TGS: HD-DVD and 1080p

In an earlier Tokyo Game Show post, I mentioned there was an off-handed comment from the GameSpot coverage about the HD-DVD player having 1080p support.

Turns out it's true, it's bigger than that, and I can't figure out why people aren't making a bigger deal about the implications.

If you look at the press release (at TeamXbox.com, MajorNelson.com, etc.), you'll get the skinny on 1080p.

"Xbox 360 and the HD DVD Player together deliver the most powerful and affordable games and movie system for Japanese consumers,” Moore said. “The freedom to choose their entertainment experiences is extremely important for consumers as they enter the next generation."

In addition, Microsoft announced that its fall software update, scheduled for release later this year, will allow all Xbox 360 consoles around the world to output game and movie content in 1080p resolution.

Get that? It "will allow all Xbox 360 consoles around the world to output game and movie content in 1080p resolution."

The press release was a but wordy, so here's my paraphrase:

"How's this for a shot across your hi-def bow, Sony?"

I'm not trying to be combatitive, but Sony's been trumpeting their 1080p support as a differentiator for the PS3, and similar (reverse?) to my post on Xbox Live Arcade and Nintendo's Wii Virtual Console, Microsoft has deftly made their 'competition's differentiation, "not so much"...'

Maybe it's not being trumpeted because 1080p doesn't matter right now -- it's too new, and too expensive, and Sony's arguably producing all of the 1080p sets. My projector does 720p and 1080i, so it'll be a long time before I upgrade.

That is, it's not issue unless Sony tries to use it as a differentiator when they lauch the PS3.

Then Microsoft's response will be, "Yeah, we've had that for a while."