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?

Cancel your order and order it from Robert. He's shipping on Friday and will overnight it via Fedex...you'll get it Saturday. It's the KK package too! If he still has any in stock.

We aren't whining...we just want to know if we are getting it around the promised delivery date or later. Dec is crazy though.

I would like to receive it before this weekend, but until then I am busy with Gear of War!! What a game!

Cancel your order and order it from Robert. He's shipping on Friday and will overnight it via Fedex...you'll get it Saturday. It's the KK package too! If he still has any in stock.

We aren't whining...we just want to know if we are getting it around the promised delivery date or later. Dec is crazy though.

I would like to receive it before this weekend, but until then I am busy with Gear of War!! What a game!
Does he automatically ship overnight via FedEx? I have been sending him emails asking about upgrading my shipping but have got no response. Maybe it is because I will be getting it overnight and there is nothing to upgrade to.

Gizmo Joe

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.

I'm unclear on something regarding HD-DVD players in general....

Do they output at 1080p24 or at 1080p60?

The film material is stored on the disc at 1080p24, right? So somewhere reverse telecine has to happen to get the fps to 60. My guess would be that the HD-DVD player would output at 1080p24 and it would be the TVs job to do reverse telecine, but that's just a guess. Anyone know for sure?

If the HD-DVD players handle the reverse telecine process, I can see where having 1080p input would be important, since most TVs don't do the process properly. But if they're outputting at 24 fps and the TV has to do the reverse telecine, then there should be no difference on that TV for film material between a 1080i and a 1080p signal. So having a TV that accepts a 1080p signal, whether over component or VGA in this case, would be unimportant. The final image should be the same, if your TV de-interlaces properly.

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?

Yes, kinda. First off, there are currently no HD-DVD players outputing the source 1080p signal, via anything. So yes, all the players are outputting a max of 1080i to a SXRD (XBR1, like I have, or XBR2/A2000 series) which will take that 1080i signal and "upscale" or deinterlace to a 1080p display. This is the native screen res for them, for any signal except via VGA. I am not 100% sure of the A2000/XBR2's but the XBR1's would not display via RGB over 1280x1024, so don't rush out to get a VGA cable for your SXRD so you can "enjoy 1080p" from the 360.

Here's the straight dope;

1080p output from the 360 is mostly a marketing ploy to divert strenght from the PS3's claim to do that res exclusively.
Does the 1080p scaler IN your TV do as good/better job than the 360? Chances are YES - However, the 360 can get updates as software improves, TV - Not so much...
Can they both (Xbox360 & PS3) do it, YES. Is it upscaling (in most cases) YES.
Are there any NATIVE 1080p games (yet), NO.
(Remember the terd "Enter The Matrix" in 1080i for the Xbox? Lo res textures on hires models don't make me feel better. There has to be a trade off somewhere, as amazing as the hardware is - Until the programmers code a bit better, 1080p native games will be a compromise (Eye candy for frame rates or High polygon count for Lo-Res textures)
Can you, a human being, tell the difference between (properly) upscaled 1080i and true 1080p, probably NOT.
Will the Xbox360 via VGA to a TV that supports 1080p via VGA be the first consumer product to this for HD-DVD, YES.
Games that ARE native 1080p will appear so over Componant or VGA.
SD-DVD's will be upscaled to 1080p via VGA ONLY.
HD-DVD's can appear 1080p via either, for now. IF the HDCP flag is every enabled M$ will have to circumvent this issue via software because the Xbox 360 does NOT have a digital video output head (Which IS why we do not have HDMI) so HDCP will not work in the way it was written to.

Does he automatically ship overnight via FedEx? I have been sending him emails asking about upgrading my shipping but have got no response. Maybe it is because I will be getting it overnight and there is nothing to upgrade to.

Gizmo Joe

In another thread he said he would upgrade the shipping to overnight if you requested it. And if you live in the area you could arrange to pick it up that afternoon. It would not be upgraded automatically and I do not know the cost. Hope that helps!

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?

Why would you order a unit that is supposed to come out mid-november from a place that won't ship it until December? Are you out of country or are you locked into a great deal that keeps you from just canceling your order and walking into a store and buying it? Iwon't call your situation BS, because unless there is some special circumstance you have no one to blamebut yourself.

Ok, so Gamstop has put a hold for the amount of the drive on my account, but it hasn't cleared yet. I still haven't gotten a shipping confimation yet, so I don't know what the deal is. They said they wouldn't charge me until they shipped. I'm hoping this means they are getting ready to ship it. This is the strangest ordering proccess I have ever dealt with. We'll see! Anyone else get charged yet?

In another thread he said he would upgrade the shipping to overnight if you requested it. And if you live in the area you could arrange to pick it up that afternoon. It would not be upgraded automatically and I do not know the cost. Hope that helps!

I cancelled my order from Amazon since it would not include King Kong and ordered one through Robert. I called and asked if I could upgrade the shipping to FedEx overnight, and I was told that they wouldn't ship it to arrive any sooner than Tuesday (presumably because that's the street date for Kong). Have any of you confirmed that you will be receiving Saturday delivery? Because I was told I couldn't have it arrive before Tuesday, no matter how I wanted it shipped.

In another thread he said he would upgrade the shipping to overnight if you requested it. And if you live in the area you could arrange to pick it up that afternoon. It would not be upgraded automatically and I do not know the cost. Hope that helps!
I called the store and was told that because I am 2 days from them (Chicago) I would have to pay an addtional $80 to get the drive overnight for Saturday delivery! Needless to say, I will be getting the drive early next week. :)

Gizmo Joe

Why would you order a unit that is supposed to come out mid-november from a place that won't ship it until December? Are you out of country or are you locked into a great deal that keeps you from just canceling your order and walking into a store and buying it? Iwon't call your situation BS, because unless there is some special circumstance you have no one to blamebut yourself.


I wish I could cancel and order through someone else but I had to use up my amazon points so this is what I baught. I did not know when I placed my order my shipment wouldnt go out untill December thats just retarded. I figured sometime in nov for sure. Other people I talked to ordered theres the same day and are getting it sometime this week. Maybe they messed up thats what i'm hoping. Who knows maybe it will just show up sometime in the next few days.

I cancelled my order from Amazon since it would not include King Kong and ordered one through Robert. I called and asked if I could upgrade the shipping to FedEx overnight, and I was told that they wouldn't ship it to arrive any sooner than Tuesday (presumably because that's the street date for Kong). Have any of you confirmed that you will be receiving Saturday delivery? Because I was told I couldn't have it arrive before Tuesday, no matter how I wanted it shipped.


Quote:
Originally Posted by oleus
so is there any chance we can pay extra to get Friday shipments overnighted to us with Fedex?


Yes, overnight delivery is available.

-Robert

That might be the line that Amazon is feeding you, but straight from Robert...he will be shipping on Friday and it will include KK. You can go pick it up that afternoon and overnight is available at extra cost. Check with the store for shipping rates. Expect it to be high.

Also, In another thread a former EB games employee stated that if the site shows "usually ships in 24 hours" the item is in the warehouse and will shortly ship. That is not set in stone. I am just relaying another poster's opinion.

I just called Gamestop In new york for my pre-ordered HD DVD drive and they said it will be in a few days!!!!

Sorry guys i have a feeling it wont be in til next week!!!

airgon74, which Gamestop did you call. I also pre-ordered at a Gamestop store in NYC.

My gamestop.com order has changed from pre-order to "Usually Ships in 24 Hours" in the past couple hours.

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

October 30th with overnight (Prime) delivery. I'll keep ya posted!

I pre-ordered mine from Gamestop in Miami, it was supposed to arrive today but now they say Friday

GameStop/EB stores should have recieved a message from HQ today stating that preordered drives will be in this Friday. It will be a couple of weeks until the second shipment.

My gamestop.com order has changed from pre-order to "Usually Ships in 24 Hours" in the past couple hours.

I had the same message, now it says "processing".

I just called gamestop here in chicago and they said they will get it by or on friday.

I pre-ordered mine from amazon on November 4th,
at that point it said ships on the 7th and arrives on the 9th, I then added the 1 day shipping.

Needless to say it has not shipped yet and now my order page shows ships November 10th, for a November 13th delivery.

Sucks, I was really hoping to have it by this weekend.
Oh well..better late than never.
Anyone else get the same delivery date?

I'm unclear on something regarding HD-DVD players in general....

Do they output at 1080p24 or at 1080p60?

The film material is stored on the disc at 1080p24, right? So somewhere reverse telecine has to happen to get the fps to 60. My guess would be that the HD-DVD player would output at 1080p24 and it would be the TVs job to do reverse telecine, but that's just a guess. Anyone know for sure?

If the HD-DVD players handle the reverse telecine process, I can see where having 1080p input would be important, since most TVs don't do the process properly. But if they're outputting at 24 fps and the TV has to do the reverse telecine, then there should be no difference on that TV for film material between a 1080i and a 1080p signal. So having a TV that accepts a 1080p signal, whether over component or VGA in this case, would be unimportant. The final image should be the same, if your TV de-interlaces properly.

All stand alone HD DVD players output at 1080i60.

The content is encoded at 1080p24. The HD DVD decoding spec calls for these frames to be marked in terms of how to telecine them into 1080i60 output (can't make a mistake unlike DVD with 480i field encoding).

But you are correct that if your TV can IVT 1080i60 to 1080p60 properly there is no loss (due to the originally progressively encoded frames). And yes your 1080p TV is already going to do this to a 1080i signal.

1080p24 can be extracted by ignoring the frame headers, but currently only PC based systems do this (notebooks and the HD DVD 360 addon- it never goes into the interlaced regime unless 1080i output is requested for your display). There is a question about how to handle mixed mode content when the primary film is 24 FPS and the commentary PiP (or sencondary video) is i60. That is the stumbling block at the moment and a decision of how to handle it is in the works from the DVD forum. I figure they will just make the PiP stutter (drop the extra fields to synch to a 24 frame/sec output rate) until we all get 120Hz displays.

Edit- I didn't mean to say the 360 is outputing at 24p, although it certainly could be made to do so. At release it will be outputinng at 60 frames/sec (1080p or whatever you have set your output to in the dashboard).

Weird. Just a couple of hours ago, my Amazon order said Shipping (it was getting ready for shipment). Now it's back to saying Not Yet Shipped. WTF

HD-DVD's can appear 1080p via either, for now. IF the HDCP flag is every enabled M$ will have to circumvent this issue via software because the Xbox 360 does NOT have a digital video output head (Which IS why we do not have HDMI) so HDCP will not work in the way it was written to.

Picking nits but HDCP is already there on all studio pressed disks released to date. HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is a digital protection scheme over digital interconnects (DVI and HDMI). VGA being an analog signal ignores this. It is also allowed as a full-rez signal via AACS as a granfathered PC connection (whereas component is not and limited to 1080i output max). It is unclear if the software wanting to use the VGA output needs to have COPP (certified output protection) enabled to understand what kind of DRM should be used for this connection however (unclear to me anyway).

What analog signals are vulnerable to is the implementation of the ICT (Image Constraint Token) which is a flag that can be set on disks which the player must abide by (again part of AACS license agreement) which will down-rez the output image to 1/4 resolution (slightly higher than DVD at 540p). That being said, the more disks without it set and the more TV/players without digital inputs means the less likely studios are going to be the first guy to flip the switch (at least until digital connections are the defacto standard and that is still many, many years down the road). Is it a risk, yes. But I believe it is an acceptable one. The other potential boogeyman for analog signals it the DOT (Digital Only Token) flag which just cuts off analog outputs entirely for that disk. :( That is the tactical nuclear option to the artillery barrage of the ICT. It won't be turned on until the analog sunset for the same reasons that ICT won't be flipped.

Update!

My check card has been charged and my order status is "processing." I have overnight shipping so I think it will be here tomorrow. I ordered from Gamestop on the 13th of Oct. I think people are getting different dates because they ordered later. I think the first day for pre-orders was around the 13th. C'mon baby! You can do it!

I ordered on the 14th and my order information is now the same as yours: "processing".

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.
No big deal. Just use 1080i on component then.

Update!

My check card has been charged and my order status is "processing." I have overnight shipping so I think it will be here tomorrow. I ordered from Gamestop on the 13th of Oct. I think people are getting different dates because they ordered later. I think the first day for pre-orders was around the 13th. C'mon baby! You can do it!


Amazon double charged me (just my luck). At least it's going to be shipped soon, I'd think.

Amazon double charged me (just my luck). At least it's going to be shipped soon, I'd think.

Hey, maybe you'll get two! Ha!

I called my local Gamestop a bit ago and they said they don't have it yet. They also said it might be in later this evening because "we still have a lot of shipment to go through... we got hit with a lot of shipments today". They probably won't have it though. They didn't say anything about being told it'll get there on Friday. My local Gamestop and EB's usually get their new release stuff on the day their websites say it's shipping. I know EB/Gamestop has a warehouse in Louisville, KY (I'm in Cincinnati).

I just called Value Electronics (Robert). They said that they are now sold out of their first allocation.

The next would be "sometime next week".

I'm not sure if I should cancel my Amazon order (ordered Nov. 3) and go with Robert or not.

I just called Value Electronics (Robert). They said that they are now sold out of their first allocation.

The next would be "sometime next week".
Congrats, Robert. Between this and the Toshiba standalone, HD DVD seems to be treating you well. ;)

I trust your second 360 HD DVD drive allocation will not have King Kong?

Amazon double charged me (just my luck). At least it's going to be shipped soon, I'd think.

I just took a look at my credit card and under pending charges, I also see the double charge. What the @#$% are they doing? My order still shows as Not Yet Shipped although earlier it said it was in the process of being shipped. Since my credit card has been billed (twice!), I'm thinking it's going to be shipped today.

called up my local ebgames in southern california. they dont have a clue when its coming. they just said sometime this week.

Congrats, Robert. Between this and the Toshiba standalone, HD DVD seems to be treating you well. ;)

I trust your second 360 HD DVD drive allocation will not have King Kong?

If I get word on getting KK from Robert in his 2nd allocation, I may just cancel Amazon.

I'm sure that I am far from the first pre order allocation, based on my order date. It did say that they just got more when I placed the order.

I don't want to lose my place in line at Amazon, that's why I'm hesitant.

my local gamestop said that they would be getting them in by friday; they are able to look up on their system when certain items will be arriving in their stores, at least it appears to be that way at my local gamestop every time i inquire about anything.

i'm hopeful that orders placed online at gamestop will ship out today...

interestingly, they wouldn't tell me how many pre-orders they took, stating they weren't permitted to give out that information. but they didn't have any idea as to quantity being delivered this week for their store.

I am considering selling my OPPO 971 and purchase the Xbox HD DVD drive. I know many here have not seen one yet, but maybe one person can comment on this. I was thinking the HD DVD would have more value since it can upscale and play HD DVD. I don't think I would need both. Any thoughts?

I pre-ordered at a Gamestop store about 3 weeks ago. Am I guaranteed one when the first shipment hits the stores or is it first come first serve. Basically, will they fill all the pre-orders for each store on the first shipment or will only a few pre-orders get filled with the first shipment and the rest on another.

ok, now my status changed from "usually ships within 24 hours" to "processing" ... i'm getting even more hopeful (i already have a hd dvd player and am really excited at the moment of getting king kong early :D).

i also want to play around with connecting this to my pc and see what happens...plus now i have a second player for only 199 :)

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.

I dont like messing with amazon etc either. They have a reputation for giving out wrong info and messing up CC charges. I ordered with Robert also, I like to do business with folks on the boards have had good experiences with that. I would love to get KK with my drive also. Robert couldnt tell me either way if his second shipment would include KK or not. It would ceratinly be nice to get, but if not thats the way it is. Either way I feel I can trust folks like Robert more than a Mega store like amazon.

Picking nits but HDCP is already there on all studio pressed disks released to date. HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is a digital protection scheme over digital interconnects (DVI and HDMI).

If we're nitpicking....

HDCP is nowhere on any discs. As you note HDCP is a protection scheme over digital interconnects.

The protection used on HD DVD (and Blu-ray) is AACS. Here's the nitpicky part, AACS requires HDCP to be used on digital connections. Also restricts component to 1080i barring ICT, and 960x540 if ICT is active.

It is unclear if the software wanting to use the VGA output needs to have COPP (certified output protection) enabled to understand what kind of DRM should be used for this connection however (unclear to me anyway).

It does. That's what the latest nVidia driver as well as WinDVD/PowerDVD provide.

No COPP, no AACS playback.

I am considering selling my OPPO 971 and purchase the Xbox HD DVD drive. I know many here have not seen one yet, but maybe one person can comment on this. I was thinking the HD DVD would have more value since it can upscale and play HD DVD. I don't think I would need both. Any thoughts?

Just remember, the 360 will only upscale over VGA and right now I have read a lot of posts stating that the picture is "washed out." Some are reporting a great picture. This may be due to the fact that some displays only except PC level color information. Also many displays don't let you adjust the picture through your options screens because video signals that are usually output on VGA come from PCs and the adjustments are made on the PC side. So, for a lot of displays that have VGA you would have the bare minimum of adjustments. Of course it is different for different displays. I consider the whole VGA issue a "selling point" that is pretty useless for most people.

That might be the line that Amazon is feeding you, but straight from Robert...he will be shipping on Friday and it will include KK. You can go pick it up that afternoon and overnight is available at extra cost. Check with the store for shipping rates. Expect it to be high.

Sorry for the confusion--it was not Amazon that told me that I couldn't have it shipped to arrive any sooner than Tuesday. It was whoever answered the phone at Value Electronics when I called and asked about Saturday delivery. I was told that they would not ship it to arrive before next Tuesday, regardless of the shipping method. I probably don't want to pay the extra money to overnight it anyway, but the answer confused me because it contradicted what is being said here.

I am in California, so picking it up in person is a little out of the question! I am less concerned about getting it shipped overnight than I am about whether or not my order was in his first allocation that will ship Friday, or the second from later next week. I cancelled my Amazon order this morning and ordered one from him--but was that before or after he sold out of his first allocation?

:confused:

ok, now my status changed from "usually ships within 24 hours" to "processing" ... i'm getting even more hopeful (i already have a hd dvd player and am really excited at the moment of getting king kong early :D).

i also want to play around with connecting this to my pc and see what happens...plus now i have a second player for only 199 :)
My EBGames.com order also switched to "Processing". I have 2-day shipping, so here's hoping for Friday delivery.

I think EB/GameStop use FedEx; can anyone verify this?

I just spoke to one of the guys at the EB/Gamestop store where I pre-ordered mine last week ( before that they had no clue as to being able to pre-order them at all, every time I called they had no idea ). They are saying that it should be arriving next week, and that as long as I pre ordered I should be getting one. Hope this doesn't turn out like the shortages on the consoles again.

Sorry for the confusion--it was not Amazon that told me that I couldn't have it shipped to arrive any sooner than Tuesday. It was whoever answered the phone at Value Electronics when I called and asked about Saturday delivery. I was told that they would not ship it to arrive before next Tuesday, regardless of the shipping method. I probably don't want to pay the extra money to overnight it anyway, but the answer confused me because it contradicted what is being said here.

I am in California, so picking it up in person is a little out of the question! I am less concerned about getting it shipped overnight than I am about whether or not my order was in his first allocation that will ship Friday, or the second from later next week. I cancelled my Amazon order this morning and ordered one from him--but was that before or after he sold out of his first allocation?

:confused:

could be that gamestop/eb games secured a special right to "pre-release" like they did with gears of war and others have to wait until the official launch date of the add-on which is 11/17 iirc

could be that gamestop/eb games secured a special right to "pre-release" like they did with gears of war and others have to wait until the official launch date of the add-on which is 11/17 iirc

It could be. I think it's strange that I had a delivery date of 11/08/06 since the 13th of Oct. Now my order is being processed. I know because they already charged me and my account status changed. Seems like it will be shipping today.

I have seen dates all over the place. 17th for Best Buy, three different dates on Amazon. All I know is if you go to Gamestop's site right now you can order it, it says it ships within 24 hrs and you can opt for overnight shipping. Seems pretty straight forward to me. The status on the site changed today to "usually ships within 24 hours", so that tells me they must have just gotten them in stock.

Okay. Just got off the phone with Value Electronics. I had placed my order this morning at 9:53 am eastern time. The lady I spoke to said I barely made the cutoff line for the 1st allocation. So if you order past 10 am or so, you are probably on the 2nd shipment. She said the ship date is Friday or Monday. That's fine with me. I still have the A1 to use, but it's good to know I made the deadline for the King Kong disc.

I just posted this in the Xbox forum and will do so here as well:

I went by the Game Crazy i mentioned earlier to pick up Gears of War. They said the drive was supposed to come in today but their shipment got delayed. I called Gamestop and they said that the received a bunch of boxes from MS today but they've been too busy to open any of them and that I should check back after 4:00.

It seems that no ones gotten their hands on one of these yet, so I'm guessing there won't any in the boxes at Gamestop.

Finally got sick of seeing my order not processing on Amazon and called them. They told me that my assigned wharehouse in Coffeyville, KS has not yet received any units and hence I would not be getting one shipped to me until they did. I was told shipping would be done in order based on when the order was placed. There are apparently other shipping facilities around the country that amazon uses which is the reason why other later orders then mine are reported being filled. They couldn't tell me if I would be getting KK or not.

On a side note I also cancelled my COD3 order with them as it still hadn't been received at the shipping wharehouse either. I can't decide who sucks the worst today Amazon or Target, who had GOW and COD3 in the back but refused to sell them to me as their flyer says they are available starting Thursday. I even had an employee on my side telling them there was no street date on these items and they should sell them.

I cant find the number to amazon anywhere could someone please give this to me so i can call and see what they tell me?

I cant find the number to amazon anywhere could someone please give this to me so i can call and see what they tell me?

800-201-7575

I cant find the number to amazon anywhere could someone please give this to me so i can call and see what they tell me?

You can also find it by going to their help page, although it is chore to locate it. I think it took my ten minutes to hunt the right links down and I don't think I could do it again if I tried.

could be that gamestop/eb games secured a special right to "pre-release" like they did with gears of war and others have to wait until the official launch date of the add-on which is 11/17 iirc
EBGameStop did not have a special right to release Gears of War early. Games are simply their business, so they prioritize getting the hot items available ASAP. This happens all the time. Target/BB/CC/others take a couple extra days to get the game through their warehouses even though they received the item.

EDIT: Keep in mind that Amazon's videogame distribution is still NEW. Toys R Us used to handle all of their videogame orders up until a few months ago. Amazon is still getting up to speed as far as shipping games at release.

Ok i called and im not real sure what was accomplished i couldnt understand hardly anything she said. From what i could gather something to the effect of if she makes any changes to my account it will be pushed back further and asked me to wait a day to see if it shipped. then again she could have said that shes going on vacation for day and to get myself a chocolate umbrella and eat it while playing twister with my sister.

Evilfud

EBGameStop did not have a special right to release Gears of War early. Games are simply their business, so they prioritize getting the hot items available ASAP. This happens all the time. Target/BB/CC/others take a couple extra days to get the game through their warehouses even though they received the item.

well, that is what the guy at the store told me :)

i believed it b/c of "emergence day" which i thought was the official "widespread" release date...i got mine yesterday either way :D

well, that is what the guy at the store told me :)

i believed it b/c of "emergence day" which i thought was the official "widespread" release date...i got mine yesterday either way :D
Emergence Day is Sunday - 11/12.

Microsoft/Epic picked this day because that is when they expected the game to be available at every retailer, not just specialty game shops.

The guy at your store basically fed you a line. Sounded good, didn't it? :)

well, that is what the guy at the store told me :)

i believed it b/c of "emergence day" which i thought was the official "widespread" release date...i got mine yesterday either way :D

Emergence Day is the day that Microsoft and Epic are doing alot of promotion about, there are a bunch of things going on to celebrate on that date. The official release date, however was yesterday.

TimT

I didn't just pre-order my HD drive. I pre-paid for it, at my local EB Games, to ensure that I got one, from the first shipment. They said that I would get the first one out of the box, and that they would call me as soon as it came in.(apparently not to many people pre-pay) I talked with them today and he said they were supposed to be shipped yesterday, but it was delayed. He also said, that it did ship today and he will have them by Friday, but it's possible he will get them tomorrow afternoon. They better get here soon, because I am not sure how much longer I can wait.

Yay, my unit shipped as of 6:50pm EST! Wahoo! I did 2 day shipping so it will arrive on the 10th, 1 day later than expected. It will be a great Veterans day for me! I placed my order on 24 Oct.

Mine shipped to. I have Prime so I should have it Friday. Now, I need to get a Xbox 360. :)

My order, placed on October 23 from Amazon, just changed to estimated delivery of Nov 13 - 14. So much for "place in line" meaning anything...

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. 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.

I have the same remote and it certainly has made my life easier. One minor gripe though that maybe you can help me with. Are you able to skip to particular titles i.e. type in the chapter and title number? For example, the DVE DVD is hard to navigate without this capability. I haven't worked out how to do this.

Cheers,
tofo

pcaulfie/sepen, where did you order from? my gamestop status still shows processing and i ordered on 10/13...i only just bought the actual xbox360 a couple of weeks ago.

as for remotes, i have a logitech 880 remote that controls my xbox just fine...i'll have to look into if it has all the functionality of the universal media remote coming with the add-on...but if not, the beauty of the logitech is that i can program/learn all the codes and then it will be available to all via their common database...

My order, placed on October 23 from Amazon, just changed to estimated delivery of Nov 13 - 14. So much for "place in line" meaning anything...

Same here, that kinda sucks.

Same here, that kinda sucks.

Earlier this afternoon they changed my estimated delivery to 11/15 to 11/18. I also oreder on 10-23/ Then it was changed to shipped about an hour ago. I am in NY if that helps.

Called my Gamestop again and the chick said the drives won't be in until tomorrow or Friday... The shipment wasn't on their UPS delivery lists. They are unable to take preorders for it anymore so they're probably on their way there. I'll give them another call tomorrow evening if I don't hear from them.

I emailed customer service. They replied that they were back ordered from their primary supplier but are sourcing elsewhere and should ship tomorrow. They have upgraded my service from 2 day to one day and so I should receive it on the 10th. I am not going to hold my breadth.

Received my email from Value Electronics!!! They are shipping these on Friday!!! UPS with tracking...should have this by Tuesday at the latest. :cool:

my HD-DVD has shipped from Amazon as well today. I have prime with 2 day shipping, which should be here on Friday.

I have the same remote and it certainly has made my life easier. One minor gripe though that maybe you can help me with. Are you able to skip to particular titles i.e. type in the chapter and title number? For example, the DVE DVD is hard to navigate without this capability. I haven't worked out how to do this.

Cheers,
tofo
Hmmm... I haven't tried. Yeah that DVE DVD sucks for navigation.

Hopefully the HD DVD version is much better.

my HD-DVD has shipped from Amazon as well today. I have prime with 2 day shipping, which should be here on Friday.

Same here. Order shipped from Amzon today. Its 2 day but I usually receive it earlier. Hopefully its here by tomorrow.

My order from ebgames has been in processing for a few hours now, maybe it'll ship tomorrow and arrive Friday then.

Order via Amazon switched to shipped!! Overnight via DHL. Hopefully DHL will not require a signature cuz no one will be home. Woohoo! Can't wait. Ok, back to Gears of War....

My ebgames order is also in "processing" mode. I have overnight shipping, so it should be delivered tomorrow. My copy of "Gears of War" was shipped yesterday from the east coast and arrived @ 4 pm here on the west coast. Perfect timing too because my HD DVD Netflix titles arrive tomorrow too.

pcaulfie/sepen, where did you order from?

Ordered from Amazon. I guess I got lucky that the shipping center for my area had enough units while others weren't so lucky.

Great to hear that some of these are shipping!

ordered from Amazon over the weekend, selected overnight, and will be here tomorrow!

I'm one of the not so lucky ones. I got Amazon primeand decided to change my shipping to two day and my shipping date somehow slipped to the 20th!

ordered from Amazon over the weekend, selected overnight, and will be here tomorrow!
Just a reminder that Amazon prioritizes the orders of those who pay (or pay more) for shipping.

My order from ebgames has been in processing for a few hours now, maybe it'll ship tomorrow and arrive Friday then.
I'm pretty sure EBGameStop update their status periodically (not in real-time), so it may actually ship today but not update on their site until a little later.

I think...

I called the Gamestop where I pre-ordered my drive and they said it should probably be in tommorow morning.

I played around with the component and VGA dongles. Here are some sample screenshots from one of the trailers I downloaded from XBox Live in 720P. Not the greatest, but you get the idea. Even after a quick calibration with DVE, component has more punch in blacks and colors where VGA has better detail, slightly sharper. It is not as washed out as it was out of the box, but you can probably see the pyramids in the background aren't as punchy.

The first is 720p over component, confirmed the projector detects the 720P signal.
http://www.caulfieldhome.com/images/media/IMG_0877.jpg

The 2nd is 1360 x 768, the max resolution my Panny AE900 can handle. Native resolution didn't look any different either. Confirmed my projector is reading the input as PC formatted.
http://www.caulfieldhome.com/images/media/IMG_0881.jpg

Just a reminder that Amazon prioritizes the orders of those who pay (or pay more) for shipping.


I'm pretty sure EBGameStop update their status periodically (not in real-time), so it may actually ship today but not update on their site until a little later.

I think...

You're right Lucian, now it says that it's on target to arrive tomorrow via UPS (I chose overnight delivery).

I had a question about how to connect it for my TV.

I have a Mitsubishi WD-Y65. It will only do 1080i through component. It does not have a VGA input for TV devices, only for PC, and no DVI input.

So if I went from VGA to DVI adapter, then DVI to HDMI adapter, would I be able to get 1080p and would it make much difference than using 1080i over component.

Thanks for any help.

I had a question about how to connect it for my TV.

I have a Mitsubishi WD-Y65. It will only do 1080i through component. It does not have a VGA input for TV devices, only for PC, and no DVI input.

So if I went from VGA to DVI adapter, then DVI to HDMI adapter, would I be able to get 1080p and would it make much difference than using 1080i over component.

Thanks for any help.
Have you tried VGA? It should work, although I'm not sure at what resolution on your TV.

VGA --> HDMI won't work.

Otherwise just use 1080i over component.

I played around with the component and VGA dongles. Here are some sample screenshots from one of the trailers I downloaded from XBox Live in 720P. Not the greatest, but you get the idea. Even after a quick calibration with DVE, component has more punch in blacks and colors where VGA has better detail, slightly sharper. It is not as washed out as it was out of the box, but you can probably see the pyramids in the background aren't as punchy.


Hi, I have the PT-AE900 as well, and I prefer the VGA cables over the component. I never had a washed out picture, even before the dash update that was supposed to fix the problem some were having.

To me, in your screenshots it looks like there's less shadow detail in the component video than the VGA. Especially looking at the shadows in the pyramids on the left and right, there's more detail visible in the shadows. Do you have overscan turned on in your component settings? If so, his could also account for the lack of crispness in your component over 720P. If you're showing the same frame, then it looks like the overscan is cropping the edges since objects are closer to the edge of the picture. This is expanding the pictures and making it less detailed.

Do you have overscan turned on in your component settings? If so, his could also account for the lack of crispness in your component over 720P. If you're showing the same frame, then it looks like the overscan is cropping the edges since objects are closer to the edge of the picture. This is expanding the pictures and making it less detailed.

Overscan is turned off. What you're seeing is my crappy job at cropping the screenshots. I do agree that there's more detail in the shadows. I'll mess with the advanced settings and see if I can improve it. If I didn't compare the two sources, I'd probably be ok with the VGA.

I'm one of the not so lucky ones. I got Amazon primeand decided to change my shipping to two day and my shipping date somehow slipped to the 20th!

Same here. I ordered the 20th of October which is the first day they went on pre-order. My estimated arrival date today finally went from the 9th to sometime between the 20th-28th. Screw Amazon, ship the first orders from what ever center has them. My orders ship out of Coffeyville, Kansas which I was told doesn't have the units. Other centers have them but don't serve my address in the Amazon universe. I canceled my order with them. I have never not had a good experience with Amazon and I order a lot from them, but their video game department sucks. Also canceled a seperate COD3 order with them as it missed it's date still hadn't shipped today. Pretty poor on their part right before the holidays. I even have their prime service, which apparently doesn't count for s**t.

Alright, Gamestop shipped my player today! It will be here tomorrow. Good luck to everyone...may you all be enjoying King Kong tomorrow night!

Same here. I ordered the 20th of October which is the first day they went on pre-order. My estimated arrival date today finally went from the 9th to sometime between the 20th-28th. Screw Amazon, ship the first orders from what ever center has them. My orders ship out of Coffeyville, Kansas which I was told doesn't have the units. Other centers have them but don't serve my address in the Amazon universe. I canceled my order with them. I have never not had a good experience with Amazon and I order a lot from them, but their video game department sucks. Also canceled a seperate COD3 order with them as it missed it's date still hadn't shipped today. Pretty poor on their part right before the holidays. I even have their prime service, which apparently doesn't count for s**t.


Order it overnight from Gamestop. They are still in stock and will ship in the next 24 hours. I got mine for for a little over $220.00.

Overscan is turned off. What you're seeing is my crappy job at cropping the screenshots. I do agree that there's more detail in the shadows. I'll mess with the advanced settings and see if I can improve it. If I didn't compare the two sources, I'd probably be ok with the VGA.
Even though you may prefer "punchier" colors and more saturation that may not be what was intended with the original source. Looking at your screenshots the VGA one is clearly superior. The colors still have decent saturation but they're not overly saturated like in the component shot. VGA is also crisper which you pointed out.

I played around with the component and VGA dongles. Here are some sample screenshots from one of the trailers I downloaded from XBox Live in 720P. Not the greatest, but you get the idea. Even after a quick calibration with DVE, component has more punch in blacks and colors where VGA has better detail, slightly sharper. It is not as washed out as it was out of the box, but you can probably see the pyramids in the background aren't as punchy.

The first is 720p over component, confirmed the projector detects the 720P signal.
http://www.caulfieldhome.com/images/media/IMG_0877.jpg

The 2nd is 1360 x 768, the max resolution my Panny AE900 can handle. Native resolution didn't look any different either. Confirmed my projector is reading the input as PC formatted.
http://www.caulfieldhome.com/images/media/IMG_0881.jpg

I would think that VGA looks a lot more life like than component. Personally, I hate to see over saturated colors. Thats what it looks like in your pictures. Blacks look more punchy because it is too punchy and is losing detail in the shadows. Since i wil be watching a lot of movies on this HD-DVD a more life like picture is more desirable for me. The colors are great on my Sammy 1080p DLP.

But it is off topic a little. I called a few Ebgames in my area and the general consensus is that they have no idea when they will receive it. I pre-ordered mine on October 13th in the store so I hope that should be early enough to get the free KK HD-DVD :rolleyes:

What comparisons I want to see are HD-DVD component vs. VGA, make it happen guys when you get your units. I understand if you are too busy watching KK with cheezes on ya'll faces :)

Even though you may prefer "punchier" colors and more saturation that may not be what was intended with the original source. Looking at your screenshots the VGA one is clearly superior. The colors still have decent saturation but they're not overly saturated like in the component shot. VGA is also crisper which you pointed out.

second that

My order has been shipped. Delivery scheduled for tomorrow. I have a vp50 all set up to run the component cable through and up convert to 1080p via hdmi to my new LCD. I just went out and picked up three hd dvds to be ready.

BestBuy.ca and FutureShop.ca now both say Nov. 10 for Canada. (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10082027&catid=23556)

XBOX 360 HD DVD Drive

Releases 10 Nov/06. This drive offers you the ability to easily enjoy HD DVD movies on your Xbox 360 and provides you with even more choices for experiencing high-definition content, in either physical or digital form.

Hmmm why is bestbuy.ca releasing it on the 10th and bestbuy.com is releasing it on the 16th.

Same here. I ordered the 20th of October which is the first day they went on pre-order. My estimated arrival date today finally went from the 9th to sometime between the 20th-28th. Screw Amazon, ship the first orders from what ever center has them. My orders ship out of Coffeyville, Kansas which I was told doesn't have the units. Other centers have them but don't serve my address in the Amazon universe. I canceled my order with them. I have never not had a good experience with Amazon and I order a lot from them, but their video game department sucks. Also canceled a seperate COD3 order with them as it missed it's date still hadn't shipped today. Pretty poor on their part right before the holidays. I even have their prime service, which apparently doesn't count for s**t.

Hey this might be of interest to you. I just changed shipping again from two day to overnight and the delivery date jumped back to the 13th.

Hmmm why is bestbuy.ca releasing it on the 10th and bestbuy.com is releasing it on the 16th.
No idea, but:

"Pre-Orders: This product is scheduled to arrive in our warehouse on the Release Date
We make every effort to show the accurate date provided by our suppliers. However Release dates are unstable and can be changed by the manufacturer at any time. Estimated release dates indicate when the manufacturer ships the product from their facilities. Futureshop usually receives the product, and ships pre-orders to customers, 2-3 days after this release date."

So I guess that means that people in Canada might not be able to pick up a unit at Best Buy or Future Shop (which in owned by Best Buy) until Monday the 13th.

In the meantime EB Games Canada was still saying Sunday the 12th when I called them today.

I actually placed an order for an hd-dvd drive from Gamestop online today at 2pm...Went with overnight shipping and I already have the tracking number...Says it will be here tomorrow...If you want one quick, I think they might be your best bet.

I actually placed an order for an hd-dvd drive from Gamestop online today at 2pm...Went with overnight shipping and I already have the tracking number...Says it will be here tomorrow...If you want one quick, I think they might be your best bet.
Hmmmm... Despite the apparent heavy demand for this drive, it seems that supply is still pretty good.

Impressive.

Just a reminder that Amazon prioritizes the orders of those who pay (or pay more) for shipping.

We go by first in first out.

-Robert

We go by first in first out.

-Robert

some people might call me crazy but i am going to tryand shell out the extra $$ to get overnight shipping for sat. delivery from Value Electronics......it would be worth it for me to have it to use this weekend.

For canadians, bestbuy.ca is out of drives... Futureshop.ca still has about 90 though...they went quick on BB.ca... I preordered and used their "25 off $250 coupon"...should arrive early next week. You guys who get your tomorrow or friday had better post some detailed pics of the box, the contents and the drive in action!!!

MATT

Amazon Prime member here & Amazon sent me an Email notifying me that my HD-DVD XB360 add-on has been shipped & since I have Overnight shipping, it will arrive today in NYC (11/9) between 10am-12pm EST!

W0o-Ho0!

pcaulfie, IMHO, the VGA pic. looks better...

:)

Hmmmm... Despite the apparent heavy demand for this drive, it seems that supply is still pretty good.

Impressive.
I called EB about my second player. It is not shiped because of a credit card exp date problem and she said just order another one because we have 2500 players.
I will pick my first player hopefully tomorrow at a local EB store. I am the first on the preorder list. I will post some HD- dvd 720P component shots on my Panny 900 PJ and some upscaled 720P hdmi shots from my SD toshiba dvd player. I have Training day in both HD an SD formats. There must be some difference yes? :)

DrA: Could you do me a massive favour? When you get your player could you try plugging it into a spare USB port on your PC and see if it appears as a drive please?

I have pre-ordered one of these players primarily to use as a PC peripheral, it has been rumoured to work as a Windows device.

Also if you have the capability, try using the latest PowerDVD to see if you can actually play anything that'd be great.

Hope I'm not being too cheeky, there're a LOT of people interested in the answer to this question.

Thanks in advance.

Even though you may prefer "punchier" colors and more saturation that may not be what was intended with the original source. Looking at your screenshots the VGA one is clearly superior. The colors still have decent saturation but they're not overly saturated like in the component shot. VGA is also crisper which you pointed out.
seems like there is more details upclose with VGA and more details with component in the distance. the VGA looks like it may have too little color/black level while the component looks like it may have too much, but then pictures of screenshots are obviously no substitue for seeing it in person. :)

Even though you may prefer "punchier" colors and more saturation that may not be what was intended with the original source. Looking at your screenshots the VGA one is clearly superior. The colors still have decent saturation but they're not overly saturated like in the component shot. VGA is also crisper which you pointed out.

Third that. The Avia HT calibration, although settings for VGA are pretty bare, did help with the "washed-out" look. Most people who are complaining about this just need to get that picture balance in their settings.

Jeremy

I was also one of the not so lucky ones.
After checking Amazon this morning and seeing that it had a delivery date of 11-9 but that it still had a not yet shipped status (I had 1 day delivery), I knew that I would be getting a delayed email eventually and I wanted to make sure I had it this weekend. Or else I'd have to wait for who knows how long with Amazon. On top of having to wait even longer than most that ordered I might not even get a drive with King Kong included. After hearing (from this thread) about Amazon taking care of many of it's electronic orders now (instead of Toy R Us doing it for them). I knew that Amazon might not have their act together yet in this department.
Cancelled that portion of my order and placed one with Gamestop. Order is processing now and will ship overnight. I should have it Friday and I can be assured that it will include a copy of King Kong. I just have to see that movie in HD. Talk about amazing. That's one film that will be absolutely jaw dropping in HD.

Don't mean to rub it in but...... :p

MISSOULA, MT, US 11/08/2006 11:00 P.M. DEPARTURE SCAN

11/08/2006 6:32 P.M. ORIGIN SCAN
US 11/08/2006 6:29 P.M. BILLING INFORMATION RECEIVED

Expected delivery is the 14th as I expected. :cool:

Thanks alot Robert(Value Electronics)!!!!! :)

Again, if I could possibly ask anyone to try their drive as a PC device via USB I would be grateful.

This goes for anyone who is willing really. Firstly, does it appear as a device in Windows. Secondly - are you able to use PowerDVD or similar to play the discs from the drive?

Anone kind enough to oblige get's a Yorkshire pudding int he post for their troubles. ;)

Anyone think it's worth creating a thread regarding this? I'm sure it's not just me wanting to know the answers to these questions, but I don;t want to spam the board.

gamestop shipped mine out yesterday and will be arriving today via overnight ups...i will certainly be plugging the drive into my pc, probably even before the xbox :)

psyched about king kong!

psyched about king kong!

So am I. For sure. It's gonna be amazing to watch.
Yep, 62 inches of HD goodness. I'll even be able to see his nose hairs! :p

I didn't preorder as I was hoping to just pick it up from Best Buy and get my reward zone points. Yesterday when I picked up Gears of War at BB the associate said he didn't know when exactly but believed it would not be until next week before they would see them, maybe even the same day as the PS3 launch.

Deezul

Just checked the UPS tracking info, and mine went out for delivery at 6:02 AM!!!! I ordered it on 11/5 from Amazon 2-day delivery. I am a Prime member, so maybe that made a difference. Also, the warehouse they shipped from is 20 miles from me. Too bad I'm at work so I can't try it out until I get home.

pcaulfie, IMHO, the VGA pic. looks better...

:)


After switching back and forth I agree, overall the VGA picture is better for video. Haven't compared with games. It is clear the the dashboard is not as vibrant with VGA.

The point I was trying to make is even if your image is washed out, you can do a lot to improve it over VGA (at least for AE900 owners). My wife likes the component better and I think my camera didn't do the best job reflecting color. VGA definitely has the detail advantage.

Just checked the UPS tracking info, and mine went out for delivery at 6:02 AM!!!! I ordered it on 11/5 from Amazon 2-day delivery. I am a Prime member, so maybe that made a difference. Also, the warehouse they shipped from is 20 miles from me. Too bad I'm at work so I can't try it out until I get home.

I ordered on the 27th of October and I am a Primer Member. My shipping estimate is the 15th. I went ahead and ordered from Gamestop.com last night with overnight shipping and it is processing already. Guess Amazon will lose my $$$$, not that they care.

DrA: Could you do me a massive favour? When you get your player could you try plugging it into a spare USB port on your PC and see if it appears as a drive please?

I have pre-ordered one of these players primarily to use as a PC peripheral, it has been rumoured to work as a Windows device.

Also if you have the capability, try using the latest PowerDVD to see if you can actually play anything that'd be great.

Hope I'm not being too cheeky, there're a LOT of people interested in the answer to this question.

Thanks in advance.
I'm pretty sure Powerdvd will not work. However, I believe Windvd 8 which was either just released or is about to be released will work.

I'm pretty sure Powerdvd will not work. However, I believe Windvd 8 which was either just released or is about to be released will work.
Essentially I mant try anything that 'might' work. All I really want is confirmation that it is possible regardless of software specifics.

My pre-order has shipped from EB Games yesterday. According to my UPS tracking number, it will be at my house here in an minute (I did next day)!!!! Can't wait! I stocked up on High Def movies in preperation, let the movie viewing begin.

My second order from Amazon is out for delivery now. My first order, placed onthe the 20th, still hasn't shipped becasue Amazon screwed up. I better get it before the weekend.

If possible could you guys post some pics of the unit when you get it?
I've seen the promo shots on the xbox website, but i would really like some first hand photos possibly with a hd-dvd case for perspective :)

also, I havent been able to confirm if the drive comes with the USB cable to connect it to the xbox or if i need to pick one up (it probably does but hey, printers dont even come with a cable anymore).

Thanks,

John

just ordered mine for cc , shipped to have next day. hope it comes with king kong and remote :D
in store avail is zero but they are shipping from warehouse..

My pre-order has shipped from EB Games yesterday. According to my UPS tracking number, it will be at my house here in an minute (I did next day)!!!! Can't wait! I stocked up on High Def movies in preperation, let the movie viewing begin.
Awesome. I'm so excited to be making the jump to HD DVD. I don't have a ton of them stockpiled though (only 5, 6 if you include King Kong). :o There are a lot of titles I plan on buying though this month and in the next couple months. I am very eager to build my collection and will have a lot of fun doing so. I might try buying some from BB but I'm not so sure about their prices or how well they stock their HD titles on release day.
I might check my local Blockbuster to see if they rent HD DVD movies.

Just got this message from Amazon.

Shipping estimate: November 16, 2006 - November 24, 2006
Delivery estimate: November 17, 2006 - November 27, 2006

I preordered mine on the 30th.

I have just recieved my HD-DVD player from EBgames. I am at work right now so I can't post any pics or impressions but I will go home at luchtime and try it out and let you guys know. Man I am so pumped up!!

I have just recieved my HD-DVD player from EBgames. I am at work right now so I can't post any pics or impressions but I will go home at luchtime and try it out and let you guys know. Man I am so pumped up!!

IT HAS BEGUN [cue mortal combat music] j/k
A guy on the offical xbox forums has one too and said the pic is crystal clear with componets.EB better have my player in today or one mad camper :mad:

I just got off the phone with ebgames and they said they should be in later today, can one else who pre-ordered from a gamestop/ebgames store verify this.

does eb games/gamestop usually ship overnight ups requiring signature for delivery?

i'll be pissed if they attempt to deliver and my wife is out running errands and/or blowing my money! it's her job to accept delivery of all my toys! :D

does eb games/gamestop usually ship overnight ups requiring signature for delivery?

i'll be pissed if they attempt to deliver and my wife is out running errands and/or blowing my money! it's her job to accept delivery of all my toys! :D


I got overnight from EBgames with UPS and they didnt need a sig. So you should be good to go.

I placed my order with Amazon on Oct. 24 with 1 day shipping and this is my order status (still not shipped):

Shipping estimate: November 7, 2006 - November 9, 2006
Delivery estimate: November 10, 2006 - November 14, 2006

Reviews and pictures please :)

AArgh, mine is delivered, sitting on my porch right now and I'm stuck at work! And no way to go home early today because of several meetings! Maybe if I tell my boss how unproductive I'm going to be today while daydreaming about 1080p KK goodness...

At least I have the day off tomorrow.


November 9, 2006 09:07:00 AM COLUMBUS OH USA Delivered
November 9, 2006 08:21:00 AM --- Out for delivery
November 9, 2006 07:35:00 AM WEST COLUMBUS OH UNITED STATES Arrival Scan
November 9, 2006 03:06:00 AM WILMINGTON OH UNITED STATES In transit

AArgh, mine is delivered, sitting on my porch right now and I'm stuck at work! And no way to go home early today because of several meetings! Maybe if I tell my boss how unproductive I'm going to be today while daydreaming about 1080p KK goodness...

At least I have the day off tomorrow.


November 9, 2006 09:07:00 AM COLUMBUS OH USA Delivered
November 9, 2006 08:21:00 AM --- Out for delivery
November 9, 2006 07:35:00 AM WEST COLUMBUS OH UNITED STATES Arrival Scan
November 9, 2006 03:06:00 AM WILMINGTON OH UNITED STATES In transit

I hate you!!!!!!!!! :p No I actually don't I just can't wait.

I placed my order with Amazon on Oct. 24 with 1 day shipping and this is my order status (still not shipped):

Shipping estimate: November 7, 2006 - November 9, 2006
Delivery estimate: November 10, 2006 - November 14, 2006

That's basically what I was seeing only my max delivery estimate was to be on the 9th but when I checked this morning it still had not even shipped yet and I had 1 day shipping as well. I cancelled it when I saw the delivery estimate for today but it not having even been charged or shipped yet. I definitely would have been getting that delayed message. I went over to Gamestop.com and my order has been charged already and is processing right now. Plus they virtually guarantee me a copy of King Kong.

You placed an order on October 24th and you're getting 11-10 to 11-14 as delivey? :eek: If you still haven't been charged, I'd cancel that so fast that by the time Amazon got their act together an found out what happened I'd already be watching King Kong, but that's just me. :)

Plssss...somebody of lucky owners try to connect it to a PC...
Let it know if it works with a PC... :rolleyes:

I just got off the phone with ebgames and they said they should be in later today, can one else who pre-ordered from a gamestop/ebgames store verify this.

The EB Games I preordered from told me the same thing a little while ago. He said they would be calling people who preordered it since that was all of the stock that they were getting in.

Received it. Initial first impressions: :D :D :D

I love this thing. Haven't watched an entire movie, jumping around watching various stuff but I love it. HD movies look stunning, just stunning. Man, why oh why have been watching that other crap, and how can I ever go back to watching regular DVDs now. Flawless beauty in pictures. Such details. Oh man, I am watching movies all weekend long.

Hook up: couldn't be easier. The drive is quiet, no louder then my old JVC player, but I also don't think my Xbox is loud at all. I was a little apprehenisve that it would look weird/not go in my entertainment system well, but it is a very nice compliment to the 360 rig. Makes it look like a serious gaming machine. Remote is nice, navigation easy, controls easy to use. DVD's start fast, in my opinion, about the same as my old JVC player.

Can't say enough positive about it. I freaking love it. SO HAPPY!!!

Plssss...somebody of lucky owners try to connect it to a PC...
Let it know if it works with a PC... :rolleyes:
Add me to that plead. Again. :)

Now, only 2 weeks to wait for mine. Curse you MS for being so Anti European. ;P

Received it. Initial first impressions: :D :D :D

I love this thing. Haven't watched an entire movie, jumping around watching various stuff but I love it. HD movies look stunning, just stunning. Man, why oh why have been watching that other crap, and how can I ever go back to watching regular DVDs now. Flawless beauty in pictures. Such details. Oh man, I am watching movies all weekend long.

Hook up: couldn't be easier. The drive is quiet, no louder then my old JVC player, but I also don't think my Xbox is loud at all. I was a little apprehenisve that it would look weird/not go in my entertainment system well, but it is a very nice compliment to the 360 rig. Makes it look like a serious gaming machine. Remote is nice, navigation easy, controls easy to use. DVD's start fast, in my opinion, about the same as my old JVC player.

Can't say enough positive about it. I freaking love it. SO HAPPY!!!
Any chance you can hook it up to a PC fella? I might just die with anticipation if someone doesn't. :)

Did anybody try to see if it is upconverting DVD to 720P or 1080i over component. My tv tells you the resolution input with a info button on the remote.

Received it. Initial first impressions: :D :D :D

I love this thing. Haven't watched an entire movie, jumping around watching various stuff but I love it. HD movies look stunning, just stunning. Man, why oh why have been watching that other crap, and how can I ever go back to watching regular DVDs now. Flawless beauty in pictures. Such details. Oh man, I am watching movies all weekend long.

Hook up: couldn't be easier. The drive is quiet, no louder then my old JVC player, but I also don't think my Xbox is loud at all. I was a little apprehenisve that it would look weird/not go in my entertainment system well, but it is a very nice compliment to the 360 rig. Makes it look like a serious gaming machine. Remote is nice, navigation easy, controls easy to use. DVD's start fast, in my opinion, about the same as my old JVC player.

Can't say enough positive about it. I freaking love it. SO HAPPY!!!

I've seen pics of it already, but if you could post some pics of yours it would be awesome.

AArgh, mine is delivered, sitting on my porch right now and I'm stuck at work! And no way to go home early today because of several meetings! Maybe if I tell my boss how unproductive I'm going to be today while daydreaming about 1080p KK goodness...

At least I have the day off tomorrow.


November 9, 2006 09:07:00 AM COLUMBUS OH USA Delivered
November 9, 2006 08:21:00 AM --- Out for delivery
November 9, 2006 07:35:00 AM WEST COLUMBUS OH UNITED STATES Arrival Scan
November 9, 2006 03:06:00 AM WILMINGTON OH UNITED STATES In transit


So what is your address again :) J/K

Jesus you got your packages early, UPS / Fedex usually deliver overnight packages at like 5-6:00pm for me.

So what is your address again :) J/K


DON"T GIVE ME IDEAS!!!! ;)

Jesus you got your packages early, UPS / Fedex usually deliver overnight packages at like 5-6:00pm for me.

Shhh, don't tell my work but I actually had it shipped to my work so I could get it in our first morning shipment. Then I took some "personal" time and went home to play with it. Cough, cough, yes boss, my throat is really bothering me. What's that, the box under my arm, oh that is just some tissues. :D I'm not staying home though, going back to work. I'll play with it more all weekend.

Anybody got a Toshiba HD DVD stand alone player to compare picture quality?

Did anyone compare the SD DVD disks on the Xbox HD player yet?

Just received my Amazon.com order for the HD-DVD add-on (11:11am EST, NYC) & I can confirm that mine came with the King Kong HD-DVD & remote.

I will upload & post PICs in a few mins. I will also attempt to connect it to my PC for those asking via USB.

Again, if I could possibly ask anyone to try their drive as a PC device via USB I would be grateful.

This goes for anyone who is willing really. Firstly, does it appear as a device in Windows. Secondly - are you able to use PowerDVD or similar to play the discs from the drive?



Here is a quote from amirm, the resident Microsoft expert:

Originally Posted by HiFiGuy1
Any Microsoft Insider,
Since the XBox 360 is a Microsoft product, and the Add-On Drive is a Microsoft product, is it WHQL certified?

No because it is not a PC peripheral. It is certified to work with the Xbox though

Received it. Initial first impressions: :D :D :D

I love this thing. Haven't watched an entire movie, jumping around watching various stuff but I love it. HD movies look stunning, just stunning. Man, why oh why have been watching that other crap, and how can I ever go back to watching regular DVDs now. Flawless beauty in pictures. Such details. Oh man, I am watching movies all weekend long.

Hook up: couldn't be easier. The drive is quiet, no louder then my old JVC player, but I also don't think my Xbox is loud at all. I was a little apprehenisve that it would look weird/not go in my entertainment system well, but it is a very nice compliment to the 360 rig. Makes it look like a serious gaming machine. Remote is nice, navigation easy, controls easy to use. DVD's start fast, in my opinion, about the same as my old JVC player.

Can't say enough positive about it. I freaking love it. SO HAPPY!!!


William: Can you please confirm that it came with the USB cable to hook up to the 360?

William: Can you please confirm that it came with the USB cable to hook up to the 360?


I am not William, but since I just received my order a few mins ago, I just got done taking PICs & unwrapping everything inside & can confirm it comes with KING KONG HD-DVD, REMOTE CONTROL & USB CABLE!

Did anybody try to see if it is upconverting DVD to 720P or 1080i over component. My tv tells you the resolution input with a info button on the remote.

Need to do some more testing but it seems to be upconverting over component on mine.

I am not William, but since I just received my order a few mins ago, I just got done taking PICs & unwrapping everything inside & can confirm it comes with KING KONG HD-DVD, REMOTE CONTROL & USB CABLE!


ROCK ON, that is one of the last mysteries I had on this, now I just have to sit back and wait just a little longer.

Need to do some more testing but it seems to be upconverting over component on mine.

Wow.. I thought it would only upconvert over VGA? Yes please do some more testing on that.

To those that got it. Was Kong in the player box or strapped to the outside or what??? Enjoy your new toys! I have to wait for BB to get it, durn! I have a big GC from my original 360 going down in flames! :eek: Claimed by the EW.

Need to do some more testing but it seems to be upconverting over component on mine.

Mine did too. At least my TV showed 720P over component when I put in an older movie. And oh yeah, it looked awesome too.

Here is a quote from amirm, the resident Microsoft expert:
This does not mean it will not appear as a device which can then be used, merely that there are no certified drivers. In fact all this tells us is that it might not appear as an HD-DVD drive in windows.

2 MS employees have gone on records stating tha these devices should be visible within Windows Vista. I'd simply like someone to try plugging it in to see if it appears at all.

Here is a quote from amirm, the resident Microsoft expert:


Quote:
Originally Posted by HiFiGuy1
Any Microsoft Insider,
Since the XBox 360 is a Microsoft product, and the Add-On Drive is a Microsoft product, is it WHQL certified?

No because it is not a PC peripheral. It is certified to work with the Xbox though


__________________
ummm maybe with some tweaking...It will be however to be interesting try to connect it to USB port of PC.. it is not a big matter iI think!

Here are the PICs.....

XB360 HD-DVD ADD-ON BOX:
http://www.imagestation.com/8408782/3961465459

XB360 HD-DVD BOX WITH KING KONG HD-DVD PROMO STICK ON FRONT:
http://www.imagestation.com/8408782/3961465414

XB360 HD-DVD INSIDE OF BOX:
http://www.imagestation.com/8408782/3961465373

So cool! Thanks for the pics!

can you please tell us what special features are on the king kong hd dvd please
thanks

XB360 COPY OF KING KONG:
http://www.imagestation.com/8408782/3961465309

XB360 HD-DVD BEING SIZED UP BY HAND (no you pervs, not that kind of sizing up):
http://www.imagestation.com/8408782/3961465255

XB360 HD-DVD REMOTE:
http://www.imagestation.com/8408782/3961465213


XB360 HD-DVD USB CABLE:
http://www.imagestation.com/8408782/3961465164

The XB360 HD-DVD is basically the size of a small hard cover book or the size of a regular Bible book.

Gebboots to answer your question, the KING KONG special features are as follows:
1) PIP (pic in pic) access interactive bonus features, including casts interviews & behind the scenes footage all without interruption of movie.

2) Art galleries

Main features: 1080p widescreen 2:35:1, English, Spanish, French DD+5.1, English, Spanish, french subtitles

Special features: 480i/p SD, English DD2.0

Need to do some more testing but it seems to be upconverting over component on mine.
Mine did too. At least my TV showed 720P over component when I put in an older movie. And oh yeah, it looked awesome too.

Can we get a 100% confirm on this? That could be the deal breaker for me to purchase the drive, upconverting over component. (Yay for having a Sharp which doesn't like the 360's VGA 1080p signal)

Is the remote like the already released one or is it different in any way (extra buttons?).
Does it have an eject button?

Would you say that the drive is about the size of an internal PC drive?

How about giving us actual measurements?

Is the remote like the already released one or is it different in any way (extra buttons?).
Does it have an eject button?

Net if you scroll up, I posted more PICs, one is of the remote. it is the same one (long one) that you can get with the XB360 system I believe. Same buttons, I think, has a yellow labeled "Y" Guide, a Red one labeled "B" Live TV. Has a button for Win Media Center.

Is the power supply a simple chord? Or is there a power brick?

There have been pre-launch images distributed - one with a cooling fan in the rear of the unit (http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/viewer.aspx?productId=1544&assetTypeId=1&shotId=7) (implies internal power) and one with no cooling fan visible from the rear (http://images.dailytech.com/nimage/2255_xbox360_hddvd2.jpg).

Lumpy

Would you say that the drive is about the size of an internal PC drive?

Bigger.

Is the power supply a simple chord? Or is there a power brick?

There have been pre-launch images distributed - one with a cooling fan in the rear of the unit (http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/viewer.aspx?productId=1544&assetTypeId=1&shotId=7) (implies internal power) and one with no cooling fan visible from the rear (http://images.dailytech.com/nimage/2255_xbox360_hddvd2.jpg).

Lumpy

Lumpy it's not a Power brick like the one for the XB360, much smaller, the size of a cigarette pack, it comes in 2 pieces & is pieced together & connected exactly like the XB360 power brick.

So...can we see some King Kong pics or what?

Anyone bold enough to take the drive out of the external case and give us the model number?

Chris

Any more news on DVD upconversion?

To answer a few of these:
The drive is about the size of an external drive. For obvious reasons.
It displays HD DVDs at the resolution you have your Xbox set to e.g. 720p over component for my Panny 900 projector. Not sure about DVDs, can't watch them any more :-)
The remote is identical to the one you could buy previously (Universal Media Remote) and is back-lit
There is a power brick. Its pretty small. The design of the power changed a few times during development, hence the various pictures.
My blog entry comparing it feature-wise to the Tosh A1 is on my blog (http://blogs.msdn.com/andypennell/archive/2006/11/08/comparing-the-xbox-360-hd-dvd-add-on-with-the-toshiba-a1-hd-dvd-player.aspx)

So...can we see some King Kong pics or what?

Problem is, I haven't hooked it up to my Home Theater yet, I am right now connecting it to my PC to see what happens. besides I took those PICs using my Nextel i930 camera phone, I would have tow ait until my Bro arrives home to take PICs using his Nikkon D90 camera which I believe would do a better job than my Nextel Camera.

Are there any pics of what it looks like attached to the system? I'd like to get an idea of how it will fit in my home theater stack.

Off-topic quick aside (don't shoot me)...anyone put their XBOX in an enclosed cabinet? I have heard horror stories of it overheating. So I've been paranoid and I open my HT cabinet to let it breathe during use. But I'd reeaaaallly like to keep it closed as it just looks so darn cool when I'm playing with the RF remote and no one can see the device. :)

JS

To answer a few of these:
The drive is about the size of an external drive. For obvious reasons.
It displays HD DVDs at the resolution you have your Xbox set to e.g. 720p over component for my Panny 900 projector. Not sure about DVDs, can't watch them any more :-)
The remote is identical to the one you could buy previously (Universal Media Remote) and is back-lit
There is a power brick. Its pretty small. The design of the power changed a few times during development, hence the various pictures.
My blog entry comparing it feature-wise to the Tosh A1 is on my blog, but I can't post a direct link. Its the andypennell blog on the MSDN blog site.
I think you can post it now, now that you have 5 posts, but here it is:

Blawg (http://blogs.msdn.com/andypennell/archive/2006/11/08/comparing-the-xbox-360-hd-dvd-add-on-with-the-toshiba-a1-hd-dvd-player.aspx)

Ok I connected the HD-DVD to my PC via USB. My PC recognized it right awat as XB360 HD-DVD player. I get a pop up window of the "WELCOME TO THE FOUND NEW HARDWARE WIZARD" I minimized that win & went to MY PC, then saw that my PC listed the XB360 HD-DVD add-on as CD DRIVE (G) , when i cliked on it, it asked me to insert a disc, I popped in KING KONG, then clicked on it again & I got the following error pop up message: "Win can not read from this disk, this disk might be corrupted, or could be using a format that is not compatible with Win."

I just verified that my preorder will be arriving today!

Hi all just asking if you no if the hd-dvds are region code on them as in the uk its yes and no on this so will the 360 uk drive play the u.s. hd-dvds thank you

Possible stupid question. Can you have your XBOX hooked to your HDTV via both component and VGA and somehow switch between the two inputs via the 360? My HD will accept both Component and VGA, and I am using component. But I'm curious about trying both inputs to see which looks better. And I would like to do it from my viewing position rather than going behind the HD and doing it manually each time.

JS

Ha, give it time. Somebody will come up with a way to make it work.

Are there any pics of what it looks like attached to the system? I'd like to get an idea of how it will fit in my home theater stack.

Off-topic quick aside (don't shoot me)...anyone put their XBOX in an enclosed cabinet? I have heard horror stories of it overheating. So I've been paranoid and I open my HT cabinet to let it breathe during use. But I'd reeaaaallly like to keep it closed as it just looks so darn cool when I'm playing with the RF remote and no one can see the device. :)

JS

I have mine in a closed cabinet - has been for about 6 months. I had the cabinet built with a vent on the top and in the bottom of the cabinet i have a fan system that I bought from http://www.activethermal.com/. I wish I had gone with the intergrated vent/fan system - but it still seems to work ok. I will warn you that thier products are not cheap!

Ok I connected the HD-DVD to my PC via USB. My PC recognized it right awat as XB360 HD-DVD player. I get a pop up window of the "WELCOME TO THE FOUND NEW HARDWARE WIZARD" I minimized that win & went to MY PC, then saw that my PC listed the XB360 HD-DVD add-on as CD DRIVE (G) , when i cliked on it, it asked me to insert a disc, I popped in KING KONG, then clicked on it again & I got the following error pop up message: "Win can not read from this disk, this disk might be corrupted, or could be using a format that is not compatible with Win."
Brilliant! That's what I needed to know. Many thanks.

I wouldn't expect to be able to view the files as the OS has no idea how to without a driver. I think what yuo now need is a system driver that might be found with the latest burning packages supporting HD-DVD writers. I reckon once that's installed there will be a way to play from the drive.

Alternatively, some clever clogs could write a driver for it. :)

Edit: Any coment from the Microsoft 'expert'? ;P

Ok I connected the HD-DVD to my PC via USB. My PC recognized it right awat as XB360 HD-DVD player. I get a pop up window of the "WELCOME TO THE FOUND NEW HARDWARE WIZARD" I minimized that win & went to MY PC, then saw that my PC listed the XB360 HD-DVD add-on as CD DRIVE (G) , when i cliked on it, it asked me to insert a disc, I popped in KING KONG, then clicked on it again & I got the following error pop up message: "Win can not read from this disk, this disk might be corrupted, or could be using a format that is not compatible with Win."
Thanks for confirming what many of us suspected: It's a standard PC drive, but you need the software driver. Win XP does not understand UDF 2.5.

Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger should understand UDF 2.5 though IIRC. Anyone with a Mac tried plugging in the drive yet? Note that while current Macs can play back HD DVD, even if the Mac can recognize the disc, it still won't be able to play it, because Apple hasn't yet licenced the DRM stuff, nor has it licenced VC-1.

I just received my drive about an hour ago. Setup is fairly simple. There is an installation disc that you boot in the xbox first. The disc will tell you when to hookup the drive. If you have the wireless network adapter, you will need to unhook it from the back of the xbox and attach it to the hd drive.

I've had a samsung blue ray player for a while now and video quality seems to be similar. It came with King Kong and I have no idea whether thats a good example of hd dvd quality or not. The sound hasn't really impressed me so far, but that could be the movie itself. I'm going to run out tonight and pick up a few hd dvd movies (suggestions are welcome).

All in all, so far, it seems to be $200 well spent. I'll post more when I've watched a few more movies.

Just as suspected.

It's a standard PC drive, but you need the software driver. Win XP does not understand UDF 2.5.

Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger should understand UDF 2.5 though IIRC. Anyone with a Mac tried plugging in the drive yet? Note that while current Macs can play back HD DVD, even if the Mac can recognize the disc, it still won't be able to play it, because Apple hasn't yet licenced the DRM stuff, nor has it licenced VC-1.
I believe we might be able to get it running if we can get hold of a Disc Burning application that updates Windows with suitable filesystem support. As I said in the previous post.

Hi all just asking if you no if the hd-dvds are region code on them as in the uk its yes and no on this so will the 360 uk drive play the u.s. hd-dvds thank you
There is no region coding in HD DVD, on titles, drives or the 360 option. So yes, you can play any US discs.

Get Serenity.

Anytime Bugs, glad to help in anyway, now it's time to connect this bad boy to my HP 58" HDTV & home theater system for some HD-DVD viewing bliss, then it's back to Gears of War & Call of Duty 3 gaming heaven!

I called best buy, the guy told me they wouldnt have any until the 21st of this month.

hhmmmm hahahaha

Why is everyone in such a rush to get this? I mean, DVD still is pretty good looking.

I just received my drive about an hour ago. Setup is fairly simple. There is an installation disc that you boot in the xbox first. The disc will tell you when to hookup the drive. If you have the wireless network adapter, you will need to unhook it from the back of the xbox and attach it to the hd drive.

I've had a samsung blue ray player for a while now and video quality seems to be similar. It came with King Kong and I have no idea whether thats a good example of hd dvd quality or not. The sound hasn't really impressed me so far, but that could be the movie itself. I'm going to run out tonight and pick up a few hd dvd movies (suggestions are welcome).

All in all, so far, it seems to be $200 well spent. I'll post more when I've watched a few more movies.

I would recommend Batman Begins. Amazing picture quality.

Is there anyone here with Windows Vista RC-2 installed that also has the HD-DVD add on? Is there any chance they could try the same plug and play test whilst in that operating system please?

I can't confirm whether Vista RC2 has UDF 2.5 support from google as yet.

Can anyone with the HD Player tell me how it looks on a 32'' LCD. Is it still a breath taking picture?

Why is everyone in such a rush to get this? I mean, DVD still is pretty good looking.

Have you seen an HD DVD movie? And I don't mean at Best Buy. The picture will blow you away. I bought my Toshiba back in April and now own almost 70 HD DVDs. There is no comparison. I especially like the way the menu system works now. DVD's menu system seems archaic compared to the HD DVD menu system.

Is there anyone here with Windows Vista RC-2 installed that also has the HD-DVD add on? Is there any chance they could try the same plug and play test whilst in that operating system please?

I can't confirm whether Vista RC2 has UDF 2.5 support from google as yet.
Heh, I could try both Mac OS X and Vista, because I have a Mac with both. However, I don't have the d@mn drive yet. :( ;)


Why is everyone in such a rush to get this? I mean, DVD still is pretty good looking.
Are you lost? Cuz clearly you're in the wrong thread. :D

Why is everyone in such a rush to get this? I mean, DVD still is pretty good looking.

There's no comparison between the 2. Even upconverted regular DVD's can't come close to HD-DVD.

That's like trying to compare Killzone franchise for PS2/PS3 to Halo franchise on XBOX/XB360, not even close!

Why is everyone in such a rush to get this? I mean, DVD still is pretty good looking.

If you think this, then Blu-Ray is for you. :)

Hey, don't get me wrong, i'm just as excited about this new piece of technology, but damn, can I bring myself to pay $20 per movie again?

I got mine this morning...

pics here...

http://www.pixagogo.com/1886654155

Hey, don't get me wrong, i'm just as excited about this new piece of technology, but damn, can I bring myself to pay $20 per movie again?

go wit netflix. buy only the greats (goodfellas, batman begins,true romance, matrix, etc.).

Why is everyone in such a rush to get this? I mean, DVD still is pretty good looking.
I take it you never seen a HD DVD in general play...well lets say your missing out bro...just missing out DVD is washed out compared to HD DVD.

Netflix rents HD-DVDs?

Netflix rents HD-DVDs?


http://www.netflix.com/BrowseSelection?sgid=2442

I got mine this morning...

pics here...

http://www.pixagogo.com/1886654155
Sweet! Thanks for the pics.

But as the great Master Shake once said, I don't want to rent I want to OWNNNN!

Netflix rents HD-DVDs?So does blockbusters. :)

Can someone please confirm or deny whether this is upconverting standard DVDs over component?

That's a huge deal if true. I didn't think it was possible due to the industry rules. Some people posted a couple of pages back that it was upconverting, but I want some more verification.

Have Vistal RC2 installed. Going to see if I can find the player now.

Anytime Bugs, glad to help in anyway, now it's time to connect this bad boy to my HP 58" HDTV & home theater system for some HD-DVD viewing bliss, then it's back to Gears of War & Call of Duty 3 gaming heaven!Looking forward to your review on that beautiful HP. :)

Where are you people getting yours from?

Can someone please confirm or deny whether this is upconverting standard DVDs over component?

That's a huge deal if true. I didn't think it was possible due to the industry rules. Some people posted a couple of pages back that it was upconverting, but I want some more verification.
The industry rules you refer to is an ICT flag which is encoded within the AACS encryption info when a disc is pressed. At present no Movie houses suppress the analogue signal by including this flag, and some have gone on record as saying they will not do so until around 2008/9.

It's all good! :)

The industry rules you refer to is an ICT flag which is encoded within the AACS encryption info when a disc is pressed. At present no Movie houses suppress the analogue signal by including this flag, and some have gone on record as saying they will not do so until around 2008/9.

It's all good! :)

What I'm talking about is upconverting over component, not the ICT flags. I thought the CSS copy protection rules would only allow you to upconvert over HDMI. That's why all of the major manufacturers have upconverting DVD players HDMI only... or so I thought.

What exactly does it show when connected to a PC? Can it read any kind of data from an HD disc? I have no 360 but, I'm very anxious to try it on a my HTPC.

Screenshots please!
(I know it doesn't do justice but I don't care!!) :p

What exactly does it show when connected to a PC? Can it read any kind of data from an HD disc? I have no 360 but, I'm very anxious to try it on a my HTPC.
Read back the last 3 pages.

Man, I can't wait to get home and try it out. It shows as delivered. And if it also upscales DVD over component I will be so stoked. I was pretty sure that wasn't happenening. Anyone else out there varify if it can or not.

just ordered mine for cc , shipped to have next day. hope it comes with king kong and remote :D
in store avail is zero but they are shipping from warehouse..


I did the same, can anyone verify that it comes with KK and the remote. I still have time to cancel it.

Gamestop and EB suck, I preordered the thing at GS, but they are oblivious to getting the drive, Gears of War they just got today, because these conn Gamestop stores have problems getting anything. First he told me end of the month, then maybe tommorrow. Same story at every one I've called.

So, anyone find one at a B&M store today?

Why is everyone in such a rush to get this? I mean, DVD still is pretty good looking.

In the immortal words of Sharon Stone from Total Recall, "Now you've done it! Now you've done it!"


Quick, everyone! Get the pitchforks and the tar!

JS

Why is everyone in such a rush to get this? I mean, DVD still is pretty good looking.

DVD sucks after seeing HD-DVD I can't go back it hurts my eyes. DVD looks like VHS to me.

I have been calling my 2 gamestops every day since the 7th and it sounds like the might be finally getting them in tomorrow. I have never seen hd-dvd in action and have a 360 and 50" plasma dying to use it! What I am wondering though is does it look better than my cable's HDTV like HDNET and such? Because that channel looks pretty clear. Is it better? I also called my bestbuy / walmart and they have never heard of it or tell me its coming later in the month, weird.

So, anyone find one at a B&M store today?
I'm wondering the same thing. Last night, I checked out all of the regulars (Fry's, Best Buy, Circuit City), but they didn't have a clue. Actually, Best Buy was showing an arrival date of the 21st. If anyone has a sighting in an actual store, please let us know!
thanks

So, anyone find one at a B&M store today?

Checked Target this morning. As expected, they had "no idea when it's coming" - a statement which brought back horrible memories of the Xbox 360 launch when the same mantra was repeated to me every day.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Temporaryscars
Why is everyone in such a rush to get this? I mean, DVD still is pretty good looking.


That's the thing..."pretty good" doesn't cut it when you have the level of PQ that HD DVD provides. This is AVS after all. Most of us are trying to go beyond "pretty good." That's like saying why buy an Xbox 360 when the original Xbox is still "pretty good."

My local Gamestop said that they have no idea if they will be getting them in, or when. They did say that if someone preordered one that it would arrive at the store (duh), but they would not be getting any in just for stock. So if no preorders were placed, the store won't be getting any, and if there were preorders, they will only be getting enough in to fill those orders.

I have been calling my 2 gamestops every day since the 7th and it sounds like the might be finally getting them in tomorrow. I have never seen hd-dvd in action and have a 360 and 50" plasma dying to use it! What I am wondering though is does it look better than my cable's HDTV like HDNET and such? Because that channel looks pretty clear. Is it better? I also called my bestbuy / walmart and they have never heard of it or tell me its coming later in the month, weird.

HD DVD looks much better than HD cable. Cable is compressed way too much which causes lots of blocking. HD DVD doen't suffer from this and look amazing.

I love your diction If anyone has a sighting in an actual store, please let us know! thanks I think their over at Area 51 :p

On a seriosu note Ebgames is really taking too long to stock these things. I have a 1080p set wetting itself in anticipation of this HD-DVD drive. I have never seen an HD-DVD movie and from what I have heard I am having a hard time waiting. I already picked up Training Day, Last Samurai, Tokyo Drift, and Chronicles of Riddick is on the way.

To all the people wanting to see the files on the HD-DVD drive when attached to a PC...

Download and install Nero 7. The important part you need is InCD. Once InCD is installed you WILL have a UDF 2.5 filesystem driver and you'll be able to navigate round an HD-DVD disc in Windows Explorer. You install the trial version and this will still function.

As far as playing back an HD-DVD on your PC, you need either PowerDVD, WinDVD or Nero Showtime, none of which are available at retail yet for HD-DVD playback... WinDVD 8 has support but for some reason doesn't seem to be available yet, you need some kind of additional pack...

Have fun.

Thanks Ian_S. That's information!

Amazon still lists my shipping estimate as " Delivery estimate: November 17, 2006 - November 27, 2006."

I put in my preorder October 23rd, and purchased Amazon Prime service that day to get cheap 1 day shipping on this and related items. The joke is on me!

Thank you Ian - you could see what I was trying to recall from my tiny brain. Nero 7 and in_cd of course! :)

I am scouring for players - and as you Say WinDVD HD / BD are the only versions that support the format at present. The platinum pack says that the capabilities exist - but that you must 'Purchase addition' components at a later date.

My guess is that they still have bugs from ther OEM WinDVD HD / BD versions which by all accounts were a bit rough.

If anyone can lay their hands on a copy of the pack-in versions for the Toshiba HD-DVD laptops they'd probably be onto a winner! Unless of course they software is somehow tied to the hardware.

This is fantastic. Damn it - why do I have to live in the UK! :)

After switching back and forth I agree, overall the VGA picture is better for video. Haven't compared with games. It is clear the the dashboard is not as vibrant with VGA.

The point I was trying to make is even if your image is washed out, you can do a lot to improve it over VGA (at least for AE900 owners). My wife likes the component better and I think my camera didn't do the best job reflecting color. VGA definitely has the detail advantage.

People tend to initially be attracted to super saturated images, even prefering them over detail in many cases, but I simply can't stand it. You get orange skin, leaves and grass that look like kids colored them with crayons, and reds that blow out the red channel. This is the kind of color boosty I see on most sets in stores, and I'll admit that at first it really is eye candy, but try watching a movie or sporting event in a normal sit-down scenario and it'll give you a headache.

I. with the concensus...VGA is the better of the two examples.

When I first bought the 360, I tested it as a DVD player and it looked washed out. The setting for all the components (HD cable, regular dvd player,etc…)when watching a movie didn't look right for the 360 (it looked fine for games). I am afraid that this will be the case with the HD DVD add on piece. Is there anyway to adjust the settings in the 360 itself (Color, contrast, brightness,etc…). I only have one component cable run from my receiver to my SXRD tv and don't want to change the settings on the tv everytime I would watch an HD DVD moview.

It's impossible to judge accurately from the pix.

However, if I had to guess, it would seem that while the component output may be oversaturated, the VGA output may still be washed out.

A proper calibration could correct both however.

To all noobs, if you purchase 3 HD DVDs from Amazon.com, you will receive 10% off each and every future HD DVD purchase for one year.

The 360 using VGA output to my CRT projector looks astounding. The component running through a transcoder was terrible, i refused to use it.

A nearby EB said "today or tomorrow" because they hadn't checked today's shipment yet. He also said that unless I preordered I couldn't get one. I'm in no hurry to buy this thing so that didn't bug me.


Hey, don't get me wrong, i'm just as excited about this new piece of technology, but damn, can I bring myself to pay $20 per movie again?
That's why you only buy either:

a) Movies you don't already have on DVD

and/or

b) Movies that take advantage of the format. Having HD-DVD or Blu-Ray for Batman or The Matrix or Star Wars or whatever special effects-fest/great looking movie you can come up with makes the entire experience better. Having HD-DVD or Blu-Ray for your average run-of-the-mill drama/comedy is only necessary for the truly obsessive.

European HD DVD Fans: SendIt are listing European HD DVDs (http://www.sendit.com/video/promotion/hd_dvd), though they are impossible to find from the home page. Of course thanks to the lack of region coding, US titles will work too. Note that all titles so far are 60Hz so the PAL-4%-speedup problem will not afflict HD titles. It was a smart move to make European HDTVs accept 60Hz video.

Ok, so after connecting my HD-DVD player to my XB360, I signed in to XBL & a message pops up that there is an update over XBLive for my device, so i install the update. The update is the same one contained in the CD that comes with the HD-DVD player, which allows your XB360 to recognize & play the HD-DVD add-on.

I have COD3 game disc inside the XB360 & KING KONG HD-DVD inside the HD-DVD player, @ the dashboard you can scroll down to the system tray on the dash board & if you press up it will select the DVD of the XB360, if you press Down it will select the HD-DVD, this is a kool little feature.

Ok, now onto the movies............. 1st I popped in my copy of KING KONG that came with the HD-DVD add-on. WOW! Talk about clarity & details. I am sure there are better HD-DVD movie transfers out there to really show off HD-DVD power, but this movie looks impressive.
I can see every little detail on the actors clothing & faces.

Next I popped in Aeon Flux, which I bought used off an Ebay seller. Wanted to make sure it was working, so popped that sucker in & WOW! I ran the movie trailer from the EXTRAS section just to see the movie in action & in one scene they show her up against what appears to be a ivory colored wall & man I could see every detail on the wall & the character.

So far I am pretty much floored by how those 2 movies look & can't wait to sit down & watch them in their entirety.

I have more HD-DVD titles ordered through Amazon.com waiting to be unwrapped for viewing & since today is the start of my 1 week Vac from work, I'll be jamming with HD-DVD & XB360 GAMING!

Well worth the $199 purchase. Setup was so easy less than a min for me. PQ is awesome & the thing loads movies very fast.

Everyone who posted pics, THANKS!!!! I am so damn pumped now!

Well EB store called and they only reveived 2 players. I hope they didn't have a lot of pre-orders.

The circuit City in Orange/New Haven has a few in stock. Did this morning anyway (Plus GoW and CoD3) 130 Boston Post Rd.

did the circuit city ones come with the KK and remote

Please bear us in mind over the pond in the UK, we've gotta wait till the 24th to get our hands on this and this is torture!!!!! Seriously though, it's interesting reading and any pics/impressions are much appreciated. I'm still undecided as to whether to pick this up or not but I'm getting more inclined to buy one after reading what I've read today!

Can we see some pics of a movie playing?

I'm starting to fall into the hype of this thing. You bastards!

AHAHAHA, Give in to the HD Side.