Xbox 360 HD DVD Drops in Price $20, Five Free Movies

Today Microsoft announced it will lower the price of the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player from $199 to $179 (United States only) starting Aug. 1, 2007, and will add five free HD DVD movies for anyone purchasing an Xbox 360 HD DVD Player between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30. To promote the HD DVD versions of 300 and Heroes: Season 1, Microsoft unveiled exclusive content for Xbox LIVE Marketplace. Xbox LIVE will offer 300 on demand in HD starting Aug. 14. In advance of the street date for the Heroes: Season 1 HD DVD boxed set, Xbox LIVE members will be able to download for free the show’s pilot episode in high definition for a limited time. Members will also be able to download trailers, teaser scenes and other promotional materials highlighting the Heroes: Season 1 boxed set on HD DVD.

“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 vice president of Global Marketing, Interactive Entertainment Business, Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. “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. Today’s announcements around 300 and Heroes: Season 1 are great examples of how we believe HD content can be offered to consumers.”