I'm new here and I'm not quite sure if I should have made a seperate thread from this or not but I have a question about my hd-dvd add-on.

I bought my HD-DVD drive for my 360 off of Ebay and when it arrived I cringed when I saw that the seller had just smacked a shipping label on the box of the HD-DVD drive and shipped it just like that. It was the same box that it was in when you buy it at the store with no other boxes or packaging protecting it. However the install for the drive went well and so did the firmware update. I am now on the most recent firmware update.

Now here's the problem. I pop in 300 on HD-DVD and it freezes around chapter 16 (I've noticed some people had the same problem on these forums citing it was a problem with the combo format). So I tried batman begins in HD, about half way through that dvd I had the same problem, it froze and then after 10 secs kicked back in with the video going 5 times faster than the audio. Next I tried out King Kong, same problem there, around half way it freezes again.

So what do you guys think the problem is, I don't think its any of my hd-dvd's (they are all brand new and scratch free). Could there have been something wrong with the firmware update (eventhough it should've have at least been able to play King Kong as that is packaged with the player and shouldn't require firmware updates). Do you think something is wrong with the player? Maybe my Xbox 360? Also I put my hd-dvd player on top of my 360 (as the picture in the manual said you could), is that ok?

Also whenever it freezes I hear faint clicking sounds, is this a busted hd-dvd drive, the auctioner on ebay said he would refund my money is there was something wrong with the player.

Sounds like the drive. Nothing wrong with those movies.

Do you mean that you can get only 1080p through HDMI on your tv? I hope so because with the 360 1080p is possible through VGA for HD-DVD's, SD-DVD's, and games.


Yes, after reading through my manual again, I found that my TV's best resolution via VGA is 1024x768, and 1080p is available only via HDMI.

Thanks for the help, though. I am still playing my original XBOX right now, and 360 Elite with HD DVD seems to be the best way to make the HD jump for me.

I've been searching the web all afternoon and cannot find an answer, so maybe someone here at AVS knows the answer.

I just purchased a 360 Elite today (to replace my premium). It is hooked directly to my Yamaha HTR-5990 through HDMI (no optical cord for audio). The dashboard and games run fine in Dolby Digital. However when I try to watch a HD-DVD with the 360 HD-DVD unit the sound from the 360 goes away. Not only for the movie (which plays video fine, just no audio), but when I go back to the dashboard/game there is still no sound. I have to power off and on the sytem to get back to DD sound.

I experimented a bit and discovered the following:
- when watching a HD-DVD after the sound has died, if I go into the advanced menu options and select audio I can switch between dd 2.0, dd 5.1 and dts. I have it set to DD by default. If i select dd 2.0 I get a high pitched noise sound with the movie audio in the background. When I go back to dd 5.1 (or dts, works the same for both) for about 2 seconds I get great clear audio (either dd or dts according to the receiver). After about 2seconds audio cuts out and the receiver shows PCM on the display. This is repeatable as often as I can, I can get the audio in the proper format for about 2 seconds after switching to the (painful noise producing) dd 2.0.

Again, games and the dashboard work fine in dd 5.1, all of this only happens after I try to watch an hd-dvd movie. I have tried a few different movies btw.

Any thoughts at all? As a last resort I'm going to try using an optical cable for sound, but I'd really like to just have the one hdmi cable.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/advice.

Ok I have a quick question.

Currently I'm using my Xbox360 as my regular DVD player. Does the (console) upscale Standard DVD's to 1080i over component (my TV can do 1080i max).

Would it be more worth it to me to upgrade to the HD DVD add on, and will the HD DVD add on also upscale/upscale better than the console drive?

I've been searching the web all afternoon and cannot find an answer, so maybe someone here at AVS knows the answer.

I just purchased a 360 Elite today (to replace my premium). It is hooked directly to my Yamaha HTR-5990 through HDMI (no optical cord for audio). The dashboard and games run fine in Dolby Digital. However when I try to watch a HD-DVD with the 360 HD-DVD unit the sound from the 360 goes away. Not only for the movie (which plays video fine, just no audio), but when I go back to the dashboard/game there is still no sound. I have to power off and on the sytem to get back to DD sound.

I experimented a bit and discovered the following:
- when watching a HD-DVD after the sound has died, if I go into the advanced menu options and select audio I can switch between dd 2.0, dd 5.1 and dts. I have it set to DD by default. If i select dd 2.0 I get a high pitched noise sound with the movie audio in the background. When I go back to dd 5.1 (or dts, works the same for both) for about 2 seconds I get great clear audio (either dd or dts according to the receiver). After about 2seconds audio cuts out and the receiver shows PCM on the display. This is repeatable as often as I can, I can get the audio in the proper format for about 2 seconds after switching to the (painful noise producing) dd 2.0.

Again, games and the dashboard work fine in dd 5.1, all of this only happens after I try to watch an hd-dvd movie. I have tried a few different movies btw.

Any thoughts at all? As a last resort I'm going to try using an optical cable for sound, but I'd really like to just have the one hdmi cable.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/advice.

It sounds like an HDCP handshaking issue?? Have you tried different turn on sequences? :confused:

Ok I have a quick question.

Currently I'm using my Xbox360 as my regular DVD player. Does the (console) upscale Standard DVD's to 1080i over component (my TV can do 1080i max).

Would it be more worth it to me to upgrade to the HD DVD add on, and will the HD DVD add on also upscale/upscale better than the console drive?

I think it has been established that the 360 is a poor upscaler and the add on is of no help. Score one for Sony on this count, after a revision the PS/3 is a very good upscaler. MS, are you listening!? We want a better upscaler and you can do it! Oh wait, they can't make it last for more than 7 months straight, why upscale anything anyway. :confused: Do I sound bitter. Nah ;)

Is there a way to disable the xbox live messages while watching HD DVDs? I mean other than unplugging the cat5 from my 360. thanks

Yes, after reading through my manual again, I found that my TV's best resolution via VGA is 1024x768, and 1080p is available only via HDMI.

Thanks for the help, though. I am still playing my original XBOX right now, and 360 Elite with HD DVD seems to be the best way to make the HD jump for me.

I'm jealous, I already have a 360, and would love an elite, but I'm not buying another 360.

you will love the 360. pick up gears of war when you go to the store if you like shooters

Currently I'm using my Xbox360 as my regular DVD player. Does the (console) upscale Standard DVD's to 1080i over component ? (my TV can do 1080i max).

Upscaling over component is not allowed for (commercial) standard dvd's under the DVD license. No device that carries the DVD license it permitted to do this even though they can easily do it.

Since both the 360 and the PS3 comply with DVD license they will not upscale over component connection. Either one will upscale DVD over hdmi and since the 360 also supports VGA connection it will upscale DVD over VGA. You easily understand that it's a license issue only because if you copy a DVD to your network and play it by streaming then it will upscale it with no problem because it's no longer played from a DVD. :)

360 will also upscale games and other types of video over component because again there is no license issue.

I think it has been established that the 360 is a poor upscaler and the add on is of no help.

Not true, the 360 has a hardware scaler which upscales very nicely over VGA or hdmi (elite model).

When will people stop looking to those ancient tests done well before the DVD player updates? :(

I'll stand corrected and test it out, when my Elite comes back from the hospital in Texas. :(

I think it has been established that the 360 is a poor upscaler and the add on is of no help. Score one for Sony on this count, after a revision the PS/3 is a very good upscaler. MS, are you listening!? We want a better upscaler and you can do it! Oh wait, they can't make it last for more than 7 months straight, why upscale anything anyway. :confused: Do I sound bitter. Nah ;)
I thought that it was the other way around. Doesn't the 360 have hardware to do the upscaling and PS3 not? Isn't this why PS3 was having major scaling issues (http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2006/11/20/6034) when it came out? It actually didn't scale at all, and people who could not get certain signals like 720p, were SOL. So, score 1 for Sony? I mean, its great if Sony fixed this with software, but its not like they had it from the beginning, when the PS3 could not even scale at all, whatsoever. That must have been a necissary fix for many people, but its an odd problem to tack on to the CPU.

Here are a couple recent posts from another forum:
I've found the PS3 upscaling to be very poor in comparison to a good projector.
Do not utilize the PS3 for upscaling, just for 1080p Bluray.

They may have added scaling, but it doesn't sound that great to me, and I have not heard anyone state that it does specifically better than the 360. I haven't really heard that much at all bad about the 360 scaler (I haven't heard much praising either), but maybe it could use some fine tuning. 1 thing is for sure, it may not be pristine, but it has worked perfectly at all supported resolutions from the start. It is seemless and the native res may always change for the source, but it locks that output res with no problems I have seen. The only change was to ad 1080p output. (not a fix, but an upgrade)

Here is a recent post I found that shows the PS3 still has scaling issues.

I'll stand corrected and test it out, when my Elite comes back from the hospital in Texas. :(
Yeah, that is not fun, but at least its getting fixed before the big rush of games to come out in the fall. ;)

I would have to say that my PS3 and my 360 are very comparable when used as upscaling DVD players.

WARNING!! - I just bought the 360 HD-DVD drive, 300 in dual format at (HD-DVD and DVD) and the Matrix Collection (each disc has two playable sides). All of the discs either froze during play or would not load at all!! King Kong (which came with the drive) was the only disc that played ok.

And yes - I updated the drivers and made sure the discs were clean, blah, blah blah - Microsoft even admits that these types of discs may not play properly.

I took everything back to BB explained the problem - they refunded my money - even for the movies!!

I know that this may not be the case for everyone and some people have said that when the returned the movie for another copy it was fine - but enough people are having problems with these dual format discs and double sided discs that everyone should stay away from them and Microsoft's crap HD-DVD player.

Wow what a great deal!! - for $179.99 I get a HD-DVD player that MIGHT play a movie!!!

That's strange. My Matrix Collection plays fine, perhaps you got a bad drive? Does anyone else have this problem? Haven't tried 300 yet.

there was a bad batch of matrix combos that wouldn't play the 2nd disk.

I would have to say that my PS3 and my 360 are very comparable when used as upscaling DVD players.

Same - the only reason I use my PS3 as the defacto DVD player is that the lack of games means it just sits there gathering dust. At least the DVD playback is a bit of a reason to justify having it :D

Warning.

To playback HD-DVDs you MUST have xboxlive, the free silver account works just fine. 300 & Matrix work perfectly, just let it fetch the required updates & keys.

And yes - I updated the drivers and made sure the discs were clean, blah, blah blah - Microsoft even admits that these types of discs may not play properly.



Microsoft has never made such a statement. As far as updating drivers, the only thing to do is make sure you have a silver or gold xboxlive account and it will pull down the latest keys and or updates to play that title.

Just make sure you have at least xbox live silver before you even watch your first movie so it will pull all the required updates.

Warning.

To playback HD-DVDs you MUST have xboxlive, the free silver account works just fine. 300 & Matrix work perfectly, just let it fetch the required updates & keys.

no you don't, you can download the updates on xbox.com

no you don't, you can download the updates on xbox.com

Yes you do :) The AACS keys get updated more than the dashboard updates that come out. Movies that are new have newer keys that will be downloaded. Most of this is thanks to the fiasco that happened on slashdot.org and digg.com a while back with the key being shared :)

I did download the updates - still did not work - if they work for you - great!! - I'm just warning people that there is fairly good chance that you will have trouble with these type of discs with a crappy 360 HD-DVD drive.

I did download the updates - still did not work - if they work for you - great!! - I'm just warning people that there is fairly good chance that you will have trouble with these type of discs with a crappy 360 HD-DVD drive.

Oh spare me. The HD-DVD works great. Stand alone HD DVD players are probably a bit easier but even have their own firmware issues to deal with. There is hardly a wide spread issue with the HD-DVD and its will known you need to be online for newer titles to run the self updates and it wouldn't have taken but 30 seconds to search these forums to get tips on how to fix any issues you may have had.

I just bought the HD drive today and planned on watching 300 on the combo disc i bought last week.......do the updates for the movies automatically download like they do for games or do i have to search them out?

i have a gold account by the way.

I just bought the HD drive today and planned on watching 300 on the combo disc i bought last week.......do the updates for the movies automatically download like they do for games or do i have to search them out?

i have a gold account by the way.

automagically updates when you instert a new movie. (or one that has been updated)

Oh spare me. The HD-DVD works great. Stand alone HD DVD players are probably a bit easier but even have their own firmware issues to deal with. There is hardly a wide spread issue with the HD-DVD and its will known you need to be online for newer titles to run the self updates and it wouldn't have taken but 30 seconds to search these forums to get tips on how to fix any issues you may have had.

I did search the forums (and tried MANY things) and I am online (I got the updates)

So I guess what your saying is - I should have accepted the fact that some discs may not play and just keep trying new replacement discs and/or searching through message boards to just figure it out myself?

Excuse me for expecting it to just play!!

I did search the forums (and tried MANY things) and I am online (I got the updates)

So I guess what your saying is - I should have accepted the fact that some discs may not play and just keep trying new replacement discs and/or searching through message boards to just figure it out myself?

Excuse me for expecting it to just play!!

You were the one who was saying the HD-DVD addon was a cheap crappy drive. I disputed that fact and simply asked if you had given much time into debugging your issue.

Obviously 2 hours has gone buy since your first post on the HD-DVD addon and you already took it back so i guess that was what, 30 seconds of trying?

Whats your gamertag? where did you buy your player? what movies did you try? Did king kong work for you? When you ran the updates did your REBOOT? Did you call 800-4-my-xbox? Support isn't the best but they can help you through the obvious issues.

[edit]
I'm not in any shape or form saying the drives are perfect, but they're far from being a "cheap hd dvd player" as they do work, they do play the movies you say they don't and most people don't think of them as being "Crappy"

Well, My refurbished Xbox360 isn't all it was crakced up to be at this point.

There was no hard drive even though it was advertised as a Premium with hard drive.


But I digress. I am not able to get it to play above 480p on the component output.

When I try to switch it to either widescreen or for an HD resolution, I get an error stating "Your AV thingy is set for TV so this operation cannot be performed" or something like that.

Any ideas on what's up? I read the manual but didn't see anything that would help, I also attempted to go through all the menus and setup.

Well, My refurbished Xbox360 isn't all it was crakced up to be at this point.

There was no hard drive even though it was advertised as a Premium with hard drive.


But I digress. I am not able to get it to play above 480p on the component output.

When I try to switch it to either widescreen or for an HD resolution, I get an error stating "Your AV thingy is set for TV so this operation cannot be performed" or something like that.

Any ideas on what's up? I read the manual but didn't see anything that would help, I also attempted to go through all the menus and setup.


Look at the back of your xbox at the A/V adapter, there is a switch on it, switch it to "HDTV" from "TV".

You were the one who was saying the HD-DVD addon was a cheap crappy drive. I disputed that fact and simply asked if you had given much time into debugging your issue.

Obviously 2 hours has gone buy since your first post on the HD-DVD addon and you already took it back so i guess that was what, 30 seconds of trying?

Whats your gamertag? where did you buy your player? what movies did you try? Did king kong work for you? When you ran the updates did your REBOOT? Did you call 800-4-my-xbox? Support isn't the best but they can help you through the obvious issues.

[edit]
I'm not in any shape or form saying the drives are perfect, but they're far from being a "cheap hd dvd player" as they do work, they do play the movies you say they don't and most people don't think of them as being "Crappy"

OK - "cheap crappy drive" may not be a fair and correct description. Yes I did give a fair amount of time into debugging - I bought the player and the discs over the weekend (and wasted said weekend trying to figure out what the problem was)and returned everything to Best Buy today. I tried 300 (continually froze during play) The Matrix collection (only 1 out 3 movies played) and King Kong (it worked !!)

I did call Microsoft support - get updates - reboot - unplug cables - reconnect, etc., etc. Microsoft support were the ones in fact that told me there were some known "issues" with some dual format and dual sided discs.

Sorry if you perceived my sarcasm and anger was directed at you - I just can't believe that i'm one of the rare few having problems with their 360 player/discs. These type of problems and having to tinker around to get them sorted out seems unacceptable to me.

Turn it on - put the disc in - it plays - whooo what a unique concept!!

I just want people to be cautious about making the HD-DVD plunge - because I know I would have liked to have known about these types of problems before wasting my time.

I know I won't be going back to HD-DVD anytime soon - unless some of these "issues" get permanently fixed.

So - in your opinion, do you think the 360 and HD-DVD is more reliable than Blu-Ray?

Look at the back of your xbox at the A/V adapter, there is a switch on it, switch it to "HDTV" from "TV".


Thanks, seems easy enough. I installed at at like 1am early Sat morning. Probably not the best time to try to do these things. :)

OK - "cheap crappy drive" may not be a fair and correct description. Yes I did give a fair amount of time into debugging - I bought the player and the discs over the weekend (and wasted said weekend trying to figure out what the problem was)and returned everything to Best Buy today. I tried 300 (continually froze during play) The Matrix collection (only 1 out 3 movies played) and King Kong (it worked !!)

I did call Microsoft support - get updates - reboot - unplug cables - reconnect, etc., etc. Microsoft support were the ones in fact that told me there were some known "issues" with some dual format and dual sided discs.

Sorry if you perceived my sarcasm and anger was directed at you - I just can't believe that i'm one of the rare few having problems with their 360 player/discs. These type of problems and having to tinker around to get them sorted out seems unacceptable to me.

Turn it on - put the disc in - it plays - whooo what a unique concept!!

I just want people to be cautious about making the HD-DVD plunge - because I know I would have liked to have known about these types of problems before wasting my time.

I know I won't be going back to HD-DVD anytime soon - unless some of these "issues" get permanently fixed.

So - in your opinion, do you think the 360 and HD-DVD is more reliable than Blu-Ray?

yeah, i don't mean to get personal either. It is odd it didn't work for you. I got updates (And alerts about updates) for 300 and several of my other movies and they worked out of the box.

As for BluRay vs HD-DVD, the HD-DVD spec is much more mature out of the box. If you want hassle free playback, then go back to SD-DVD.

PS3 has had many firmware releases, has the same issues with quality/performance/feature support on certain movies and is going through growing pains of its own. BD has a new spec coming out in sept/oct that will pretty much supersede any current gen BD players

HD DVD for me is lighter DRM, No Regional Lock and simply a better format for the consumer and frankly i've been dissapointed with Sony products for years.

Again, the HD-DVD isn't flawles,s but for what it is, it works like a charm. Did you see the update notifications when you stuck in the movies that didn't work? it should have been like a title update screen you see in games when an update is out.

Infact the only issue i've seen with the addon is people not having the free silver account or gold account and not picking up the updates.

Is your dashboard set to autologin when you start up?

speaking of lighter DRM, what happends when studios enable the ICT?? 360 owners with out HDMI screwed??

yeah, i don't mean to get personal either. It is odd it didn't work for you. I got updates (And alerts about updates) for 300 and several of my other movies and they worked out of the box.

As for BluRay vs HD-DVD, the HD-DVD spec is much more mature out of the box. If you want hassle free playback, then go back to SD-DVD.

PS3 has had many firmware releases, has the same issues with quality/performance/feature support on certain movies and is going through growing pains of its own. BD has a new spec coming out in sept/oct that will pretty much supersede any current gen BD players

HD DVD for me is lighter DRM, No Regional Lock and simply a better format for the consumer and frankly i've been dissapointed with Sony products for years.

Again, the HD-DVD isn't flawles,s but for what it is, it works like a charm. Did you see the update notifications when you stuck in the movies that didn't work? it should have been like a title update screen you see in games when an update is out.

Infact the only issue i've seen with the addon is people not having the free silver account or gold account and not picking up the updates.

Is your dashboard set to autologin when you start up?

I received the prompts for updates when I put the discs in - my dashboard is set to autologin when I start up.

For those of you that don't have problems - enjoy!!

It sounds like I just need to sit back and wait until either format becomes as reliable as SD-DVD. I just hope it's not too long - my 60" 1080p TV is dying for some high-def movie goodness!!

speaking of lighter DRM, what happends when studios enable the ICT?? 360 owners with out HDMI screwed??

ICT is DOA.. its its 2010 before they consider it i'll have nearly 3 years out of my 179.00 player and even then the install base may be large enough it won't matter or there will be an uproar against it.

So - in your opinion, do you think the 360 and HD-DVD is more reliable than Blu-Ray?

Blu-ray doesnt even have their spec yet. This mean you could potentially have a player that will be crap by next year.

PS3 will not suffer this fate as it will be able to update itself online. This would be performed Just like the update you were trying to perform on the 360 addon (based on what I saw in this thread).

These formats are in no way mature. New features on media results in new updates for hardware.

I received the prompts for updates when I put the discs in - my dashboard is set to autologin when I start up.

For those of you that don't have problems - enjoy!!

It sounds like I just need to sit back and wait until either format becomes as reliable as SD-DVD. I just hope it's not too long - my 60" 1080p TV is dying for some high-def movie goodness!!

So spend $50-$80 more and get an A2 :rolleyes:

Goodness sakes man! Why didn't you just exchange it for a non-faulty drive?!! (or discs) You went through all of that trouble to call MS and then took all of the movies back with the unit and got a refund?!!! Why not just exchange for a new working unit (or discs) and have the store "make it right"? Many, many people are playing those discs fine, so your "sometimes works" excuse is not warranted and frankly, sounds fishy.

Well i picked up mine yesterday....all ready had bought a copy of 300 on with the HD-DVD/DVD on either side.

worked perfectly....did not have any problems hooking it up....the updates automatically downloaded in 10 seconds and i was ready to go.

looks fantastic....you should'nt be afraid to buy this player....i had 0 problems.

I have to say, I am hella impressed with the HD-DVD performance out of my Xbox360. Ran a couple of flicks last night on it. I sure need to pickup 300. I run it to a 61" 1080p JVC LCOS display. I'm using the component video output.

I have a PS3 right next to it, and I'd say HD-DVD still throws a better PQ over all than the PS3 and Blu-ray.

Well Im thinking that slayboy3 had to of had a bad drive because I just purchased my hd add on and a copy of 300 this past week as well and I have had no problems with it playing the 4 movies I have (excaliber, pitch black, and king kong). I bought the premium xbox with live silver but I do not have it hooked up to the internet at all. All I did was run the disk that came with my player the way it told me to and 300 and the other 3 movies played perfectly on my 40" 1080p Samsung LCD. Ive had my 360 since Feb of this year so I dont know if it was more updated then some??

Does anyone know the site where they have the player for $154??? I saw it a couple of days ago.

Nevermind, I found it. Provantage.com

HD DVD 360 AO now $169.99 at Costco.com with regular 5 disc promo.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11178160&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US&s=1

after you pay their hefty shipping your better off buying at circuit city.

I smell troll ...... He's posting the same thing in other threads..Ignore him :cool:




WARNING!! - I just bought the 360 HD-DVD drive, 300 in dual format at (HD-DVD and DVD) and the Matrix Collection (each disc has two playable sides). All of the discs either froze during play or would not load at all!! King Kong (which came with the drive) was the only disc that played ok.

And yes - I updated the drivers and made sure the discs were clean, blah, blah blah - Microsoft even admits that these types of discs may not play properly.

I took everything back to BB explained the problem - they refunded my money - even for the movies!!

I know that this may not be the case for everyone and some people have said that when the returned the movie for another copy it was fine - but enough people are having problems with these dual format discs and double sided discs that everyone should stay away from them and Microsoft's crap HD-DVD player.

Wow what a great deal!! - for $179.99 I get a HD-DVD player that MIGHT play a movie!!!

Newegg has it for 162.00 and 3.00 s&h

there was a console update applied to my xbox this morning, anyone know what it was for?

there was a console update applied to my xbox this morning, anyone know what it was for?

Support for upcoming wireless guitar support.

http://www.majornelson.com/archive/2007/08/07/xbox-360-system-update-august-07.aspx

why would they update every 360 just for one game?? theres gotta be more to this. I know I'll never play "rockband" on my 360. Besides the drivers for the guitar could have easily been on the game disk itself.

why would they update every 360 just for one game?? theres gotta be more to this. I know I'll never play "rockband" on my 360. Besides the drivers for the guitar could have easily been on the game disk itself.

So every xbox is the same, thats why. I'm sure the licensed wireless technology will show up in other peripherals.

I look forward to rockband. Will be a game i can get the wife and kids to play!

I hope they release a firmware update that adds more compatibility to more HD-DVDs as I have Band of Brothers (Japanese import) and the player gives the C667000B error when trying to access the bookmarks page in the menu. I've contacted Major Nelson regarding this and he has emailed me back saying he will pass it onto the HD-DVD team to fix.

So every xbox is the same, thats why. I'm sure the licensed wireless technology will show up in other peripherals.



not a good reason to update every xbox, especially for a 200dollar game.

not a good reason to update every xbox, especially for a 200dollar game.

yeah it is. If every xbox isn't the same then another developer may run into issues specific to people that may have played one game or another.

The beauty of the xbox or consoles for that matter is that they ARE all the same. (well, some have manor hardware revisions but software/driver/peripheral support wise they're all the same)

not a good reason to update every xbox, especially for a 200dollar game.

My 360 doesn't have HDMI, but I'm sure there's code in there for it. I won't use any language other than English, but the code is there to change mine. Not everyone uses VGA, but there was a fix for it in one of the recent updates. No one complained then. Seems SILLY to complain about MS being proactive to prepare the consoles for future content and accessories. I'm likely never to get the chatpad, yet my console is already updated for it. And it's not like the MS updates take 30-40 minutes to download like a Windows Update takes.

Is there a way to disable the xbox live messages while watching HD DVDs? I mean other than unplugging the cat5 from my 360. thanks

anybody have an answer for this question? thanks

anybody have an answer for this question? thanks
yes..

It's under "personal settings" or something like that whenever you hit the xbox guide button.

Disable notifications in video or something......

I got tired of notification of friends coming online, ect.... while watching movies so disabled it.

yes..

It's under "personal settings" or something like that whenever you hit the xbox guide button.

Disable notifications in video or something......

I got tired of notification of friends coming online, ect.... while watching movies so disabled it.

oh ok, I was hoping for a way to disable it when watching HD DVDs only. but automatically leave it on for games

oh ok, I was hoping for a way to disable it when watching HD DVDs only. but automatically leave it on for games
Two options in there.....one for all, one for movies(videos) only.

So you can still get them in games and the in the dashboard, just not when watching DVD/HD DVD/streamed videos.

I just got my 360 back from being repaired (the red rings of death) and I am so incredibly psyched to watch 300 on HD-DVD tonight!

(I've never seen the movie before).

I just got my 360 back from being repaired (the red rings of death) and I am so incredibly psyched to watch 300 on HD-DVD tonight!

(I've never seen the movie before).

You are in for a treat my friend. Enjoy :D

FYI: New premiums include HDMI port as well as R* Table Tennis. When you are at the store, read the box where it describes the included peripherals and it will list HDMI next to USB ports. Premiums do NOT include HDMI cable in the box though.

not a good reason to update every xbox, especially for a 200dollar game.
Are you sure you have a 360? :confused: It happens automatically when you turn the system on and always takes me less than a minute, with my cable service. Its not like it hurts anybody. BTW, Guitar Hero III, with guitar is $100, not $200 and GHII has been 1 of the top 5 selling 360 games since its release. You can also just buy Rock band without all of the instruments and just start with 1.

no i lied, i can't afford a xbox. you guys are ballers, i'm jelous.

Good news / Bad News Department:

Local Wal-mart: Xbox HD DVD drive for $169.99
Local Target: Xbox HD DVD drive for $199.99 – what on earth is with these guys?

I'm trying to setup my TX-SR605 w/ my Add On and I can't get it to output DTS HD Master through optical. Any one got any suggestions?

I'm trying to setup my TX-SR605 w/ my Add On and I can't get it to output DTS HD Master through optical.

Can DTS HD Master even be output through SPDIF???

You can get teh core DTS track in theory ? I'd hope if you have DTS output selected it would just output core and not try to decode DTS and encode it again.. that would be silly.

I'm trying to setup my TX-SR605 w/ my Add On and I can't get it to output DTS HD Master through optical. Any one got any suggestions?
Xbox 360 cannot output anything other than plain old DTS, Dolby Digital or WMA Pro. If you want any of the HD audio formats, you need to buy a standalone HD DVD player.

ANd you still won't be able to output DTS MAster over optical. You will only get that over HDMI the mutichannel analog outs. Once there is a player that can decode it which there currently isn't.

I just hope that "if" HD-DVD is gone that MS won't kill the function from the 360.

I just hope that "if" HD-DVD is gone that MS won't kill the function from the 360.

HD-DVD isn't going anwwhere my friend ;)

BTW, fry's is now selling the HDMI units online.

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/5348938

Bear with me for not reading through all 130 pages for this answer, but I am currently in the US using the 360 HDDVD drive through the 360.

Can i purchase the French Studio Canal "The Graduate" DVD import (or any other import DVD) and play it straight out of the box? My TV plays PAL video with no problem. i am not sure of there are any region issues with this drive or HDDVD at all.

Thanks in advance. This is my favorite movie and I do not see a hiDef version coming out in the USA any time soon.

Alos what is the best online vendor to buy DVD imports from?

The drive is region coded for DVD's.

HD DVD's are not region coded so HD DVD's from anywhere can play. Again though.....DVD's are region coded and will not play other region DVD's.


Bear with me for not reading through all 130 pages for this answer, but I am currently in the US using the 360 HDDVD drive through the 360.

Can i purchase the French Studio Canal "The Graduate" DVD import (or any other import DVD) and play it straight out of the box? My TV plays PAL video with no problem. i am not sure of there are any region issues with this drive or HDDVD at all.

Thanks in advance. This is my favorite movie and I do not see a hiDef version coming out in the USA any time soon.

Alos what is the best online vendor to buy DVD imports from?

Can the 360 add on output DTS ES or Dolby digital ex to my Panasonic SA-HE200? I had earlier set the add on to output DTS during the firmware update. Will there be any way for me to get true sound out of my 6th speaker?

I was watching the Untouchables disc which had DTS es and Dolby ex options and I couldnt get the receiver to recognize the formats.

thanks

The drive is region coded for DVD's.

HD DVD's are not region coded so HD DVD's from anywhere can play. Again though.....DVD's are region coded and will not play other region DVD's.

Perfect. Thanks!

XBOX360=3 flashing red lights
HD-DVD Drive=Just sitting there.
Repair Estimate=4 to 6 weeks

New stand alone player=Priceless!

Updating drivers, switching to 32bit XP from 64bit, and changing the onboard video to 256MB RAM from Auto so that PowerDVD works with the 360 drive (while the 360 is being repaired) = priceless :)

If you have the Elite or new Premium with HDMI, does it output the full audio, or still only put out 640K streams?

I am trying to decide whether to upgrade, to get Dolby TrueHD, DTS Core @1.5Mb, etc...

It didn't bother me until I bought the PS3 2 weeks ago, and it gets full audio support... (Really not meant as a PS3 Troll-type comment, so no flames...)



***On another note, does anyone have the add-on and also have the Yamaha 661 receiver?

If so, how many channels light up when you play an HD-DVD?

I am only getting the L-R during a movie, but all of them when in just the 360 dashboard... (Also something I didn't notice until the PS3...)

Not sure if it is normal or not, as I am getting audio out of all channels...

Thanks in advance!

Check your configuration for audio in the HD-DVD player. Hit 'B' (I think) to bring up the OSD and go to Digital Audio. There you can choose what output format you want (2 channel LPCM, DD@640kbit, or DTS@1.5mbit, or WMA Pro@1.5(or w/e max is))

Currently even HDMI units are still limited to the same audio options as the non HDMI units, as listed above.

The drive is region coded for DVD's.The console is region coded for SD DVD's not the add-on drive.

The 360 HD DVD add-on drive is not region coded, but playback uses the console's region coding for standard DVD's. Not an issue for HD DVD media.

I have to say, I am hella impressed with the HD-DVD performance out of my Xbox360. Ran a couple of flicks last night on it. I sure need to pickup 300. I run it to a 61" 1080p JVC LCOS display. I'm using the component video output.

I have a PS3 right next to it, and I'd say HD-DVD still throws a better PQ over all than the PS3 and Blu-ray.

I have been trying to update myself by reading thousands of posts before asking a question that has already been asked and answered so here goes: Are you using the premium 360 or Elite and are you telling me that you were able to get 1080p over component to your JVC? I have a Vizio 1080p and a Premium 360 (no hdmi) and am really considering the 360 HD DVD but want to verify that it ouputs 1080p and whether or not it upconverts SD DVD's to 1080p over component? Like I said, this may have already been answered but reading thousands of posts while at work is fun but very time consuming.

I have a Vizio 1080p and a Premium 360 (no hdmi) and am really considering the 360 HD DVD but want to verify that it ouputs 1080p and whether or not it upconverts SD DVD's to 1080p over component? Like I said, this may have already been answered but reading thousands of posts while at work is fun but very time consuming.

It outputs in 1080P via the HDMI on the Elite (and newer premiums) or via the VGA adapter cable (for any Xbox360). If your tv supports VGA then you want to use that. Over component you can get 1080P on games, but not for movies. If you run at 1080i though, and your tv has a good deinterlacer, it should look just as good as 1080P.

. If you run at 1080i though, and your tv has a good deinterlacer, it should look just as good as 1080P.

I'll have to check the Specs on the Vizio VU42LF for the deinterlacer. The VGA's input only accept 1360x768 so I don't want to go there. I had bought the samsung HD-DVD1080p7 (pretty good overall) upconverting DVD player but feel that there could be alot more to the movie watching experience. If the 1080i on the 360 HD DVD is better than the 1080p upconverting on the samsung, then I would make the switch.

the 360 with or without the HD DVD addon will not upconvert standard DVD, 480p is the max component can carry for SD DVD. 1080i is the max that HD DVD can output over component.

With VGA or HDMI connections from the 360 you can upconvert SD DVDs to whatever your TV supports (720p, 1080i (except vga) and 1080p).

Here's the output abilities of component on the 360.
Games - all the way up to 1080p
SD DVD - all the way up to 480p :)
HD DVD - 720p / 1080i

That's it for component connections.

With VGA or HDMI you can do 1080p for games, SD DVD and HD DVD.

the 360 with or without the HD DVD addon will not upconvert standard DVD, 480p is the max component can carry for SD DVD. 1080i is the max that HD DVD can output over component.

With VGA or HDMI connections from the 360 you can upconvert SD DVDs to whatever your TV supports (720p, 1080i (except vga) and 1080p).

Here's the output abilities of component on the 360.
Games - all the way up to 1080p
SD DVD - all the way up to 480p :)
HD DVD - 720p / 1080i

That's it for component connections.

With VGA or HDMI you can do 1080p for games, SD DVD and HD DVD.


Thanks....I'll stick with the Samsung until the HD DVD/Blu Ray battle cloud starts to clear and then make a decision.

XBOX360=3 flashing red lights
HD-DVD Drive=Just sitting there.
Repair Estimate=4 to 6 weeks

New stand alone player=Priceless!


Agreed. I was without a 360 for 3 months because of the 3RLoD. It sucked because all of my HD Media requires the 360 to work.

Here is a question, If I buy this

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?parentPage=search&summary=summary&cp=&productId=2104194&accessories=accessories&kw=vga+to+component&techSpecs=techSpecs&currentTab=features&custRatings=custRatings&sr=1&features=features&origkw=VGA+to+component&support=support&tab=summary

And hook that up to my HDTV that accepts 1080p through Component, and connect the 360 to it using the VGA cable, can I watch HD DVDs at 1080p?

Agreed. I was without a 360 for 3 months because of the 3RLoD. It sucked because all of my HD Media requires the 360 to work.

Here is a question, If I buy this

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?parentPage=search&summary=summary&cp=&productId=2104194&accessories=accessories&kw=vga+to+component&techSpecs=techSpecs&currentTab=features&custRatings=custRatings&sr=1&features=features&origkw=VGA+to+component&support=support&tab=summary

And hook that up to my HDTV that accepts 1080p through Component, and connect the 360 to it using the VGA cable, can I watch HD DVDs at 1080p?
The supported res is below 1080P so, "I don't think so" but if you have a Rs near you, no harm in trying it and seeing what you DO get and if you like the results...??

Well, they have another one that is $20 more that supports 1600 X 1200, so maybe I will try that out. I was just wondering if anyone else has tried this to get a 1080p signal to your TV Via Component input from the 360 and it's Add on drive.

Well, they have another one that is $20 more that supports 1600 X 1200, so maybe I will try that out. I was just wondering if anyone else has tried this to get a 1080p signal to your TV Via Component input from the 360 and it's Add on drive.

The DRM will prolly kill it. So, good luck. 1920x1080 is 1080p. :confused:

I'm so totally confused now. I think from what I read so far on this page is that the reason standard dvds are looking so bad on my new 1080p lcd is that I need some kind of VGA converter cable to convert the signal to 1080p?

:confused:

Bill, sounds like your LCD isn't scaling, so you need an upconverting player, or HDMI.

Edited - I think I have it figured out.

We threw in Open Season for the kids and it looks pretty amazing. Can't wait to see what it looks like in HD...

Bill, sounds like your LCD isn't scaling, so you need an upconverting player, or HDMI.

Will the Xbox 360 VGA connector cable upconvert the SD DVD's to 1080 i/p like HDMI?

Will the Xbox 360 VGA connector cable upconvert the SD DVD's to 1080 i/p like HDMI?
Yes, it will.

Will the Xbox 360 VGA connector cable upconvert the SD DVD's to 1080 i/p like HDMI?

Yes.

VGA will upconvert to 720p or 1080p depending on your TV's abilities. The VGA connector will not do 1080i.

Yes.

VGA will upconvert to 720p or 1080p depending on your TV's abilities. The VGA connector will not do 1080i.

Thanks guys! I'm going to have to go buy that cable today.

Never mind.... The Phillips 47 1080p lcd doesn't have a VGA in. :(

Guess I'm going to have to buy a new xbox. Good lord.

Or you could try out the solution that I talked about. $60 for the module and another $20 for the cable beats out spending the extra $150 plus trading in your system to get a new one with HDMI plus $10 for the HDMI cable. The only problem is that I don't know if it will work. The DRM might get caught up in it, but since it is all analog, it might not.

Hey, I've got a situation here. I have been playing with the idea of the HD-DVD add on for a while, and when the 5 free movies deal came out, I decided to take the plunge. I went to Ebay, found a new one for 162.00 with shipping, and thought I had a deal. When the package came today, I opened the package and discovered that the UPC had been cut off!!! Other than that, it is factory sealed - the seller must have decided to cash in on the movies and then re-sell the player! The offer states that an original UPC must be included, so my question to the forum: Is anyone who bought their HD player before the offer willing to help me out with their box top with the UPC? (PM if you can)

Thanks so much

With that current deal, Wal-Mart "lower price", and an Xbox 360 add-on drive packaged with King Kong, I technically was paid $10.76 to purchase the HD DVD add-on. I blogged about it here: http://matthilton.net/2007.08.01_arch.html#1187233914840

Here's my site where the blog resides: http://matthilton.net/

Congrats!

Can anyone pm a link to that 5 free offer?

Hey, I've got a situation here. I have been playing with the idea of the HD-DVD add on for a while, and when the 5 free movies deal came out, I decided to take the plunge. I went to Ebay, found a new one for 162.00 with shipping, and thought I had a deal. When the package came today, I opened the package and discovered that the UPC had been cut off!!! Other than that, it is factory sealed - the seller must have decided to cash in on the movies and then re-sell the player! The offer states that an original UPC must be included, so my question to the forum: Is anyone who bought their HD player before the offer willing to help me out with their box top with the UPC? (PM if you can)

Thanks so much

Regardless of the UPC being cut, you wouldn't get anything from Toshiba for free. It has to be purchased, NEW, from a retail store with a receipt. Ebay or secondhand does not count.

With that current deal, Wal-Mart "lower price", and an Xbox 360 add-on drive packaged with King Kong, I technically was paid $10.76 to purchase the HD DVD add-on. I blogged about it here: http://matthilton.net/2007.08.01_arch.html#1187233914840

Here's my site where the blog resides: http://matthilton.net/

I read through some of the blog...if you were going to buy all 5 of those movies right away, brand new, at MSRP, then yeah, good deal. Most of the HD DVDs that are being offered can be had for $20 or less new, and even less used. So if you can reason with yourself that its a good deal...then I guess that would work.

I read through some of the blog...if you were going to buy all 5 of those movies right away, brand new, at MSRP, then yeah, good deal. Most of the HD DVDs that are being offered can be had for $20 or less new, and even less used. So if you can reason with yourself that its a good deal...then I guess that would work.

It was meant to be tongue-in-cheek.;)

Best Buy is including 300 and King Kong with the add-on this week.
Along with the 5 free deal:
http://assets.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/hddvd/Xbox360_HDDVDOffer.pdf

That's a decent deal, 7 movies, if a few of them are ones you might buy anyway.

Congrats!

Can anyone pm a link to that 5 free offer?

Toshiba: http://thelookandsoundofperfect.com/_pdf/perfectoffer_advert.pdf

Microsoft: http://thelookandsoundofperfect.com/_pdf/xbox360_offer.pdf

Well I checked with Ebay and the seller has to refund my money to me, since the listing was "significantly different from the item description." He claimed new condition, and new condition would not have the box altered! It is a lenghty process to get the refund, so I am going to buy another today from a B&M store where I know it will be new. Let this be a lesson - no more "new" electroncs from Ebay!

Well I checked with Ebay and the seller has to refund my money to me, since the listing was "significantly different from the item description." He claimed new condition, and new condition would not have the box altered! It is a lenghty process to get the refund, so I am going to buy another today from a B&M store where I know it will be new. Let this be a lesson - no more "new" electroncs from Ebay!

I have centainly sold "new" items on Ebay after removing the UPC. BUT have always said, clearly and usually in color or bold, that the UPC was removed, but the item was untouched and sealed. Did the seller have a high approval percentage?? Sorry for the OT reponse.

Yes, the seller had a pretty good reputation, at 99.2 or so. He did not note anywhere that the UPC was gone, or I would not have purchased it (because of the movies). When I reviewed the terms of selling, Ebay policy says that it should be noted that the box is disfigured if advertised as "brand new." I have Emailed him and even called him for three days now, but he has not returned any calls or emails. I will have to let Paypal handle this one.

Yes, the seller had a pretty good reputation, at 99.2 or so. He did not note anywhere that the UPC was gone, or I would not have purchased it (because of the movies). When I reviewed the terms of selling, Ebay policy says that it should be noted that the box is disfigured if advertised as "brand new." I have Emailed him and even called him for three days now, but he has not returned any calls or emails. I will have to let Paypal handle this one.


You won't be able to use your receipt for the HD-DVD offer anyway, so what's the point? You want a UPC that you can't use?

You won't be able to use your receipt for the HD-DVD offer anyway, so what's the point? You want a UPC that you can't use?

I'm not sure either. Otherwise I will gladly put up a HD DVD player for $1 and have my friend buy it so he can send the UPC along with his receipt for the $1 player to get his 5 free movies.

Maybe a dumb question, but I'm looking to sell my Premium 360 to get a black Elite, but I've noticed that all the HD-DVD add-ons are white. Is there any plan to make these in black so that they match the Elite?

It's a small detail, I know, but it goes much better w/ my setup, is all.....

Toshiba: http://thelookandsoundofperfect.com/_pdf/perfectoffer_advert.pdf

Microsoft: http://thelookandsoundofperfect.com/_pdf/xbox360_offer.pdf

Pity, form the sound of that one post, I was thinking I could get the 5 free deal with my drive that I bought back in February. Oh well, thanks for the link.

Ok I've read some of the most recent pages...definitely not gonna read all 146 pages!!

It seems people are discussing all the good deals that the add-on can be had for...

So is it a foregone conclusion by those add-on owners on this thread that they are happy with the quality of HD-DVD video and audio from this add-on? I imagine with 146 pages worth of discussion that most here are happy...but I just want some input from those of you that own and use the add-on.

Thoughts? thanks a lot. BTW...the add-on is likely the cheapest and thus only way I'll get an HD-DVD player into my house as this will be the one thing my wife would allow...something cheap that won't matter too much if it becomes obsolete.

With the falling prices of Toshiba players, I think I'd consider the difference to that player, cheap insurance. The 360 WILL fail at some time and now, no games and no HDDVD movies. If you have a stand alone player, you still can watch movies. It's what I'd do now, if I had to do it over and the prices are what they are.
:(

With the falling prices of Toshiba players, I think I'd consider the difference to that player, cheap insurance. The 360 WILL fail at some time and now, no games and no HDDVD movies. If you have a stand alone player, you still can watch movies. It's what I'd do now, if I had to do it over and the prices are what they are.
:(

I think you underestimate the will of 360 owners. There is so much good content out there that even though the failure rate has been high, they're working through it and dealing with it.

New 360's have the larger heatsinks, newer ones will be smaller die (65nm) and 360 pretty much has the issues under control. I don't think the "doomed to failure" is so true. I have a launch 360 that hasn't crashed (knock on wood) but even if it did, it wouldn't kill the product for me since i know what i have and what to look forward to that i'm not giving up ;)

Surely you can always spend more money and get a better experience, but for the demographcs of the average xbox 360 owner the hd-dvd addon is a great, affordable and reliable way to get HD-DVD functionality and the price/performance gets better with each passing day.

I think you underestimate the will of 360 owners. There is so much good content out there that even though the failure rate has been high, they're working through it and dealing with it.

New 360's have the larger heatsinks, newer ones will be smaller die (65nm) and 360 pretty much has the issues under control. I don't think the "doomed to failure" is so true. I have a launch 360 that hasn't crashed (knock on wood) but even if it did, it wouldn't kill the product for me since i know what i have and what to look forward to that i'm not giving up ;)

Surely you can always spend more money and get a better experience, but for the demographcs of the average xbox 360 owner the hd-dvd addon is a great, affordable and reliable way to get HD-DVD functionality and the price/performance gets better with each passing day.
I know it's great, remember I said, "If I had it to do over again" I have the add on. It's just been frustrating being totally dead in the water for about a month now, and totally confident it will die again. Sorry, I'm on my 4th and maybe 5th 360 if they return to me someone elses refurb! My confidence is low. for the extra $100 or so I'd rather have a seperat player, hell I'd even splurge for the 1080p model now!

I know it's great, remember I said, "If I had it to do over again" I have the add on. It's just been frustrating being totally dead in the water for about a month now, and totally confident it will die again. Sorry, I'm on my 4th and maybe 5th 360 if they return to me someone elses refurb! My confidence is low. for the extra $100 or so I'd rather have a seperat player, hell I'd even splurge for the 1080p model now!

Dude, you need to speak up and let microsoft know you want it fixed and now. They will hook you up. Don't accept anything less. Tell them your missing out on movies, games and want some freebies as well as an upgrade for your hassle.

I'm on my first.. 10+ hours a day as a media center extender (tv, music, slideshow, PVR/DVR) with kids, wife, family and friends and 20-30 hours a month for gaming.

now with the news from paramount.... does the xbox-hddvd player seem to be a bargain

now with the news from paramount.... does the xbox-hddvd player seem to be a bargain

always has been ;)

but now its been enhanced. I was happy with the investment to play what i knew would be out and open to whatever comes in the future. BUt the combination of xbox live marketplace, 360 and the addon gives me everything i could need for my home entertainment in hi def.

Ok I've read some of the most recent pages...definitely not gonna read all 146 pages!!

It seems people are discussing all the good deals that the add-on can be had for...

So is it a foregone conclusion by those add-on owners on this thread that they are happy with the quality of HD-DVD video and audio from this add-on? I imagine with 146 pages worth of discussion that most here are happy...but I just want some input from those of you that own and use the add-on.

Thoughts? thanks a lot. BTW...the add-on is likely the cheapest and thus only way I'll get an HD-DVD player into my house as this will be the one thing my wife would allow...something cheap that won't matter too much if it becomes obsolete.

I agree with Joe. If you TV just supports 720p or 1080i, then go with one of the Stand alone players as those can be found new for about the same cost as the add on drive. If your HDTV can support 1080p and it has a VGA connection then go ahead and get the add on drive.

Joe makes a good point that I hadn't considered...and that is if/when my 360 fails (on my 3rd at the moment) then not only am I sidelined from my beloved GOW, but now I wouldn't even get to watch HD-DVDs.

I'm not saying that having my 3rd 360 fail would be enough for me to foresake my 360, because I love it...just that it would be a royal PITA to be out of other AV activities.

I'll have to start looking into stand alone players. Thanks for your thoughts guys!

Dude, you need to speak up and let microsoft know you want it fixed and now. They will hook you up. Don't accept anything less. Tell them your missing out on movies, games and want some freebies as well as an upgrade for your hassle.

I'm on my first.. 10+ hours a day as a media center extender (tv, music, slideshow, PVR/DVR) with kids, wife, family and friends and 20-30 hours a month for gaming.


That's how I use my 360, too. I have my computer running (until it too died 2 weeks ago) as a Vista MCE-PC, wired to my XBox as an extender. I've had a really bad 3 months with Technology Hell. My main TV failed (blue image) it's now being replaced as a lemon. The Elite croaked then my PC died a multiple death. Mobo failed which took down the hard drive too. Dell replaced the Mobo then Vista wouldn't boot as the HDD failed. STAY AWAY FROM ME with any technology! :eek:

BTW complaining to MS support only yielded a most excellent recipe for Palak Paneer! Yum! ;)

Anyone with a harmony 880 able to get the remote to play the hd-dvd from the activity startup instead of navigating the 360 menus?

Anyone with a harmony 880 able to get the remote to play the hd-dvd from the activity startup instead of navigating the 360 menus?

There's no "Eject" for the add on, so once you put a disk in you're good to go, the 880 has all the commands needed. It can even nav the Xbox desktop and start an already loaded disk. Just tell it you have an XBox 360.

There's no "Eject" for the add on, so once you put a disk in you're good to go, the 880 has all the commands needed. It can even nav the Xbox desktop and start an already loaded disk. Just tell it you have an XBox 360.

Yeah I realize that, what I'm looking for is it to start playing a disc I already have in there by using an activity command, but I might be too picky.

Yeah I realize that, what I'm looking for is it to start playing a disc I already have in there by using an activity command, but I might be too picky.

From my reccolection (360 not home yet) there's no one button play for the add on. You can cursor down to the HDDVD logo and press enter, it will start. My XBox 360 activity works for Media Center and HDDVD. Are we there yet?

Maybe a dumb question, but I'm looking to sell my Premium 360 to get a black Elite, but I've noticed that all the HD-DVD add-ons are white. Is there any plan to make these in black so that they match the Elite?

It's a small detail, I know, but it goes much better w/ my setup, is all.....

Anyone?

Search eBay for "xbox 360 black hd dvd" and you'll find skins for <$15 that will convert white ones. Probably not as good as the employee-only black drives we got :-)

Thanks guys! I'm going to have to go buy that cable today.

It may be just me but I do not notice a difference between 1080i or 1080p on my TV.

Maybe a dumb question, but I'm looking to sell my Premium 360 to get a black Elite, but I've noticed that all the HD-DVD add-ons are white. Is there any plan to make these in black so that they match the Elite?

It's a small detail, I know, but it goes much better w/ my setup, is all.....
As of now there are no plans for a black add-on drive.

Search eBay for "xbox 360 black hd dvd" and you'll find skins for <$15 that will convert white ones. Probably not as good as the employee-only black drives we got :-)


Then again, there's always Krylon! :eek::rolleyes:;)

Search eBay for "xbox 360 black hd dvd" and you'll find skins for <$15 that will convert white ones. Probably not as good as the employee-only black drives we got :-)

Andy's correct. I got this one (http://www.decalgirl.com/browse.cfm/4,6120.htm)to match my skinned console (also purchased from decalgirl (http://www.decalgirl.com/)).

http://www.matthilton.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/x360d-ss-blk-350.jpg

It's very good quality, and there's no sticky residue. I pealed up the decal on my console after about 4 months of use and there was zero tackiness. The decals can be removed and re-applied many times and are very forgiving.

If you leave the XBOX 360 empty (no game/CD/DVD in drive) the HDDVD drive will start playing automatically when you "ACTIVITIES - PLAY XBOX 360". I just set a rule on the entertainment center to take the XBOX games OUT and put them back in their case before the turn off the entertainment center. Doesn't mean I don't have to load the HDDVD into the drive, but if I put a movie in the HDDVD player and get pre-occupied, I can always go back and turn the system on and the HDDVD will start right up. Now - satisifaction with my Harmony remote is a little tipsy...it seems that I typically need to hit HELP at least one or two times to get the whole setup working properly...does anyone have good luck with ACTIVITIES - PLAY A DVD and everything works? I ALWAYS have to hit HELP at least once before it says, "DID THAT FIX THE PROBLEM"? If this thing is so smart, wouldn't it remember the PROBLEM so that it didn't keep repeating the same startup error?

Here is a question. Why is it that my 360 add on drive has really low volume? When I watch an HD DVD on it, I have to turn the TV's speaker up to max to hear it clearly.

Here is a question. Why is it that my 360 add on drive has really low volume? When I watch an HD DVD on it, I have to turn the TV's speaker up to max to hear it clearly.

What you are getting through your TV speaker is the full dynamics of the movies. This is meant for good surround sound systems.

Next time you watch an HD DVD, press DISPLAY on the 360 remote. Go to the advanced audio settings and turn the second option (dynamic range compression) to on. This should fix your problem.

If you leave the XBOX 360 empty (no game/CD/DVD in drive) the HDDVD drive will start playing automatically when you "ACTIVITIES - PLAY XBOX 360". I just set a rule on the entertainment center to take the XBOX games OUT and put them back in their case before the turn off the entertainment center. Doesn't mean I don't have to load the HDDVD into the drive, but if I put a movie in the HDDVD player and get pre-occupied, I can always go back and turn the system on and the HDDVD will start right up. Now - satisifaction with my Harmony remote is a little tipsy...it seems that I typically need to hit HELP at least one or two times to get the whole setup working properly...does anyone have good luck with ACTIVITIES - PLAY A DVD and everything works? I ALWAYS have to hit HELP at least once before it says, "DID THAT FIX THE PROBLEM"? If this thing is so smart, wouldn't it remember the PROBLEM so that it didn't keep repeating the same startup error?

Thanks for the info...the only time I have troubles if I don't keep a clear path between all my components, TV, 360, and receiver. If I hold the remote out and wait until all is started up I have no troubles.

Not sure if this has ever been answered but can the Xbox 360 HD-DVD add-on drive output movies in true 1080p@24fps? If not it would seem like a future firmware update would make this possible.

If you leave the XBOX 360 empty (no game/CD/DVD in drive) the HDDVD drive will start playing automatically when you "ACTIVITIES - PLAY XBOX 360". snip...
My rule is set up so that I go to the dashboard when I select "Play X-Box" It does not start the HD-DVD or game. I usually manually start the HD - if I need to. The majority of times I just want to be taken to the dashboard.
I use the "Help" on the Harmony rarely - maybe once a month. Have you tried making sure you point the remote at your components long enough?

I just purchased the addon at Best Buy on monday night. I got 300 free and of course King Kong. This is my first HD movie player, and I have to say I am really impressed. The picture is amazing, especially since I am used to HD-lite from DirecTV. I am hooking up the system this weekend to my main TV (Westinghouse 47"). I cannot wait!!! :D

What you are getting through your TV speaker is the full dynamics of the movies. This is meant for good surround sound systems.

Next time you watch an HD DVD, press DISPLAY on the 360 remote. Go to the advanced audio settings and turn the second option (dynamic range compression) to on. This should fix your problem.

Thanks! I will give that a shot tonight!

My rule is set up so that I go to the dashboard when I select "Play X-Box" It does not start the HD-DVD or game. I usually manually start the HD - if I need to. The majority of times I just want to be taken to the dashboard.
I use the "Help" on the Harmony rarely - maybe once a month. Have you tried making sure you point the remote at your components long enough?

That's the way I set it up too. I just find it the easiest way if you use it for double duty (movie's and games). At the dashboard even if a game is in (the console) and you put in a movie into the add-on drive (after the drive is on) it'll automatically start loading the movie. So that works for me.

Those skins look pretty cool 120. I might have to pick some up for my xbox and drive. Thanks for the link. Just wish they had some more sports and an american flag choices, but the black will work just fine.

It may be just me but I do not notice a difference between 1080i or 1080p on my TV.

A set like yours should be able to deinterlace without any issue, therefore whether you do the deinterlacing at the output or in the display, it should look the same. Why because everything will eventually end up in the frame buffer. Not a lot of detail in your post (cables, settings, etc.)

My 360 had died, it was after installing the HD DVD drive, im guessing the instalation is pretty delicate, I had the drive hooked up and ready to go before I installed the drivers, the instructions said install the drivers before hooking up the 360, so I guess that's probably what caused the problems.

hey guys, got a quick question.

when i turn off the console with a movie in the HD-DVD drive, i still hear it spinning. is this normal and will it eventually stop or is mine defective?

i can watch movies on it without problems and i don't have this problem when i take the movies out before i turn off my console.

Andy's correct. I got this one (http://www.decalgirl.com/browse.cfm/4,6120.htm)to match my skinned console (also purchased from decalgirl (http://www.decalgirl.com/)).

http://www.matthilton.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/x360d-ss-blk-350.jpg

It's very good quality, and there's no sticky residue. I pealed up the decal on my console after about 4 months of use and there was zero tackiness. The decals can be removed and re-applied many times and are very forgiving.

Just ordered mine. Added the faceplate and upper to match as well.

Nice ! Just ordered mine as well, along with the console and controller faceplates. I really need to stop spending money.

hey guys, got a quick question.

when i turn off the console with a movie in the HD-DVD drive, i still hear it spinning. is this normal and will it eventually stop or is mine defective?

i can watch movies on it without problems and i don't have this problem when i take the movies out before i turn off my console.
Yes, the disc will keep spinning for a short while after the 360 is powered off. Completely normal. It seems to happen regardless of whether you were actually playing the HD DVD or not.

hey guys, got a quick question.

when i turn off the console with a movie in the HD-DVD drive, i still hear it spinning. is this normal and will it eventually stop or is mine defective?

i can watch movies on it without problems and i don't have this problem when i take the movies out before i turn off my console.

Yeah, it even did this when I had it hooked up to my PC to play movies while the 360 was in for repairs.

I just purchased the addon at Best Buy on monday night. I got 300 free and of course King Kong. This is my first HD movie player, and I have to say I am really impressed. The picture is amazing, especially since I am used to HD-lite from DirecTV. I am hooking up the system this weekend to my main TV (Westinghouse 47"). I cannot wait!!! :D

Same here. I'm using it on a 720P projector. I can't wait for cheap 1080P projectors to come out.

DirecTV HD-Lite seems to be a bit better than DVD, depending on the channel.

The best thing I noticed about this add-on, is the sound. The Dolby True-HD track sounds much better than the regular DD track on 300. It's not a subtle difference. I know it's downsampling the True-HD track, but it's doing a damn fine job of it. :cool:

so..explain the 'downsampling' to me..does the a2 not have to downsample?

depends on how you have it hooked up. If you are using toslink, or for some reason can't do LPCM over HDMI (I don't know why this would be) then it'll have to downsample / re-encode the audio from whatever format to DD or DTS.

What you are getting through your TV speaker is the full dynamics of the movies. This is meant for good surround sound systems.

Next time you watch an HD DVD, press DISPLAY on the 360 remote. Go to the advanced audio settings and turn the second option (dynamic range compression) to on. This should fix your problem.

Works like a charm! I just watched Doom on it and it was fantastic! Thanks for your help!

This question my have been asked already but with 147 pages I'll just risk asking it again. The HD DVD add-on converts all audio to 1.5 DTS signal, now is it feasible that in the future DTS 96/24 will be supported for even more accurate audio reproduction?

Anyone with a harmony 880 able to get the remote to play the hd-dvd from the activity startup instead of navigating the 360 menus?

You can do it by making a Macro. Mine is basically
1) Turn on XB360
2) Wait 30 seconds.
3) Down arrow (x6)
4) OK button

Wow, this thread is massive. I've gone through some of it, and it's been quite helpful. Still wanted to elicit some opinions on my situation. This whole HD format and HDMI business has me a bit befuddled tbh. I've shied away from really paying attention over the last couple of years, because I didn't want to buy the next Beta MAX, and my TV doesn't have HDMI. So I figured I just wait a couple of years, wait until the war was settled, or until I got a new TV.

But last week I picked up a 360 (one w/ HDMI btw), and now my mind started tossing around the HD DVD idea again. I'm reading that I can get a 1080i signal just fine over component video, which is how I connect to my TV. I also don't have an HDMI receiver, so I run optical toslink there. Is going the 360 addon a good way to go for me? Is there a real chance that the studios will enable the HDMI-only restriction on future discs? For $180 should I even care?

Wow, this thread is massive. I've gone through some of it, and it's been quite helpful. Still wanted to elicit some opinions on my situation. This whole HD format and HDMI business has me a bit befuddled tbh. I've shied away from really paying attention over the last couple of years, because I didn't want to buy the next Beta MAX, and my TV doesn't have HDMI. So I figured I just wait a couple of years, wait until the war was settled, or until I got a new TV.

But last week I picked up a 360 (one w/ HDMI btw), and now my mind started tossing around the HD DVD idea again. I'm reading that I can get a 1080i signal just fine over component video, which is how I connect to my TV. I also don't have an HDMI receiver, so I run optical toslink there. Is going the 360 addon a good way to go for me? Is there a real chance that the studios will enable the HDMI-only restriction on future discs? For $180 should I even care?
The studios have promised they will not enable Image Constraint Token (the flag that forces HD DVD players to downconvert over analog connections) until around 2010 at the earliest.

However, the AACS standard requires all HD DVD or Blu-ray players to downconvert starting in 2011 (with or without the ICT) and to disable analog connections completely starting in 2012.

But for $180, I don't see why it would be an issue. The way things are going, by that time, HD DVD and Blu-ray players will be $50 at Wal-mart.

However, the AACS standard requires all HD DVD or Blu-ray players to downconvert starting in 2011 (with or without the ICT) and to disable analog connections completely starting in 2012.

That is all "new" HD DVD and Blu-ray players. All current players on the market will still output 1080i over component after 2012 unless the disc itself is ICT flag enabled.

You can do it by making a Macro. Mine is basically
1) Turn on XB360
2) Wait 30 seconds.
3) Down arrow (x6)
4) OK button
Awesome, thanks. I tried doing it to mine but couldn't get it just right. I'll definitely try this when I get home! :)

I just picked up the 360 hd dvd player and I can't get my old Home Theater Master MX-1000 to learn any of the commands from the remote.

Anyone else have any issues?

I just picked up the 360 hd dvd player and I can't get my old Home Theater Master MX-1000 to learn any of the commands from the remote.

Anyone else have any issues?

When my MX-500 stopped learning new devices is when I switched to Harmony.

I've been searching around for a multisystem player for a long time. I eventually bought an Oppo (before I owned an Xbox)
The other day I wondered if the 360 plays PAL discs, so I popped one into the HD DVD Player.
This post is to let anyone know that (at least here in the US) as long as the PAL discs are Region 0 - both PAL and NTSC discs work on the HD Player.
:)

(now I just asked myself if the same PAL disc works in the built in DVD drive? I'll check. )

Can you confirm, cause there's alot of PAL disks that look interesting at Xploited Cinema. Thanks

Can you confirm, cause there's alot of PAL disks that look interesting at Xploited Cinema. Thanks

Well what do you know.. region free PAL disks work in the built in drive as well.
:D

So that's region free and region 0. Appreciate the post. Thanks.

I just purchased the addon at Best Buy on monday night. I got 300 free and of course King Kong. This is my first HD movie player, and I have to say I am really impressed. The picture is amazing, especially since I am used to HD-lite from DirecTV. I am hooking up the system this weekend to my main TV (Westinghouse 47"). I cannot wait!!! :D

I agree..but what actually impresses me more is that the picture seems 'too hi-res' to me. What I mean by that, is I feel like my paltry 47" LCD is displaying incredible detail at 1080p..but that its almost a waste..the 1080p would look even better at 57"...65"..or 80" ;) It warms my heart to know that HD still has the potential to look good even as the LCD real estate increases. I'm already wishing I had a bigger TV even though I sit 6 feet away from it.

Part of my whining is probably also due to teh fact I'm not getting 'full screen' due to the fact these movies letterbox so I feel a bit cheated. I can't take advantage of the full screen for most movies being released on HD-DVD.

I agree..but what actually impresses me more is that the picture seems 'too hi-res' to me. What I mean by that, is I feel like my paltry 47" LCD is displaying incredible detail at 1080p..but that its almost a waste..the 1080p would look even better at 57"...65"..or 80" ;) It warms my heart to know that HD still has the potential to look good even as the LCD real estate increases. I'm already wishing I had a bigger TV even though I sit 6 feet away from it.

Part of my whining is probably also due to teh fact I'm not getting 'full screen' due to the fact these movies letterbox so I feel a bit cheated. I can't take advantage of the full screen for most movies being released on HD-DVD.

Puh-lease, be glad you're seeing the black bars top and bottom. You're seeing the actual movie as intended. Seeing the movie in full frame is a crock! TVs are not the aspect ratio of film, for the most part, they need to be adjusted for that. The same is true for The Wizard of Oz or Casablanca and the like. If you see them without pillar box on an HDTV the same applies to them. They were shot in 4:3 originally. Where the old TV standard came from.

Puh-lease, be glad you're seeing the black bars top and bottom. You're seeing the actual movie as intended. Seeing the movie in full frame is a crock! TVs are not the aspect ratio of film, for the most part, they need to be adjusted for that. The same is true for The Wizard of Oz or Casablanca and the like. If you see them without pillar box on an HDTV the same applies to them. They were shot in 4:3 originally. Where the old TV standard came from.

well to Nyvram's defense...a lot of people who have seen HBO's *open-matte* 16:9 HD version of KING KONG think it actually looks better than the OAR version.. You're even seeing more in FX shots (which is odd even for open-matte) and looks perfectly composed to 16:9 as opposed to the 2.35:1 version. i much prefer the open-matte version and i'm usually an OAR nut.

-oleus

This question my have been asked already but with 147 pages I'll just risk asking it again. The HD DVD add-on converts all audio to 1.5 DTS signal, now is it feasible that in the future DTS 96/24 will be supported for even more accurate audio reproduction?

There would be almost no benefit in doing this.... and I would take the position that this wouldn't be more accurate.

99% of films are mastered at 48/24, and up-converting the sample rate won't be beneficial sonically.

Also, it is hard to do upscaling without artifacts from a native stream (i.e. PCM) with dedicated hardware, much less asking a software emulator to do it in real time.

This question my have been asked already but with 147 pages I'll just risk asking it again. The HD DVD add-on converts all audio to 1.5 DTS signal, now is it feasible that in the future DTS 96/24 will be supported for even more accurate audio reproduction?
Can you elaborate on this? Mine seems to output dolby digital just fine.

Can you elaborate on this? Mine seems to output dolby digital just fine.

He was mistaken. It can output either Dolby Digital or DTS (user selected). It will convert internally the other formats (DD+, Tru-HD, etc..) and output either DD or DTS depending on the user selected option.

Puh-lease, be glad you're seeing the black bars top and bottom. You're seeing the actual movie as intended. Seeing the movie in full frame is a crock! TVs are not the aspect ratio of film, for the most part, they need to be adjusted for that. The same is true for The Wizard of Oz or Casablanca and the like. If you see them without pillar box on an HDTV the same applies to them. They were shot in 4:3 originally. Where the old TV standard came from.

I'm talking about 16:9 movies and the fact most studios shoot at an even wider ratio so we still get black bars top/bottom with newer films. There are a few movies out there shot at 16:9 but I don't have any HD-DVDs yet that take advantage of the full screen. The ridiculous ones are the ones that are shot in such a long narrow format they're like a tiny little strip 1/3 of the tv size...what the heck is up with that??? If I wanted a 30" TV I would have bought one. ;-)

I know about 4:3 stuff. Please don't assume I've been hanging out at avs for 5 years and missed that.

I'm talking about 16:9 movies and the fact most studios shoot at an even wider ratio so we still get black bars top/bottom with newer films. There are a few movies out there shot at 16:9 but I don't have any HD-DVDs yet that take advantage of the full screen. The ridiculous ones are the ones that are shot in such a long narrow format they're like a tiny little strip 1/3 of the tv size...what the heck is up with that??? If I wanted a 30" TV I would have bought one. ;-)

I know about 4:3 stuff. Please don't assume I've been hanging out at avs for 5 years and missed that.

So you'd rather fill the frame top to bottom? On movies shot with an aspect ratio of 2.35 or 2.40:1 you'll then lose a lot of the image off the sides. I think I'd rather see the whole frame. Cropping or panning and scanning are just lame.

So you'd rather fill the frame top to bottom? On movies shot with an aspect ratio of 2.35 or 2.40:1 you'll then lose a lot of the image off the sides. I think I'd rather see the whole frame. Cropping or panning and scanning are just lame.

I believe nyvram is being misunderstood. I think he's just bemoaning the fact that many movies are not shot in 1.78:1 or 1.85:1 but rather in "scope" 2.35:1, etc. He's wishing for something he knows won't come to fruition, but he simply likes the aspect ratios that natively fill his screen. I can understand that.

As you know, amateurs are confused by the letterboxing on 2.40:1 movies on 16x9 TV's. They think since they have a widescreen TV that the movie will no longer have the need for black bars. These people don't initially understand that movies are shot in a variety of aspect ratios and that 16x9 was an acceptable compromise with the production of static widescreen TV's.

Nyvram is not one of these amateurs. He just wishes there were more 1.85:1 movies.

Hehehe..."1.85:1, the new full screen."

I believe nyvram is being misunderstood. I think he's just bemoaning the fact that many movies are not shot in 1.78:1 or 1.85:1 but rather in "scope" 2.35:1, etc.

Thank you. My words are apparently not getting the point across. I like stuff that natively fills my TV screen (like video games) without cutting off or editing the print in some way.

If I had a projector and a painted wall with a 100" display I wouldn't care or notice this. Unfortunately I have a high-priced 47" LCD and I want to see all 2,075,520 pixels in use! ;) The TV is most immersive when that is the case so I just need to find some movies SHOT at that ratio on HD-DVD. Black bars suck NOT because they preserve the original movie film format..they suck because I feel cheated that the $35 HD-DVD I bought won't take advantage of all the darn pixels and when showing someone how much "better" HD-DVD looks than HDTV, all they notice is that 1/3 of the display is now black..to them the HDTV cable signal coming in looks 'better' because the picture is BIGGER and uses the whole screen.

...If I had a projector and a painted wall with a 100" display I wouldn't care or notice this...
Obviously, short of resorting to this alternative, the only other thing you can do is sit closer and/or watch with lights off/dim. That way, the black bars disappear into the darkness.
... when showing someone how much "better" HD-DVD looks than HDTV, all they notice is that 1/3 of the display is now black..to them the HDTV cable signal coming in looks 'better' because the picture is BIGGER and uses the whole screen.
Now, you're competing with the "wow-factor". I would venture to say that 1/2 resolution at 1/3 greater size would still win out for the first-time, non-videophile. If the same subjects are exposed to the same environment for a longer period of time, they'd notice the difference in clarity.

Is anyone using the 360 plugged into a computer with an creative audigy2 soundcard? I have my HD-DVD equipped XBOX hooked in over optical audio, and it has a noticable lag in audio when in Dolby Digital 5.1 mode. Does anyone else have experience with a similar setup, and does it work?

Obviously, short of resorting to this alternative, the only other thing you can do is sit closer and/or watch with lights off/dim. That way, the black bars disappear into the darkness.

Now, you're competing with the "wow-factor". I would venture to say that 1/2 resolution at 1/3 greater size would still win out for the first-time, non-videophile. If the same subjects are exposed to the same environment for a longer period of time, they'd notice the difference in clarity.

Yeah, and these same people buy 128kbps tracks from iTunes making it wildly successful and can't figure out who us insane people are who demand V0 or FLAC quality instead. ;)

BLADES OF GLORY = PROPER ASPECT RATIO

57 inches of glory (or Will Ferrell) in HD DVD

Where do I find the rebate form for the 5 free HD DVDs with purchase of the add on? I ordered this from Amazon a couple weeks ago when they had the 8 free movies deal but the rebate form is no longer on their page. Thanks

Where do I find the rebate form for the 5 free HD DVDs with purchase of the add on? I ordered this from Amazon a couple weeks ago when they had the 8 free movies deal but the rebate form is no longer on their page. Thanks

http://thelookandsoundofperfect.com/_pdf/xbox360_offer.pdf

Remember, offer expires September 30th.

Hi all,

If I want to connect my 360 using VGA, do I have to buy the XBOX360 specific VGA cable, or will a general cable do the trick? Seems the $40 price tag is a bit more than other non-360 specific cables.

Thanks!

Hi all,

If I want to connect my 360 using VGA, do I have to buy the XBOX360 specific VGA cable, or will a general cable do the trick? Seems the $40 price tag is a bit more than other non-360 specific cables.

Thanks!

You have to buy a XBOX 360 VGA cable any brand will do you don't have to buy micro$oft brand which will be more expensive then the generic brand. You can not use a standard VGA monitor cable it has to have the 360 connector on the one end.

Does anyone know what the HDMI Version the 360 Elite implements?

Thanks

Does anyone know what the HDMI Version the 360 Elite implements?

Thanks

1.2a I think. I know for sure it is NOT 1.3.

Does anyone know what the HDMI Version the 360 Elite implements?

Thanks
As jigga said it is not 1.3, it only does 2channel audio through HDMI though which sucks but at least optical (toslink) is there for 5.1!

As jigga said it is not 1.3, it only does 2channel audio through HDMI though which sucks but at least optical (toslink) is there for 5.1!

you should check your setup i have an elite connected to my receiver thru hdmi and i get 5.1

just got the player yesterday, so far so good

I was wondering, how do I get the player to resume playing where i left off after I turn off the system?

Also, is there a way to configure my 360 Harmony Remote to launch a movie instead of a game?

thanks

just got the player yesterday, so far so good

I was wondering, how do I get the player to resume playing where i left off after I turn off the system?

Also, is there a way to configure my 360 Harmony Remote to launch a movie instead of a game?

thanks


-- The "resume" feature is only possible on SD DVDs, and not on HD-DVDs. Tis is also true on stand-alone HD-DVD players.

-- In the set up menu of your Xbox 360, you can select the default. You can select to begin with "dashboard/game, or to start with whatever is in the add-on HD-Drive.

I just purchased an Xbox 360 HD DVD add on. Do you guys notice an irritating humming noise that it puts out? It might have already been discussed here but I didn't feel like reading every post.

I just purchased an Xbox 360 HD DVD add on. Do you guys notice an irritating humming noise that it puts out? It might have already been discussed here but I didn't feel like reading every post.

I know what you're talking about. Somepeople it bothers, somepeople it doesn't. I don't really notice it till I turn my 360 off cause the the drive keeps running for 10 seconds or so.

Hi all,

If I want to connect my 360 using VGA, do I have to buy the XBOX360 specific VGA cable, or will a general cable do the trick? Seems the $40 price tag is a bit more than other non-360 specific cables.

Thanks!

Target sells a third party 360 vga cable for 17.99.

I just purchased an Xbox 360 HD DVD add on. Do you guys notice an irritating humming noise that it puts out? It might have already been discussed here but I didn't feel like reading every post.

Nope, mine is quiet. Return it.

It does let out a hum or sorts, because the internal memory unit in the rear of the drive (which stores stuff like bookmarks) is cooled.

i have my drive hooked up to my pc and my xbox is in tx getting fixed or replaced. can i upgrade the firmware and how? i downloaded the files and put them on a cd but when i put in one my cd drives nothing happens. i can see the files on the disk but it will not execute the files. any help.

You need to connect it to an XBox 360 to update the firmware.

I'd really like to hear from more people on the humming noise. I need to know if this is normal or not so I can return it if I need to.

So far one person is saying their's is completely quiet where as two people are saying their's do make the noise.

It's a very obvious noise. I can hear it sitting 12 feet away during quiet scenes on a movie or when no other sound is going on, it's very obvious.

i'm getting some stuttering with Heros and major stuttering with "HD Scape Sampler" do you think the firmware upgrade will help? note i'm using it through my pc

I'd really like to hear from more people on the humming noise. I need to know if this is normal or not so I can return it if I need to.

So far one person is saying their's is completely quiet where as two people are saying their's do make the noise.

It's a very obvious noise. I can hear it sitting 12 feet away during quiet scenes on a movie or when no other sound is going on, it's very obvious.

mine does it when i first put the disk in and yea it's loud, i haven't noticed during playback but i'll listen for it next time.

Mine makes noise when loading-zip,zip, zip, then no noise. Fans on computer and 360 console much louder.

I'd really like to hear from more people on the humming noise. I need to know if this is normal or not so I can return it if I need to.

So far one person is saying their's is completely quiet where as two people are saying their's do make the noise.

It's a very obvious noise. I can hear it sitting 12 feet away during quiet scenes on a movie or when no other sound is going on, it's very obvious.

Generaly, THAT noise is coming from the 360. If the HDDVD makes any noise it's totally drowned out by my 360, a refurb from MS replacing my quiet Elite that RRoDed.

Generaly, THAT noise is coming from the 360. If the HDDVD makes any noise it's totally drowned out by my 360, a refurb from MS replacing my quiet Elite that RRoDed.


Guys, I understand about the loud 360's. The one in my bedroom was a launch model and it is louder than hell. The one in my living room entertainment center is a brand new Premium with HDMI so I know it's the newest batch. This one is very quiet. Night and day compared to the old one in my room. I know the noise is coming from the HD DVD Drive because I put my ear up to it. Also, when I turn the 360 off, the HD drive will always continue to make the humming noise even with the 360 off. It will stop after a minute.

Mine is very quiet. No humming noise at all. Make sure you don't stack the drive on top of XBox 360. If will over heat the drive.

What's strange is that it'll make the noise off and on even when I'm not using the HD DVD player. Just when the 360 is on (which automatically powers the HD DVD drive), it will hum off and on while Halo 3 is starting up.

Doesn't really make any sense.:confused:

the 360 with or without the HD DVD addon will not upconvert standard DVD, 480p is the max component can carry for SD DVD

I really dislike it when people make statements that do not clarify, artificial implementation limitations or copy protection limitations over technical ones.

Component is more than "capable" of displaying SD-DVD's at 1080i over a component cable, Not sure about 1080p. However, most newer players have introduced macrovision into the mix. This creates a signal at the player level that most televisions and consumer level video recorders and DVR's recognize and will not allow you to record off of your DVD player. Oh and it just happens to have a limitation of not allowing upscaling over component video signals, funny how that happened even though it has nothing to do with copying.

There are some upscaling DVD players from Oppo that do allow DVD to be played back at 1080i over component.

Once again you can thank the lovely MPAA and weak willed manufacturers for all of the artificial limitations that we face today. I would say that there is probably %1 percent of people who have ever tried to copy a DVD using a method that is defeated by macrovision's systems. But a far greater number of people have wondered why they can't upscale a DVD over component.

Brilliant job guys, or maybe they just want you to buy into HDMI which however necessary is even more restrictive then previous technologies.

Soon they will create technology to be implanted into your eyes that will turn off your vision if they think you are watching pirated material. You may laugh but some of the guys controlling these content licenses actually think like that some times.

Same goes for the RIAA.

TimT

I'm so totally confused now. I think from what I read so far on this page is that the reason standard dvds are looking so bad on my new 1080p lcd is that I need some kind of VGA converter cable to convert the signal to 1080p?

:confused:

Bill,

If your using an LCD TV with a tuner built in of almost any kind it most likely has a scaler of some sort built in. The quality of that scaler will depend on the chip used by the manufacturer.

If it's simply a monitor than whatever you are plugging into the monitor will determine the scaling quality. If you are not ready to jump yet into the HD-DVD - Blu-Ray war then you might want to look at getting an Oppo upscaling DVD player.

I have both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray and I prefer HD-DVD but the Xbox 360 really is horrible at upscaling DVD's over a non VGA connection (haven't seen the vga or hdmi versions of the 360 do upscaling).

But if any of the Oppos can make it look as good or better than the PS3 does at upscaling (which I don't think is worlds above others, but is adequate) then the oppo's should do pretty well.

One other thing, there are alot of early DVD's that are just awful transfers of movies. Meaning that the process that they used to get the data onto a DVD is sometimes really, really bad. One example is the "ONLY" copy available of one of my favorite movies "Outland" with Sean Connery. The transfer on that movie (which is a single layer disc, which is already bad enough) is just terrible and is probably from the original master for Video Tape rather than any kind of attempt to master it correctly for transfer to DVD.

So you do have to test multiple sources of video to confirm quality. I would suggest you also perform a low level calibration of your LCD as well with something like Digital Video Essentials, DVD or Avia's calibration discs. Even the basic calibrations using only your eye will greatly improve your picture quality over the standard settings on your LCD TV or Monitor. However if you share it with a computer it may make it more difficult unless it has separate settings for each input as my HDTV does.

Hope this helps.

TimT

Or you could try out the solution that I talked about. $60 for the module and another $20 for the cable beats out spending the extra $150 plus trading in your system to get a new one with HDMI plus $10 for the HDMI cable. The only problem is that I don't know if it will work. The DRM might get caught up in it, but since it is all analog, it might not.

VGA is at heart a "NON" Digital connection and still has it's roots in the analog realm. DVI and it's younger brother HDMI are fully digital connections.

You cannot take a VGA cable and plug it into an DVI cable and have it work as you would need a conversion box between the VGA and DVI to convert it to a digital signal.

This portion has nothing to do with HDCP or copy protection and more to do with simple video signal differences.

Some of these types of boxes can be found, but none of them are inexpensive, although if they have dropped in price someone here will I'm sure point you in the right direction.

TimT

well to Nyvram's defense...a lot of people who have seen HBO's *open-matte* 16:9 HD version of KING KONG think it actually looks better than the OAR version.. You're even seeing more in FX shots (which is odd even for open-matte) and looks perfectly composed to 16:9 as opposed to the 2.35:1 version. i much prefer the open-matte version and i'm usually an OAR nut.

-oleus

While an open matted version of a movie will provide an alternate aspect ratio which might delight some, the fact that cable and sattelite providers also crop other movies that are in HD infuriates me and I'm sure others as well.

Movies like Ghostbusters are ruined when people who do not understand proper aspect ratio are in charge of the presentation. It's like going to the movies on opening night (ok not exactly like that but you get my gist) and having a poor presentation on a mega blockbuster like LOTR or Spiderman 2, etc.

If you enjoy the Open matte version thats fine, but it's still not a replacement for properly understanding Aspect ratio and the problems of improperly displayed content.

Not that I'm saying you have a problem understanding this, just in general.

TimT

Thank you. My words are apparently not getting the point across. I like stuff that natively fills my TV screen (like video games) without cutting off or editing the print in some way.

If I had a projector and a painted wall with a 100" display I wouldn't care or notice this. Unfortunately I have a high-priced 47" LCD and I want to see all 2,075,520 pixels in use! ;) The TV is most immersive when that is the case so I just need to find some movies SHOT at that ratio on HD-DVD. Black bars suck NOT because they preserve the original movie film format..they suck because I feel cheated that the $35 HD-DVD I bought won't take advantage of all the darn pixels and when showing someone how much "better" HD-DVD looks than HDTV, all they notice is that 1/3 of the display is now black..to them the HDTV cable signal coming in looks 'better' because the picture is BIGGER and uses the whole screen.

Look, I understand now that you know the difference between basic aspect ratios etc. But you need to stop pressing the feeling that you are wasting pixels or not getting the full benefit because the movies don't take up the full screen. Black bars only suck because as you said you can't afford a projector and screen, while knowing the technical reasons for those black bars. Your simply upset that you can't get an even better picture at a larger size.

I don't think that there is anyone here other than the very rich who don't wish they had bigger and better viewing equipment. But please do not keep saying that you feel cheated or are having a problem proving how much better HD-DVD is.

If you want to show off HD-DVD then you can prove it even with a movie that is in 2.35:1 or 2.40:1. It's the details that prove your point. You are still displaying that image at 1080i or 1080p (whichever your TV supports), if you have the DVD version of the movie simply switch between one and the other and trust me when I say that even the most jaded TV viewer will probably be floored by the difference.

Either way your getting the best image you possibly can short of professional calibration, and while I understand you want to watch material in 1:78 or 1:85 aspect you should still appreciate those movies in the format they were meant to be seen in when they are not taking up the full screen.

If you have never seen some of those movies in the theaters it's the best anybody has ever seen them with the exeption of art house re-releases etc, or movie producers or people who live in LA and get to see older movies all the time on the big screen.

So enjoy yourself and realize that even with the black bars you are seeing more detail and color reproduction, not to mention that most HD-DVD movies have been restored and re-mastered

A great site to explain what your not missing is here. It has the history of the Widescreen aspect ratios of movies and shows how on even some previously anamorphic DVD releases there have been bad choices which show you less than the movie intended.

http://www.widescreenmuseum.com

Here is a great article that points out the differences between two releases of Ben-Hur and highlights what can happen when a movie is tranferred to DVD and especially what can happen when you do it right.

http://www.widescreenmuseum.com/special/ben-hurdvd.htm

A good primer page explaining what your experiencing is here.

http://www.widescreenmuseum.com/special/caveat_emptor.htm

I hope that you do read these and understand that your not losing out when you watch these movies, but are in fact gaining more than previous generations have ever had. Watching some of these movies on HD-DVD is like seeing them for the first time.

If you have only ever seen some of these movies on Television then you simply must watch movies like Forbidden Planet or The Adventures of Robin Hood on HD-DVD. The difference will astound you.

I hope this helps you feel better about watching the wider aspect movies on your set.

TimT

BLADES OF GLORY = PROPER ASPECT RATIO

57 inches of glory (or Will Ferrell) in HD DVD

I assume that SoCoolAZ was intending to inform nyvram that Blades of Glory is presented in 1:85:1 aspect ratio as the movie was displayed in it's original theater run.

So this would be a good film to show off HD-DVD while using the full screen of the display on a standard 16:9 HDTV.

TimT

you should check your setup i have an elite connected to my receiver thru hdmi and i get 5.1

HDMI won't stop you from decoding 5.1 Dolby Digital, but Microsofts implementation will not support the lossless formats for Dolby True HD or the new DTS HD formats. Thats what was meant by only 2.0 over HDMI 1.2a.

TimT

I just view the 360 HD DVD player as good enough until I can afford something better audio wise.

Kick up that 5.1 volume and you won't hear a thing ;)

I'm thinking about buying an X-Box 360 (after all the Halo craze)...and I figured since the new X-Box 360s have HDMI on them now, I might as well save myself some space and less connections to my receiver and tv and return my current HD-A2 (i bought it like two weeks ago), and buy the add-on HD-DVD player for less. Here are my concerns:

a) Will the add-on player be able to output 1080p video (my tv is only 1080i...but I may upgrade)
b) will I be able to use the HDMI cable for video, and either optical or digital coax cable for audio only? (my receiver does not have HDMI input/output)
c) will there be a big sound/video difference between the xbox 360 add-on player bs. the HD-A2 or -A20 (whichever the cheapest 1080p one is). I currently do not have a surround sound receiver that plays TrueHD. I think it only outputs dolby digital, pro-logic, and DTS.

I look forward to anyone's responses. Thank You.

~G

I'm thinking about buying an X-Box 360 (after all the Halo craze)...and I figured since the new X-Box 360s have HDMI on them now, I might as well save myself some space and less connections to my receiver and tv and return my current HD-A2 (i bought it like two weeks ago), and buy the add-on HD-DVD player for less. Here are my concerns:

a) Will the add-on player be able to output 1080p video (my tv is only 1080i...but I may upgrade)
b) will I be able to use the HDMI cable for video, and either optical or digital coax cable for audio only? (my receiver does not have HDMI input/output)
c) will there be a big sound/video difference between the xbox 360 add-on player bs. the HD-A2 or -A20 (whichever the cheapest 1080p one is). I currently do not have a surround sound receiver that plays TrueHD. I think it only outputs dolby digital, pro-logic, and DTS.

I look forward to anyone's responses. Thank You.

~G

a) Especially with the HDMI 360, both the 360 and the add-on can output 1080p. Older units only do it via the VGA adapter kit.

b) Yes, the Elite comes with the optical dongle, the new Premium doesn't. It's pricey enough to justify the Elite when you add everything together.

c) I have the Elite hooked to a Mits 65833 and Planet Earth is STUNNING, I would assume as STUNNING as from a Toshiba 1080p deck. Can't do side by side though ;)

The 360 let's you chose from Dolby 5.1 and DTS and some other standards, but as of now no True-HD. Maybe with the Fall Update :confused: but my old Pioneer Elite (no relation ;) ) can't do that anyway.

a) Especially with the HDMI 360, both the 360 and the add-on can output 1080p. Older units only do it via the VGA adapter kit.

b) Yes, the Elite comes with the optical dongle, the new Premium doesn't. It's pricey enough to justify the Elite when you add everything together.

c) I have the Elite hooked to a Mits 65833 and Planet Earth is STUNNING, I would assume as STUNNING as from a Toshiba 1080p deck. Can't do side by side though ;)

The 360 let's you chose from Dolby 5.1 and DTS and some other standards, but as of now no True-HD. Maybe with the Fall Update :confused:

Awesome. well i think my current receiver only takes 5.1 and DTS...so that's no biggie for me. But that's awesome..do you know if the halo edition has the optical dongle (which I assume is the optical output..i'm not that tech savvy)...or is it just the elite? Thanks a bunch.
~G

Awesome. well i think my current receiver only takes 5.1 and DTS...so that's no biggie for me. But that's awesome..do you know if the halo edition has the optical dongle (which I assume is the optical output..i'm not that tech savvy)...or is it just the elite? Thanks a bunch.
~G

No I don't but at this point a 20G drive SUX even if it is green!

Awesome. well i think my current receiver only takes 5.1 and DTS...so that's no biggie for me. But that's awesome..do you know if the halo edition has the optical dongle (which I assume is the optical output..i'm not that tech savvy)...or is it just the elite? Thanks a bunch.
~G

The Halo Edition does not have the Optical dongle. Microsoft sells the HDMI cable with the optical dongle for $49.99.

Just an FYI as well, the Halo edition only comes with the 20gig hard-drive, and if you ever want to swap to the 120gig drive, as far as i know, they will not be releasing a 120gig drive in the matching color scheme.

The 360 let's you chose from Dolby 5.1 and DTS and some other standards, but as of now no True-HD. Maybe with the Fall Update :confused: but my old Pioneer Elite (no relation ;) ) can't do that anyway.

I think I read that the HDMI port on the 360 is incapable of lossless audio as it is only HDMI 1.0 or 1.1 compliant.

I think I read that the HDMI port on the 360 is incapable of lossless audio as it is only HDMI 1.0 or 1.1 compliant.

It actually has nothing to do with hdmi version, in fact you can use hdmi or optical and get the same result.

360 audio choices out are DD640k, DTS1.5 (both of those are max bitrates for those formats), WMA Pro and PCM 2.0 (stereo lossless).

What it doesn't do is pass any 5.1 lossless audio, it decodes those to one of the above.

Also upscaling works well on the 360, better than most TV scalers I've seen. It will scale all the way up to 1080p for standard dvd if your connection is VGA or HDMI.

It will upscale over component connection as well for pretty much everything except standard dvds. The issue is that upscaling over component is not permitted for any device using the DVD license. Not scaling over component has nothing to do with the 360 itself.

Also upscaling works well on the 360, better than most TV scalers I've seen. It will scale all the way up to 1080p for standard dvd if your connection is VGA or HDMI.

It will upscale over component connection as well for pretty much everything except standard dvds. The issue is that upscaling over component is not permitted for any device using the DVD license. Not scaling over component has nothing to do with the 360 itself.

I'm about to purchase a new 360 this month, and I've seen conflicting reports as to whether the 360 (the main unit, not the HDVD add-on drive) will upconvert standard DVD. Is it the case that with the new HDMI equipped 360s, they will upconvert, or do I need to purchase the HDVD drive as well to get that feature?

I'm about to purchase a new 360 this month, and I've seen conflicting reports as to whether the 360 (the main unit, not the HDVD add-on drive) will upconvert standard DVD. Is it the case that with the new HDMI equipped 360s, they will upconvert, or do I need to purchase the HDVD drive as well to get that feature?

There is no conflicting information, the 360 upconverts over HDMI and VGA. The addon does nothing other than send the data from the disc to the 360 which does all the processing. Since the addon does nothing.....it definitely can't upconvert :) LOL

The 360, via VGA or HDMI will upconvert standard DVDs to whatever video setting you have configured in the 360s system blade.

It actually has nothing to do with hdmi version, in fact you can use hdmi or optical and get the same result.

360 audio choices out are DD640k, DTS1.5 (both of those are max bitrates for those formats), WMA Pro and PCM 2.0 (stereo lossless).

What it doesn't do is pass any 5.1 lossless audio, it decodes those to one of the above.

Also upscaling works well on the 360, better than most TV scalers I've seen. It will scale all the way up to 1080p for standard dvd if your connection is VGA or HDMI.

It will upscale over component connection as well for pretty much everything except standard dvds. The issue is that upscaling over component is not permitted for any device using the DVD license. Not scaling over component has nothing to do with the 360 itself.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=827835

The point stands, you will NOT get lossless audio from a 360 using the addon.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=827835

The point stands, you will NOT get lossless audio from a 360 using the addon.

? I stated exactly what the 360 does, PCM 2.0 lossless but not 5.1 lossless. Follow thru on your own link you provided to Amir's post:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10176889#post10176889

PCM output is available but only for 2-channels (not 5.1).

I really hope they update to allow different resolutions for games and hd dvds. Would like the hd movies at 1080i and games at 720p.

Hey guys,
Read through some of the posts, but don't have time to go through them all. I have a ps3 and xbox, along with a 55 inch sony 768 native/1080i tv. I've decided I might want to get an hd-dvd player for a few movies (mostly transformers), and was wondering if on my tv, if the difference of an hd-dvd is worth it over an upconverted dvd (my tv's not 1080p). Also, would I be better off looking at the add on (my xbox just died and I have a warranty with best buy that I'm extending, so I'm not worried about sending it out) or a stand alone player. Thanks.

Hey guys,
Read through some of the posts, but don't have time to go through them all. I have a ps3 and xbox, along with a 55 inch sony 768 native/1080i tv. I've decided I might want to get an hd-dvd player for a few movies (mostly transformers), and was wondering if on my tv, if the difference of an hd-dvd is worth it over an upconverted dvd (my tv's not 1080p). Also, would I be better off looking at the add on (my xbox just died and I have a warranty with best buy that I'm extending, so I'm not worried about sending it out) or a stand alone player. Thanks.

hd-dvd is night and day better than an upconverted DVD on any HD display be it 720p, 768p or 1080p.

If you a receiver that does the HD audio formats a stand alone player is the only way to go. If not the 360 add on is a good choice, just for the fact that it's faster responsive wise than most standalones.

hd-dvd is night and day better than an upconverted DVD on any HD display be it 720p, 768p or 1080p.

If you a receiver that does the HD audio formats a stand alone player is the only way to go. If not the 360 add on is a good choice, just for the fact that it's faster responsive wise than most standalones.

Thanks for the response. My receiver does not have any hd audio inputs. My 360 for now would run through component, but in a year or so, I plan on buying a 1080p tv, so I should be somewhat future proof (except for audio) since the new 360 I'm getting has hdmi. I just want to make sure that the diff on my tv in pq is worth it over the upconvert.

Thanks for the response. My receiver does not have any hd audio inputs. My 360 for now would run through component, but in a year or so, I plan on buying a 1080p tv, so I should be somewhat future proof (except for audio) since the new 360 I'm getting has hdmi. I just want to make sure that the diff on my tv in pq is worth it over the upconvert.


How much PQ difference is enough is really subjective but there is defintely a difference in detail and overall visuals even though some upconverts look pretty good too. (Some dvds don't upconvert so well though making difference even bigger).

Audio quality is also better than DVD and don't forget as well that the interacvity, better accessible menu system and overall experinece is just better on the new disks.

Also your 1080i will look nearly identical to 1080p anyway, you won't miss much.

There is no conflicting information, the 360 upconverts over HDMI and VGA. The addon does nothing other than send the data from the disc to the 360 which does all the processing. Since the addon does nothing.....it definitely can't upconvert :) LOL

The 360, via VGA or HDMI will upconvert standard DVDs to whatever video setting you have configured in the 360s system blade.

Show proof, because the 360 DVD drive is Progressive Scan (480p) Only the HD-DVD add-on Upconverts.

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/media/default.htm Click on the Movies tab. PROOF.

Play DVDs in Progressive Scan and use the Xbox 360 controller to navigate the on-screen DVD menus.

DVD playback supports progressive-scan 480p for optimal viewing on HDTVs (requires an Xbox 360 Component HD AV Cable). With the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player, you can watch HD-DVD movies in full high-definition glory.

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/systemuse/xbox360/digitalmedia/intro.htm -- MORE PROOF.
The DVD Player in the main console does NOT upconvert. It displays movies in 480p, no higher.

I guess thats why my 360 plays dvd's at 1080p over hdmi? You sir need to get your facts right and quit acting like nobody knows what they are talking about. I have also played 1080p over vga just to make sure......guess what you are wrong.

I guess thats why my 360 plays dvd's at 1080p over hdmi? You sir need to get your facts right and quit acting like nobody knows what they are talking about. I have also played 1080p over vga just to make sure......guess what you are wrong.

Dude, it doesn't. I have the elite, HDMI, It's progressive scan. It is the EXACT same image as my Progressive scan Sony 5 disk changer.

It produces a nice 480p image on the internal DVD drive.

Or are you going to say my Progressive Scan Sony is also outputting at higher resolutions?

I also backed up my claims with proof, and you've shown nothing that proves otherwise.

My sony tv reports the signal coming out of the 360 over hdmi is 1080p, guess my tv has no idea what signal its getting....

dkwhite,

Upconvert does not mean you get HD quality out of SD DVD. The tell tale sign of upconversion is the higher/more detailed DVD playback buttons on screen. Note the original DVD playback firmware maynot upconvert but that should have been addressed with recent Dashboard upgrade. The reference you posted merely says you will get 480p over HD AV cable which is component cable. It didn't mention VGA nor HDMI.

It's actually very easy to tell if your XBox upconverts or not because a lot of TVs actually reports what input signal resolution is. Just because you can't tell a difference doesn't mean it is not upcoverting. To be hornest, XBox DVD playback isn't its strongest point. The old firmware was widely criticized.

So, can you hornestly tell us that your TV reports only 480p over HDMI for DVD playback when you set your video resolution to HD resolutions in Dashboard? Or you simply don't know?

Quick question - just purchased the HD-DVD add-on from Amazon. When I purchased it the page said "7 DVDs" as part of the deal ending end of September. Received it today with a FIVE disk deal coupon and the URL on it points to a rebate that starts 10/1 - my receipt dated prior to that. I've dug up a 5 disk deal PDF from before but could swear it said 7 on the page. Anyone else see this or have info? Feel like I'm getting a bait and switch here or am going nutz :-(

You're suppose to get 2 HD DVDs directly from Amazon when you ordering your player. 5 HD DVD deal is directly from MS and last deal ended 9/30 and new 5-disk deal starts 10/1. If you didn't pick your 2 free HD DVDs together with your player at that time, you're probably SOL?

[QUOTE=joe221;11856232]a) ---SNIP ---

c) I have the Elite hooked to a Mits 65833 and Planet Earth is STUNNING, I would assume as STUNNING as from a Toshiba 1080p deck. Can't do side by side though ;)

QUOTE]

I've heard that the HD versions of Planet Earth do not have the "making of" extras that were shown on TV, is this true?

There was something extra on the last disc. But I didn't check it out that yet as I never watch extras.

dkwhite,

Upconvert does not mean you get HD quality out of SD DVD. The tell tale sign of upconversion is the higher/more detailed DVD playback buttons on screen. Note the original DVD playback firmware maynot upconvert but that should have been addressed with recent Dashboard upgrade. The reference you posted merely says you will get 480p over HD AV cable which is component cable. It didn't mention VGA nor HDMI.

It's actually very easy to tell if your XBox upconverts or not because a lot of TVs actually reports what input signal resolution is. Just because you can't tell a difference doesn't mean it is not upcoverting. To be hornest, XBox DVD playback isn't its strongest point. The old firmware was widely criticized.

So, can you hornestly tell us that your TV reports only 480p over HDMI for DVD playback when you set your video resolution to HD resolutions in Dashboard? Or you simply don't know?

Conflicting information! :)

I've read reviews that state explicitly that the original 360s did NOT upconvert. Can anyone confirm (1) whether the new models with HDMI output actually do upconvert; or (2) whether a 360 Dashboard upgrade addressed that issue post-launch.

Thanks!

Conflicting information! :)

I've read reviews that state explicitly that the original 360s did NOT upconvert. Can anyone confirm (1) whether the new models with HDMI output actually do upconvert; or (2) whether a 360 Dashboard upgrade addressed that issue post-launch.

Thanks!

All 360's from launch day will upconvert if they are at the latest dashboard updates and connected via HDMI or VGA. Since launch 360's don't have HDMI they will have to be connected via VGA for upconverting.

There is no conflicting information, just people hanging on to "old" information.

All 360's from launch day will upconvert if they are at the latest dashboard updates and connected via HDMI or VGA. Since launch 360's don't have HDMI they will have to be connected via VGA for upconverting.

There is no conflicting information, just people hanging on to "old" information.

Exactly. For "proof", you would need to look no further than the very first post of the Elite thread in the Xbox area of this Forum. Not sure how this could be misunderstood at this point.

Hey All,

I'm thinking about getting the XBOX 360 HD DVD Player Add On - what's the best deal around? Anything going on at Amazon? I know you get King Kong in it and 5 Free HD DVD's from Toshiba - is there anything out there doing better then these 6 Free HD DVDs?

Thanks!

Show proof, because the 360 DVD drive is Progressive Scan (480p) Only the HD-DVD add-on Upconverts.

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/media/default.htm Click on the Movies tab. PROOF.





http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/systemuse/xbox360/digitalmedia/intro.htm -- MORE PROOF.
The DVD Player in the main console does NOT upconvert. It displays movies in 480p, no higher.

Do a simple google search. This feature was added a year ago in the FALL Xbox 360 dashboard update.



Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 38
FAQ: XBOX 360 HD DVD Player Addon & DVD Upscaling (http://forum.teamxbox.com/showthread.php?t=477767)

4. Does upscaled DVD look just as good as HD DVD? Do I need the HD DVD drive to upscale Standard DVD?
A: Heck no, it looks much worse. While upscaled DVD will look better on your digital HDTV display than standard DVD due to matching the native resolution of the display panel, it will still pale in comparison to HD DVD. Upscaled DVD still has all of the compression artifacts of standard DVD and there is no true detail gained - as you are still using the 720x480 DVD as the source. DVD upscaling does not require the HD DVD drive, it only requires the Fall Dashboard update and a VGA cable.

I have 3 360's, 2 run with VGA cables and upscale everything including standard dvd's to 1080p and 1080i very well. Now that 360's have HDMI that connection works exactly like the VGA for video.

Over component connection it will upscale pretty much everything except standard dvd's, only because dvd license doesn't permit it over component connection.

Show proof, because the 360 DVD drive is Progressive Scan (480p) Only the HD-DVD add-on Upconverts.

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/media/default.htm Click on the Movies tab. PROOF.





http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/systemuse/xbox360/digitalmedia/intro.htm -- MORE PROOF.
The DVD Player in the main console does NOT upconvert. It displays movies in 480p, no higher.

I'm sorry, but your quotes and links discuss DVD (480) and HD DVD (1080) over component connections. SD DVD's are only allowed to be carried over component connections at 480p (progressive) and HD DVD (which by the way is 1080p) can only be carried over component at 1080i. It's not a limit of the cable format but the bodies that make up the licensing of DVD and HD DVD.

So, once again....if you are using a connection that is NOT component (but still hi-def like VGA or HDMI) then the 360 upconverts your DVD's to whatever you have the dashboard set. The HD DVD addon is just a drive, it does nothing except tranfer the data from the disc (using the blue laser pickup) to the 360 via the USB port and then the 360 does everything. If you have component connections AND the addon......your DVD's will still only play at 480p.

I'm sorry, but your quotes and links discuss DVD (480) and HD DVD (1080) over component connections. SD DVD's are only allowed to be carried over component connections at 480p (progressive) and HD DVD (which by the way is 1080p) can only be carried over component at 1080i. It's not a limit of the cable format but the bodies that make up the licensing of DVD and HD DVD.

So, once again....if you are using a connection that is NOT component (but still hi-def like VGA or HDMI) then the 360 upconverts your DVD's to whatever you have the dashboard set. The HD DVD addon is just a drive, it does nothing except tranfer the data from the disc (using the blue laser pickup) to the 360 via the USB port and then the 360 does everything. If you have component connections AND the addon......your DVD's will still only play at 480p.

Yes they are old quotes because it has not been updated for the Elite or new Premium consoles. I still do not see a difference (over HDMI) in PQ from my Sony 5 Disk Progressive Scan DVD player Vs. my Xbox 360 internal DVD drive.
(The Sony runs via component hook-ups).

Besides those links I have found absolutely nothing definitive either way on the matter. Some people claim that a spring update allowed for the internal player to upconvert higher than 480p, and others claim that it doesn't.

If the Xbox 360 is upconverting, it's doing a really bad job of it, either that or my Sony DVD player is just that awesome. heh.

Yes they are old quotes because it has not been updated for the Elite or new Premium consoles. I still do not see a difference (over HDMI) in PQ from my Sony 5 Disk Progressive Scan DVD player Vs. my Xbox 360 internal DVD drive.
(The Sony runs via component hook-ups).

Besides those links I have found absolutely nothing definitive either way on the matter. Some people claim that a spring update allowed for the internal player to upconvert higher than 480p, and others claim that it doesn't.

If the Xbox 360 is upconverting, it's doing a really bad job of it, either that or my Sony DVD player is just that awesome. heh.

"To break it all down what you will get from the Xbox 360 after this fall's software update:

VGA:

HD DVD - 1080p resolution and all others

DVD - Upscaled as high as 1080p resolution and all others

Games - 720p games upscaled to 1080p, also supports native-1080p games in the future
Component:

HD DVD - 1080i resolution maximum, limited by AACS
DVD - Upscaled to 480p maximum, limited by CSS
Games - 720p games upscaled to 1080p, also supports native-1080p games in the future "

The following link is from an article posted on 9/21/06. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the information still applies.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/09/21/xbox-360-hd-dvd-playback-maximum-1080i-via-component-1080p-vga/

Yes they are old quotes because it has not been updated for the Elite or new Premium consoles. I still do not see a difference (over HDMI) in PQ from my Sony 5 Disk Progressive Scan DVD player Vs. my Xbox 360 internal DVD drive.
(The Sony runs via component hook-ups).

Besides those links I have found absolutely nothing definitive either way on the matter. Some people claim that a spring update allowed for the internal player to upconvert higher than 480p, and others claim that it doesn't.

If the Xbox 360 is upconverting, it's doing a really bad job of it, either that or my Sony DVD player is just that awesome. heh.

You do understand that upscaled or upconverted DVD's aren't going to really show much improvement over 480p right? I mean the recording on the DVD itself is only 480i and you are line doubling it (progressive) and then basically scaling it to fit a 720/1080i/1080p screen with no real added detail other than what the upscale/convert process creates. HD DVD is 1080p on the disc and has much greater resolution.

Upconverted DVD has never impressed me and I wonder why people even worry about it. It's still a 480i signal. There's no hidden information on the DVD to make it look better. Plus your TV, if it is a Hi-def set, has to upconvert/scale the signal to it's native resolution anyway.

PS (crosspost)

Cheap!! toys r us deal ongoing till 10/13:

Add Xbox 360 HD DVD Player: $179.99

Promotional code: 20% off >75 : TRUFRIENDFAMILY
= minus $36.00

S&H ~ 9.09

Total price: $153.08

Yes they are old quotes because it has not been updated for the Elite or new Premium consoles. I still do not see a difference (over HDMI) in PQ from my Sony 5 Disk Progressive Scan DVD player Vs. my Xbox 360 internal DVD drive.
(The Sony runs via component hook-ups).

Besides those links I have found absolutely nothing definitive either way on the matter. Some people claim that a spring update allowed for the internal player to upconvert higher than 480p, and others claim that it doesn't.

If the Xbox 360 is upconverting, it's doing a really bad job of it, either that or my Sony DVD player is just that awesome. heh.


If your TV is a new digital panel (LCD, Plasma, DLP etc), it also has an internal scaler to upconvert 480p signal to its native resolution. So basically what you're saying is that Xbox 360 upconversion is as good (or bad) as your TV's scaler. That's it. Upconversion isn't a big deal. For digital panels with poor internal scalers, it may make a small difference. For most good quality TVs, you probably can't tell much difference.

And for millions time, it's very easy to tell XBox 360 upconvert or not if you have a good TV that can tell you exactly what signal it receives from the that video input.

PS (crosspost)

Cheap!! toys r us deal ongoing till 10/13:

Add Xbox 360 HD DVD Player: $179.99

Promotional code: 20% off >75 : TRUFRIENDFAMILY
= minus $36.00

S&H ~ 9.09

Total price: $153.08


Just ordered thanks for the post. I used Bill Me Later and that gives me another $15.00 of the price so it was only $147.65.

:) MJ