70% of Xbox 360 Owners Unaware of HD?
According to an NPD report, as many as 70% of Xbox 360 owners are unaware of the HD capabilities (both gaming and video) of the Xbox 360. It’s almost as bad for the PlayStation 3…as many as 60% don’t know that their console can play back Blu-Ray movies and only 50% are aware of the HD gaming aspects of the $500 console. (Awareness of the HD DVD add-on for the 360 was not included in the poll.)
it’s very likely that this is a side effect of the low user base for HDTV. Even I, while "aware" of the HD abilities of the Xbox 360, was playing in Standard Definition until just recently. There have also been other stories recently about people buying HDTVs that are watching standard TV because of improper cabling and setup. Most people don’t have the visual sensitivity to notice the enhanced quality of HD.
It would have been interesting to have had NPD go the extra mile and ask how many of the respondents had an HDTV. I would suspect that the "awareness" factor would have been larger for those that had the prerequisite equipment. Still, the report tells a very interesting story…for two companies battling for HD supremacy, neither is getting the word out fully or doing a good job of educating their consumers. In fact, most people probably won’t even know what that shiny new HDMI port in their Xbox 360 is for.
Microsoft customers stupid, what else could explain why Windows is so popular.
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I’m sorry for posting that, I was bitter because I have been a long time Apple user…
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yeah. Well stupid gamers
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I simpy don’t believe this. I have to question who did the poll and what kind of questions were asked. I can see 10-20% but not a vast majority. 50% not knowing the PS3 has a Blu-Ray? No freakin way.
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Only a month late:
http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/08/09/many-xbox-360-ps3-owners-unaware-of-hd-abilities/
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Well HD isn’t all that cracked up to be, I own an HDTV since 2005 and although the picture is a lot sharper detailed than SDTV the novelty will ware off fast.
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I disagree. I have had my HPTV and 360 for almost 2 years and I rent HD movies through the marketplace. I think it might be the younger kids that are not aware of the HD capabilites, anyone in their 20’s or 30’s I think would be fully aware of the difference.
But i could be wrong.
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To argonnj:
I’d be bitter too if I were a long time apple user.
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How is it a novelty? If you don’t think there is a difference I assume you would be one of the people holding onto your 27″ Zenith from the early 90’s.
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I’m pretty sure this survey is correct. I bet 99% of 360 know of the 3 rings of death which the shitbox 360 is known for.
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To blake:
ya, Apple really sucks and i’m too used to using it. I’m an idiot…
I’d get a job but i don’t know how to use Microsoft Office …just know how to listen to music and make graphics…
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Ok I can understand some people being oblivious of the 360’s HD capabilities (though 70% is a bit high) because its biggest selling points are the games. But I am surprised with the PS3 results. Who on earth would invest in a $500 piece of hardware without at least looking into what its main capabilities are? Datz Crazy!
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Steve Balmer has obvious hijacked my name…
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First, HDTV is simply amazing. Whoever said its not is an idiot. You must be one of the morons who has your HDTV hooked up to standard def signal and cant see what all the hype is about. Nothing is better then football on a HDTV. I have 2 HDTV’s and the 360 is hooked up to the 50″ 1080P. Looks amazing. Most people wont know what the HDMI port is because most people have a white 360, which DOES NOT HAVE HDMI, its the 360 Elite that has a HDMI port. Soon I’ll add on the X-Box HD DVD Player for HiDef movies! Im very aware of the 360’s HD, this article is crap.
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I can understand people not hearing or knowing about the 360 HD DVD player!! But the PS3!?!?! You are joking!! Sony has put the word out for years that the PS3 is a blueray player!! People know!! You know it too!!
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Ecneralc Said:
“Well HD isn’t all that cracked up to be”
That has got to be about the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen posted on the net in a lot of years…
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I can actually BELIEVE this survey! I talk to people almost EVERY DAY who don’t have a clue what HD is! And the cable companies don’t make it any better, they bring you an HD capable set-top box and then plug it into your 40+” TV with a composite video cable! And if you know much of ANYTHING about HD, go to a Circuit City or Best Buy or Walmart or Target or wherever, the amount of misinformation and just downright WRONG information the floor staff in these stores put out is just amazing!
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