MUMBAI: Microsoft Corp. will lower the price of the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player from $199 to $179 (United States only) starting 1 August, 2007, and will add five free HD DVD movies for anyone purchasing an Xbox 360 HD DVD Player between 1 August top 30 September, 2007.

In addition, Microsoft announced the HD DVD launches of 300 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group and Heroes: Season 1 from Universal Studios.

To promote the HD DVD versions of 300 and Heroes: Season 1, Microsoft unveiled exclusive content for Xbox LIVE Marketplace. Xbox LIVE will offer 300 on demand in HD starting 14 August, and is working with Warner Bros. at Comic-Con on a Bringing It Home campaign featuring 300 and other Warner Bros. properties.

In advance of the street date for the Heroes: Season 1 HD DVD boxed set, Xbox LIVE members will be able to download for free the show’s pilot episode in high definition for a limited time. Members will also be able to download trailers, teaser scenes and other promotional materials highlighting the Heroes: Season 1 boxed set on HD DVD.

“With the price reduction to $179, the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player continues to be the most affordable way to enjoy high definition. From the beginning, we set out to offer Xbox 360 owners an unrivaled high-definition experience, with a choice of optical discs on the HD DVD format and digital downloads through Xbox LIVE Marketplace — both of which have a selection of the best content Hollywood has to offer. Today’s announcements around 300 and Heroes: Season 1 are great examples of how we believe HD content can be offered to consumers,” said Microsoft corporate vice president of global marketing, interactive entertainment business, entertainment and devices division Jeff Bell.

In addition to the price drop, Microsoft is extending Toshiba’s “Perfect Offer” of five free HD DVD discs to Xbox 360 consumers. Previously exclusive to Toshiba HD DVD Players, with the purchase of an Xbox 360 HD DVD Player at the new low price of $179 ERP, consumers can choose five HD DVD titles for free from a selection of 15 popular titles through a mail-in offer.