Microsoft Drops Xbox HD DVD Drive Price

Microsoft has lowered the price on its Xbox HD DVD Player from $199 to $179 - and will include five free movies with players purchased between August 1 and September 30.

Microsoft has announced it will lower the price on its external Xbox 360 HD DVD Player from $199 to $179 beginning August 1—and, furthermore, the company will offer five free HD DVD movies with players purchased between August 1 and September 30, 2007. The free movie deal closely parallel’s Toshiba’s recent promotion of five free HD DVD discs with Toshiba HD DVD players—when purchasing an Xbox 460 HD DVD player, customers will be able to choose five free movies from a selection of 15 HD DVD titles via a mail-in offer.

“With the price reduction to $179, the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player continues to be the most affordable way to enjoy high definition,” said Jeff Bell, corporate VP of global Marketing, for Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices Division. “From the beginning, we set out to offer Xbox 360 owners an unrivaled high-definition experience, with a choice of optical discs on the HD DVD format and digital downloads through Xbox LIVE Marketplace—both of which have a selection of the best content Hollywood has to offer.”

Microsoft also announced promotions to tie in with the HD DVD releases of the film 300 and the first season of the NBC television show Heroes. Microsoft will offer 300 on demand via Xbox Live Marketplace beginning August 14, and will offer the Heroes pilot episode as a free high definition download for a limited time. Microsoft will also offer teasers, trailers, and other Heroes promotional materials as free downloads.