HD DVD add-on for Xbox 360 now only $50

After announcing it is being discontinued, Microsoft is offering the HD DVD add-on for the Xbox 360 for under $50 - an amazing deal or a waste of cash depending on where you stand.

While HD DVD will no longer continue as a format after Toshiba's withdrawal, and no new movies will be released, there are over 500 titles already available at discount prices. That could make the $50 investment very worthwhile, especially with Blu-ray players priced at least 6 times higher.

For the next two days, buyers of the $50 Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on will also be eligible to receive 5 free movies, making the purchase even more attractive. In addition, many HD DVD discs available to purchase are Combo discs, which means they also work in standard DVD players.

However, those customers will be buying into a format without a future, which means any investment could prove to be more hassle than it's worth years down the road when the Xbox 360 is replaced by a new console without HD DVD support.

Toshiba's standalone HD DVD players are also going for well under $100 now, although the company won't be manufacturing any new models. Support will be offered for the duration of the warranty, but eventually it may be difficult to find HD DVD players to replace one that fails.

Microsoft warns visitors to its Web site that it has stopped production of the add-on. Circuit City is currently the only retailer to be listing the HD DVD add-on for $49.99, which includes "King Kong," but others will likely follow suit.