Through a published article on xbox.com, Microsoft has confirmed that its previously announced HD DVD add-on for the Xbox 360 will connect to the console via USB.
The article on xbox.com says: “This new accessory will connect to the Xbox 360 console with a USB cable, enabling it to harness the power of the Xbox 360 console for the HD video outputs and digital surround sound.”
Apparently the HD DVD drive will have no HDMI interface. You only can connect your HDTV via the HD enabled component video output of the Xbox 360.
It seems that the price of the HD drive could be attractively low. The add-on will be showcased at E3 2006 in Los Angeles this week, and will bring support for the high-definition format to the Xbox. Sony, meanwhile, is building Blu-ray support into the PlayStation 3, which is expected to get its first unveiling at the gaming conference. However, Microsoft says “HD DVD is the best value” and notes, “the industry momentum we’ve seen has been behind HD DVD.”