Weird....I placed an order with Amazon on Oct 28 for an Addon and for Batman Begins......I selected "ship in one shipment"....today they shipped me Batman Begins, instead of shipping it with the 360 add-on. Why did they do this?

Someone in the Amazon shipping dept probably just didn't pay attention and shipped it out early, or decided since the HD DVD add on was shipping very soon that same week to go ahead and send out the Batman Begins disk. They might already be getting shipments ready for the HD drive. When a very large numer of shipments for a certain product need to be sent out Amazon often ships things a bit early. I wouldn't be surprised at all if some people that ordered from Amazon had them sitting on their front doorstep right on Tuesday. I have gotten DVDs shipped to me as early as a couple days before the release date.

hopefully

is there anyway to tell what allocation you are/were in?(besides not getting KK)

Is anyone ready to try this on a PC?

Chris

It apparently works wth Vista, or will later.

I'm gonna pick up MI:3, Gears ,and the HD-DVD add on Wed. What a great day! :D :D ^_^

I might be coming down with the flu around that day ;)

If your 360's fan's are "brutally loud", your fans are shot or defective. I can hardly hear mine when the console is running.

The only thing that is "brutally loud" on my (year old) 360 is the DVD-ROM, which obviously won't be a factor when watching a HD-DVD.

Well this is my 2nd Xbox 360 and the fans have all been the same.. *first one had the 3 red light defect) Without a DVD in the drive.. you can hear it whininng and spinning up and down etc.. I can hear it at the top of the stairs. its definately the loudest component out of all of the electronics.

My fans can only be heard after hours of game play (still not that loud though).
They are completely quiet when playing a DVD (no matter how long it's in use) and I expect it will be the same with the add on.

I just spoke to Microsoft's (supposedly) Swedish support, and not only don't they know when the add on will be released here, they also told me that if I buy it in the USA, I will not be able to use it on my PAL console.

Can anyone confirm this? I don't really trust them, the girl was nice enough, but she had to put me on hold after every question, so I don't really know what to believe.

It would also be nice to know if i simply need another power cable, or if I need more equipment, to change the voltage etc.

:confused:

So, does anyone know? :)

:confused:

So, does anyone know? :)
As far as I know, the drive will work on consoles you buy in EU. And the power supply is autoswitching so you just need a an adapter for the plug. 1% chance what I am saying is wrong :).

Originally Posted by Dave Mack
the ooh would mean that unlike the PS3, you wouldn't have to use just one drive to play everything, HD discs and SD discs and games. you could spread out the usage. Less wear and tear.... The PS3 uses just one drive to play them all.... Will wear out quicker, yes?

IMO more importantly than less wear & tear on 1 drive is the practical convenience of being able to keep 2 disks loaded at one time, a game & an hd-dvd (or an sd-dvd & an hd-dvd) for instance.

Instant access to the current game you're playing and to a movie is a nice side benefit of having 2 drives with the hd-dvd addon.

Curious, can the 360 playback 1080p movies direclty off the hard disc, similar to how the PS3 can? I imagine yes, but haven't read up on that lately.

If so, where is a good source to try some out?

I am in the market for a decent dvd player to use with a new hdtv. I have an ancient- non-progeressive sony. I may bite the bullet and get this ms hd player. Call me a noob, but will it handle non-hd dvds any better than other dvd players currently on the market? I know if will play the few hd dvds coming out- but how can it be expected to do on regular dvds?

will all movies be broadcast in a minimun 720p, or does it depend on how they were shot/etc. ?

Curious, can the 360 playback 1080p movies direclty off the hard disc, similar to how the PS3 can? I imagine yes, but haven't read up on that lately.

If so, where is a good source to try some out?

I'm not sure if there are any 1080p movies currently available for download from XBLive, but the 360 can playback 1080p movies from USB devices, and can also stream them from a Media Center PC.

Curious, can the 360 playback 1080p movies direclty off the hard disc,

Only wmv from USB HDD or data CD/DVD.

similar to how the PS3 can?

Can PS3 play mpeg2/h.264/vc-1 ts/ps from USB HDD and data DVD-R?
I can't find a confirmation for this anywhere.

P.S. I sure hope that amazon includes King Kong in the bundle, otherwise I'll be a bit upset......

As I understand it, Microsoft will be bundling Kong and the remote when it ships to retailers, so it shouldn't matter who you get it from. Amazon or Game Stop or Best Buy--they are all getting the drives from MS and they should all have the bundled items. I would think that any of us getting the drive during its first week of availability should be safely inside the "limited time only" window of opportunity. (That's my hope, anyway.)

If the second allocation from Amazon doesn't include the extra goodies, then we will have to blame Microsoft, not Amazon. However, I think that Amazon is really on top of this release in a way that Target, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. aren't. Amazon will be shipping their second allocation long before the folks at my local BB have the slightest clue as to what is going on.

Re the DD vs DTS question I started a poll so we have a way to register support for a DTS encode or whatever sound format you prefer. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=746355

I have a feeling all Amazon.com preorders will have Kong and the remote. I hope Microsoft is sending out bundles only to cover the first few weeks of this releasea and once those sell out, then they'll send the non-movie pack. Mine is still scheduled to ship tomorrow and I sure hope Kong is with it on Wednesday. This was my favorite film of 2005 and I would love to be able to try it out a week early.

Anyone bought a USB HDD? There is a good deal for a $219.99 HDD with USB 2.0 and 500GB on a PC site. That is a good deal. I was thinking about picking it up for the 360.

You have to use FAT32 but even the 500GB USB 2.0 should work. Getting ready for downloadable TV Shows! Movies via HD DVD and TV shows via Download ;->

There plan is beginning to come together. Amazing!!!


PS1: To Stanger way above: I was referring to the 360 and its upconversion if you use VGA and standard DVDs. Not audio, I will leave audio discussions to others, for it is not in my wheelhouse :->

PS2: Amazon shows nothing shipped to me yet :-| Come on HD DVD for a Monday Ship :D

I hope best buy ships my pre order before the 16th (Dont know why they're getting them in so late) or they have them for in store pickup come the 7th/8th.

Ok...


First off, I was a member here a few years ago, but forgot my id. :)

Second, I have lurked here for years, and from someone that runs a pretty successful message board (fan board for a radio show) I can say, this is the GREATEST message board on the web. Thanks to all of you for all the info through the years.

Third...BUT!!!!! I am a little shaky on one thing.

I ordered the add on about 3 weeks ago. I cant WAIT for it. My TV is HL-S4266W, 1080i, 720p.

I am running the 360 through Component in Game mode on the tv. Whats my best options.

#1 Component in game mode, just like it is, HD-dvd will look GREAT

#2 Component in regular mode (I never noticed a lag anyway) HD-dvd will look GREAT

#3 VGA in game mode (if possible) HD-DVD will look GREAT

#4 VGA in regular, HD-dvd will look GREAT.

Also, will my normal DVD's up convert with VGA???

I just read somewhere that the VGA for 360 sucks. But I will go what the consensus of his board, you have never let me down before.

In my opinion, VGA looks nice!!! I would go VGA!!!

I would recommend VGA, and yes, the way I understand it, VGA allows for upconversion to 720p.

looking for the link...

Weird....I placed an order with Amazon on Oct 28 for an Addon and for Batman Begins......I selected "ship in one shipment"....today they shipped me Batman Begins, instead of shipping it with the 360 add-on. Why did they do this? They were being nice, and even said so in the email sent informing me it shipped. They did that with my movies and didn't charge extra, so what does it matter?

In my opinion, VGA looks nice!!! I would go VGA!!! There were some initial complaints about VGA and darkness, but there is an option to change brightness on my screen, not sure what that issue was all about.

I would recommend VGA, and yes, the way I understand it, VGA allows for upconversion to 720p.

LINK:

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

They were being nice, and even said so in the email sent informing me it shipped. They did that with my movies and didn't charge extra, so what does it matter?


Amazon engages in this practice fairly frequently around the holidays as business picks up. Usually from October until the end of the year, they are breaking up orders and shipping free of charge which is great for the consumer!!! :cool:

To Amir or anyone with an Xbox 360 VGA Cable:,

I have been reading your posts on AVS forum for the last few days, and I must say I'm extremely excited about the Xbox 360 HD DVD player. I plan on buying one, however I have one major concern - the Xbox 360 VGA cable.

I purchased the Microsoft 360 VGA cable this weekend, and much to my dismay I was absolutely shocked at the decrease in colour vibrancy, and contrast (on the dashboard itself, in games, and in media like DVDs and streamed video). While the screen appears to be more "crisp" than a component cable, the color washout/blanding effect was very disturbing.

I thought ok, maybe it's an issue with the TV (which is a 32" Sony Bravia XBR 2) So I connected my TV to my PC via VGA cable to see if the same problem occurred. The result was an incredibly rich, vibrant picture with deep blacks, bright reds, rich full colors all around. Much like my 360 produces when connected via component This is without any modification at all to the television settings, or video card/desktop settings. I played World of Warcraft on it for 6 hours, and it killed me to have to move the TV back into my bedroom, heh.

I have read many posts (google search it) from people getting the same problem with washed out colors using the VGA cable with their 360. Many, like me, have ruled out the cable, or the television itself causing the problem by virtue of testing other cables, and input devices. I have also used the TV as a control, having not altered any of the TV display settings. (in actuality, for the 32XBR2, the ability for making color/gama changes is disabled on the VGA input. You are limited only to contrast and brightness for Video 7. The manual confirms this).

If I switch back to component video, I get my rich orange and green xbox360 dashboard colors, and deep blue media center colors. The difference is actually quite amazing.

The only conclusion I can make is that the default "desktop" display settings for the VGA input on the 360 itself, has a settings issue that is pushing grey, with minimal color. Please test it for yourself and witness the difference.

I want to have the best possible image quality, and the 1080p option for my 360 HD DVD player. I may get a 1080p panel this christmas. This is why I chose VGA cable. However I do not want to surrender color vibrancy or visual acuity. You guys really have to see how bland the VGA cable colors are when compared to component to believe it. The same phenomenon has been reported across many types of LCD TVs.

Since the 360 dashboard gives no option to alter "display settings" aside from resolution, I fear my HD DVDs will look just as washed out as my desktop, games, and streamed media do with the VGA cable.

Any advice/insight or explanation any of you could provide would be immensely appreciated. As it stands, I feel like my best option is to return the VGA cable and consider another HD DVD alternative, but I kinda really had my heart set on the 360 HD DVD..

thank you

FYI... If anyone else has their HD-DVD drive preordered from EBGames/GameStop.com, they bumped the ship date back 1 day to 11/8:

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product_id=802558

Not sure how/if this will affect B&M preorders.

EDIT:

Anyone here with an Amazon.com order that has gone into a 'Processing' status? Just curious.

I'm not sure if there are any 1080p movies currently available for download from XBLive, but the 360 can playback 1080p movies from USB devices, and can also stream them from a Media Center PC.

Gotcha, thanks.

Only wmv from USB HDD or data CD/DVD.



Can PS3 play mpeg2/h.264/vc-1 ts/ps from USB HDD and data DVD-R?
I can't find a confirmation for this anywhere.

Thanks. This is what I've seen:

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/740/740005p1.html



You also have full control over the form of audio that the PS3 outputs. From the Audio Output section of the menu, you can select from Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1 and AAC, as well as Linear PCM with 2ch, 5.1ch and 7.1ch available in 44.1kHz, 88.2kHz, 48kHz and 192kHz. ..

..Impress describes the PS3's Blu-Ray playback as "simple." The site reports no problems with pop-up menus and other Blu-Ray disc features.

The PS3 is capable of more than just Blu-Ray playback. It's also capable of playing back video directly from the hard disk. Impress was able to play a 1920 x 1080 MPEG2 from hard disk. It's unclear at this point if users will be able to play back VC-1 and H.264 encoded files from the hard disk, although these high powered codecs are, of course, playable from Blu-Ray discs.

In addition to video playback, Impress was also able to sample the PS3's music features. The system can rip CDs to MP3, AAC and ATRAC3 formats, allowing for bit rates of up to 352 kbps. The PS3 is also capable of going online to read into the AMG music database in order to get track information.

As far as I know, the drive will work on consoles you buy in EU. And the power supply is autoswitching so you just need a an adapter for the plug. 1% chance what I am saying is wrong :).

Sounds great, do you know anyone who has actually tried? Guess I'll be the first otherwise, thanks for replying!

:o

Originally Posted by Dave Mack
the ooh would mean that unlike the PS3, you wouldn't have to use just one drive to play everything, HD discs and SD discs and games. you could spread out the usage. Less wear and tear.... The PS3 uses just one drive to play them all.... Will wear out quicker, yes?

IMO more importantly than less wear & tear on 1 drive is the practical convenience of being able to keep 2 disks loaded at one time, a game & an hd-dvd (or an sd-dvd & an hd-dvd) for instance.

Instant access to the current game you're playing and to a movie is a nice side benefit of having 2 drives with the hd-dvd addon.

Dave Mack and Dahlsim, just noticed this article on the HD-DVD from Team Xbox with some intereting info. I was suprised to hear that the HD-DVD player pushes the 360 harder than any game so far.

http://blogs.msdn.com/xboxteam/archive/2006/11/03/emergence-day.aspx

What takes 4.7 million lines of code, partner teams from all over Microsoft, and millions of dollars to create? The Xbox 360 system software? Nope. This is just the HD DVD player.


Unlike DVD, where typical players pass the audio data from the disc through to your receiver, HD DVD requires that players mix sounds from menus and such in with the audio being played for the movie. The 360 player software decodes all the above codecs in software, mixes anything that needs to go together, re-encodes it into Dolby Digital and then sends that to your receiver. So, don't be alarmed when your receiver still says "Dolby Digital" even if you've selected DTS in the menus.


All 6 of Xbox 360's hardware threads are hard at work while playing back an HD DVD. At the moment, the player software pushes Xbox 360 harder than any other (save, perhaps, Gears of War during some particularly busy parts of the game).

To Amir or anyone with an Xbox 360 VGA Cable:,

I have been reading your posts on AVS forum for the last few days, and I must say I'm extremely excited about the Xbox 360 HD DVD player. I plan on buying one, however I have one major concern - the Xbox 360 VGA cable.

I purchased the Microsoft 360 VGA cable this weekend, and much to my dismay I was absolutely shocked at the decrease in colour vibrancy, and contrast (on the dashboard itself, in games, and in media like DVDs and streamed video). While the screen appears to be more "crisp" than a component cable, the color washout/blanding effect was very disturbing.

I thought ok, maybe it's an issue with the TV (which is a 32" Sony Bravia XBR 2) So I connected my TV to my PC via VGA cable to see if the same problem occurred. The result was an incredibly rich, vibrant picture with deep blacks, bright reds, rich full colors all around. Much like my 360 produces when connected via component This is without any modification at all to the television settings, or video card/desktop settings. I played World of Warcraft on it for 6 hours, and it killed me to have to move the TV back into my bedroom, heh.

I have read many posts (google search it) from people getting the same problem with washed out colors using the VGA cable with their 360. Many, like me, have ruled out the cable, or the television itself causing the problem by virtue of testing other cables, and input devices. I have also used the TV as a control, having not altered any of the TV display settings. (in actuality, for the 32XBR2, the ability for making color/gama changes is disabled on the VGA input. You are limited only to contrast and brightness for Video 7. The manual confirms this).

If I switch back to component video, I get my rich orange and green xbox360 dashboard colors, and deep blue media center colors. The difference is actually quite amazing.

The only conclusion I can make is that the default "desktop" display settings for the VGA input on the 360 itself, has a settings issue that is pushing grey, with minimal color. Please test it for yourself and witness the difference.

I want to have the best possible image quality, and the 1080p option for my 360 HD DVD player. I may get a 1080p panel this christmas. This is why I chose VGA cable. However I do not want to surrender color vibrancy or visual acuity. You guys really have to see how bland the VGA cable colors are when compared to component to believe it. The same phenomenon has been reported across many types of LCD TVs.

Since the 360 dashboard gives no option to alter "display settings" aside from resolution, I fear my HD DVDs will look just as washed out as my desktop, games, and streamed media do with the VGA cable.

Any advice/insight or explanation any of you could provide would be immensely appreciated. As it stands, I feel like my best option is to return the VGA cable and consider another HD DVD alternative, but I kinda really had my heart set on the 360 HD DVD..

thank you

This is a cause for concern for me as well I'm hoping that an update in the future will solve this. However some people say that the VGA cable gives more realistic colours.

PS1: To Stanger way above: I was referring to the 360 and its upconversion if you use VGA and standard DVDs. Not audio, I will leave audio discussions to others, for it is not in my wheelhouse :->

Please read more carefully before throwing wild accusations.

The question to which I responded was: With the HD DVD addon make DVDs look better.

The answer is NO, it won't, the addon just pipes the raw data to the 360. Internal drive, addon, addon installed or not, makes no difference.

I never said anything about whether the 360 upconverting would be an improvement or not, efjay answered that. Upconverting can be beneficial, but the presence or use of the HD DVD addon doesn't change the upconverting capabilities of the 360.

The HD DVD addon doesn't change the 360's DVD capabilities.

Any advice/insight or explanation any of you could provide would be immensely appreciated. As it stands, I feel like my best option is to return the VGA cable and consider another HD DVD alternative, but I kinda really had my heart set on the 360 HD DVD..

All indications are that how the PQ on 360 over VGA depends on the display type you use. I get great results using VGA on my dlp projector for instance for both dvd and games but that could be because projectors generally expect PC level output while some other types of displays may be looking for video output levels from non PC type devices. (Seems that perhaps MS needs a selectable option here?)

Some people have been able to configure their video settings to compensate for washed out colors and get fine PQ from VGA anyway. Component connection eliminates any issues there but loses the sd-dvd upconversion and the 1080p output for movies for those with 1080p sets.

Dave Mack and Dahlsim, just noticed this article on the HD-DVD from Team Xbox with some intereting info. I was suprised to hear that the HD-DVD player pushes the 360 harder than any game so far.

http://blogs.msdn.com/xboxteam/archive/2006/11/03/emergence-day.aspx

Huge accomplishment for MS in general Amir's team at MS in specific. :) and it probably deserves it's own thread IMHO but since this board puts 360 player discussion into 1 thread it needs to be somewhere else.

4.7 million lines of code, partner teams from all over Microsoft, and millions of dollars to create?

HD DVD can be considered a runtime environment where audio/video playback is just one major feature. So let's break down that 4.7 million lines of code. I don't have the numbers for each component, but each of these is a very significant chunk:

Video Codecs: H.264, MPEG-2, VC1
Audio Codecs: Dolby Digital+, DTS, TrueHD, LPCM, MPEG

HDi: The HD DVD runtime engine.
GDI: Drawing stuff like menus

AACS: Cryptography/DRM stuff
MF: Audio/Video pipeline


All 6 of Xbox 360's hardware threads are hard at work while playing back an HD DVD.

To Amir or anyone with an Xbox 360 VGA Cable:,

I have been reading your posts on AVS forum for the last few days, and I must say I'm extremely excited about the Xbox 360 HD DVD player. I plan on buying one, however I have one major concern - the Xbox 360 VGA cable.

I purchased the Microsoft 360 VGA cable this weekend, and much to my dismay I was absolutely shocked at the decrease in colour vibrancy, and contrast (on the dashboard itself, in games, and in media like DVDs and streamed video). While the screen appears to be more "crisp" than a component cable, the color washout/blanding effect was very disturbing.

I thought ok, maybe it's an issue with the TV (which is a 32" Sony Bravia XBR 2) So I connected my TV to my PC via VGA cable to see if the same problem occurred. The result was an incredibly rich, vibrant picture with deep blacks, bright reds, rich full colors all around. Much like my 360 produces when connected via component This is without any modification at all to the television settings, or video card/desktop settings. I played World of Warcraft on it for 6 hours, and it killed me to have to move the TV back into my bedroom, heh.

I have read many posts (google search it) from people getting the same problem with washed out colors using the VGA cable with their 360. Many, like me, have ruled out the cable, or the television itself causing the problem by virtue of testing other cables, and input devices. I have also used the TV as a control, having not altered any of the TV display settings. (in actuality, for the 32XBR2, the ability for making color/gama changes is disabled on the VGA input. You are limited only to contrast and brightness for Video 7. The manual confirms this).

If I switch back to component video, I get my rich orange and green xbox360 dashboard colors, and deep blue media center colors. The difference is actually quite amazing.

The only conclusion I can make is that the default "desktop" display settings for the VGA input on the 360 itself, has a settings issue that is pushing grey, with minimal color. Please test it for yourself and witness the difference.

I want to have the best possible image quality, and the 1080p option for my 360 HD DVD player. I may get a 1080p panel this christmas. This is why I chose VGA cable. However I do not want to surrender color vibrancy or visual acuity. You guys really have to see how bland the VGA cable colors are when compared to component to believe it. The same phenomenon has been reported across many types of LCD TVs.

Since the 360 dashboard gives no option to alter "display settings" aside from resolution, I fear my HD DVDs will look just as washed out as my desktop, games, and streamed media do with the VGA cable.

Any advice/insight or explanation any of you could provide would be immensely appreciated. As it stands, I feel like my best option is to return the VGA cable and consider another HD DVD alternative, but I kinda really had my heart set on the 360 HD DVD..

thank you

the brightness has to be turned down very much if you have the same settings as with component, since the blacks are much lighter and thus giving a much more washed out look. so turn it down and you should see at least a pretty decent improvement on the colors too.

Weird....I placed an order with Amazon on Oct 28 for an Addon and for Batman Begins......I selected "ship in one shipment"....today they shipped me Batman Begins, instead of shipping it with the 360 add-on. Why did they do this?

They do this when items do not ship from the same warehouse.

Please read more carefully before throwing wild accusations.

The question to which I responded was: With the HD DVD addon make DVDs look better.

The answer is NO, it won't, the addon just pipes the raw data to the 360. Internal drive, addon, addon installed or not, makes no difference.

I never said anything about whether the 360 upconverting would be an improvement or not, efjay answered that. Upconverting can be beneficial, but the presence or use of the HD DVD addon doesn't change the upconverting capabilities of the 360.

The HD DVD addon doesn't change the 360's DVD capabilities.

Great Day in the Morning!!! :eek:

My apologies if I missunderstood. Sorry if I shook your faith in another 360 owner.

PS: You are still not the Stinger!!! :D That is not a wild accusation!

PS2: I have yet to receive an announcement from Amazon, I guess it won't ship till tomorrow :(

I ordered the add on about 3 weeks ago. I cant WAIT for it. My TV is HL-S4266W, 1080i, 720p.

I am running the 360 through Component in Game mode on the tv. Whats my best options.


Since your TV cannot do 1080p, you will notice zero difference on HD-DVDs if you buy the VGA cable.

You do gain upconversion capabilities with the VGA cable on "normal" DVDs, but IMO the difference is minimal and probably not noticed on your specific set.

Personally, I'd stick with component if I were in your shoes.

Where R the DEMO's? i guess all the money was spent creating the drive, no money left for Advertisment!

I e-mailed Microsoft requesting that they produce an HDMI cable for the 360, and this is the response I got:

Thank you for writing Xbox Customer Support!

I do apologize for the inconvenience. I understand that your requesting for a HDMI cable for your Xbox 360.

Thank you for your inquiry, we do apologize but we can grant your request, however we can replace your cables if your console is still in warranty. I also suggest that you contact our phone support so we can best assist you regarding this issue.

I think they are a little confused...

I assume they meant to say that "we can't grant your request"?

I e-mailed Microsoft requesting that they produce an HDMI cable for the 360, and this is the response I got:



I think they are a little confused...

I assume they meant to say that "we can't grant your request"?

Either that or you are bill gates...

To Amir or anyone with an Xbox 360 VGA Cable:,

I have been reading your posts on AVS forum for the last few days, and I must say I'm extremely excited about the Xbox 360 HD DVD player. I plan on buying one, however I have one major concern - the Xbox 360 VGA cable.

I purchased the Microsoft 360 VGA cable this weekend, and much to my dismay I was absolutely shocked at the decrease in colour vibrancy, and contrast (on the dashboard itself, in games, and in media like DVDs and streamed video). While the screen appears to be more "crisp" than a component cable, the color washout/blanding effect was very disturbing.

I thought ok, maybe it's an issue with the TV (which is a 32" Sony Bravia XBR 2) So I connected my TV to my PC via VGA cable to see if the same problem occurred. The result was an incredibly rich, vibrant picture with deep blacks, bright reds, rich full colors all around. Much like my 360 produces when connected via component This is without any modification at all to the television settings, or video card/desktop settings. I played World of Warcraft on it for 6 hours, and it killed me to have to move the TV back into my bedroom, heh.

I have read many posts (google search it) from people getting the same problem with washed out colors using the VGA cable with their 360. Many, like me, have ruled out the cable, or the television itself causing the problem by virtue of testing other cables, and input devices. I have also used the TV as a control, having not altered any of the TV display settings. (in actuality, for the 32XBR2, the ability for making color/gama changes is disabled on the VGA input. You are limited only to contrast and brightness for Video 7. The manual confirms this).

If I switch back to component video, I get my rich orange and green xbox360 dashboard colors, and deep blue media center colors. The difference is actually quite amazing.

The only conclusion I can make is that the default "desktop" display settings for the VGA input on the 360 itself, has a settings issue that is pushing grey, with minimal color. Please test it for yourself and witness the difference.

I want to have the best possible image quality, and the 1080p option for my 360 HD DVD player. I may get a 1080p panel this christmas. This is why I chose VGA cable. However I do not want to surrender color vibrancy or visual acuity. You guys really have to see how bland the VGA cable colors are when compared to component to believe it. The same phenomenon has been reported across many types of LCD TVs.

Since the 360 dashboard gives no option to alter "display settings" aside from resolution, I fear my HD DVDs will look just as washed out as my desktop, games, and streamed media do with the VGA cable.

Any advice/insight or explanation any of you could provide would be immensely appreciated. As it stands, I feel like my best option is to return the VGA cable and consider another HD DVD alternative, but I kinda really had my heart set on the 360 HD DVD..

thank you


I don't recommend this unless you seriously know what your doing, but I know some people who also have the grayed out color settings have resorted to going into the service menu of their set and adjusting the reference color setting. Me being one of those people. You get component like colors and the clarity of VGA. This is a last resort for some people who have 1080p sets and only 1080p sets because it makes no sense to do it for a 720p set. I had to have this because I want 1080p out of my 360 to make the native of my set. Once you get a 1080p set if you want the best picture get a trained person to do it for you. OR!!! Just get a stand alone player with HDMI.

I am with you on this one...confirmed with both the MS and a generic "ebay" VGA cable. This is on my Sharp Aquos 32" via VGA at any resolution. I was able to get it looking better by lowering brightness and maximizing contrast, but using DVE as a reference my contrast gets pegged before white level is optimal, and reducing brightness helps a bit with the blacks, but also creates an overall dark and unimpressive image. I found a way to increase color saturation through RGB slides under the Advanced Sharp menu, but where my settings are all pegged this should really be user adjustable in the dashboard...or at the very least simply fixed so that output matches component. With component I can leave all my settings at default and the image looks great.

To Amir or anyone with an Xbox 360 VGA Cable:,

I have been reading your posts on AVS forum for the last few days, and I must say I'm extremely excited about the Xbox 360 HD DVD player. I plan on buying one, however I have one major concern - the Xbox 360 VGA cable.

I purchased the Microsoft 360 VGA cable this weekend, and much to my dismay I was absolutely shocked at the decrease in colour vibrancy, and contrast (on the dashboard itself, in games, and in media like DVDs and streamed video). While the screen appears to be more "crisp" than a component cable, the color washout/blanding effect was very disturbing.

I thought ok, maybe it's an issue with the TV (which is a 32" Sony Bravia XBR 2) So I connected my TV to my PC via VGA cable to see if the same problem occurred. The result was an incredibly rich, vibrant picture with deep blacks, bright reds, rich full colors all around. Much like my 360 produces when connected via component This is without any modification at all to the television settings, or video card/desktop settings. I played World of Warcraft on it for 6 hours, and it killed me to have to move the TV back into my bedroom, heh.

I have read many posts (google search it) from people getting the same problem with washed out colors using the VGA cable with their 360. Many, like me, have ruled out the cable, or the television itself causing the problem by virtue of testing other cables, and input devices. I have also used the TV as a control, having not altered any of the TV display settings. (in actuality, for the 32XBR2, the ability for making color/gama changes is disabled on the VGA input. You are limited only to contrast and brightness for Video 7. The manual confirms this).

If I switch back to component video, I get my rich orange and green xbox360 dashboard colors, and deep blue media center colors. The difference is actually quite amazing.

The only conclusion I can make is that the default "desktop" display settings for the VGA input on the 360 itself, has a settings issue that is pushing grey, with minimal color. Please test it for yourself and witness the difference.

I want to have the best possible image quality, and the 1080p option for my 360 HD DVD player. I may get a 1080p panel this christmas. This is why I chose VGA cable. However I do not want to surrender color vibrancy or visual acuity. You guys really have to see how bland the VGA cable colors are when compared to component to believe it. The same phenomenon has been reported across many types of LCD TVs.

Since the 360 dashboard gives no option to alter "display settings" aside from resolution, I fear my HD DVDs will look just as washed out as my desktop, games, and streamed media do with the VGA cable.

Any advice/insight or explanation any of you could provide would be immensely appreciated. As it stands, I feel like my best option is to return the VGA cable and consider another HD DVD alternative, but I kinda really had my heart set on the 360 HD DVD..

thank you

Just letting you all know that I am looking into issues people have reported to us on VGA support. For now, my guess is that your TV is thinking the VGA input has PC levels, whereas we are using video levels for HD DVD. Go in the menus and see if there is a way to select such an option. Unfortunately, they all give it different names. But see if there is anything to do with "enhanced black," or enhanced RGB (which is what my Samsung has), etc.

Note that the above is a guess. But something to try as that would surely make things washed out as reproted.

Hello Amir,

So you should remove the filter/enhancement from the VGA connection?

My VGA is "perfect", not sure what others are experiencing. Just clarifying that they should either have these on or off? I am guessing you turn enhanced black/RGB on for console VGA to improve picture???

Thanks,

Ok, I've read quite a lot in this thread, and I have a two short questions.

1. Will there be a HDMI cable for the 360 any time soon?
2. Can I watch movies in 1080p (played on the 360 addon) by using the VGA cable, and only by using the VGA cable?

Just to clarify, I haven't found any clear answers so far. So please, experts, enlighten me. :)

1. Will there be a HDMI cable for the 360 any time soon?
2. Can I watch movies in 1080p (played on the 360 addon) by using the VGA cable, and only by using the VGA cable?


1. Don't know. Assume "No".
2. Depends on your display. Not all displays support 1080p over VGA.

I'm pretty sure something changed in the last update that has caused a deterioration of the picture using VGA , I've noticed it's more washed out than it was before as have many people on avforums.com. Hope it get's sorted out

Ok, I've read quite a lot in this thread, and I have a two short questions.

1. Will there be a HDMI cable for the 360 any time soon?
2. Can I watch movies in 1080p (played on the 360 addon) by using the VGA cable, and only by using the VGA cable?

Just to clarify, I haven't found any clear answers so far. So please, experts, enlighten me. :)

No HDMI anytime soon

VGA will give you 1080p playback of HD DVD and upscaling to 1080p of DVD material

Hello Amir,

So you should remove the filter/enhancement from the VGA connection?

My VGA is "perfect", not sure what others are experiencing. Just clarifying that they should either have these on or off? I am guessing you turn enhanced black/RGB on for console VGA to improve picture???

Thanks,
There is no "filter" to remove. The industry has been bad, in having two different ways to transmit such a signal, using identical connectors: the one that PC industry uses for computer monitors, and what the TV industry uses. Depending on how your TV is set up, it may look great, or not. Again, take a look at the menus for your TV and see if it has an option that has to do with video levels.

Ok, I've read quite a lot in this thread, and I have a two short questions.

1. Will there be a HDMI cable for the 360 any time soon?
2. Can I watch movies in 1080p (played on the 360 addon) by using the VGA cable, and only by using the VGA cable?

Just to clarify, I haven't found any clear answers so far. So please, experts, enlighten me. :)

!: no, as of now, but who knows
2: yes and no since it can output 1080p with components too!

I was just reading another post (that has since been moved from this forum) stating the 360 will output TruHD in two channels over the analogue cables (L/R I presume).

I am no expert, so this made me curious to think about the effect of passing TruHd via the L/R analogues to your A/V receiver, and then setting the receiver to a matrix'ing format such as ProLogicIIx. Any idea what this would be like?

My thinking was that the 2-channel TruHD would be uncompressed (highest quality), and then the A/V receiver could decode into 5.1 or 7.1. I'm not sure what the effect on quality would be (i.e. whether there is compression applied), and I recognize that discrete is much more accurate opposed to pseudo-surround matrix formats. It's just a thought. I'm sure there is someone out there who knows a lot more than me about this that could explain the effects.

1. Don't know. Assume "No".
2. Depends on your display. Not all displays support 1080p over VGA.

Crap, didn't consider that one. I've ordered a Sony VPL-VW50 projector, and it doesn't seem to support 1080p over VGA.

I do however have an ASUS GeForce 7950 GX2 graphics card, and it supports HDCP etc, so if I could connect the HD-DVD drive to my computer, that might work... :)

Amir,

Thank you for your prompt response. I'm pretty savvy when it comes to this kind of thing, and yes you are right about contrast enhancement, black level adjustments, etc. These settings ARE available to the end user in Video 1 through Video 6. However for the PC input (Video 7) all the color/calibration/enhancement features are disabled. This is done by design, and is documented in the manual.

I guess the expectation is that when using the PC input (vga cable) you could use your PC's video driver software to adjust these settings to your satisfaction. The 360 does not offer any end-user options like this, save for changing the resolution, so it sort of leaves us without any any recourse.

Again, when I connect my television to my PC, the picture quality is astounding. Colors are rich, vibrant, and deep. There is no grey push. And this is without *any* modifications to the set, or mt ATI video card in Windows. Everything is factory default.

I wish the VGA cable would recreate colors as vividly on my 360, as it does with my PC.
The only configurable option for Video input 7 (VGA) are contrast/brightness. Turning the contrast to 100% and brightness to 0% helps a little, in so far as it reduces the "grey factor" somewhat. However it does nothing to liven up the color, and the end result literally pales in comparison to component.

I don't know if anyone in your office has a Bravia XBR2, but you would immediately be able to see what I am talking in less than 5 mins of your time. And it's not just with the Sony TVs, I've read reports from users Dell's and several others.

I hope there is something you can do to help the 360 produce better colors and contrast ratio in VGA mode, by default. If I go messing around in the Sony Service Menu (I'm not *that* savvy) I could really screw things up and I don't want to chance that :(

Thank you again. I'm sure you have enough on your plate. I wouldn't have even posted it to your attention until I'd confirmed many others are having the exact same problem is me.
And I really have used every reasonable option to test, and attempt to resolve the situation from an end-user perspective. If my 360 could look as breathtaking with VGA as my PC does, I'd have the HD DVD player on launch day.

There is no "filter" to remove. The industry has been bad, in having two different ways to transmit such a signal, using identical connectors: the one that PC industry uses for computer monitors, and what the TV industry uses. Depending on how your TV is set up, it may look great, or not. Again, take a look at the menus for your TV and see if it has an option that has to do with video levels.


with displays being relatively fixed, and the 360 having updatable firmware, wouldn't it make sense to allow the option to use PC levels if thats what many displays will be expecting?

Especially as VGA is the only way to get the fabled 1080p and therefore many people will be trying this and potentially being disappointed by the results.

FYI... If anyone else has their HD-DVD drive preordered from EBGames/GameStop.com, they bumped the ship date back 1 day to 11/8:

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product_id=802558

Not sure how/if this will affect B&M preorders.

NOOOOOOO!!!! Say it ain't so!!!

Oh wait... Thats the ship date... I did my preorder at the store. Anybody know if the store will still have their hardware on the 7th???

Maybe that is the flux of pushing newer order back? Hopefully I will receive an email or phone call soon. I have ordered from two different sources. Hoping at least one is delivered Wednesday!!!

NOOOOOOO!!!! Say it ain't so!!!

Oh wait... Thats the ship date... I did my preorder at the store. Anybody know if the store will still have their hardware on the 7th???

Why don't you just call and ask them?

Why don't you just call and ask them?

I already did. The salesperson told me that she won't get her shipment invoice until midnight the day of. So they don't know what they are getting until they get in on Tuesday. That already means that they aren't getting it today like I had originally hoped.

-Danny

!: no, as of now, but who knows
2: yes and no since it can output 1080p with components too!

Correct me if I am wrong but you cannot watch movies at 1080p on component. Only games will render at 1080p over the component cable. The VGA cable will allow for 1080p for both games and movies (including HD-DVD).

As far as I know, the drive will work on consoles you buy in EU. And the power supply is autoswitching so you just need a an adapter for the plug. 1% chance what I am saying is wrong :).

That is very good to know Amir! Looks like we'll have to wait till the end of the month over here in the UK, but this could change things! (If I can get my hands on from on somewhere else that is!)

There is no "filter" to remove. The industry has been bad, in having two different ways to transmit such a signal, using identical connectors: the one that PC industry uses for computer monitors, and what the TV industry uses. Depending on how your TV is set up, it may look great, or not. Again, take a look at the menus for your TV and see if it has an option that has to do with video levels.

Amir, will a future patch allow the 360 to switch between the two color configurations?

I'm afraid a lot of picture comparison between the A1 and the 360 player will be out soon and this can be a very bad publicity for the drive.

fyi - the xbox 360 add-on is currently ranked #1 again on Amazon for computer and video games. It apparently sold out earlier and drifted down to below 100 before Amazon got another allocation.

Viva HD DVD!

I guess the expectation is that when using the PC input (vga cable) you could use your PC's video driver software to adjust these settings to your satisfaction. The 360 does not offer any end-user options like this, save for changing the resolution, so it sort of leaves us without any any recourse.

Do you have an RGBHV input? You could use that.

Again, when I connect my television to my PC, the picture quality is astounding. Colors are rich, vibrant, and deep. There is no grey push. And this is without *any* modifications to the set, or mt ATI video card in Windows. Everything is factory default.

Well the PC is outputting PC levels, I'd venture that if you play a DVD in a player that properly supports VMR9 and video levels, you'll get results similar to the 360.

I wish the VGA cable would recreate colors as vividly on my 360, as it does with my PC.
The only configurable option for Video input 7 (VGA) are contrast/brightness. Turning the contrast to 100% and brightness to 0% helps a little, in so far as it reduces the "grey factor" somewhat. However it does nothing to liven up the color, and the end result literally pales in comparison to component.

So (because I'm curious) you're saying the picture has too high a black level, and too low a "white level". ie black is dark grey, white is light grey, and everything is washed out?

Called the local EB games and gamestop here in central new jersey/new york city area. both said they have heard nothing about the HD DVD add on for the 360 and they will not have it tommorow.

The guys at EB Games I have found are not the most reliable when it comes to info. I asked them last week and they had no knowledge. I went to Fye in the mall and preordered with them with word that they would probably have my player on Tues. if not then it would be Wed and Thurs.

Will local bestbuy stores have the addon for sale? Tuesday? If so I might have to stop by before I go to work!

Will local bestbuy stores have the addon for sale? Tuesday? If so I might have to stop by before I go to work!
Well I just got off the phone with the Sugarland BB, and he said they won't have it until Thanksgiving week! WOW. Must be trying to clear the way for PS3/Blu-who! Well I guess EB will get my money. I was going to use some coupons and gift cert's I had.

I must be very quiet talking here in an undisclosed dark, dank, corner of the Microsoft basement.

Anyone caught spilling the beans on this release date will be handled with extreme prejudice by the MS KGB swat team. I could spend the rest of my life crushing old copies of windows ME discs!

If I tell you, I will have to kill you. Sorry, better you than me.

Still, this secret is eating me up alive! The release date is..

what's that noise, oh crap. Gotta get outta here NOW....

There is no "filter" to remove. The industry has been bad, in having two different ways to transmit such a signal, using identical connectors: the one that PC industry uses for computer monitors, and what the TV industry uses. Depending on how your TV is set up, it may look great, or not. Again, take a look at the menus for your TV and see if it has an option that has to do with video levels.

would it be easy for ms to make the vga output selectable?
like you could set it do pc levels or video levels?
My tv "wd65831" has no such feature. if they could get the 360 to also output pc levels we would get a great 1080p picture with color like I do with my HTPC.

BB expects it between the 16th and 22nd. Not tomorrow.

8(

For those of you having problem with XBR2, is it only happening when you drive it at 1080p? Can you try other resolutions and see if you see the same problem?

Thanks,

BB expects it between the 16th and 22nd. Not tomorrow.

8(
That's what the sugarland rep that pick up the phone said! Now if it's accurate info,?????? I would check on the 7th and the 8th. Then on the 14th. Also my local EB said it only had around 4-5 preorders. So I think that might be my best shot.

My local Gamecrazy (kedzie in chicago) manager just told me that they have been alocated 7 units and have more then 3 pre-orders. Expects the drive tomorrow. Will release as soon as they get it. Hopefully all this holds true and I will be picking up my preorder tomorrow.

There is no "filter" to remove. The industry has been bad, in having two different ways to transmit such a signal, using identical connectors: the one that PC industry uses for computer monitors, and what the TV industry uses. Depending on how your TV is set up, it may look great, or not. Again, take a look at the menus for your TV and see if it has an option that has to do with video levels.

No options for video levels on my Aquos. :( Any chance you'll be offering another update with the ability to change this in the dashboard? Perhaps offering color/brightness/contrast/gamma controls like you find under the ATI graphics card drivers would solve the problem.

Mine will be shipping from Amazon tomorrow. Unfortunatley my 360 will be shipping to Microsoft tomorrow for repairs. Hopefully it'll get back to me before the HD-DVD player does. I just got my first movies in the mail today! I love these new style cases!

For those of you having problem with XBR2, is it only happening when you drive it at 1080p? Can you try other resolutions and see if you see the same problem?

Thanks,

For the record, I am using a Sharp Aquos and the problem exists at all resolutions.

Still no HDMI for X-Box 360?!? :confused:

What will it take for them to get it together? No HDMI, no sale, as far as I'm concerned. How can they even propose to play HD-DVD movies with no HDMI/HDCP? I was thinking about buying one this week and this just means I'll keep waiting. If PS3 has HDMI, then screw it, I'll get one of those I guess. Sheesh. Except for I hate Sony more than I hate Microsoft. Now what?

I pulled the trigger this past weekend and picked up the 360. I've been a fan of HD-DVD since its release and want to support it over Blue-Ray. Reading onlne about how preliminary reports show the XBOX HD better than the recent HD-DVD players on load times and the like sold me. And having a kick-ace gaming system for sports games and RPGS (my favorites) is icing on the cake. I'm going to wait a few weeks and pick up the HD-DVD add-on before the holidays when family is around to watch movies. Can't wait to match MI3 (GREAT action film) and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (favorite movie of the past year) in HD.

I told my wife the 4 mo. old wanted it and who can tell him no!

JS

Still no HDMI for X-Box 360?!? :confused:

What will it take for them to get it together? No HDMI, no sale, as far as I'm concerned. How can they even propose to play HD-DVD movies with no HDMI/HDCP? I was thinking about buying one this week and this just means I'll keep waiting. If PS3 has HDMI, then screw it, I'll get one of those I guess. Sheesh. Except for I hate Sony more than I hate Microsoft. Now what?

I don't understand the anger about no HDMI. I'm running it over the component cables and using a digital audio cable and it looks and sounds fantastic. Sure HDMI would be nifty, but was never a deal-breaker. I consider myself pretty tech heavy and my receiver can't handle HDMI switching yet, and my TV only has one HDMI input which I use for other devices already. Yet my HDTV has two component inputs,

JS

This is to Amir,
I went to CompUsa to buy a VGA Cable and I notice in the back of the cable package is showing that High-Definition gaming output is 780p and the Progressive-scan DVD playback in 480p. You may want to let the marketing department know that all those information are wrong because by everything that you have stated the xbox can output gaming at 1080p and DVD can be upscale at 1080p too with the VGA cable. I'm just saying this because I know if I would’ve go to the store without all the knowledge I would have not purchase the VGA cable. Thanks

This is to Amir,
I went to CompUsa to buy a VGA Cable and I notice in the back of the cable package is showing that High-Definition gaming output is 780p and the Progressive-scan DVD playback in 480p. You may want to let the marketing department know that all those information are wrong because by everything that you have stated the xbox can output gaming at 1080p and DVD can be upscale at 1080p too with the VGA cable. I'm just saying this because I know if I would’ve go to the store without all the knowledge I would have not purchase the VGA cable. Thanks

I know this is for Amir, but I have to vouch for him and MS:

These VGA cables were released at 360's launch last November. Back then they had limited output compared to now.

Do you expect MS to re-release millions of VGA cables so the packaging says 1080p? Come on now.

I know this is for Amir, but I have to vouch for him and MS:

These VGA cables were released at 360's launch last November. Back then they had limited output compared to now.

Do you expect MS to re-release millions of VGA cables so the packaging says 1080p? Come on now.

I can't for sure remember where/when but I believe Robert at VE mentioning the new VGA cables being sold seperately??

Do you expect MS to re-release millions of VGA cables so the packaging says 1080p? Come on now.
I'm not expecting nothing. I already bought the cable I'm just try to gave my input. I don't gain and I don't loose anything with this.

Just checked the status of my preorder from GameStop for the hd drive and it nows says shipping 11/08/06. Also, I get the hddvd version of King Kong as an added bonus! Lol.

Amir,

My XBR2 is the 32" model, so it's not 1080p. (40" and above do 1080p) I have tried all the VGA resolutions available from the 360 dashboard and the greyish look remains the same across all (as one would expect). I use 1360x768, which is my TV's native res.

So tonight I turned the Picture mode to Vibrant, chose max picture, maxed backlamp, maxed contrast, then dropped brightness all the way down to like 8/100). Only then do the colors start to return to "normal". Orange looks orange again, instead of muddy orange grey. The result is pretty dark, but at least it's not washed out. Watching media of any sort with this setting is distressing, however, because the picture is on the dark side. Of course, any attempt to brighten the picture using the TV functions washes the screen out again.

This certainly improves the overall situation, but it's as if the "Gamma" of the 360 itself is still too low by default with the VGA input.

I have since gone back to using my component cables, and once again I have a beautiful picture. The Gears of War Ad gives me tingles and I can't wait til tomorrow :)

If your team gets a moment or two, I hope you can do some more in-house comparisons of color re-production and image quality between MS component cables, and VGA cables. Try it with a couple of TVs. Please :) Even if you just compare the Dash boards you will likely see the wash-out effect I'm talking about. The default 360 dashboard "skin" is ideal for side by side comparison.

Like most people, I just figured the VGA cable would produce an equal or better picture right out of the box. Instead, even with a great deal of tinkering it can't produce as nice a picture as component does. This concerns me, as I want the 360 HD DVD player to have best possible image quality with the option of full 1080p should I upgrade my panel this holiday season.

Thank you again for taking the time. I know it's not your job to fix every user problem, or develop solutions to their input woes. I just hope you'll do a 5 minute comparison, see what I'm talking about, and go from there. Or not go from there :)

My Westinghouse 37" 1080p exhibited the washed out color syndrome you guys are explaining. However, after running through the AVIA DVD disc via VGA cable I have it looking as good as component. However my Westy disables the sharpness control via VGA input. Which doesn't bother me because all sharpness does is add edge enhancement.

My Component Settings were:

Brightness: 55
Contrast: 50
Saturation: 37
Sharpness: 0
Hue:0

Via VGA I dialed in:

Brightness: 42
Contrast: 65
Saturation: 57
Hue: +1

Does anybody who ordered the HD-DVD drive from Amazon show it "shipping soon" yet?

Does anybody who ordered the HD-DVD drive from Amazon show it "shipping soon" yet?

Interesting thing, just this morning Amazon was showing the availability of the xBox HD DVD player as "being released 11/7/06". Now I see under "
availability " it is blank with no information. http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-HD-DVD-Player/dp/B000JHO4L0/sr=1-11/qid=1161381410/ref=sr_1_11/104-4088890-0172754?ie=UTF8&s=videogames

Oh now the Nov 7 date is back up lol.

Robert (from ****************),

Is there an update on when the VE preorder of the HD dvd addon will ship?

I think you mentioned that it should be within a couple of days of the release date which is 11/7/06 (tomorrow).

Thank you for the information.

I will be shipping later this week for sure, but I do not have the exact date. We can fill every order for our first allocation with a few left over.

-Robert

HD movies/TV via marketplace confirmed:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/11/07/XBOX.TMP

I will be shipping later this week for sure, but I do not have the exact date. We can fill every order for our first allocation with a few left over.

-Robert

Robert, thank you for the update.

Does anyone know whether or not GameStop will be receiving these tommorow? They are getting special deliveries of Gears of War, so I have to wonder if the HD-DVD drive will be a part of that, or if it will be available Wednesday.

As of 6:22 AM Amazon shows:


Items not yet shipped:

Delivery estimate: November 8, 2006
1 of: Xbox 360 HD DVD Player
Sold by: Amazon.com

Probably won't change till this afternoon. Hopefully shows Shipped!

HD movies/TV via marketplace confirmed:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/11/07/XBOX.TMP
O.K. this can change my outlook on the addon. Damn MS, too many options :)

Just checked the status of my preorder from GameStop for the hd drive and it nows says shipping 11/08/06. Also, I get the hddvd version of King Kong as an added bonus! Lol.
Did you order online or B&M? I ordered online from EBGames.com (which is obviously the same as GameStop.com now). I'll try and post an update when mine ships.

My credit card hasn't been charged yet either. I'm just hoping to get the drive for this weekend (because of course I have to go out of town for work next week!)...

Does anyone know whether or not GameStop will be receiving these tommorow? They are getting special deliveries of Gears of War, so I have to wonder if the HD-DVD drive will be a part of that, or if it will be available Wednesday.
All the Gamestops and Eb Games in the NYC area know nothing about it..

Can't wait to match MI3 (GREAT action film) and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (favorite movie of the past year) in HD.

JS[/QUOTE]


I just watched that movie in HD last night and I lauged my butt off! It was a good flick and Robert Downing jr. cracked me up.

I ordered online. I must admit to being skeptical about Gamestop's ship date though.

I pre-ordered from a gamestop store in NYC, when can we pick these bad boys up?

I will be shipping later this week for sure, but I do not have the exact date. We can fill every order for our first allocation with a few left over.

Have you started getting the add-ons or not yet ?

Stopped by Fry's this morning, No drives. Talked to two different reps. One idiot asked me "why are you getting this? It doesn't have HDMI. You're not worried about HDCP?" I told him none of the movies out have it enabled(ICT). Then he came back and said " Bluray and HD-DVD have both released movies with it" At this point I had it in my head that this guy is an IDIOT, and is about to promote the PS3. Next he asked me why not just buy the Toshiba player, I responded with it cost twice as much. Then came "Why not just buy a PS3" :mad: I told him thank you and walked out. I'm tired of all these sales IDIOT feeding J6P all this PS3 Bluray bull**it! Just give me the facts about both and let me decide.

Do you have your backlight set to 0? Mine's currently at 20. I only noticed washed out color on the DOA Volleyball trailer. The Marvel and Gears of War trailers & my games look great..

My Westinghouse 37" 1080p exhibited the washed out color syndrome you guys are explaining. However, after running through the AVIA DVD disc via VGA cable I have it looking as good as component. However my Westy disables the sharpness control via VGA input. Which doesn't bother me because all sharpness does is add edge enhancement.

My Component Settings were:

Brightness: 55
Contrast: 50
Saturation: 37
Sharpness: 0
Hue:0

Via VGA I dialed in:

Brightness: 42
Contrast: 65
Saturation: 57
Hue: +1

Amazon has changed the XBox 360 HD-DVD page availability ->

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Availability: In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, first served.

Hurry, order now and we'll ship this item when it becomes available. You can cancel your order at any time. Your credit card will not be charged until we have shipped your order. Ships from and sold by Amazon.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is no longer listed as a Pre-Order, you can add to your cart now. WooHoo!!

I have a Samsung HLN5065W DLP and *should* be getting the Xbox 360 HD DVD this Friday (if all goes according to Amazon's website). What's the best way to connect to my DLP?

I ordered Monster component cables but keep reading about the VGA. I assume that the VGA cable would plug in where it says PC on the back of the set. If so, would I be able to get 1080p? Would that be better than the component 1080i? Color me ignorant on this one...I'd like the best possible picture but gotta admit that as much as I keep reading up on this I'm in the dark.

Thanks for any help you can give.

dpl117,

I will do my best to answer your questions:

The VGA cable does plug into the pc connection you spoke about. The VGA cable will be the only connection(for the time being) that will let you pass a 1080p signal from your xbox360 to your tv, assuming your tv accepts that resolution. Most tvs up to this point do not accept a 1080p signal, but that is changing with the new models. You also have to check whether your tv's pc input accepts the 1080p resolution. Your alternative is component which maxs out at 720p/1080i. People are having differing results between using vga and component. I have seen some posts where people are saying the colors look washed out with vga and that component is providing a clear more concise picture. This is just a matter of trying it and see.

Keep in mind all the other issues: The Xbox360 content is only 1080p with respect to the hd movies. Games are still 720p and probably will not be developed at 1080p for quite a while, if at all. Also, I am not sure most people's home theatre set up will result in being able to tell the difference between a native 1080p signal and one that has been scaled up by the tvs scaler. I guess if you are sitting relatively close to your tv, the difference might be discernable.

But I completely understand the desire to get the best pq possible and that is supposed to come through the vga cable. I bought one just for the purpose you are speaking about and will be trying out as soon as my drive is delivered.

Amazon has changed the XBox 360 HD-DVD page availability ->

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Availability: In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, first served.

Hurry, order now and we'll ship this item when it becomes available. You can cancel your order at any time. Your credit card will not be charged until we have shipped your order. Ships from and sold by Amazon.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is no longer listed as a Pre-Order, you can add to your cart now. WooHoo!!
Yes, and then when you go through the checkout it says "Estimated ship date November 10th or 13th"...

Damn. Now Amazon has changed the Xbox360 HD-DVD page. Availability states ->

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Availability: In stock on November 10, 2006. Order it now. Ships from and sold by Amazon.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wonder if this will effect the people who pre-ordered or only the new orders.

dpl117,

I will do my best to answer your questions:

The VGA cable does plug into the pc connection you spoke about. The VGA cable will be the only connection(for the time being) that will let you pass a 1080p signal from your xbox360 to your tv, assuming your tv accepts that resolution. Most tvs up to this point do not accept a 1080p signal, but that is changing with the new models. You also have to check whether your tv's pc input accepts the 1080p resolution. Your alternative is component which maxs out at 720p/1080i. People are having differing results between using vga and component. I have seen some posts where people are saying the colors look washed out with vga and that component is providing a clear more concise picture. This is just a matter of trying it and see.

Keep in mind all the other issues: The Xbox360 content is only 1080p with respect to the hd movies. Games are still 720p and probably will not be developed at 1080p for quite a while, if at all. Also, I am not sure most people's home theatre set up will result in being able to tell the difference between a native 1080p signal and one that has been scaled up by the tvs scaler. I guess if you are sitting relatively close to your tv, the difference might be discernable.

But I completely understand the desire to get the best pq possible and that is supposed to come through the vga cable. I bought one just for the purpose you are speaking about and will be trying out as soon as my drive is delivered.

Just to add to what you were saying, you can get 1080p through the component cables as well granted your accepts 1080p through component. But the Xbox 360 will only upscale games to 1080p over component and nothing else. HD-DVD movies over component maxes out at 1080i and Normal DVD play back is 480p.

Management,

Are you sure about the 1080p through component? It was my understanding that 1080p is not enabled through component whether or not your tv accepts such a signal. I am interested to know about this.

Management,

Are you sure about the 1080p through component? It was my understanding that 1080p is not enabled through component whether or not your tv accepts such a signal. I am interested to know about this.
1080p is enabled through component. I tried it, but my TV doesn't accept 1080p through component; only HDMI. :(

Management,

Are you sure about the 1080p through component? It was my understanding that 1080p is not enabled through component whether or not your tv accepts such a signal. I am interested to know about this.

I am quote Teamxbox's site:




Complete Dashboard Update Feature List


New Features

HD 1080p video mode support over VGA and component cables.
Xbox 360™ HD DVD Player support.
Stream WMV video from a Windows PC running Windows Media Player 11, Zune software, or Windows Media Connect.
Play video from storage devices such as USB flash drives, Xbox 360 Memory Units, etc.
Play video from CD or DVD data discs.
Xbox 360 Wireless Headset support, including battery level indicator in the Xbox Guide.
Video support for 50 Hz HDTV modes (DVD and HD DVD only).
Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel support.
Set up automatic downloads of newly released Xbox Live Arcade trial games.
Support for upcoming release of XNA Game Studio Express (separate download and subscription required.)
Stream music, pictures and video from a Zune device.

Try it and find out. Or just look for the option.

Well this is good news for me. I am running component cable from my xbox360 to a VP50 iscan. The VP50 is connected(or will be tomorrow) to my LCD via HDMI. I am going to pick up some HD movies today in preparation for delivery of the hd drive. And then I am going to order in some Indian food and watch movies for a few hours.

Samsung 6187w's allow for 1080p component or VGA!

:D

In case anyone wanted a kick azz set! Plus, the VGA looks SWEET!!

yes, but the 87 Sammy models don't hold the overscan off in the SM like the 88 models. when you turn the set off, then on, the overscan reverts back to its default on position.

Is it just me or has MS just done a horrible job releasing this drive. It fells like it was just rushed to compete with the PS3. I sure hope for HD-DVD and Xbox 360's sake that it works.

Is it just me or has MS just done a horrible job releasing this drive. It fells like it was just rushed to compete with the PS3. I sure hope for HD-DVD and Xbox 360's sake that it works.
Why do you say that? Just because the release date wasn't officially announced? :confused:

Is it just me or has MS just done a horrible job releasing this drive.
I'd say it's just you. :p

That is, unless few of us actually get our pre-orders.

Is it just me or has MS just done a horrible job releasing this drive. It fells like it was just rushed to compete with the PS3. I sure hope for HD-DVD and Xbox 360's sake that it works.


4.8M code doesn't seem to be a rush job. Horrible? You already have the add-on? Let's hear what's horrible about it? If you don't have the addon, are you just spreading FUD?

I think they have done an excellent job of releasing it. I hear that there are a very large number of pre-orders for it. This drive will be very big for HD DVD. Anything that helps the format take off is great by my book.

yes, but the 87 Sammy models don't hold the overscan off in the SM like the 88 models. when you turn the set off, then on, the overscan reverts back to its default on position.

Not exactly sure what you are speaking about?

Are you talking about pc via HDMI?

If so, I have full screen PC via HDMI using Nvidia, with no problems about overscan after initial setup.

Please explain...

I am intrigued :p

PS: I have yet to be notified via Gamestop or amazon WTF!!!!! :mad:

Just to add to what you were saying, you can get 1080p through the component cables as well granted your accepts 1080p through component. But the Xbox 360 will only upscale games to 1080p over component and nothing else. HD-DVD movies over component maxes out at 1080i and Normal DVD play back is 480p.

You provided misinformation while correcting someone.

Everyone seems to make this harder to understand than it really is.

The Xbox 360 will do 1080p over VGA and component (assuming your TV accepts 1080p over component).

However, the Xbox 360 will only upscale SD-DVDs over VGA. It will upscale games over either.

Is it just me or has MS just done a horrible job releasing this drive. It fells like it was just rushed to compete with the PS3. I sure hope for HD-DVD and Xbox 360's sake that it works.

I think Microsoft has done a good job with the add-on's release.
I could see why it appears rushed but this article (http://www.360-hq.com/article-1198-thread-1-0.html) reveals it's development time was at least 8 months. That is a large investment for the talented team at MS.
It appear's to me that many people see the player's lack of HDMI and analog audio outputs as missing features, but these aren't omissions and given our knowledge of the 360's hardware shouldn't have been expected. I think this sentiment was fueled by speculation and wish-list thinking.
Hands-on impressions relayed at this site and around the web have been posistive. And Amirm has admited to using it along side the Tosh during demonstrations. That bodes well for the unit's PQ.
The player will provide impressive functionality for $200. And if Microsoft delivers this week or next and the add-on functions well then it's a good release.

4.8M code doesn't seem to be a rush job. Horrible? You already have the add-on? Let's hear what's horrible about it? If you don't have the addon, are you just spreading FUD?

No I don't have it and didn't intend for "horrible" to be taken as a description of the drive itself but more for the release strategy.

Do you know the release date because it seems that MS itself doesn't even know the release date.

As I stated before I hope it does well and all sign do point that way.

Once again in a earlier post I mentioned I did have a preorder but decided to cancel due to no analog outputs to carry Trued, and because to upconvert SD-DVD you have to hook up via VGA which my TV (72mx196) will only accept a max resolution of 1360x768. So unfortunately, I could not take advantage of the great deal that the 360 is and decided to order a HD-A1 so I can experience the full potential of HD-DVD and get rid of my DVD player.

For those of you having problem with XBR2, is it only happening when you drive it at 1080p? Can you try other resolutions and see if you see the same problem?Amir,

Thanks for hanging out on the forum. It's great to have some Microsoft people around.

I have a Sony KDL-46XR2, which is a 1920x1080 native resolution panel. The "washed-out color" problem exists with all Xbox 360 output resolutions over VGA. I agree with you that the cause appears to be PC vs. Video RGB levels, but I can't confirm because the Sony panel won't switch between the two (at least in the user menu).

Unfortunately, the new Xbox 360 1920x1080 VGA output is not currently working with the XBR2/3s, so no one really knows how it looks! Are you aware of this issue? Your post would seem to indicate that you are not.

Chase

I witnessed first-hand playback of the HD-DVD add-on on a Pioneer Elite plasma a month ago during one of amirm's insiders meeting in Upstate NY (can't reveal the movie shown because it's a AAA title not yet even announced for release! :D ). Playback from the HD-DVD discs looked identical on both the add-on and an XA1 unit (both hooked through a Yamaha AVR), with the add-on booting the disc within ten seconds of the disc loading. And it was quiet too. :p

I think Microsoft has done a good job with the add-on's release.
I could see why it appears rushed but this article (http://www.360-hq.com/article-1198-thread-1-0.html) reveals it's development time was at least 8 months. That is a large investment for the talented team at MS.
It appear's to me that many people see the player's lack of HDMI and analog audio outputs as missing features, but these aren't omissions and given our knowledge of the 360's hardware shouldn't have been expected. I think this sentiment was fueled by speculation and wish-list thinking.
Hands-on impressions relayed at this site and around the web have been posistive. And Amirm has admited to using it along side the Tosh during demonstrations. That bodes well for the unit's PQ.
The player will provide impressive functionality for $200. And if Microsoft delivers this week or next and the add-on functions well then it's a good release.

Please don't think that I'm complaining about lack of HDMI or analog outs because I'm not at all. I understand that this drive was marketed for a cheap entry into HD-DVD and that it is.

Ahhm, what is this?

I am not an audio guy, so please explain. Wasn't the 360 HD DVD not gonna have True HD (audio)? Sorry if I am wrong about that...

See post:

http://blogs.msdn.com/xboxteam/default.aspx

This may be nothing, but it is not in my wheelhouse. But TrueHD sounds good to me, if true!!!

No I don't have it and didn't intend for "horrible" to be taken as a description of the drive itself but more for the release strategy.

Do you know the release date because it seems that MS itself doesn't even know the release date.
I don't understand. All MS has told the general public was that it was being released mid-November.

MS told resellers that they should expect to get it Nov. 7. Guess what? Resellers got it today (Nov. 7). Now end users might not get it until tomorrow or Thursday or whatever, but MS was on time, and it seems likely in adequate numbers too.

By the end of this week, I expect to see 12498 gadzillion posts on AVS about how great HD DVD looks from their Xbox 360 drive (give or take a few gadzillion).

I witnessed first-hand playback of the HD-DVD add-on on a Pioneer Elite plasma a month ago during one of amirm's insiders meeting in Upstate NY (can't reveal the movie shown because it's a AAA title not yet even announced for release! :D ). Playback from the HD-DVD discs looked identical on both the add-on and an XA1 unit (both hooked through a Yamaha AVR), with the add-on booting the disc within ten seconds of the disc loading. And it was quiet too. :p

agreed, and both were viewed on a ISF calibrated FHD1 so i guess the only way to see if there is a marginal difference is to have an A/B comparison on an +100" projector, gots to lurk in the +$20k gear forum more.... but doubt many will have an xboox hooked up :)

You provided misinformation while correcting someone.

Everyone seems to make this harder to understand than it really is.

The Xbox 360 will do 1080p over VGA and component (assuming your TV accepts 1080p over component).

However, the Xbox 360 will only upscale SD-DVDs over VGA. It will upscale games over either.

There is, however, NO point to 1080p over component, since the only reason to use 1080p is to play HD-DVDs, and it looks like they are only displayed at 1080p over VGA. right?

So what does running 1080p over component get you (assuming you display accepts it) ? It get you upsampled 720p, since games and other content are currently limited to that resolution. To be honest, I see no benefit in this over allowing your display to upsample the signal (which will probably do a better job).

By the end of this week, I expect to see 12498 gadzillion posts on AVS about how great HD DVD looks from their Xbox 360 drive (give or take a few gadzillion).


I'll be happy if it's just one, me! :)

Amazon still shows:

Items not yet shipped:
Delivery estimate: November 8, 2006 1 of: Xbox 360 HD DVD Player
Sold by: Amazon.com

Keeping my fingers crossed.

The movies I ordered won't be here till Thursday! I guess I'll watch KONG again.

There is, however, NO point to 1080p over component, since the only reason to use 1080p is to play HD-DVDs, and it looks like they are only displayed at 1080p over VGA. right?

So what does running 1080p over component get you (assuming you display accepts it) ? It get you upsampled 720p, since games and other content are currently limited to that resolution. To be honest, I see no benefit in this over allowing your display to upsample the signal (which will probably do a better job).
Future games may use 1080p, but a popular sentiment (and mine as well) is, "I'd rather have 720p w/ 60 fps than 1080p".

I think the real point to 1080p (aside from the HD-DVD benefit) was to get Sony to shut up about it's system having 1080p (even though few games will use it). In that regard, I think the strategy worked.

I'll be happy if it's just one, me! :)

Amazon still shows:

Items not yet shipped:
Delivery estimate: November 8, 2006 1 of: Xbox 360 HD DVD Player
Sold by: Amazon.com

Keeping my fingers crossed.

The movies I ordered won't be here till Thursday! I guess I'll watch KONG again.
You must be high on their list. Keep us posted on the progress. My order is from EBGames.com and still says, "Ships 11/8". My credit card hasn't been charged yet either.

I am way too excited for this device...

I ordered mine at the eb games here in champaign and they said they it will be in tommorow at 10am. My Mits WD-65831 is wet with anticipation.

Ahhm, what is this?

I am not an audio guy, so please explain. Wasn't the 360 HD DVD not gonna have True HD (audio)? Sorry if I am wrong about that...

The Xbox will decode all the audio codecs listed in the article, including TrueHD, as required for basic HD DVD player funtionality. This is inorder to internally mix the movie's audio stream with audio originating from the HD DVD's interactive elements. Once the stream has been decompressed and mixed the important point is the player's output. The A1 would send the uncompressed audio as analog signals and PCM over HDMI. But the Xbox reencode's the audio to a DD 640 kbps signal and sends to the optical output.
Although I originally read the reencode was handled by a DSP it seems to actually be a software implementation. This leaves the possibility of future Dashboard updates enabling higher quality lossy codecs, maybe even DTS 96/24, but I don't think lossless audio will ever come out of the Xbox.

Not exactly sure what you are speaking about?

Are you talking about pc via HDMI?

If so, I have full screen PC via HDMI using Nvidia, with no problems about overscan after initial setup.

Please explain...

I am intrigued :p

PS: I have yet to be notified via Gamestop or amazon WTF!!!!! :mad:


from the samsung threads, it is stated that you can turn off the overscan in the service menu for 1:1 pixel mapping. on the 88 models, it will stick when the tv is powered off. on the 87 models, the setting reverts to the default when the tv is powered off and then on again. one would have to go back into the service menu on the 87's to defeat overscan and allow 1:1. i cannot remember which output this is for...vga, component, hdmi, all?

If we have an Xbox HD-DVD "one and only thread," then why don't we have a "Toshiba HD-A1: One and Only Thread" as well? With thousands of people experiencing HD-DVD for the first time through this drive, it seems like this thread is going to get crowded over the next few weeks. There are multiple threads allowed to exist discussing various aspects of the Toshiba players--why are we limiting all discussion of the HD-DVD upgrade drive for the Xbox to this one thread?

I am relatively new here, so I apologize if this is a sensitive subject. It just seems weird to have unlimited threads for people viewing on a Toshiba but only one thread for people viewing via their Xbox. I hope I don't offend anyone with this question--I was just wondering why we are limiting the discussion for such a major new HD-DVD playback device.

If we have an Xbox HD-DVD "one and only thread," then why don't we have a "Toshiba HD-A1: One and Only Thread" as well? With thousands of people experiencing HD-DVD for the first time through this drive, it seems like this thread is going to get crowded over the next few weeks. There are multiple threads allowed to exist discussing various aspects of the Toshiba players--why are we limiting all discussion of the HD-DVD upgrade drive for the Xbox to this one thread?

I am relatively new here, so I apologize if this is a sensitive subject. It just seems weird to have unlimited threads for people viewing on a Toshiba but only one thread for people viewing via their Xbox. I hope I don't offend anyone with this question--I was just wondering why we are limiting the discussion for such a major new HD-DVD playback device.

I agree, soon we need "Xbox HD-DVD addon as external PC HD-DVD drive" thread

I'll be happy if it's just one, me! :)

Amazon still shows:

Items not yet shipped:
Delivery estimate: November 8, 2006 1 of: Xbox 360 HD DVD Player
Sold by: Amazon.com

Keeping my fingers crossed.

The movies I ordered won't be here till Thursday! I guess I'll watch KONG again.

Was it confirmed with Amazon that King Kong will be included? It doesn't say so on their website, and my order history.

Was it confirmed with Amazon that King Kong will be included? It doesn't say so on their website, and my order history.
FWIW, this is what the Xbox.com website says for both Canada and the US (and presumably other countries as well):

The Xbox 360 HD DVD Player (available November 2006) comes with the Universal Pictures' blockbuster film Peter Jackson's King Kong on HD DVD (for a limited time) and the Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote.

Does anyone know if Amazon has a particular time of day they update shipping status? As the day wears on I'm getting less confident that they'll be shipping the add-on today, even though my order still says Nov 8 arrival.

Just called my local EB & no drives on the UPS truck today. Told me to check back Wed.

Does anyone know if Amazon has a particular time of day they update shipping status? As the day wears on I'm getting less confident that they'll be shipping the add-on today, even though my order still says Nov 8 arrival.

My order states the same delivery. Amazon has made some creative shipments happen in the past. I would not give up on delivery tomorrow, but I would not recommend waiting at home for it either.

Has anyone picked up a Xbox HD-DVD player yet?

does anyone have any idea about external HDDVD ins/outs ?
Looks like 2 USBs and FW (for what purpose?) and what is that big plate / cover?

http://www.themanfromdelmonte.co.uk/images/uploaded/xbox360/xbox360_hddvd1.jpg

does anyone have any idea about external HDDVD ins/outs ?
Looks like 2 USBs and FW (for what purpose?) and what is that big plate / cover?

The one you called "FW" is actualy an USB out. Like the ones you see on digital camera's.

The big plate is for a wireless adaptor. since the HD drive will be in the USB port originaly used for the wireless adaptor.

Oh I see so those are 2 USBs and one miniUSB.

I found this XBOX HDDVD video info:
play VIDEO (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2wbhaBbuag)

there is some good info...and soundslike DVR is coming next :D

Has anyone checked out their local Costco today?

Does anyone know if Amazon has a particular time of day they update shipping status? As the day wears on I'm getting less confident that they'll be shipping the add-on today, even though my order still says Nov 8 arrival.

I had ordered a large console style power strip the other day and they notified me at 11:30am on 10-30-06 that it was shipping (two day) and would arrive 11-1-06. My order on the HD drive still says delivery estimate is the 9th with two day shipping, but since my order page still doesn't show it being made ready for shipping nor have I received a shipping memo, I doubt they are going out today.

Oh I see so those are 2 USBs and one miniUSB.

I found this XBOX HDDVD video info:
play VIDEO (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2wbhaBbuag)

there is some good info...and soundslike DVR is coming next :D


Looks like vga is the only way to get native 1080p dvd playback....leaving for best buy as we speak....

Looks like vga is the only way to get native 1080p dvd playback....leaving for best buy as we speak....
Not true. You can get 1080P over component, if your TV supports 1080P over component.

EDIT: You can playback HD-DVD's in 1080P over component. Not upconvert DVD's over component.

Not true. You can get 1080P over component, if your TV supports 1080P over component.
Not for DVD playback.

P.S. Someone in another thread says his Amazon HD DVD drive order has shipped. And so it begins...

Looks like vga is the only way to get native 1080p dvd playback....leaving for best buy as we speak....

"Complete Dashboard Update Feature List

New Features

HD 1080p video mode support over VGA and component cables.
Xbox 360™ HD DVD Player support.
.................
.................
......................."

"Complete Dashboard Update Feature List

New Features

HD 1080p video mode support over VGA and component cables.
Xbox 360™ HD DVD Player support.
.................
.................
......................."
DVD upscaling is not allowed over component. It will output at 480p. I have confirmed this myself. My Xbox 360 is set to 1080i, but when I play a DVD it switches to 480p.

Something just occurred to me. I have a Toshiba RS-TX20 (Tivo with DVD Burner). If I Tivo a movie off of HBO (or some other channel) and burn it, will the Xbox 360 HD-DVD player be able to upconvert it over component since it does not have any protection on it?

I may be way off on this, but I thought I would ask and find out.

To Amir and everyone. :)
I also experience the washed out look via VGA through my Samsung 6168. I've done some experimenting with DNIe settings within the service menu. DNIe processing is completely disabled for VGA, it will not work weather you turn on anything in the DNIe sub menu.
Now, with component input, if I set the SNI_PROC_DEP option "off" within the DNIe sub menu I obtain a very similar washed out look in component as in the VGA.
The VGA connection via my computer looks great.
I'm afraid the washed out look through VGA is going to reduce the over all experience when my HD-DVD drive arrives. Games through VGA also do not look as clear and sharp as component. I hope MS coders can fix this issue for all the sets involved!

will the Xbox 360 HD-DVD player be able to upconvert it over component since it does not have any protection on it?

The uncoversion suppression is caused by AACS encryption. This content protection would not be present on most things you burn, including backups of your DVDs. The 360 should output HD resolutions over component. I don't have one, yet, so could anyone verify this?

The uncoversion suppression is caused by AACS encryption. This content protection would not be present on most things you burn, including backups of your DVDs. The 360 should output HD resolutions over component. I don't have one, yet, so could anyone verify this?
I just tried a backed up DVD. The Xbox 360 switches to 480p for playback. (It's set for 1080i.) Doesn't really bother me though. The issue in my sig is a much bigger concern for me.

I just tried a backed up DVD. The Xbox 360 switches to 480p for playback. (It's set for 1080i.) Doesn't really bother me though. The issue in my sig is a much bigger concern for me.

Will it do the same thing with the HD-DVD add-on though?

Will it do the same thing with the HD-DVD add-on though?
No idea, but my guess is yes.

Fortunately, 480p extras on HD DVD can be upscaled apparently. Perfect for me, as I won't be using the Xbox 360 for DVD playback, just for HD DVD playback. Apparently the 4:3 issue (see sig) doesn't affect material on HD DVD either.

Will the HD add on output 1080p over component for HD DVDs? I don't care about upscaling regular DVDs, just HD DVDs.

last i heard from MS was that 1080p on HD-DVD's was only capable via the VGA... 1080i was the highest resolution the hd-dvd could product via an analog component cable.. this isn't because the 360 couldn't handle it, but do to dvd bilaws..

hey ninjaZX9, been trading posts with you on the xbox.com forum. my user name is slumpey.

Just called my local EB & no drives on the UPS truck today. Told me to check back Wed.

Yeah, I just stopped by my local GameStop on my way home from work today, to see if their UPS shipment of the add-ons had come in yet.
Turns out the guy I happened to ask the question to is the store manager, and he told me they're not yet in his store's computer system, but there is a somewhat good chance they'll get their first UPS shipment of them in tomorrow. :(

Question for the group. Will the XBOX HD-DVD player have IR codes like other DVD players for remote control usage? I have a fancy shmancy remote that runs all of my HT devices. I'll need to be able to "teach" it IR codes so that it can run the HD-DVD. Any ideas on this?

Question for the group. Will the XBOX HD-DVD player have IR codes like other DVD players for remote control usage? I have a fancy shmancy remote that runs all of my HT devices. I'll need to be able to "teach" it IR codes so that it can run the HD-DVD. Any ideas on this?
The IR receiver is on the Xbox 360, and I use a Logitech Harmony Xbox 360 remote with it.

http://www.logitech.com/lang/images/0/12266.jpg

Any programmable universal IR remote will do though.

Question for the group. Will the XBOX HD-DVD player have IR codes like other DVD players for remote control usage? I have a fancy shmancy remote that runs all of my HT devices. I'll need to be able to "teach" it IR codes so that it can run the HD-DVD. Any ideas on this?

I use my Harmony Remote with it, on WATCH TV setting i can control every thing even press button Y,X,A,B LOL

"Complete Dashboard Update Feature List

New Features

HD 1080p video mode support over VGA and component cables.
Xbox 360™ HD DVD Player support.
.................
.................
......................."


Not according to the video, 1080p yes for anthing off the 360, the add-on is only 1080i max thru component, vga is the only way to get hd-dvd playback in native 1080p. Can anyone confirm this?

Has anyone in this thread managed to get their hands on one yet?

If so, how well, in your opinion, does it perform as an HD DVD player?

How good does the audio sound?

How good does the image look through component?

Through VGA?

Please, I'm dying to hear some opinions from people who now own one?

Thanks in advance! :cool:

I'll give my 2 cents about the VGA cable for the 360 as I just got it all set up.

I'm getting the washed out look on my LCD set too. There's very limited picture adjustment options when using VGA so there's not much I can do about it. The overall picture is much more "fuzzy" too, especially on small text.

Amir - you mention trying to find a setting on that set that will switch it to "video RGB" or something like that. There are two options for this input, Analog PC and Analog Video. Analog video does not work, only Analog PC, which makes me think the 360 is indeed putting out a "PC RGB" signal, just incorrectly.

Ill probably return the cables tomorrow.

just a quick ? (never ends that way, does it?)


Are there any recievers that will encode trueHD via HDMI?

I just recieved the A1 and want to know if I am stuck to using the analog outs for the
"better" sound?

Thanks, technoreid

I'm also getting the washed out look with the VGA cable on a LCD tv/monitor. The tv is a Westinghouse LVM-37W1. I turned the brightness down a bit and everything looks ok. I can still see the washed out look in the 360 dashboard, but movies look really good.

THANKS to BuGsArEtAsTy and ryoohku on the remote comments. Let me ask you, did you program your universal remotes by learning the commands from one of the extra XBOX remotes out there, or did you use discrete codes? I cannot find codes that work.

JS

ANYONE have any idea how the Gefen VGA/Component to HDMI converter might work with the VGA/Component output from the Xbox 360 with the HD DVD add on? It would SEEM that this might allow for simply selecting which interface the xbox uses, and then just use the hdmi connection to the display?

John

THANKS to BuGsArEtAsTy and ryoohku on the remote comments. Let me ask you, did you program your universal remotes by learning the commands from one of the extra XBOX remotes out there, or did you use discrete codes? I cannot find codes that work.

JS
The Logitech website already has the Xbox 360 codes on the site.

I got the Logitech Xbox 360 remote because it already has specific X Y A B buttons (http://www.xboxcore.com/images/360remote.jpg). However, you can get other remotes and program whatever keys to correspond to those.

EDIT:

To clarify: You plug the remote into your computer (Mac or Windows PC) via USB and program the remote from the computer, with codes downloaded from the Logitech website over the net. You can also change the various functions as desired.

The Logitech Xbox 360 remote just makes it easier because it is setup already for the Xbox 360, with the appropriate buttons.

I have little interest in the remote that comes with the Xbox 360 HD DVD drive. It's just another remote to clutter up my counter. Thank <insert-diety-here> that the Xbox 360 accepts IR commands, and doesn't require RF or Bluetooth.

Canada can now pre-order the HD DVD add-on drive ($199 Can) at Futureshop & Best Buy through their online website. Not sure how many will be available at the stores, I ordered online to ensure I get one. Estimated release date Nov 10,2006 but I expect that may change since the US stores have changed the expected arrival date.

Futureshop Canada

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10082027&catid=23556&logon=L&langid=EN


Best Buy Canada

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10082027&catid=23383#

just a quick ? (never ends that way, does it?)

Are there any recievers that will encode trueHD via HDMI?

I just recieved the A1 and want to know if I am stuck to using the analog outs for the
"better" sound?

Thanks, technoreid
This question is actually off-topic for the Xbox 360 add-on discussion, but I can answer it. I assume you mean "decode TrueHD" via HDMI. The stand-alone HD DVD players "decode" (decompress) Dolby TrueHD, as well as DD+, into multichannel PCM, and there are several receivers that accept multichannel PCM via HDMI and "decode" it (convert digital into analog). The JVC RX-D402B/401S and their replacements (412/411?) do this, and they are relatively inexpensive. There are no receivers I know of yet that will accept a Dolby TrueHD or DD+ bitstream itself through HDMI, nor can any of the existing HD DVD players send out such a signal; HDMI v1.3 receivers and players supposedly could be made to use such signals, though.

A comment on the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on drive's Dolby TrueHD ability: The drive will handle full TrueHD 5.1 signals, but it (or the 360 itself) will re-encode those TrueHD signals into standard Dolby Digital 5.1 and output it via S/PDIF only (the same thing that will be done with DD+ signals, and in both cases as opposed to stand-alone HD DVD players that can only re-encode into DTS for output via S/PDIF).

Oh I see so those are 2 USBs and one miniUSB.

I found this XBOX HDDVD video info:
play VIDEO (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2wbhaBbuag)

there is some good info...and soundslike DVR is coming next :D

Thank you very much for posting the link to this video. Awesome awesome overview! Oh the 9th can't get here fast enough. This has made me even more excited! If that is humanly possible.

AMAZON 360 HD-DVD + KONG INFO:

Amazon Video Games Customers,

There has been customer confusion as to whether the King Kong HD DVD is included with purchase of the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player through Amazon.com. This DVD is included with the unit, but only with pre-orders placed during our initial product allotment. All customers who pre-ordered during this period - see the top of this product page for details - will receive a copy of the DVD along with an Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote, which comes standard with the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player, regardless whether it is a pre-order or not.

We hope this clears up any confusion in this matter and thank you for shopping at Amazon.com.

So if you ordered it from the second allocation after it recently came back in stock, you will be getting the remote, but no KONG.

^^Ah that sucks

Yeah, that really does suck. I was considering getting it, but will probably hold off now.

Well nodoby knows what the first shipping is, if it's 200000 unit i doubt it will be depleted at Xmas.

And, while it's really cool to have a free movie, if you bought the add on only for KK and it's not include, well it won't be ever include and since the price will stay the same for the next few months (at least more than year) why Hold Off if you were interested in the first place

Well nodoby knows what the first shipping is, if it's 200000 unit i doubt it will be depleted at Xmas.

And, while it's really cool to have a free movie, if you bought the add on only for KK and it's not include, well it won't be ever include and since the price will stay the same for the next few months (at least more than year) why Hold Off if you were interested in the first place
Judging by the description, it seems Amazon already sold out of their first allocation. Remember that Amazon has "sold out" on their website several times now. I'd bet they're on their 3rd allocation by now.

BTW, the HD DVD drive now "Usually ships within 2 to 4 days" according to their website.

P.S. 200000? I guessing WAY more than that will be sold by the end of calendar 2006. In fact, I'm guessing (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=746543) several times that number.

I ordered two from their "initial allocation" and nothing has shipped yet!

AMAZON 360 HD-DVD + KONG INFO:
So if you ordered it from the second allocation after it recently came back in stock, you will be getting the remote, but no KONG.

Cancel you order with Amazon and get it from Robert at VE, he is shipping by Fri. and all of his have the KK movie bundled..... (of course he may also be sold out by now)

Robert?

Ok, based on the video that was posted above, it seems clear to me that games will be supported in 1080p over component, but NOT movies. Movies will only be supported in 1080p over vga. So whip out the vga cables and have at it. The weird thing about supporting games at 1080p over component is that the games are not produced in that native resolution as of yet. I really hate when manufacturers obfuscate the truth by omitting comments. In the video, the microsoft spokesperson talks about games and movies being supported in 1080p over vga and then says "games will be supported in 1080p over component". Really, do we think we are that ignorant not to understand that what he means is that movies are not supported at 1080p over component.

Judging by the description, it seems Amazon already sold out of their first allocation. Remember that Amazon has "sold out" on their website several times now. I'd bet they're on their 3rd allocation by now.

BTW, the HD DVD drive now "Usually ships within 2 to 4 days" according to their website.

P.S. 200000? I guessing WAY more than that will be sold by the end of calendar 2006. In fact, I'm guessing (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=746543) several times that number.


I'm guess Microsoft will have 1 add on for every 360 they have sold to date at launch. And then a few more in the coming weeks for future 360 owners. They are dedicated to thrumping the PS3's lanuch.

Ok, based on the video that was posted above, it seems clear to me that games will be supported in 1080p over component, but NOT movies. Movies will only be supported in 1080p over vga. So whip out the vga cables and have at it. The weird thing about supporting games at 1080p over component is that the games are not produced in that native resolution as of yet. I really hate when manufacturers obfuscate the truth by omitting comments. In the video, the microsoft spokesperson talks about games and movies being supported in 1080p over vga and then says "games will be supported in 1080p over component". Really, do we think we are that ignorant not to understand that what he means is that movies are not supported at 1080p over component.
? Considering that MS has been saying all along that existing games are rendered at 720p, I don't think there is much obsfuscation going on.

P.S. I like the theory that one AVSer put forward as to why MS gave us 1080p support. It was perhaps just to make Sony STFU about 1080p. :p

As my projector does 720p, my main concern is HD-DVD PQ at 720p. I read the Toshiba was quite awful when rescaling the 1080p source to 720p (it shouldn't be a problem). I hope the Xbox360 won't have this problem.

Just canceled my amazon pre-order and ordered my add-on through Robert

was very quick and painless, should ship friday according to him

I highly reccomend this route, getting confirmation from someone who knows what they are talking about instead of waiting for amazon to change the status of the order in 2-4 days :)

Just canceled my amazon pre-order and ordered my add-on through Robert

was very quick and painless, should ship friday according to him

I highly reccomend this route, getting confirmation from someone who knows what they are talking about instead of waiting for amazon to change the status of the order in 2-4 days :)


Congrads ... now you'll get Kong. Thats money saved.

I did not mean that the video obfuscated the truth about the game resolution. What I meant is that the spokesperson should have simply said that "movies are NOT supported at 1080p via component, so if you want to watch a movie at its native resolution of 1080p you need to have a vga connection". That kind of statement is clear and concise.

As my projector does 720p, my main concern is HD-DVD PQ at 720p. I read the Toshiba was quite awful when rescaling the 1080p source to 720p (it shouldn't be a problem). I hope the Xbox360 won't have this problem.

I think the Toshiba might have fixed that with a firmware update, but I also think that the hardware in the 360 might be on par with the Toshiba if not better for HD.

Judging by the description, it seems Amazon already sold out of their first allocation. Remember that Amazon has "sold out" on their website several times now. I'd bet they're on their 3rd allocation by now.

BTW, the HD DVD drive now "Usually ships within 2 to 4 days" according to their website.

P.S. 200000? I guessing WAY more than that will be sold by the end of calendar 2006. In fact, I'm guessing (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=746543) several times that number.

Considering that there a BlueDiode Shortage right now that affect both Bluray and HD DVD, that the 500,000 promised PS3 have been cut to 400,000 and are now rumoured to be cut in half, that BB will receive 3 HD-A2 each store for Xmas, i think it's pretty safe to assume that there won't be that many Xbox HD DVD drive for XMAS, but i don't really know how many people will buy that thing. Preorder has gone well, but after that..

Considering that there a BlueDiode Shortage right now that affect both Bluray and HD DVD, that the 500,000 promised PS3 have been cut to 400,000 and are now rumoured to be cut in half, that BB will receive 3 HD-A2 each store for Xmas, i think it's pretty safe to assume that there won't be that many Xbox HD DVD drive for XMAS, but i don't really know how many people will buy that thing. Preorder has gone well, but after that..


Thats very true but a lot of people are pre-ordering this thing. At my local EB stores the pre orders are done and Amazon is now in what I'm read to be their third allocation.

Maybe Microsoft emptied their pockets and bought up all the blue diodes on the market so that Sony and other Blu Ray Manufac. can't sell their units :eek: . And of course slipping some to Toshiba on the side ;)

Thats very true but a lot of people are pre-ordering this thing. At my local EB stores the pre orders are done and Amazon is now in what I'm read to be their third allocation.

Maybe Microsoft emptied their pockets and bought up all the blue diodes on the market so that Sony and other Blu Ray Manufac. can't sell their units :eek: . And of course slipping some to Toshiba on the side ;)

LOL yeah!

I just wished that MS would have said

XBOX 360 HD DVD DRIVE COMING NOV 8th 2006

and not

XBOX 360 HD DVD DRIVE COMING sometime in Mid Nov, well maybe, preorder it and get it sometime, we don't really care since we don't make that much money on it...

LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL, that just the impression i'am getting from it. No doubt it will sell

I did not mean that the video obfuscated the truth about the game resolution. What I meant is that the spokesperson should have simply said that "movies are NOT supported at 1080p via component, so if you want to watch a movie at its native resolution of 1080p you need to have a vga connection". That kind of statement is clear and concise.
That's not just for the Xbox 360. No HD DVD or Blu-ray player can display 1080p over component.


Considering that there a BlueDiode Shortage right now that affect both Bluray and HD DVD, that the 500,000 promised PS3 have been cut to 400,000 and are now rumoured to be cut in half, that BB will receive 3 HD-A2 each store for Xmas, i think it's pretty safe to assume that there won't be that many Xbox HD DVD drive for XMAS, but i don't really know how many people will buy that thing. Preorder has gone well, but after that..
Perhaps, but while there are shortages on both sides, IIRC the components for the Blu-ray players are not always directly transferable to the HD DVD players. That is to say that one can have a shortage for one format while not having quite as bad a shortage for the other format.

Furthermore, the claimed 400000 Sony PS3 number was for the November launch in North America, not for worldwide 2006 sales. Now, I do believe the number will be lower at launch, but undoubtedly the number will be much higher worldwide by the end of calendar 2006. Even the pessimistic guesstimate from the Electronic Arts CFO was 500000-800000 for just North America in calendar 2006.

Maybe I'm overly optimistic, but I would not be completely surprised if they sold over 800000 Xbox 360 HD DVD drives in 2006. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=746543)

As my projector does 720p, my main concern is HD-DVD PQ at 720p. I read the Toshiba was quite awful when rescaling the 1080p source to 720p (it shouldn't be a problem). I hope the Xbox360 won't have this problem.

well that was a problem with the first HD-DVD players and that was because it first downscaled to 480p and then up to 720p so it didnt look much better then 480p. but like I said, that is now fixed, and it would be very strange if that problem is on the 360 addon

Just canceled my amazon pre-order and ordered my add-on through Robert
just did the same thing.

I emailed customer service to verify I would receive KK with my purchase. I am waiting for an answer. Here is what I got while going through the customer service screens.

this item is in short supply but has been ordered from another supplier and is expected to arrive on time

LOL yeah!

I just wished that MS would have said

XBOX 360 HD DVD DRIVE COMING NOV 8th 2006

and not

XBOX 360 HD DVD DRIVE COMING sometime in Mid Nov, well maybe, preorder it and get it sometime, we don't really care since we don't make that much money on it...

LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL, that just the impression i'am getting from it. No doubt it will sell

I believe they don't quote an exact date because it is a wordwide release. Looks like the US may get the units first... SJ

I ordered mine from amazon on Nov3. Called them this morning because I was worried about not getting Kong with my order. I told the rep that it had appeared on the page when I ordered: a manager was called over and he determined that I did order it before the 'preorder' time ended, so I should be getting it. In addtion, just in case it's not bundeled with the drive, the manager ok'd me getting an extra copy of Kong (no charge), so I'm thinking they're not quite sure which ones will be bundeled with it and which won't. Anyhoo, the rep and mgr were great to speak with, very obliging, and one way or another I'll get a free Kong. Horray for me!

I emailed customer service to verify I would receive KK with my purchase. I am waiting for an answer. Here is what I got while going through the customer service screens.

this item is in short supply but has been ordered from another supplier and is expected to arrive on time

Here is Amazon's response:

Thank you for contacting us at Amazon.

First allow me to apologize for the inconvenience or misunderstanding
this may have caused to you.

Please know that, you will receive a copy of the DVD along with an
Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote, which comes standard with the Xbox
360 HD DVD Player.

We hope this clears up any confusion in this matter and thank you for
shopping at Amazon.

YEah, anyone see one in the wild yet?

Here is Amazon's response:

Thank you for contacting us at Amazon.

First allow me to apologize for the inconvenience or misunderstanding
this may have caused to you.

Please know that, you will receive a copy of the DVD along with an
Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote, which comes standard with the Xbox
360 HD DVD Player.

We hope this clears up any confusion in this matter and thank you for
shopping at Amazon.

When did you pre-order? I'm now thinking that Amazon will not ship any this week :(

I ordered from Amazon on the 24th of Oct., Order details say, not yet shipped, expected shipping: yesterday and expected delivery: tomorrow. Oh well. Amazon can fold space and time I guess. Maybe when it is shipped, I will both have it and be waiting for it at the same time.

I ordered from Amazon on the 24th of Oct., Order details say, not yet shipped, expected shipping: yesterday and expected delivery: tomorrow. Oh well. Amazon can fold space and time I guess. Maybe when it is shipped, I will both have it and be waiting for it at the same time.

I think we will all be getting the "we are sorry your order has been delayed" e-mail within the next few hours.....

I think we will all be getting the "we are sorry your order has been delayed" e-mail within the next few hours.....

I wouldn't doubt it. I called Amazon this morning and the rep told me that it will be 2-4 days before they ship (I ordered on the 24th) . He waived the 3.99 next day shipping fee because of the delay which was decent of him.

Of all the days for this crap!!! I just called my Gamestop store where I reserved it.
Fed Ex TOTALLY DROPPED THE BALL and left tons of packages on their dock!!
They aren't sure if Fed Ex is gonna get them the packages today or not, and one of those packages is probably my HD-DVD ADD on!!!!! I used to be the manager of that gamestop store for 5 years, and that never happened! OF ALL THE TIMES FOR THIS TO HAPPEN! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! :) Ok I feel slightly better now.

Of all the days for this crap!!! I just called my Gamestop store where I reserved it.
Fed Ex TOTALLY DROPPED THE BALL and left tons of packages on their dock!!
They aren't sure if Fed Ex is gonna get them the packages today or not, and one of those packages is probably my HD-DVD ADD on!!!!! I used to be the manager of that gamestop store for 5 years, and that never happened! OF ALL THE TIMES FOR THIS TO HAPPEN! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! :) Ok I feel slightly better now.
Kind of convenient to have FedEx to blame, no?

I suppose so, but most of the guys there are people I worked with, and I know they arent just passing on blame. Alot of other stores had the same problem today, so it's definately a fed-ex issue.

Gamestop has now changed "ships on 11/8" to "Usually Ships in 24 hours". Umm, what does that mean?

Where do you live? I hope mine isn't on a dock somewhere. Then again where is the dock? Maybe I can pick up some free stuff!! LOL!

I'm in Pittsbrugh. I'm gonna try some other local places like Best Buy, Target, and gasp....even Wal-Mart.... Although I'm sure trying wal-mart is a lost cause.

If EB and Gamestop were getting them in today, would we have heard something from somebody by now?

I'm in CA and my local Gamestop, EB Games, and Software Etc don't open for another half hour. I have cancelled my order through Amazon since they won't be including Kong with my drive.

:mad:

The gamestop I preordered from said it would not arrive until the 14th. grrrrrrrr

I ordered from Amazon on the 24th of Oct., Order details say, not yet shipped, expected shipping: yesterday and expected delivery: tomorrow. Oh well. Amazon can fold space and time I guess. Maybe when it is shipped, I will both have it and be waiting for it at the same time.

I ordered on the 20th and have yet to receive my shipping notice. Received two different responses from Amazon about the status and finally came to my senses and cancelled.

They've simply dropped the ball too many times with their HD-DVD release schedule and now this 360 Drive.


Went ahead placed my order with Robert (****************).

I just got off the phone with the manager at the store my pre-order is at. According to her the HD-DVD drive has disappeared from their system as of right now. My guess is that there is a last minute release date shuffle with certain systems (such as their webstore) not having the new date of later this month.

King Kong HD DVD does not get released til the Nov 14th, I assume the XBOX 360 HD DVD drive will arrive on the same day. I do not believe they will ship king kong dvds before the release date!

The Gamestop site now allows you to check stock for the drive in all stores within a 200 mile radius of your zip code. All of mine--and that's a lot, since the list includes Gamestop, EB Games, and Software Etc.--show zero in stock and zero on the way.

Gamestop has now changed "ships on 11/8" to "Usually Ships in 24 hours". Umm, what does that mean?
This usually means they have them and will start packing up and shipping them; at least that's how it usually happens with new release games....

I'll be checking status periodically, though I'm not sure if they update order status throughout the day or only at specific times. They seem to update their websites around 9 AM PST/12 PM EST daily...

The Gamestop site now allows you to check stock for the drive in all stores within a 200 mile radius of your zip code. All of mine--and that's a lot, since the list includes Gamestop, EB Games, and Software Etc.--show zero in stock and zero on the way.
Still says the same for Gears of War, too, though...

It says that the stock check is current as of last night. So it wouldn't include this morning's deliveries.

The mystery deepens...

I just wanna enjoy HD-DVD!! Is that asking for so much!?! Why all this drama?!? This is a piece of eletronic gear that is meant to bring happiness and joy! It's not supposed to be like trying to figure out what a girl wants to do lol.

My Monster Componet cables arrived today, at least something showed up

Yes! My Amazon order just changed to shipping soon! I have 2 day so it should be here tomorrow because I usually get it before the estimated delivery date.

My Amazon order just changed to shipping on 11/9! Hope it happens!

If EB and Gamestop were getting them in today, would we have heard something from somebody by now?

I'm in CA and my local Gamestop, EB Games, and Software Etc don't open for another half hour. I have cancelled my order through Amazon since they won't be including Kong with my drive.

:mad:

I swung by my EBGames around noon where I preordered, and they had received two UPS shipments so far, neither of which contained my precious.

I'll call back there later today, but I don't have high hopes. Maybe tomorrow.

I swung by my EBGames around noon where I preordered, and they had received two UPS shipments so far, neither of which contained my precious.

I'll call back there later today, but I don't have high hopes. Maybe tomorrow.
My Gamestop originally (last week) told me Wednesday, but I just called and they said they hoped to have it Friday or Monday. Who knows at this point...

Here's MHO. I think stores like Gamestop/EB might have devoted most, if not all of their original stock to pre orders. I doubt that they will have any physical stock on hand at any of their locations. I do see, however that their sites say the drive would ship in 24 hours which leads me to beleive they have the drives at their distrubution centers. I wouldn't doubt we will be seeing our orders before the end of the week. Their is no way they could offer overnight shipping and "usually ships in 24 hours" unless they have them in stock in their warehouses.

And about the KK release date. Even Robert has stated that he will be shipping units with KK included before the 14th, so I doubt that is an issue...it was most likely planned.

My Amazon order just changed to shipping on 11/9! Hope it happens!

And they are paying for one day shipping for free! :)

On a side note, I have never seen 200 people viewing the HD DVD area before today. Interesting times!

Yes! My Amazon order just changed to shipping soon! I have 2 day so it should be here tomorrow because I usually get it before the estimated delivery date.
My second order just changed to that. The one I ordered on the 23rd with only two day shipping. The first order I placed on the 20th with overnight shipping hasn't moved to the shipping soon yet. Just my luck they will send my first order later than my second and both will end up arriving on the same day. I guess if it happens I'll have to send an email to Amazon and hopefully get my $4 back.

Quick question. What were your order dates and when were/are you expecting delivery. I ordered on Oct 13th and had a delivery date of Nov 8th, but I don't think that is happening...maybe tomorrow!

Gamestop has now changed "ships on 11/8" to "Usually Ships in 24 hours". Umm, what does that mean?

That usually means they've received their items at their warehouse, orders should start shipping later today.

And usually should be showing up in gamestop/EB store's tomorrow.

My second order just changed to that. The one I ordered on the 23rd with only two day shipping. The first order I placed on the 20th with overnight shipping hasn't moved to the shipping soon yet. Just my luck they will send my first order later than my second and both will end up arriving on the same day. I guess if it happens I'll have to send an email to Amazon and hopefully get my $4 back.

Mine (ordered on the 20th) still hasn't changed status. If it doesn't ship today, it won't get here until monday. Kind of piss poor if orders placed days later are getting ready to ship, when the first ones are still sitting in limbo.

Quick question. What were your order dates and when were/are you expecting delivery. I ordered on Oct 23rd and had a delivery date of Nov 8th, but I don't think that is happening...maybe tomorrow!

I ordered on Oct 25th and my status has switched to Shipping Soon!! But the estimated delivery date is still the 8th. Hmmm. Maybe my house is an Amazon distribution center and I didn't know! :)

I hope to see it tomorrow. <fingers crossed>

I'm still seeing a delivery estimate of 11-9 on my Amazon preorder but it still hasn't shipped yet and I have next day shipping. Has anyone seen these in stores yet? I ordered it with the Missions Collection and Sleepy Hollow and I got those yesterday. I honestly don't think they'll even be beginning to ship these out until the 10th. I doub't Amazon even has the units in stock yet. I think Microsoft might be running a little late in releasing the units.

Just called my EB. He apparently got a message there was a shortage and stores that had pre-orders for the drive will receive them by Friday. Otherwise it'll be a couple weeks before the next shipment. The UPS shipment hadn't came in yet, so there's still hope that it will arrive today. He took my number in the even that it does come in today.

It looks as though this won't work on the SXRD's. The only input capable of receiving a 1080P signal is the HDMI port. The VGA port doesn't support 1920x1080 resolution. As a matter of fact VGA itself doesn't support that resolution. So unless your HDTV is capable of 1080P via component input I don't think it will work. If I'm wrong about this please tell me. I hope I am.

I think the Toshiba might have fixed that with a firmware update, but I also think that the hardware in the 360 might be on par with the Toshiba if not better for HD.

Well, since the latest update it ius certainly up there as far as SD playback. In fact, for some reason I am liking SD DVDs better on the 360 than the S77 or the Toshiba. The upsampling seems less blurry. Through component though, they are too blocky so you have to fight the washed out VGA look to get SD upsampled. I am looking forward to seeing how the 360 plays HD DVD. For the first time a console works as a player that doesn't suck!

Amir, and word on a recourse for the 360's washed out VGA look? I still can't get my contrast as high as I'd like on the VGA channel, and it was a bear accessing the advanced functions to get the display to look right with regards to color, etc.

Gamestop has now changed "ships on 11/8" to "Usually Ships in 24 hours". Umm, what does that mean?


That means it is in stock and ready to be shipped.

just did the same thing.

I called and spoke with Robert last week and genuinely got the impression he really appreciated my business, and would work hard to make me a repeat customer. He assured me that everyone would be getting KK who made a preorder with him, regardless of whether it was included in the box, or he had to buy it himself. Amazon is too dodgy in how they are handling preorders. I am glad I ordered from Robert myself, and recommend those others who are unsure about your order priority to cancel and do the same.

The VGA port doesn't support 1920x1080 resolution. As a matter of fact VGA itself doesn't support that resolution.
My PC drives my 37" 1080p LCD TV a 1920x1080p60 signal just fine with a VGA connection. The TV displays "1080p60"for a moment when the VGA input is selected after being on a different input.

Bob

It looks as though this won't work on the SXRD's. The only input capable of receiving a 1080P signal is the HDMI port. The VGA port doesn't support 1920x1080 resolution. As a matter of fact VGA itself doesn't support that resolution. So unless your HDTV is capable of 1080P via component input I don't think it will work. If I'm wrong about this please tell me. I hope I am.


VGA does support 1080p...it will support what ever resolution you want to run it at. Think PC resolutions. As for XSRD's, I've read that excepting a 1080p signal from a 360 isn't gonna happen. But the XSRD's have a good deinterlacer and 1080i will be displayed identically. Run the 360 via component @ 1080i and you will be good.

All of this talk about VGA cables is mainly for those who want to upscale standard DVD's with the 360. The only way to upscale DVD's is through VGA. As for component 1080p support...that's only for games. Stick with 1080i and you will be fine.

It looks as though this won't work on the SXRD's. The only input capable of receiving a 1080P signal is the HDMI port. The VGA port doesn't support 1920x1080 resolution. As a matter of fact VGA itself doesn't support that resolution. So unless your HDTV is capable of 1080P via component input I don't think it will work. If I'm wrong about this please tell me. I hope I am.

Correct me if I am wrong but wont your tv take the 1080i component output and deinterlace that back to the 1080P source on the disc, as the Toshiba HDA1 has been doing since day one on many 1080P tvs thru component?

My first order was on the 20th and my second order was on the 23rd. The second order is "shipping soon" while the first order still is "not yet shipped"

My order was on the 24th, and status is still "not shipped" with a delivery date of today.

Bummer. Today's my day off, and I was really hoping to be here when it arrived.

As far as the Sony A2000 series, which I own, using component at 1080i will be fine. The Sony does a great job de-interlacing, so you should get the same image as if the set were accepting 1080p. I think.

I'd use a different DVD player for standard DVDs, though, as a good upscaling DVD player will do a much better job than the TV, since over component the XBOX HD-DVD player will only play DVDs at 480p.

Thanks, DPowers and lastxbro960. It seems as if 1080i is all I'll get from this set-up so I guess I can save some $ and go with the Oppo player instead. I was hoping to get a true 1080P player on the cheap. Too bad. Thanks again.

You guys are so lucky and your still whining. I would love to get the hd drive a day or 2 late. I ordered OCt 27th and mine isn't going to ship before DEC. It says december 1-14th what kinda bs is that? If its a day or so late whats the big deal geesh. I ordered it 27th and wont receive it dill mid december man thats like almost 2 months. you guys can't wait a few weeks?