price of the US$ 399 version.
Oh, and before you categorization Nazis go ballistic, this is also posted in the PS3 blog, not under news, just under Blu-ray. Happy?
Via GamesIndustry
Apparently it isn’t only Peter Dille who thinks that Microsoft‘s Xbox 360 Elite is an affirmation of Sony‘s strategy. GamesIndustry reports that Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter also sees the Xbox 360 Elite as a sign that Sony’s game-plan was on target. Pachter explains:
Microsoft’s move is an endorsement of high-definition output, and its inclusion of HDMI validates that Sony’s initial strategy was correct.
…The 120 GB hard-drive is focused on helping the roll-out of IPTV, and I expect a progression of HDTV broadcast from the current 720p to the 1080p standard over the next few years, so the HDMI output will be relevant.
…On balance, this is a very smart move by Microsoft, but it appears to validate Sony’s strategy, and serves as an acknowledgement that HD content matters.
Pachter sees the Xbox 360 Elite as a move by Microsoft to encroach on PlayStation 3 functionality, only this time, instead of offering an all-in-one package, Microsoft is giving consumers choices. Basically gamers get the option to get a system that has components relevant to their needs, at a price they’re willing to spend.
Pachter goes on to say that Microsoft is probably seeing that Blu-ray will win the movie format war. Matt Martin of GamesIndustry speculates that given that Microsoft isn’t offering an external HD-DVD drive as part of the Elite package is an omen of Microsoft’s future plans: a Blu-ray drive for the Xbox 360 Elite.
Here’s Michael Pachter’s analysis:
It appears to me that Microsoft sees the writing on the wall – Blu-ray is going to win the format wars. …Ultimately, Microsoft will likely offer a Blu-ray drive with the 360 Elite, and I think consumers will be able to select based solely upon other drivers.
At this point we feel that it is good to note that Blu-ray on Xbox 360 is starting to seem more likely as time passes. For one thing, Xbox UK boss Neil Thompson did note that “Whatever format wins it is highly likely we will offer a solution.“
Pachter goes on to note that he hopes that Microsoft does not phase out the 20GB model, saying that he believes that most users will be perfectly happy with it. He also says that he believes that Microsoft is in a good position at the moment to lower the price of the US$ 399 version.
Oh, and before you categorization Nazis go ballistic, this is also posted in the PS3 blog, not under news, just under Blu-ray. Happy?
Via GamesIndustry