Microsoft has promised that the HD DVD solution to be made available for the Xbox 360, due for release later this year, will be the cheapest HD DVD Player on the market.

The company recently demonstrated the HD DVD player for the Xbox 360 at the DVD Forum event in Los Angeles, and although an exact price has yet to be made known, many are expecting a price point somewhere in the region of $200, which is very reasonable indeed. However, Microsoft's director of global marketing, Albert Penello, has said that the company has as yet not finalized the price of the HD DVD player internally.

"Here's the truth, we're still thinking about it. Here's what I can tell you for sure, it's going to be the cheapest HD-DVD player you can buy... without a doubt, when it comes out," said Penello. "Everybody is very enthusiastic with the direction we're going. There are still a few surprises left. I don't want to spill the beans yet, but I think people are going to think it's a great value."
The cheapest HD DVD players on the market currently cost in the region of $400 to $500. However, since the Xbox 360 itself will be handling a lot of the work involved in the necessary processing, the Microsoft player will be substantially cheaper.