Xbox 360 HD player cut to $179

Though Comic-Con traditionally caters to those of the passive visual media persuasion, many gaming companies have been using the venue to cross-promote their comic/movie/TV show-to-game tie-ins. As part of this year's show, Microsoft appealed to its film-watching Xbox 360 user base by announcing it would be dropping the price of its external Xbox 360 HD-DVD player from $199 to $179 beginning August 1. The new $179 price tag brings the US player's price in line with the Japanese HD-DVD accessory, which debuted at around $177 last November.

In addition to cutting the price, Microsoft announced it would be extending Toshiba's current HD-DVD giveaway promotion to include the Xbox 360 player. Those who purchase the Xbox 360 add-on between August 1 and September 30 can choose five free HD-DVD movies from a selection of 15. Sony is currently running a similar promotion with the purchase of any qualifying Blu-ray player, including the PlayStation 3.

Microsoft also expanded on yesterday's announcement concerning Legendary Pictures' gruesomely stylized 300. Beginning August 14, the Spartan soldiers' stand at Thermopylae will be downloadable in HD through Xbox Live Marketplace. No price was given for the movie rental. Also, in advance of the Heroes: Season 1 HD-DVD boxed set, Xbox Live users will be able to download for free the show's pilot episode for a limited time.

The selection of free HD-DVD titles is listed below:

Apollo 13
Casablanca
Four Brothers
The Rundown
U-571
Seabiscuit
Constantine
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Blazing Saddles
The Perfect Storm
The Chronicles of Riddick
Dukes of Hazzard
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
U2: Rattle and Hum
We Were Soldiers