Told You So: Microsoft Readying Blu-ray Drive for Xbox 360

The idea Microsoft could somehow stave off the shift to optical-based high-def content by restricting its own solution to video downloads always seemed a little cuckoo, so today's not-surprise is that the Xbox 360 may finally be getting the external Blu-ray option it deserves. Referencing a joint venture between Samsung Electronics and Toshiba Corp., X-bit labs writes today that Toshiba-Samsung "has been contracted to manufacture external Blu-ray disc drives" for the Xbox 360. Rumored cost range: $100-$150.

Assuming it's true, is anyone surprised?

Curiously, X-bit labs says the main reason Microsoft's been reluctant to hop on the Blu-ray bandwagon is that the standard requires supporting BD-J, aka Blu-ray Disc Java.

What's BD-J? Glad you asked. You know all that bonus content you get on DVDs? Think that plus extra-extra, so instead of just some pictures and maybe a few outlier clips and simplistic games, you get stuff like network access, picture-in-picture commentary and interactive PiP, enhanced games, video bookmarking, and a whole lot more.

Microsoft's never been keen on Java, even back when Java was the only serious "write once, run anywhere" game in town. Then again, show me a company that's ever been enthusiastic about something it's didn't think of first.

Regardless, if Microsoft wants to defang criticism from Blu-ray adopters, it has no choice but to offer a Blu-ray option. As you probably know, even the so-called "high-def" content offered for digital download is seriously down-sampled compared to the vastly superior depth and vibrance of a Blu-ray disc.

What am I talking about?

Pay attention to digital-downloading's right-hand ("low bit rates"), even though the left hand ("It's 1280x720 so it must be 720p!") is telling you what you're getting is "high-def." It's not. Not really. That's because if you offered all of Lost Season Three at Blu-ray quality levels for download, you'd stab the internet (and your entire content server farm) through the heart, then twist the knife around a little. Oh digital downloads are fine if you want a quick rental, or to watch Daily Show clips, but if you want your really-truly-1080p LCDTV's money's worth, it's Blu-ray or bust for the next five to 10 years.

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