Xbox 360: HD DVD player price drop in US

Mircosoft will drop the price for the Xbox 360 HD DVD player add-on from $199 to $179 + you get five free HD DVD movies. This is offer is for US only (sadly).

Here’s the full pressrelease from Xbox.com:

San Diego—Today at Comic-Con International 2007, Microsoft Corp. announced it will lower the price of the popular Xbox 360™ HD DVD Player from $199 to $179 (in the U.S. only) starting August 1, 2007, and will add five free HD DVD movies for anyone purchasing an Xbox 360 HD DVD Player between August 1 and September 30.

In addition, Microsoft further solidified the Xbox 360 as the ultimate high-definition 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. Exclusive Marketplace Content

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 August 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 the show’s pilot episode free 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 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.”

Free HD DVD MoviesIn 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, choose five HD DVD titles 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.