Absolute Gadget

After semi-backing a losing horse, Microsoft looks set to release an add-on for its games console so that it can play Blu-ray discs.

Much like the HD-DVD external drive that the company touted for its Xbox 360, company chief exec Steve "quiet man" Ballmer confirmed that the ability to play the Sony-backed format could be available as something that could plug into the console rather than being integrated, like the PS3.

"Well I don't know if we need to put Blu-ray in there - you'll be able to get Blu-ray drives as accessories," he whispered to Gizmodo.

With many Xbox owners not possessing consoles that sport an HDMI output and with those that do, the HDMI 1.2 port does not support Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio, according to reports. Questions have been raise over whether such a drive would come with its own outputs to overcome the perceived disadvantages of the console. 

Other than that, Ballmer may have said something about the price of such an external drive or when it was likely to be available but the softly spoken Microsoft stalwart could barely be heard over the noise of a silent Trappist monk clapping with one hand.

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