Console maker Microsoft has once again denied rumors that it is preparing to integrate Blu-ray movie playback functionality into the Xbox 360 hardware

"We have no plans to introduce a Blu-ray drive for Xbox 360," the company told GamePro. "Games are what drive consumers to purchase game consoles, and we remain focused on providing the largest library of blockbuster games available."

Much like the competing HD DVD or any other optical media, the Sony-backed Blu-ray format requires specialized equipment to operate. As Microsoft produced, and subsequently axed, an Xbox 360 add-on to enable HD DVD playback, many have speculated that the Blu-ray format will eventually make its way to the Xbox 360.

This speculation has led to countless Blu-ray Xbox 360 reports from many supposedly credible sources, all of which have been squashed by Microsoft on a number of occasions.

Sony has announced that next week's release of the PlayStation 3's 2.30 firmware will allow the console to play the DTS-HD Master Audio and High Resolution Audio tracks contained on some Blu-ray movies.

Along with the new Blu-ray functionality, the v2.30 firmware will include the PlayStation Store redesign that was revealed in late March.

"These updates further demonstrate how the future-proof PS3 continues to evolve as a gaming and home entertainment system with the flexibility to deliver the newest technology innovations without requiring further investment from consumers," the company claimed today.

Microsoft has denied rumors that Taiwan-based hardware manufacturer Lite-On is supplying a Blu-ray drive for use in a future Xbox 360 hardware revision, TechRadar reports.

The rumors were initially sparked by reports from DigiTimes, which, citing industry sources, claimed that Lite-On was supplying Microsoft with Blu-ray drives for the Xbox 360. Microsoft quickly responded to the speculation, issuing a statement that denied the claims.

"Lite-On is not manufacturing Blu-ray drives for Xbox 360," a company spokesperson said. "As we have stated, games are what are driving consumers to purchase game consoles and we remain focused on providing the largest library of blockbuster game available.

"For our customers who want a premium movie experience we offer the largest library of on-demand HD content available and the ability to play back DVDs in high definition," the representative added.

The software giant has repeatedly dismissed rumors of Blu-ray functionality following the HD DVD format's defeat, with heavyweight HD DVD supporters pulling out and Microsoft itself axing the HD DVD player add-on for its Xbox 360.

The US International Trade Commission said that it will launch a patent infringement investigation into technologies related to the Blu-ray format, GameSpot reports.

The Commission noted that the investigation will be focused on "certain short-wavelength light emitting diodes, laser diodes, and products containing same." It named several companies in the investigation including Sony, which created the Blu-ray format, as well as Samsung, Sharp, Toshiba, Nokia and several others.

Blu-ray was crowned the winner of the "format wars" following hardware manufacturer Toshiba's announcement last month that it would cease production of HD DVD players and recorders. Currently, Sony's PlayStation 3 is the only game console that supports the Blu-ray format.

The investigation was sparked by a complaint filed on February 20 by Gertrude Neumark Rothschild, who claimed that laser diodes imported for use in Blu-ray and other high-definition disc players infringe on one of her patents. Rothschild requested that the Trade Commission issue cease and desist orders to all the companies named in the investigation.

Sony detailed the latest update for the PlayStation 3 firmware, set to go live in the next few days, on the PlayStation Blog today.

The update, which brings PS3 firmware to version 2.20, adds support for Blu-ray Disc Profile 2.0, also known as BD-Live. Blu-ray discs which support the feature allow users to connect to the internet while playing the discs and obtain additional content and special features.

The first Blu-ray movies to take advantage of BD-Live are The 6th Day and Walk Hard, slated for release on April 8.

The update adds subtitle support for DivX files, as well as the ability to play DivX and WMV format files that are over two gigabytes in size. The new firmware also features a resume play to DVD or Blu-ray playback, allowing users to resume play of a disc from the point it was stopped, even if the disc was ejected.

Finally, v2.20 will allow users to copy PS3 music and photo playlists to a PSP, and adds a "Save Target" option to the PS3 internet browser which enables users to save files from web pages.

Citing digital movie downloads as the future of Xbox 360 media playback, Microsoft today ruled out the possibility of a Blu-ray add-on player for the system.

Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Europe VP Chris Lewis was the latest voice from the company to refute rumors of a Blu-ray add-on player. "We have no plans to do anything at all in terms of further or additional movie playback peripherals," Lewis told MCV.

Lewis also stated his belief that consumer choice is turning towards digital media distribution. “My own view is very clear and I know it's shared by other people in Microsoft is that the future's digital downloads now. The broadband proliferation is amazing—people’s appetite to download movies through Video Marketplace is testament to that.

"Online is the future. And we're very well placed to take advantage of that," Lewis added.

The VP's comments add further weight to a statement made by Xbox product manager Aaron Greenburg Wednesday in which he dismissed reports that Microsoft and Sony were in talks concerning Blu-ray movie functionality on the Xbox 360.

Following hardware manufacturer Toshiba's announcement that it would cease production of HD DVD players and recorders of the format, Microsoft axed its Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on peripheral, with comments from the company prompting many to speculate that a Blu-ray player add-on was in the works.

Microsoft is not in talks with Sony to bring Blu-ray movie functionality to the Xbox 360, Xbox product manager Aaron Greenberg has revealed.

"Xbox is not currently in talks with Sony or the Blu-ray Association to integrate Blu-ray into the Xbox experience," Greenberg told Reuters.

Greenberg's comment clarifies a statement made by Sony Electronics US president Stan Glasgow earlier this month, in which the executive said that the company was in talks with Microsoft concerning an adoption of the Blu-ray format.

However, Greenberg's denial of talks to bring Blu-ray movie playback functionality to the Xbox 360 does not rule out use of the format on Windows-based PCs.

The Blu-ray format, which was developed by Sony as well as several other companies, was crowned the victor of the "HD format wars" when hardware manufacturer Toshiba ceased production of HD DVD players and recorders.

Microsoft soon followed suit, axing production of the Xbox 360 HD DVD player add-on, with rumors suggesting that an Xbox 360 Blu-ray add-on player could arrive as early as May.

Sony said that it is in talks with Microsoft concerning Blu-ray movie playback functionality for the Xbox 360, according to the Financial Times.

Sony Electronics US president Stan Glasgow stated yesterday that the companies were discussing the possibility of Microsoft adopting the format. Whether or not this would take the form of a hardware revision with a built-in Blu-ray player or an external add-on peripheral similar to Microsoft's HD DVD player was not specified.

Speaking at the Mix08 Internet conference in Las Vegas, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said that plans for Blu-ray were in the works—but how those plans will manifest remains to be seen.

"We've already been working on, for example, in Windows, device driver support for Blu-ray drives and the like, and I think the world moves on," Ballmer... Read more

Microsoft has confirmed to Shacknews that it has ceased production of the Xbox 360 HD DVD player add-on, and units currently available at retail will be dropped in price to $49.

Microsoft's Taipei branch announced the drop earlier today, noting that it will continue to provide technical and warranty support for HD DVD player owners.

Primary HD DVD backer Toshiba announced last week that it would cease production of HD DVD players and recorders, prompting many to sound the end of the "format wars." Microsoft has repeatedly declined to comment on rumors of a Blu-ray player add-on for its Xbox 360 console.

Update: A representative of Microsoft told Shacknews that, "It is premature to speculate about Blu-ray but we do know from market data that HD movie playback is not a primary purchase driver for consumers buying video game consoles."

The representative added, "It continues to be games that drive purchase and that has consistently been a strong point for the Xbox 360 platform."

Original story: The ever-speculated Xbox 360 Blu-ray movie player add-on could arrive by May, according to rumors reported by Smarthouse. The site, which cites insiders at Microsoft, claims that the device's availability depends on "internal marketing and sales approvals," but that it may retail within three months.

Microsoft has long stated that it would consider an Xbox 360 Blu-ray add-on if consumers chose Blu-ray over HD DVD. "It should be consumer choice; and if [Blu-ray is] the way they vote, that's something we'll have to consider," Xbox group marketing manager Albert Penello said earlier this year.

Microsoft just lowered the price of the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on, a move many saw as a last-ditch effort, and rumors are now circulating that primary HD DVD backer Toshiba may axe the format as soon as this week.

The site further reports that Microsoft is working on a Xbox 360 model with Blu-ray compatibility built-in, a claim that sounds eerily similar to Smarthouse's previous rumor of an HD DVD-equipped Xbox 360. The site also indicates that the company will continue focusing on downloadable and streaming high-definition movies, a claim director Michael Bay will no doubt take as proof of his claims that Microsoft is intentionally sabotaging both Blu-ray and HD DVD.

An Xbox 360 add-on that would enable the console to play Blu-ray format movies is possible, Microsoft has reaffirmed.

"It should be consumer choice; and if [Blu-ray is] the way they vote, that's something we'll have to consider," Xbox group marketing manager Albert Penello told Reuters of the ongoing format war between HD DVD and Blu-ray.

Microsoft previously released an external Xbox 360 accessory that allowed the system to play HD DVD discs. In the past, former corporate VP Peter Moore noted that consumer demand could bring a Blu-ray add-on to the Xbox 360.

The optional HD DVD drive makes the Xbox 360 the only console that can play HD DVD movies, while the PlayStation 3 is the only console that can play Blu-ray movies due to its internal Blu-ray drive. Though PS3 games are pressed on Blu-ray discs as well, the 360 only uses the HD DVD format for movies, with games arriving on regular old DVDs.

News of Warner Bros. abandoning the HD DVD has many signaling the end of the HD format war, with Paramount, one of the last major HD DVD backers, rumored to be leaving the format as well. "You can't say it's not a bummer, not a setback, but I've seen this battle declared over so many times," said Penello.

Acclaimed director Michael Bay, meanwhile, remains firm in his belief that Microsoft is intentionally sabotaging both Blu-ray and HD DVD.

It doesn't seem like very long ago that the use of the PSP was limited to a handful of decent games and You Got Served on UMD video—suddenly, it's 2008 and there's actually a great deal of use to be squeezed out of Sony's little handheld that could, including a bevy of new features unveiled at this year's CES.

Today, Sony officially confirmed to Gamasutra that certain Blu-ray movies will allow the uploading of a version of the content to the PSP at no additional cost. Also revealed were plans to deliver other additional content from supported discs, including mobile ringtones and games, through the coming year.

Additionally, the PSP camera and GPS receiver peripherals—already available in Japan and Europe—have been officially dated for a North American release in that vague, "around the end of the year" sort of way. Sony representatives could not offer a more specific time.

PSP owners who fall into fits of hysteria and violence at the thought... Read more

Sony's system software version 2.10 will arrive on PlayStation 3 tomorrow, according to an official Sony UK support site post captured by NeoGAF before it was removed. The update will presumably come to Europe and other territories at the same time.

The update includes support for playback of DivX-encoded movie files or VC-1 encoded Windows Media Video files, although DivX files larger than 2GB or those encoded in DivX 3.11 cannot be played. Other features include support for the final standard Blu-ray profile, version 1.1, for playback of Blu-ray discs encoded to support the profile.

A voice changer will be added as well, allowing PS3 users to disguise their voices online. The recent Xbox 360 Fall Update added similar support for DivX files as well as playback of files encoded in the non-proprietary XviD codec.

Acclaimed director and aspiring game developer Michael Bay (Transformers, The Rock, Playboy Video Centerfold: Kerri Kendall) has lambasted Microsoft's HD DVD initiative as a ploy meant to weaken the format and eventually strengthen the company's on-demand video service.

"Microsoft wants both [HD DVD and Blu-ray] formats to fail so they can be heroes and make the world move to digital downloads. That is the dirty secret no one is talking about," Bay wrote on his official forums.

"They want confusion in the market until they perfect the digital downloads. Time will tell and you will see the truth," he continued. "That is why Microsoft is handing out $100 million dollar checks to studios just [to] embrace the HD DVD and not the leading, and superior Blu Ray [sic]."

Microsoft is currently using the Xbox Live Video Marketplace to sell television shows and rent on-demand movies to Xbox 360 users in the United States. Just yesterday, the company announced it would be expanding the Video Marketplace to... Read more

Update: Capcom has clarified to Shacknews that the "demos" of Devil May Cry 4 and Resident Evil 5 included in Resident Evil: Extinction are non-interactive trailers.

Original Story: The DVD and Blu-ray editions of the third Resident Evil movie, Extinction, will include some type of demo for Resident Evil 5 (PS3, X360) and Devil May Cry 4 (PC, PS3, X360), reports High-Def Digest.

It is presently unclear if the demos are playable, or just video... Read more

Teaming up with HD DVD promoter Toshiba, Microsoft has just announced an incentive for purchasers of its Xbox 360 HD DVD Player, giving U.K. customers who purchase the add-on between now and January 31 five free HD DVD flicks. The offer is slightly different than the recently begun HD DVD incentive for American customers, but matches Sony's existing promotion for five free Blu-ray movies with the purchase of a PlayStation 3 or select other Blu-ray players, which runs through January 31.

Purchasers of Toshiba HD DVD players or certain Toshiba HD DVD-equipped computers are also eligible for the U.S. offer, which runs longer than the U.K. promotion through February 28. Americans can pick five titles from... Read more

Polyphonal Digital's juggernaut racing series is receiving another release in the run-up to the full fifth sequel. Set to mark the first game in the franchise to feature online racing, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will be available at retail stores and on the PlayStation Network later this year.

Over 40 machines will be available for players to tune up and tweak in order to overcome a new physics model. They can then enter their cars in an online match, attempting to best up to 16 opponents. In the offline mode, an overhauled computer AI will hopefully provide racers with a challenge as they tear across tracks such as Eiger Nordwand, London City, and Suzuka. The new Gran Turismo TV will show off the action inbetween rounds.

The real Gran Turismo 5 will arrive at some point in 2008. In the meantime, check out some screens of the Prologue, which is due out on October 26.

I can't say I was ever worked up over Starcraft: Ghost. At least not nearly as much as the looming, ever-expected sequels to the rest of Blizzard's games. Still, it's tough to argue with the selling power of their quality cinematics. I'd play that.

Today's lineup features Justin Timberlake and a flock of dragons, with Mistwalker's Blue Dragon receiving a release date, Dragon's Lair heading to the DS, and the Dragon Hunters series gliding to multiple platforms. ... Read more

At its Gamer's Day press event today, Sony announced the official launch lineup for the Playstation 3. Not all of these will launch alongside the machine November 17, but they will be available during the system's "launch window." Games are expected to retail for $59.99.

SCEA Launch Titles
Resistance: Fall of Man
NBA 07
Genji: Days of the Blade

Third Party Publisher Titles
Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII
Call of Duty 3
EA Sports Fight Night Round 3
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
F.E.A.R.
Full Auto 2: Battlelines
Madden NFL 07
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
Mobile Suit Gundam: CROSSFIRE
NBA 2K7
Need For Speed Carbon
NHL 2K7
RIDGE RACER 7
Sonic the Hedgehog
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas
Tony Hawk's Project 8
Untold Legends Dark Kingdom

The first half million PS3 units shipped in North America will include a Blu-Ray copy of the Will Ferrell comedy "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby," which won't be available seperately until December 12. Sony also announced an official HDMI cable, which will retail at $49.99. A Sixaxis controller will also set you back $49.99, a remote control $24.99, and the Memory Card adapter for PS1/PS2 memory cards will be $14.99.