XBox 360 Rally

First Mentioned HERE, with the HD-DVD Price-Drop!

When I sat in the movie theatre with my friend Krystle all those many moons ago, watching King Leonidas ripping through faceless Persians and Ninjas, I knew I was watching the manliest thing EVER! In fact, the only thing that could make it more manly was if I were in my living room, watching it in HD while eating raw flesh with my bare hands.

Well, my dream will finally come true, as Microsoft has announced that the Frank Miller graphic novel-turned-graphic film ‘300‘ will be making it’s way to the Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace on August 14th, and will indeed be available in beautiful HD.

Buff men killing Persians in their underwear and capes not your thing? Ok. Fair enough, sissy. Microsoft has you covered, too. In advance of the release of the Heroes: Season 1 HD-DVD box set, we Xbox LIVE members will be able to download, for free, the pilot episode in stunning, sensationa, spectacular HD! …only for a limited time, however.

If that isn’t enough Heroes goodness for you, never fear! You’ll also be able to download trailers, teasers and other promotional materials highlighting the DVD box set. So at long last ladies, you can finally act out those Hiro fantasies from the comfort of your own couch.

Bow chica wah wah!

Read after the break for the press release… again…

Xbox 360 HD DVD Player Moves to $179, Adds Five Free HD DVDs Xbox LIVE to promote HD DVD versions of ‘300′ and ‘Heroes: Season 1.’

SAN DIEGO, July 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Today at Comic-Con International 2007, Microsoft Corp. announced it will lower the price of the popular Xbox 360(TM) HD DVD Player from $199 to $179 ERP (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. In addition, Microsoft further solidified the Xbox 360 as the ultimate high-definition (HD) entertainment platform, with key announcements around the HD DVD launches of “300″ from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group and “Heroes: Season 1″ from Universal Studios.

To promote the HD DVD versions of “300″ and “Heroes: Season 1,” Microsoft unveiled exclusive content for Xbox LIVE(R) Marketplace. Xbox LIVE will offer “300″ on demand in HD starting Aug. 14, and is working with Warner Bros. at Comic-Con on a Bringing It Home campaign featuring “300″ and other Warner Bros. properties. 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.

Already the most affordable high-definition player available, the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player is the best solution for movie lovers seeking HD content in the highest possible resolution. The player’s price reduction to $179 (U.S. ERP) continues to set the bar for value, making the Xbox 360 platform the most affordable solution for consumers seeking the broadest, most compelling selection of next-generation gaming and HD video experiences.

“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.”

In addition to the price drop, Microsoft is extending Toshiba’s highly successful “Perfect Offer” of five free HD DVD discs to Xbox 360 consumers. Previously exclusive to Toshiba HD DVD Players, with the purchase of an Xbox 360 HD DVD Player at the new low price of $179 ERP, consumers can choose five HD DVD titles for free from a selection of 15 popular titles through a mail-in offer. With a retail value of over $140 (U.S.), this promotion makes the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player one of the most compelling offerings for consumers looking to make the leap into HD this holiday season.

About Xbox LIVE

Xbox LIVE is the first and most comprehensive unified online entertainment network seamlessly integrated throughout the entire console experience, making it easy for people to find the friends, games and entertainment they want from the moment they power on their Xbox 360 system. Xbox LIVE connects millions of members across 25 countries to enjoy hundreds of multiplayer games, downloadable games via Xbox LIVE Arcade, free and premium playable game demos, music videos, TV shows and movies in the United States as well as new game levels, characters and vehicles for all their favorite retail games. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/en-us/live.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

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SOURCE Microsoft Corp.

Microsoft, Xbox 360, Comic-Con, 300, Heroes, HD-DVD, DVD Box Sets