Guess that'll silence the xbox fanboys, an xbox with an oddball add-on that doesnt support HDMI or even use the HD format for games. Totals to the same price as the ps3 unit, minus the wifi and 40gb less hard drive space? Now whats value for money?

I agree Jimmy, however at least MS is giving you the option to buy a next gen DVD drive. Sony is not giving you the option. Quite frankly Blueray or HDDVD I just don't care, give me the system... and $399 is a lot more attractive then $599.... ouch.

I am going to pass on these first generation devices. I will wait for a hybrid DVD player or DVD-ROM for my HTPC.

Consoles are for gaming not watching HD movies.

Screw Sony and MS.

watch tommorow MS officials will deny this. They always do. The price will retail between $100-$150.

It immediately marks XBOX 360 unattractive compare to feature rich PS3. $199 for a low quality HD-DVD without HDMI? So what's the point to buy Xbox 360? WHy don't spend $100 more to get full feature PS3?

Don't forget currently al those HDTV with HDMI are HIGH END products. See those cheapie PC still can't get HDMI popular. Those who own HDMI HDTV won't care to spend $100 more on HDMI feature from Sony. Frankly speaking, a quality HDMI cable for AV purpose will cost you more than $100, so who cares for that $100 for PS3?

Also, don't forget PS3 is featuring HDMI 1.3, a feature that even a $2000+ high end DVD Player (e.g. Marantz DV9600) even can't offer today!

One thing forgot to say, it will be a foul to pay the same price to buy HD-DVD rather BluRay, not mentioning the potential power of PS3 system is double over Xbox360 (As analyst conducted by August IEEE magazine)

hye people im goin 2 buy a xbox 360 u think i should this is goin 2 b my first console and ya guys tell me that will the games suck cos i dont have a hdtv
hye i know im actin like a complete idiot bt how do u know if ur tv is a hdtv

Hmmmmm.... I thought it wasn't $200 US, but $200 pounds, which is at least $300 US. More like $370 or something. Might want to check into that.