
Microsoft announced today that it has partnered with
Broadcom to create a reference design for a low cost HD DVD player. With Windows CE-based software and Broadcom's BCM7440
system-on-a-chip based hardware the idea is to give volume manufacturers a chance to drive prices down faster than Blu-ray can match. Lite-On IT and Zhenjiang Jiangkui Group Co. Ltd./ED Digital are already on deck to build players based on the design, for this war not to
be over already HD DVD is going to need every bit of price and
manufacturing advantage it can get.