[QUOTE=Khurram]Not yet unforutely, just picked it up at lunch and now i'm back at college in an oral surgery lecture while my shiny new player sits under my chair! :D[/QUOTE

yea same here, got to wait till 6pm. i hope the PQ is as good as they say it is, i got a 50"plasma


I hope so too, I have a 50 inch sammy dlp...although i've been watching hd channels on time warner for a year now, so I dont now how blown away i'll be, only because i've become accustomed to the amazing picture.

Video of 360 HD DVD drive in action (http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/top/clips-360s-hddvd-player-in-use-213941.php)

This guy needs a tripod.

You think your in 1080p but its actually 1080i. wat proof do u have that ur in 1080p?
You are ridiculous, do you even own an Xbox 360? Component can do 1080p but the majority of tv's can't except the input. With the Fall Dashboard update, the 360 can output 1080p on games though component. I know this because I have an Xbox 360. It can only display 1080i for HD-DVD for LEGAL reasons, not technical ones. I have my 360 connected through a 1080i tv, and if I set it to 1080p it won't output.

Does anyone know if the U.S XBOX 360 HD-DVD player will work in the U.K?

[QUOTE=manamal]


I hope so too, I have a 50 inch sammy dlp...although i've been watching hd channels on time warner for a year now, so I dont now how blown away i'll be, only because i've become accustomed to the amazing picture.

I know thats true i also had TWC for a year, great picture in HD 1080i. I probably wont be that blown away for that fact adn that my tv is only 1366x768 at 72 hz.

You are ridiculous, do you even own an Xbox 360? Component can do 1080p but the majority of tv's can't except the input. With the Fall Dashboard update, the 360 can output 1080p on games though component. I know this because I have an Xbox 360. It can only display 1080i for HD-DVD for LEGAL reasons, not technical ones. I have my 360 connected through a 1080i tv, and if I set it to 1080p it won't output.

This discussion is rather pointless since no games are actually rendered in 1080p, and in fact many are not even rendered in 720p (many are simply upscaled, for performance reasons). I can guarantee you that even the PS3 games are not going to be rendered at the 1080p resolution. Therefore 1080p has no use for games for the foreseeable future, but only for HD-DVD and Blu-Ray.

In addition, it is a known issue with Microsoft engineers that VGA output on the 360 produces poor picture quality, and they have yet to release a fix for it.

Therefore, 99.99% of people will be perfectly fine with 720p or 1080i output through component, both for HD-DVD and games.

IMHO, there is little reason for anyone to buy a 1080p tv YET...perhaps in 12-18 months when HDTV prices are down, and there are more, cheaper HD-DVD and Blu-Ray players that output 1080p correctly. But not quite yet.

You think your in 1080p but its actually 1080i. wat proof do u have that ur in 1080p?

How about we turn this around: please provide us with the authority for the statements that you are making!

Otherwise, enough already Manamal.

You are ridiculous, do you even own an Xbox 360? Component can do 1080p but the majority of tv's can't except the input. With the Fall Dashboard update, the 360 can output 1080p on games though component. I know this because I have an Xbox 360. It can only display 1080i for HD-DVD for LEGAL reasons, not technical ones. I have my 360 connected through a 1080i tv, and if I set it to 1080p it won't output.


yes i do own a Xbox 360 since April, 2006. and i read somewhere that component is not capable of outputting 1080p for sum reason mainly b/c it not 100% digital. and there arent any games out for xbox 360 that are in 1080p there all 1080i. look at the back cover all the games u have they all say 1080i none say 1080p, thats b/c there no HDMI in the 360 only component. but the ps3 can b/c they got HDMI. Nowwho is the ridiculous one.

For those hunting in western Washington, the Everett Circuit City shows in stock and available for pick-up. Got mine.. screw Amazon!

You think your in 1080p but its actually 1080i. wat proof do u have that ur in 1080p?

Dude, seriously. You couldn't be more wrong. It will output 1080p via component and games are upconverted to run at 1080p as well.


This discussion is rather pointless since no games are actually rendered in 1080p, and in fact many are not even rendered in 720p (many are simply upscaled, for performance reasons). I can guarantee you that even the PS3 games are not going to be rendered at the 1080p resolution. Therefore 1080p has no use for games for the foreseeable future, but only for HD-DVD and Blu-Ray.


They can do it, you could make an arcade title in 1080p that even meets the 50mb size requirements. It doesn't at all take up more processor power. With any game, decisions have to be made. The ones that deal with graphics are 1. Resolution, 2. Frame rate , and 3. Graphical Fidelity. You can reduce any of these to increase another. The guys working on Resistance could have chose to do 1080p, but decided on 720p to get more realistic and lifelike textures out of it.

You think your in 1080p but its actually 1080i. wat proof do u have that ur in 1080p?
If you have a Samsung HLS series push the info button on the remote and it will show you what rez it is displayong. I get 1920X1080@60hz on gam via component. What I need to know is if anyone with a HD DVD add on drive is getting that same output with a HD DVD. I will know tonight when I get home and try it. I was just wondering if anyone else has figured it out yet. Thats all. Everyone has a different answer, Someone with a Sammy HLS 1080P, remote, and a new XBOX add on try it and let us know! If not I will let you know tonight. Just did not want to wait :-(

For those hunting in western Washington, the Everett Circuit City shows in stock and available for pick-up. Got mine.. screw Amazon!


hey be careful with that online ordering and pick up, the store might say that have it but from experience this morning i called 3 CC and 2 of them said they got it showing 20 in one store and 13 in another, but they actually didint have any in there and the girl that works there was tellin me one guys was pissed off and went there for nothing. this is b/c the CC truck didint have any but the computer still showed wat the truck was suppose to deleiver. i know its confusing wat im sayin but just call them and have then physically look if there in stock.

Wow lets clear up the resolution issue once and for all.

VGA= 1080P on HD-DVD, Games, SD-DVD

Component= 1080P Games, 1080I HD-DVD, 480P SD-DVD

These are the facts.

Have you in fact tried it? I was told MS got around the legal and they do output 1080P HD DVD. I will try it tonight if noone else knows.

Jim'

just picked mine up at CC, I ordered it online with in store pick-up and had no problems. i actually think they have one of the better in store pick ups around, unlike BB which we all know sucks. i hope this HDDVD drive works as well as my Toshiba HDA1.

You are ridiculous, do you even own an Xbox 360? Component can do 1080p but the majority of tv's can't except the input. With the Fall Dashboard update, the 360 can output 1080p on games though component. I know this because I have an Xbox 360. It can only display 1080i for HD-DVD for LEGAL reasons, not technical ones. I have my 360 connected through a 1080i tv, and if I set it to 1080p it won't output.

Of course it won't output in 1080P to a 1080i TV. Has anyone with a Sammy HLS Series hooked up and tried pumping it 1080P and hit the info button to see if it says 1920X1080@650hz (no i after 1080)? That will tell me yes or no.

yes i do own a Xbox 360 since April, 2006. and i read somewhere that component is not capable of outputting 1080p for sum reason mainly b/c it not 100% digital. and there arent any games out for xbox 360 that are in 1080p there all 1080i. look at the back cover all the games u have they all say 1080i none say 1080p, thats b/c there no HDMI in the 360 only component. but the ps3 can b/c they got HDMI. Nowwho is the ridiculous one.

Still you. 1080p on the 360 is brand new. It was just enabled last week with the Fall Dashboard update. That's why all game boxes only sport 1080i.
Just plug in your component cables and go to the display settings, there you'll see 1080p available (if your 360 has been online sometime during the last week).
And YES, not all HDTVs accept 1080p through component, even though they might through VGA or HDMI. But that's the TV being crap and not the 360.

Just picked up a HD-DVD drive from the local Circuit City in Roseville MN. Sorry guys but if you're in that area, they are gone for today!

I've got to say it is amazing to say the least. 200 dollars for a movie, remote and a HD-DVD player. Kong looks pretty good, but I've got to admit I am very bored during this movie. The only thing interesting to me is how swell it looks. Everything seems to load up within seconds and I didn't notice it taking 10 - 20 seconds (which I believe somebody earlier in this thread said for the player). Everything so far is within 2-3 seconds of any function I push on the player.

I push pause through out the movie and it looks amazing even in action shots. Of course in any action shot it will be somewhat blurry but it's so detailed of course compared to any upconverting DVD player. I am running through a VGA connection and have the Sammy 56" dlp 1080p television. (which accepts 1920x1080 signals through it's VGA port)

I need some movies that don't bore me to tears. (The ending of Kong is good, because it's over with and yes it is a little sad the relationship the monkey and her have is ending. However the length it takes to get there with characters I just don't care about was a little grating)

This discussion is rather pointless since no games are actually rendered in 1080p, and in fact many are not even rendered in 720p (many are simply upscaled, for performance reasons). I can guarantee you that even the PS3 games are not going to be rendered at the 1080p resolution. Therefore 1080p has no use for games for the foreseeable future, but only for HD-DVD and Blu-Ray.

In addition, it is a known issue with Microsoft engineers that VGA output on the 360 produces poor picture quality, and they have yet to release a fix for it.

Therefore, 99.99% of people will be perfectly fine with 720p or 1080i output through component, both for HD-DVD and games.

IMHO, there is little reason for anyone to buy a 1080p tv YET...perhaps in 12-18 months when HDTV prices are down, and there are more, cheaper HD-DVD and Blu-Ray players that output 1080p correctly. But not quite yet.

you are so right, thanks u for confirming wat i been sayin, also to add there, people wont even see a big diffencer in 1080i and 1080p unless, ur tv is 60" or more or ur sittin 10' or more away

just picked mine up at CC, I ordered it online with in store pick-up and had no problems. i actually think they have one of the better in store pick ups around, unlike BB which we all know sucks. i hope this HDDVD drive works as well as my Toshiba HDA1.


how come you bought the 360 hd dvd if u alredy got the HDA1??

Just picked up a HD-DVD drive from the local Circuit City in Roseville MN. Sorry guys but if you're in that area, they are gone for today!

I've got to say it is amazing to say the least. 200 dollars for a movie, remote and a HD-DVD player. Kong looks pretty good, but I've got to admit I am very bored during this movie. The only thing interesting to me is how swell it looks. Everything seems to load up within seconds and I didn't notice it taking 10 - 20 seconds (which I believe somebody earlier in this thread said for the player). Everything so far is within 2-3 seconds of any function I push on the player.

I push pause through out the movie and it looks amazing even in action shots. Of course in any action shot it will be somewhat blurry but it's so detailed of course compared to any upconverting DVD player. I am running through a VGA connection and have the Sammy 56" dlp 1080p television. (which accepts 1920x1080 signals through it's VGA port)

I need some movies that don't bore me to tears. (The ending of Kong is good, because it's over with and yes it is a little sad the relationship the monkey and her have is ending. However the length it takes to get there with characters I just don't care about was a little grating)
If you hook up via Component Cable, plug in HD DVD, and push info on your Sammy 1080P remote, what does it say the resolution is in the pop open box? Is there an i or no i?

yes i do own a Xbox 360 since April, 2006. and i read somewhere that component is not capable of outputting 1080p for sum reason mainly b/c it not 100% digital. and there arent any games out for xbox 360 that are in 1080p there all 1080i. look at the back cover all the games u have they all say 1080i none say 1080p, thats b/c there no HDMI in the 360 only component. but the ps3 can b/c they got HDMI. Nowwho is the ridiculous one.

Or maybe it's because the 1080p dash update is VERY recent and no games releasing lately could have planned for such an upgrade. but as it's been said in here, the space required to hold the data from rendering a game in full 1920x1080 would be monumental and I'm not sure a dual-layer dvd could hold that much.

THIS is ultimately where having a built-in large-capacity drive will make the PS3 more flexible with its development. Xbox is stuck with the 8.5GB DL DVD where as Sony will have access to the much larger 50GB DL Blu-Ray disc. As much as I hate to say it since I despise Sony so....but that's part of intelligent conversation I guess, playing devil's advocate.

anyway, I digress.

waiting with baited breath. 1080P HD DVD or no 1080P.......

how come you bought the 360 hd dvd if u alredy got the HDA1??

I moved my HDA1 to my room.

yes i do own a Xbox 360 since April, 2006. and i read somewhere that component is not capable of outputting 1080p for sum reason mainly b/c it not 100% digital. and there arent any games out for xbox 360 that are in 1080p there all 1080i. look at the back cover all the games u have they all say 1080i none say 1080p, thats b/c there no HDMI in the 360 only component. but the ps3 can b/c they got HDMI. Nowwho is the ridiculous one.

Your logic in your first sentence (I assume that the period following "2006" was not meant to end the sentence) is flawed: "cannot be done as not digital" AND "there are no games in 1080p". Do you not see that the latter statement shares no logical connection with the first statement?

Is it your position that, in the event that a 1080p game is produced for the X360, it will not be able to be displayed in 1080p over component to a display capable of receiving same? Really? Despite MS's express representations to the contrary?

BTW, "I read somewhere" is not sufficient authority for any proposition (without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this is especially the case when in the company of the statement "for sum reason").

please try it, component, hit info, tell me what it says while playing a HD DVD

Still you. 1080p on the 360 is brand new. It was just enabled last week with the Fall Dashboard update. That's why all game boxes only sport 1080i.
Just plug in your component cables and go to the display settings, there you'll see 1080p available (if your 360 has been online sometime during the last week).
And YES, not all HDTVs accept 1080p through component, even though they might through VGA or HDMI. But that's the TV being crap and not the 360.

oh i didnt know that that was the update thats was installed when i got that install mesdsage on the screen, i just lcick ok b/c i was preoccupied. ima take a look at that when i get home. so do you guys think there is a big difference in resolution on a 50" tv from 1080i and 1080p, i heard not much, due to the tv size???

I guess I'll add my experience with the drive to the pile...
I picked mine up during lunch (which I'm still on, but shouldn't be (slow day)).
I'm impressed. Very impressed. I skimmed through the movie (saving it so me and the GF can watch tonight). I know that something will come along that will have a sharper picture, but at this point its hard to believe that it gets better then this.

I originally had an issue with skipping and lip sync. But it was my fault. I want to put the DVD player on the TV stand while the 360 is in the component rack. So I used a longer Mini USB cable. After switching to the cable that came with the drive there are no problems at all. Though regular DVDs work fine with the longer cable. I guess the quality of the cable is just not good enough for the amount of info being pumped out of the HD-DVD titles.

Just out of curiosity I put Kill Bill 2 back in the DVD drive and set it to DTS. The DVD drive will pass through the DTS stream from *regular DVDs* just fine. My receiver shows a regular DD stream coming from the King Kong movie. Regular DVDs are also showing as 1080P through the VGA port. I've not hooked up the component cables and I would have to find them somewhere in the house or garage.

The loading speed seems fine from a cold start. A bit longer then a regular DVD but nothing that would have you tapping your foot while you wait. Warm starts (going from the movie, back to the title menu, and back to the movie) are instant. Menu navigation is instant.

I honestly could not be more pleased with drive. The only thing I need to figure out is how to setup an eject button for just the DVD drive. When I press eject the 360's drive will eject but not the HD player.

Oh, and I should add. There is a definate difference in picture quality between the HD movies and the regular DVDs. I was reading someones post on the forums yesterday about how fuzzy regular DVDs were. After the 1080 upgrade I thought the guy was exaggerating (to put it nicely) but when I popped in Kill Bill 2 the difference in even the main menu was almost like night and day. Now I'm going to be watching my old DVDs and thinking to myself how crappy they look.

Also my television is the HL-S6187W. And I think I mentioned that I'm using the VGA cables.

Wow lets clear up the resolution issue once and for all.

VGA= 1080P on HD-DVD, Games, SD-DVD

Component= 1080P Games, 1080I HD-DVD, 480P SD-DVD

These are the facts.
I am not so sure....... Let you know tonight :-)

Or maybe it's because the 1080p dash update is VERY recent and no games releasing lately could have planned for such an upgrade. but as it's been said in here, the space required to hold the data from rendering a game in full 1920x1080 would be monumental and I'm not sure a dual-layer dvd could hold that much.

THIS is ultimately where having a built-in large-capacity drive will make the PS3 more flexible with its development. Xbox is stuck with the 8.5GB DL DVD where as Sony will have access to the much larger 50GB DL Blu-Ray disc. As much as I hate to say it since I despise Sony so....but that's part of intelligent conversation I guess, playing devil's advocate.

Sorry to go off topic but the above is all wrong. Media storage capacity has no effect of a games ability to run at 1080p (1920x1080).

Or maybe it's because the 1080p dash update is VERY recent and no games releasing lately could have planned for such an upgrade. but as it's been said in here, the space required to hold the data from rendering a game in full 1920x1080 would be monumental and I'm not sure a dual-layer dvd could hold that much.

THIS is ultimately where having a built-in large-capacity drive will make the PS3 more flexible with its development. Xbox is stuck with the 8.5GB DL DVD where as Sony will have access to the much larger 50GB DL Blu-Ray disc. As much as I hate to say it since I despise Sony so....but that's part of intelligent conversation I guess, playing devil's advocate.

anyway, I digress.

Umm, resolution has nothing really to do with disc space. RAM and GPU performance are much more important to actually pull it off. If your GPU isn't strong enough to render at 1080p at decent framerates you shouldn't.
The only thing you need more disc space for is so can create higher resolution textures or more varied textures, but without enough RAM you can't really use those anyway.

Sorry to go off topic but the above is all wrong. Media storage capacity has no effect of a games ability to run at 1080p (1920x1080).

Agreed. I'm not sure how people got stuck on the idea that if you don't put the game on a HD-DVD or Blue Ray disk then the game wouldn't be in HD (or limited to 720 or 1080i). There are PC games that can run at 1080P and they come on regular CDs or DVD.

The only time the space makes a difference is when you want to pack in a ton of movies or cut scenes and they are in 1080P.

oh i didnt know that that was the update thats was installed when i got that install mesdsage on the screen, i just lcick ok b/c i was preoccupied. ima take a look at that when i get home. so do you guys think there is a big difference in resolution on a 50" tv from 1080i and 1080p, i heard not much, due to the tv size???
You didn't notice the Marketplace and Arcade looking completely different?!

Your logic in your first sentence (I assume that the period following "2006" was not meant to end the sentence) is flawed: "cannot be done as not digital" AND "there are no games in 1080p". Do you not see that the latter statement shares no logical connection with the first statement?

Is it your position that, in the event that a 1080p game is produced for the X360, it will not be able to be displayed in 1080p over component to a display capable of receiving same? Really? Despite MS's express representations to the contrary?

BTW, "I read somewhere" is not sufficient authority for any proposition (without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this is especially the case when in the company of the statement "for sum reason").


All i know is that when i used component with my cable box from TWC and watched the INHD channel and then switched to HDMI on the same INHD channel, the picture was like 25% clearer and sharper with the HDMI b/c its a digital signal. You cannot get 1080p from component. Do the test urself and you will see. Further, thank you for the grammar lesson.

FYI, for anyone checking Circuit City's website for when these hd drives are available in your local store, I highly recommend just going directly to the store.

I'm in CT and went to my local CC and they listed nothing online for the past two days, but they had about 8-10 in stock! You never know, it seems they're slow to update online sometimes.. if you're close to one and want one, def check either way.

I'm psyched!

Joe

FYI, for anyone checking Circuit City's website for when these hd drives are available in your local store, I highly recommend just going directly to the store.

I'm in CT and went to my local CC and they listed nothing online for the past two days, but they had about 8-10 in stock! You never know, it seems they're slow to update online sometimes.. if you're close to one and want one, def check either way.

I'm psyched!

Joe

Buckland Hills CC Joe? If its there then I'm going right now!

I believe its FALSE to say disc space has NOTHING to do with a game running in 1080p.. A game could be upsampled but to use textures that would take advantage of 1080p it would impose more space hogging on a disc.. So it does have relation to it, but yes it is correct, you could therotically run a game with hi-res textures off a CD even.. there is no disc required, just taking a game like GTA which already fills up a dvd, and then trying to put texture samples on that disc that are possible 2x, 4x or even 5x the resolution, would definately have something to do with disc space... so i wouldn't say it has NOTHING to do with games having 1080p support, just has alot less than processor or graphics chip speed..

All i know is that when i used component with my cable box from TWC and watched the INHD channel and then switched to HDMI on the same INHD channel, the picture was like 25% clearer and sharper with the HDMI b/c its a digital signal. You cannot get 1080p from component. Do the test urself and you will see. Further, thank you for the grammar lesson.


Dude, you are WRONG. You can get 1080p via component. Like I said to you twice earlier. When Im in the dashboard on my xbox it outputs in 1080p. What dont you get about that?

All i know is that when i used component with my cable box from TWC and watched the INHD channel and then switched to HDMI on the same INHD channel, the picture was like 25% clearer and sharper with the HDMI b/c its a digital signal. You cannot get 1080p from component. Do the test urself and you will see. Further, thank you for the grammar lesson.
maybe you can't get 1080p via component by my Samsung HLS5087w will. Right in the owners manual. 1080P via component, HDMI, and VGA. And it shows it in the info display!

maybe you can't get 1080p via component by my Samsung HLS5087w will. Right in the owners manual. 1080P via component, HDMI, and VGA. And it shows it in the info display!
My Sharp allows it when in the dashboard and playing a game but when I try and watch a movie via the add-on it switches to 1080i. The picture still looks amazing though.

I take it NO Best Buy's have them yet? I know a CC that is sorta close to me (15 miles) has one, but the two 5 miles away do not. I may just go and check....we'll see.

Man, I leave the forum for a few hours and the 1080p/HDMI FUD brigade comes marching in..... Can we get this back on topic please? The output options and resolutions available have been posted by the one person on this forum who should know, amirm so please stop imagining things that are not only not supported but restricted by licensing regulations.

To business..

Got my addon after going to my EB with the intention of cancelling and going to CC which had it in stock online. First movie in was Batman Begins and PQ was noticably better than the SD DVD copy. Also tried MI:III and that was just as good. I also found the audio to be just as compelling, giving a much better soundstage than with normal DD, especially with the TrueHD soundtrack of BB. Bass in particular is very well defined and deeper.

Overall nothing to compliain about, discs load within seconds and there is NO extra noise from the 360/addon combo when playing a movie, just the power supply and definitely nothing like when playing a game. Navigation is smooth and the IME is very cool but ultimately the movie is the star.

Only downside - I cant really crank the sound up with my new surround speakers cos of my neighbours but still sounds great at less than ear-busting levels. :)

To all those who have one, enjoy (at whatever resolution you are running at) and buy more movies!!

Edit: forgot to add, no problems with connecting the wifi adapter, goes in the slot and connects just as before.

Let's reiterate

VGA= 1080P on HD-DVD, Games, SD-DVD

Component= 1080P Games, 1080I HD-DVD, 480P SD-DVD

These are the facts.

This is what the 360 will do there is no need to keep arguing or bringing it up, VGA gets around AACS and CSS as it's a computer interface and is not subject to resoutlion reduction.

Let's reiterate

VGA= 1080P on HD-DVD, Games, SD-DVD

Component= 1080P Games, 1080I HD-DVD, 480P SD-DVD

These are the facts.

This is what the 360 will do there is no need to keep arguing or bringing it up, VGA gets around AACS and CSS as it's a computer interface and is not subject to resoutlion reduction.
Have you physically verified it. Does your display do 1080P component and indicate resolution. Have you in fact tried it. Until I hear that I am skeptical :-(

or hopeful :-)

Does anyone know if the U.S XBOX 360 HD-DVD player will work in the U.K?
Yes, it will.

You didn't notice the Marketplace and Arcade looking completely different?!


well i just bought a 50" pioneer plasma and have been worried about burnin so i ve been goin thru break-in proceedure lately. I have not played COD2 online in a few days, i have not downloaded any games in a few days and I have not been to the arcade in like 2 weeks. Further, i just bought GOW and been playin that since wednesday along with NBA 2K7. So when i go home tonight to play my new HD DVD player I picked up on my lunch break I will check all that new stuff out.

Has anyone managed to find the HD DVD unit in Vancouver, BC? None of the big box stores seem to have it in stock yet...

i have to leave work. Only way I am going to know for sure is to go try it myself :-)

Later dudes

Has anyone done a comparison between the XBOX 360 add on and the Toshiba HDDVD player yet? I'll be doing my comparison tonight

Has anyone managed to find the HD DVD unit in Vancouver, BC? None of the big box stores seem to have it in stock yet...
I posted about it here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8863234&&#post8863234), but the story is that some Best Buys, Future Shops, and EB Games stores may possibly have some by tonite.

Let's reiterate

VGA= 1080P on HD-DVD, Games, SD-DVD

Component= 1080P Games, 1080I HD-DVD, 480P SD-DVD

These are the facts.

This is what the 360 will do there is no need to keep arguing or bringing it up, VGA gets around AACS and CSS as it's a computer interface and is not subject to resoutlion reduction.


ok and wat about the most important one, HDMI??

"ok and wat about the most important one, HDMI??"

No HDMI for the 360, Since VGA does full 1080P on all formats HDMI need is reduced.

I would like to know if the 360 HD DVD player resolution output is 1080i or 1080P, i heard mixed reviews, any help here???

"Does your display do 1080P component and indicate resolution"

Yes I have both the VGA and Component cables, I have a Westinghouse 42 inch 1080P LCD that accepts 1080P on both VGA and component. 1080P on the 360 using component works in the dashboard and while playing games, it does not work in SD-DVD's it goes down to 480P.

This is why I use VGA. 1080P across all media formats.

I would like to know if the 360 HD DVD player resolution output is 1080i or 1080P, i heard mixed reviews, any help here???
1080i/720p on component
1080p/720p on VGA
I promise this is correct.

"I would like to know if the 360 HD DVD player resolution output is 1080i or 1080P"

Using VGA it is 1080P

Using component it is 1080I

It's the first 1080P HD-DVD player.

Thing is if your TV is native 1080P and the movie is 30FPS or lower there will be no difference between 1080I and 1080P for movie content. Your TV will display 1080P regardless if it's fed a 1080I signal or 1080P signal at 24FPS.

My TV does not have a VGA input. Has anyone tried a VGA to HDMI adapter?

"I would like to know if the 360 HD DVD player resolution output is 1080i or 1080P"

Using VGA it is 1080P

Using component it is 1080I

It'sd the first 1080P HD-DVD player.

Thing is if your TV is native 1080P and the movie is 30FPS or lower there will be no difference between 1080I and 1080P for movie content. Your TV will display 1080P regardless if it's fed a 1080I signal or 1080P signal at 24FPS.

well thats the only answer that matters. Thanks

Dude, you are WRONG. You can get 1080p via component. Like I said to you twice earlier. When Im in the dashboard on my xbox it outputs in 1080p. What dont you get about that?


what kind of tv do you have?

1080i/720p on component
1080p/720p on VGA
I promise this is correct.


ok and what about HDMI?

Thought I'd give this question another try. I never received an answer. From page 56:

So what's the word on upconverting SD DVD over component??

I've been hearing yes and no.

And to anyone that can try, can you try a home video (or some other DVD-R) to see if it happens to upconvert over component?

ok damn, ima just answer my own question, no HDMI on xbox 360 hd dvd. wow I thought those 2 ports on the back were HDMI. that sucks but there only USB. oh well.

Thought I'd give this question another try. I never received an answer. From page 56:

So what's the word on upconverting SD DVD over component??

I've been hearing yes and no.

And to anyone that can try, can you try a home video (or some other DVD-R) to see if it happens to upconvert over component?

I don't have one, but i've been reading this thread and it seems quite clear to me that the answer is "no". It will only do 480P through component. If you want it to upconvert, you must use the VGA cable.

I'm confused. Everything I've seen indicates that the HDDVD can output 1080p over component. And, no, I won't read every post in this thread.

Where are we seeing it is 1080i?

If I import one of these bad boys to the UK, does anybody know what kind of plug/adaptor I'd need to get it working? It seems to be multi-voltage, so it's just the plug, right?

All i know is that when i used component with my cable box from TWC and watched the INHD channel and then switched to HDMI on the same INHD channel, the picture was like 25% clearer and sharper with the HDMI b/c its a digital signal. You cannot get 1080p from component. Do the test urself and you will see. Further, thank you for the grammar lesson.

Lets just say you are misinformed. Just because a cable is analog doesn't mean it isn't capable of resolutions over 1080i. Look at the cable that is connected to your pc's crt monitor. It is vga, which is analog and can output far beyond 1080i. Component can also output 1080p. There is no technical reason from a design or physical limitation that would not allow it to do so. The only limitation is your display's ability to receive a 1080p signal over component, or yor video source's capability to output a 1080p signal over component (due to legal restrictions).

Here's a lesson in logic for you. If the 360 only has two possible ways to output video...ie component and vga, and they are both analog, why would there possibly be a setting in your 360's video set up for 1080p? Logic would dictate that one or both analog connections was able to output it.

Beyond that, do a search on the 360's specs and I am sure you will find...in this very thread...a full list of capabilities that were included in the fall update. Guess what is on the list?

Component: 1080p for games
VGA: 1080p for HD DVD, Games and Upscaled DVD

Please, I beg you, research before you post. This is a science forum after all, not an "I heard somewhere" forum.

I don't have one, but i've been reading this thread and it seems quite clear to me that the answer is "no". It will only do 480P through component. If you want it to upconvert, you must use the VGA cable.


Even for burned dvds with no copy protection? (that's what I'm more concerned about, because it'd be nice to have my home movies upconverted)

The only reason I aksed again was because, basically, the answer wasn't clear to me. I have seen several instances of people claiming that it was upconverting over component in this thread.

Thought I'd give this question another try. I never received an answer. From page 56:

So what's the word on upconverting SD DVD over component??

I've been hearing yes and no.

And to anyone that can try, can you try a home video (or some other DVD-R) to see if it happens to upconvert over component?

Not happening homie...they were mistaken! I wish it were so.

Thanks Bugs, I'll be sure to check later or tomorrow morning. I live about a block from a Futureshop (which is TERRIBLE on my poor wallet...), so it's not a long haul for me to pick one up.

For those with the Drive already, will the drive allow the pass through of a standard DTS track (ie not DTS HD but if there is a 1.5mbps DTS or DTS-ES track like there are on DVD movies) or will that also be converted to DD?

what kind of tv do you have?


A sharp 52D62U, for someone who hasnt even used on of these add-ons you are spewing a whole bunch of wrong info. Maybe you should just sit back a little and learn rather then try and teach wrong information.

I take it NO Best Buy's have them yet? I know a CC that is sorta close to me (15 miles) has one, but the two 5 miles away do not. I may just go and check....we'll see.

Def check, they still show "out of stock" online for the store that I went to that had about 10 there.

good luck!

Joe

Just buy a seperate "figure-8" lead for it and plug that into the powerbrick.

I went to xbox360.com looking for a manual of the 360 HD-DVD player to download, but didn't find one. Also there are no specs available. Can anyone post some links to the manual and/or official specs?

Thanks Benno - I'll order one today.

3 CCs in my area have it. Gonna pick it up in less than an hour.

woot, ebgames just called, my pre-order is finally in. I'll be hooking it up to my 42" 1080i CRT projection first thing after work.

ok and what about HDMI?

Again, there is no HDMI out of the current 360.

Lets just say you are misinformed. Just because a cable is analog doesn't mean it isn't capable of resolutions over 1080i. Look at the cable that is connected to your pc's crt monitor. It is vga, which is analog and can output far beyond 1080i. Component can also output 1080p. There is no technical reason from a design or physical limitation that would not allow it to do so. The only limitation is your display's ability to receive a 1080p signal over component, or yor video source's capability to output a 1080p signal over component (due to legal restrictions).

Here's a lesson in logic for you. If the 360 only has two possible ways to output video...ie component and vga, and they are both analog, why would there possibly be a setting in your 360's video set up for 1080p? Logic would dictate that one or both analog connections was able to output it.

Beyond that, do a search on the 360's specs and I am sure you will find...in this very thread...a full list of capabilities that were included in the fall update. Guess what is on the list?

Component: 1080p for games
VGA: 1080p for HD DVD, Games and Upscaled DVD

Please, I beg you, research before you post. This is a science forum after all, not an "I heard somewhere" forum.


ok watever you say, all i know is that COMPONENT cant not outout 1080p, u do the reseach. i did already, read current issue of Home theatre magazine. MS are asses and stupid that they didnt even implement HDMI on their console.

I just came from a store called Entertainment Outlet on 40th & 5th (facing the south side of the public library) that had one sitting right on the shelf w/ the rest of the 360 gear.

Good hunting!

Just got one from EB, I'm think about posting some pics, if you want anything specific do tell. ( Its runnings on a 32 inch LCD -- 720p)

you guys are really looking way to far into it and causing more issues than its worth.

component cable is analog and hdmi and dvi are digital.

this does NOT mean that you get a better picture automatically on hdmi and especially vga in this case.

microsoft has stated that there will be no hdmi adapter because "IT is NOT needed"

It servers no improvement in picture quality.

In the case of these connections, The source material and electronics sending and recieving the signal is way MORE important than the type of connector.

Do yourself a favor and connect with component and if your not blown away by the picture quality over dvd than you most likely need a better set with a native resolution of 1920x1080 because mine is freakin impeccable using component.

ok watever you say, all i know is that COMPONENT cant not outout 1080p, u do the reseach. If that's all you know, then in reality, everything you know is wrong.

whatever the case is i got my 360 HD DVD player on my desk next to me at work and ima go home and watch King Kong.

Can eveyone tell me how the PQ is on their tv with the addon and what kind of tv they are using.

Mine is Pioneer 5070HD plasma

Seeing all the questions come again, and again, and again, and again...
I started a FAQ (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=748740) thread.

As many of the more educated members here and knowledge people in other places have noted...the difference between 1080p and 720p on a 50" screen at typical viewing distances (8-14') is basically non-existent. Enough with the 1080p religion already...at MY viewing distance I'm wasting my money paying for 1080p unless I went with a 65"+ screen.

I'm still waiting for someone to show me where the 360 HDDVD isn't 1080p through component (??????).

"all i know is that COMPONENT cant not outout 1080p"


Your wrong and need to educate yourself, the 360 will do 1080P over component for games and the Dashboard, component is very capable of doing 1080P, it's not magic or anything it's just a resolution.

AACS and CCS restrict the output of analog TV connections to protect against piracy, this is why you won't find any legit DVD players that upscale over component.

Knowing this MS decided to find a loop hole and enable all it could for the VGA cable which is a computer interface and is exempt to AACS regulations.


There are milllions and millions of TV's and COMPUTER MONITERS that can display 1080P over VGA while only a fraction of that does 1080P over HDMI.

[QUOTE=dub273]If that's all you know, then in reality, everything you know is wrong.[/QUOTE

well then im wrong, but im not wrong about goin home with my HD DVD and watchin some HD movies for only a mere $200 when others paid 500-1000 for it , lol

ok watever you say, all i know is that COMPONENT cant not outout 1080p, u do the reseach. i did already, read current issue of Home theatre magazine. MS are asses and stupid that they didnt even implement HDMI on their console.

Nice spin on the truth there buddy. Here is a quote from the Home Theater Magazine article you are talking about.

"Essentially no current TV will accept 1080p/60 over component inputs. So this little upgrade is essentially useless."

Notice how is says essentially no TV. What he is saying, and if you are able to read, is that the majority of TV's do not support 1080P over component. It is PERFECTLY capable of doing this. But again, I am sure you prefer to use baseless facts as argument, so keep at it.

Umm, resolution has nothing really to do with disc space. RAM and GPU performance are much more important to actually pull it off. If your GPU isn't strong enough to render at 1080p at decent framerates you shouldn't.
The only thing you need more disc space for is so can create higher resolution textures or more varied textures, but without enough RAM you can't really use those anyway.

Now that you put it like that, you're right. I haven't dealt much with GPUs in my courses so I don't know too much about how they work. The hi-res textures would take up a bit more space, however. and with such large capacity discs they could add a lot more to it that they normally wouldn't be able to.

Matt

As many of the more educated members here and knowledge people in other places have noted...the difference between 1080p and 720p on a 50" screen at typical viewing distances (8-14') is basically non-existent. Enough with the 1080p religion already...at MY viewing distance I'm wasting my money paying for 1080p unless I went with a 65"+ screen.

I'm still waiting for someone to show me where the 360 HDDVD isn't 1080p through component (??????).


this is completely false if you have a monitor that can presenmt to you 1920x1080 resolution.

On all 50 plasma screens that is a true statemnt as they only have a resolution of 1366x768. those displays are not showing you the difference between 1280p and 1080i nearly as much.

But as a 50 sxrd owner that can display the full 1920x1080 resolution dont be fooled becasue it is VERY noticeable.

Now the difference between p and i is really almost non existant for sure. the pixels are there. the resolution is the important part. and it wakes a HUGE difference.

microsoft has stated that there will be no hdmi adapter because "IT is NOT needed"

I believe they said "It is not needed at this time."

Hooking the HD-DVD to my MCE computer with NERO 7 w/ INCD, the drive does show up with KING_KONG as the description, but I can not see the contents of the folder. When I try to play with WinDVD8, INCD gives me a pop up error:

The state of the 'Read' UDF attribute on the folder does not permit the current operation on drive I.

Any thoughts??

I take it NO Best Buy's have them yet? I know a CC that is sorta close to me (15 miles) has one, but the two 5 miles away do not. I may just go and check....we'll see.

I called my Best Buy today and their stock system shows the addon releasing on November 22....I guess they were misinformed, lol.

Matt

did any suffer any "slowdown or stuttering" on their dvd drives, like the lip sync to the actual audio??????

mine had some minor slowdown thru out the entire movie. Anyone else experience this or is there anything i can do? i have mine running thru vga at 1080p btw. THANKS IN ADVANCE PLS! PLS CHIME IN!

Knowing this MS decided to find a loop hole and enable all it could for the VGA cable which is a computer interface and is exempt to AACS regulations.

So does this mean that when/if studios enable HDCP (I believe that's the correct acronym) that Xbox 360 HD-DVD adopters won't be affected?

Matt

Is anyone noticing that VGA provides a better/sharper pictuer than component? I just bought a 360 and wasn't going to spring for the VGA cable, but if it gives a better picture then I might.

did any suffer any "slowdown or stuttering" on their dvd drives, like the lip sync to the actual audio??????

mine had some minor slowdown thru out the entire movie. Anyone else experience this or is there anything i can do? i have mine running thru vga at 1080p btw. THANKS IN ADVANCE PLS! PLS CHIME IN!

that's not what I want to hear :confused: . What audio input are you using?

As many of the more educated members here and knowledge people in other places have noted...the difference between 1080p and 720p on a 50" screen at typical viewing distances (8-14') is basically non-existent. Enough with the 1080p religion already...at MY viewing distance I'm wasting my money paying for 1080p unless I went with a 65"+ screen.

I'm still waiting for someone to show me where the 360 HDDVD isn't 1080p through component (??????).


Do you people not read the post? Its 1080p for games via component but it wont output on p when playing a DVD. This was tested by many users on this fourm and is fact no matter what you think. What more prove do you want?

Sigh. Defend your purchase if you must but don't misinform others.

Nothing different than what some of us have been saying for years but if you need it "in writing"...

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6661274-1.html

I really like the 50" SXRDs...one of my friends has one. By far the most striking differences between his set and mine in picture quality are caused by the matte v. reflective screens. Also, his looks better if you stand 3' away (we also both agree on this). But when we sit down 8-10' away...that advantage is gone (again, he'll admit the same).

Sorry to others to derail this thread a bit but IMO its flat out incorrect to say that 720p screens won't benefit HUGELY from an HD source...

So does this mean that when/if studios enable HDCP (I believe that's the correct acronym) that Xbox 360 HD-DVD adopters won't be affected?

Matt

HDCP protects digital output. It has nothing to do with analog output.
Once the ICT(image contraint token) is on, all analog output will be downrez including VGA per AACS rule. Will ICT ever be on? I don't think so, at least not in the life cycle of this console.

Hooking the HD-DVD to my MCE computer with NERO 7 w/ INCD, the drive does show up with KING_KONG as the description, but I can not see the contents of the folder. When I try to play with WinDVD8, INCD gives me a pop up error:

The state of the 'Read' UDF attribute on the folder does not permit the current operation on drive I.

Any thoughts??


Just tried with my laptop, and get the same message. Using Nero 7 trial downlaoded from thier website. I'm not familliar at all with InCD, so I don't know if there is a setting or something that I'm missing.

Hooking the HD-DVD to my MCE computer with NERO 7 w/ INCD, the drive does show up with KING_KONG as the description, but I can not see the contents of the folder. When I try to play with WinDVD8, INCD gives me a pop up error:

The state of the 'Read' UDF attribute on the folder does not permit the current operation on drive I.

Any thoughts??
Same here.

I also used IsoBuster to navigate the the disc but still can't find software to play the .evo files :(

I'm looking very hard for HD editions of WinDVD and PowerDVD.

Do you people not read the post? Its 1080p for games via component but it wont output on p when playing a DVD. This was tested by many users on this fourm and is fact no matter what you think. What more prove do you want?

FWIW I haven't seen anyone say their 1080p sets are indicating a 1080i signal over component. Of course, I could easily have missed it but if you could point it out that would be great. I'm not saying you are wrong...just looking for confirmation (and I don't see anything about it in the lastest 360 update notice).

It'll certainly do 480p over dvd and it'll certainly do 720p at hd dvd....why would it not do 1080p for an HDDVD when it is capable of it? I realize it won't upscale a regular dvd (beyond 480p).

Again, NOT trying to be a PITA...just looking for information beyond recent posts that aren't really 'sources'.

Same here.

I also used IsoBuster to navigate the the disc but still can't find software to play the .evo files :(

I'm looking very hard for HD editions of WinDVD and PowerDVD.


The key here is to have a software with AACS decoding key. The problem is no software released today contained that key except for the Windvd8EX Japan version and the Powerdvd on the HD DVD laptop.

You can't play anything AACS protected until you got the decoding key.

FWIW I haven't seen anyone say their 1080p sets are indicating a 1080i signal over component. Of course, I could easily have missed it but if you could point it out that would be great. I'm not saying you are wrong...just looking for confirmation (and I don't see anything about it in the lastest 360 update notice).

It'll certainly do 480p over dvd and it'll certainly do 720p at hd dvd....why would it not do 1080p for an HDDVD when it is capable of it? I realize it won't upscale a regular dvd (beyond 480p).

Again, NOT trying to be a PITA...just looking for information beyond recent posts that aren't really 'sources'.


Well, all I can offer you is my eye as a source and when my add-on plays an HD-DVD it switches back to 1080i, when I play a game it goes back to 1080p. This is using a Sharp LC-52D62U

For those with the add on. Can you get it to bookmark the HD-DVD after hitting the stop button? Mine will not, is there something I am missing?

JRad

this is completely false if you have a monitor that can presenmt to you 1920x1080 resolution.

On all 50 plasma screens that is a true statemnt as they only have a resolution of 1366x768. those displays are not showing you the difference between 1280p and 1080i nearly as much.

But as a 50 sxrd owner that can display the full 1920x1080 resolution dont be fooled becasue it is VERY noticeable.

Now the difference between p and i is really almost non existant for sure. the pixels are there. the resolution is the important part. and it wakes a HUGE difference.

From a recent CNET article:

"Despite the obvious difference in pixel count, 720p and 1080i both look great. In fact, unless you have a very large television and excellent source material, you'll have a hard time telling the difference between any of the HDTV resolutions."

And...

"For example, despite the fact that a 37-inch LCD with "only" 1,366x768 pixels has to throw away a good deal of information to display a 1080i football game on CBS, you'd be hard-pressed to see more detail on a similar 37-inch LCD with 1,920x1,080 resolution."

And...

"Today, however, the premium for 1080p is still pretty steep, and unless you're getting a very large set, say 50 inches or more, we don't recommend basing a buying decision on whether or not the television has 1080p native resolution."

http://www.cnet.com/4520-7874_1-5137915-1.html

I wouldn't go around telling people that because they "only" have Pioneer Elite plasmas that "only" have a res of 768p, they won't see the full benefit of HD DVD.

There are plenty of 720p/768p displays that look fantastic. Most people can't ell the difference. Do you think there is a reason they would be lying...are they anti 1080p for some reason?

Sigh. Defend your purchase if you must but don't misinform others.

Nothing different than what some of us have been saying for years but if you need it "in writing"...

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6661274-1.html

I really like the 50" SXRDs...one of my friends has one. By far the most striking differences between his set and mine in picture quality are caused by the matte v. reflective screens. Also, his looks better if you stand 3' away (we also both agree on this). But when we sit down 8-10' away...that advantage is gone (again, he'll admit the same).

Sorry to others to derail this thread a bit but IMO its flat out incorrect to say that 720p screens won't benefit HUGELY from an HD source...


In a sense this is true but once your talking about 50 inch and bigger, the difference is STUNNING. Even thye admit this in conclusion

"Conclusions
While this isn't the most scientific test, both Katzmaier and I agreed that, after scanning through Mission: Impossible III for an hour, it would be very difficult--practically impossible--for the average consumer to tell the difference between a high-definition image displayed on a 1080p-capable TV and one with lower native resolution at the screen sizes mentioned above. At larger screen sizes, the differences might become somewhat more apparent, especially if you sit close to the screen."

I sit 10 fett from my 50 as do ALOT of people with that size screen. and if you havent tested it or seen it than you cant comment...the difference between my sxrd or any set that displays the full 1920x1080 over a same size 50 or bigger display showing 1366x768 is HUGE.

This isnt a sxrd thread its how good the 360hd dvd unit is and it is stunning and every bit as good a picture as i can tell as the standalone hd dvd. im sure some side by sides will prove this later. I have watched many properly set up toshibas on 50 + screens with 1080 resolution displays to make my opinion.

in answer to you dpowers call a duck a duck. a 50 inch pioneer plasma which i owned prior to this sxrd does NOT show you all the resolution of a 1920x1080 signal plain and simple and it IS noticable at a 10-12 foot viewing distance. My wife who could care less was able to tell the difference in 2 seconds today.

Anyway its fact its plain and simple if you cant display it and you cant see it its not on me but that doesnt mean the difference isnt there because it is.

Its the same reason there are revews out there saying that hd dvd and bluray are not huge jumps over dvd...just plain false and nothing is farther from the truth. and most people around these parts laugh at just about any garbage spewed form the cnet review site.

I have a possibly stupid question.

I own a Samsung HC-R4755W (http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=161926) and it does 480i/480p/720p/1080i.

What should I set my 360/HD DVD player as? 720p or 1080i? I thought 1080i was really 540p or something like that? I get confused with resolutions. Right now it is running at 720p. Would it look better or worse at 1080i for HD DVD movies? Thanks.

For those with the add on. Can you get it to bookmark the HD-DVD after hitting the stop button? Mine will not, is there something I am missing?

JRad
Mine had no problem bookmarking. I don't know how I did it because I started pressing random buttons and got frustrated. hehe. I have to sit down with this stuff later.

I have a possibly stupid question.

I own a Samsung HC-R4755W (http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=161926) and it does 480i/480p/720p/1080i.

What should I set my 360/HD DVD player as? 720p or 1080i? I thought 1080i was really 540p or something like that? I get confused with resolutions. Right now it is running at 720p. Would it look better or worse at 1080i for HD DVD movies? Thanks.

this set is a perfect example. your best bet on this set is to use 720p. this is because your sets native resolution is 1280x720...thats 720 res. you do not gain any sharpness advantage by displaying at 1080i because the set cannot diplay the extra information. while the set is 1080i capabel..meaning it can show the signal without going haywire. It CANNOT show all the pixels and detail of that signal.

this set is a perfect example. your best bet on this set is to use 720p. this is because your sets native resolution is 1280x720...thats 720 res. you do not gain any sharpness advantage by displaying at 1080i because the set cannot diplay the extra information. while the set is 1080i capabel..meaning it can show the signal without going haywire. It CANNOT show all the pixels and detail of that signal.

If the TV bob 1080i input into 540p and then upscale to 720p, you should use the 720p output on xbox360. If your TV de-interlace 1080i to 720p without throwing away half the resolution, then it really depends on who has a better video processing engine, the TV or xbox360.

If I import one of these bad boys to the UK, does anybody know what kind of plug/adaptor I'd need to get it working? It seems to be multi-voltage, so it's just the plug, right?
Yes, you just need a plug adapter. Don't need a transformer...

Should add this to FAQ :).

this set is a perfect example. your best bet on this set is to use 720p. this is because your sets native resolution is 1280x720...thats 720 res. you do not gain any sharpness advantage by displaying at 1080i because the set cannot diplay the extra information. while the set is 1080i capabel..meaning it can show the signal without going haywire. It CANNOT show all the pixels and detail of that signal.
Thanks for the info! I've been wondering this ever since I got the set.

If the TV bob 1080i input into 540p and then upscale to 720p, you should use the 720p output on xbox360. If your TV de-interlace 1080i to 720p without throwing away half the resolution, then it really depends on who has a better video processing engine, the TV or xbox360.
So you're basically saying to test out each and see which one looks better? Everytime I do this, I see differences, but I can't quite put my finger on it. It just looks different, so I'm thinking it's just really minute.

Picked mine up at Circuit City - Torrance

I saw someone else picking one up at the same time.

I have my order at Amazon shipping next week, but will just cancel that one now.

Thanks for the info! I've been wondering this ever since I got the set.


So you're basically saying to test out each and see which one looks better? Everytime I do this, I see differences, but I can't quite put my finger on it. It just looks different, so I'm thinking it's just really minute.


Quite a few displays failed to scale 1080i properly (even 1080p displays). It has gotten better. It really depends on your set. What do you have?

The key here is to have a software with AACS decoding key. The problem is no software released today contained that key except for the Windvd8EX Japan version and the Powerdvd on the HD DVD laptop.

You can't play anything AACS protected until you got the decoding key.

Will this work?

http://www.intervideo.co.jp/products/wd8p/



The next generation! It corresponds to the playback of the Blu-ray disk and the HD DVD disk!

The music movie sport which is recorded to the >> Blu-ray disk and the HD DVD disk high picture quality, with Kousei detail high picture quality! High sound quality!Audio & video technology >> TrimensionTM DNM, DolbyDigital+, DTS-HD and the VC1 leading edge which are refined!　Network prayer, digital broadcast (CPRM correspondence)

* “WinDVD 8 Platinum package edition you can download the update program in order to play back the contents which are protected to the customer of purchase” with AACS from this.

Quote:
Originally Posted by stoutman11
did any suffer any "slowdown or stuttering" on their dvd drives, like the lip sync to the actual audio??????

mine had some minor slowdown thru out the entire movie. Anyone else experience this or is there anything i can do? i have mine running thru vga at 1080p btw. THANKS IN ADVANCE PLS! PLS CHIME IN!



that's not what I want to hear . What audio input are you using?


----------------------------------------------
vga. ANYONE ELSE???????????

Hello folks, first post here.
Great site btw.

Here's my 2 pennies.

As a Brit I've (had to) be waiting to see how this drive performed and how it was received, looks very good so far.
It certainly looks like excellent value.

I'd just like to say that I just hope Microsoft have the business 'wit' to go one step further with this.

They should produce a driver disc for XP & Vista so that those of us (not into gaming) can just buy this drive and use it with our PCs, officially.

'Officially' means it would gain much more credibility with the general public than can be expected when the *ahem* 'other people' get around to exploiting it this way (which I am sure is not exactly going to be a long time in coming).

Why not?
Plenty of laptops are already using just such a HD-DVD drive without too much expense, fuss or difficulty.

IMO they have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain by making this the first inexpensive, genuinely mass-market and 'universal' HD-DVD ROM drive.

It looks like it'll already sell by the crate load but opening it up to the PC market would be a seriously smart move which would ensure HD-DVD entrenches itself into the market for good.

Basically it would ensure that no matter what happens with Blu-ray there will always be a worthwhile market for HD-DVD - I suspect that it already has just done that as an XBox add-on but going for the PC market would be a killer blow in this annoying and ultimately anti-consumer so-called 'format war'.

Here's hoping.

In a sense this is true but once your talking about 50 inch and bigger, the difference is STUNNING. Even thye admit this in conclusion

"Conclusions
While this isn't the most scientific test, both Katzmaier and I agreed that, after scanning through Mission: Impossible III for an hour, it would be very difficult--practically impossible--for the average consumer to tell the difference between a high-definition image displayed on a 1080p-capable TV and one with lower native resolution at the screen sizes mentioned above. At larger screen sizes, the differences might become somewhat more apparent, especially if you sit close to the screen."

I sit 10 fett from my 50 as do ALOT of people with that size screen. and if you havent tested it or seen it than you cant comment...the difference between my sxrd or any set that displays the full 1920x1080 over a same size 50 or bigger display showing 1366x768 is HUGE.

This isnt a sxrd thread its how good the 360hd dvd unit is and it is stunning and every bit as good a picture as i can tell as the standalone hd dvd. im sure some side by sides will prove this later. I have watched many properly set up toshibas on 50 + screens with 1080 resolution displays to make my opinion.

in answer to you dpowers call a duck a duck. a 50 inch pioneer plasma which i owned prior to this sxrd does NOT show you all the resolution of a 1920x1080 signal plain and simple and it IS noticable at a 10-12 foot viewing distance. My wife who could care less was able to tell the difference in 2 seconds today.

Anyway its fact its plain and simple if you cant display it and you cant see it its not on me but that doesnt mean the difference isnt there because it is.

Its the same reason there are revews out there saying that hd dvd and bluray are not huge jumps over dvd...just plain false and nothing is farther from the truth. and most people around these parts laugh at just about any garbage spewed form the cnet review site.
I'm sorry but this is just incorrect no matter what all the SXRD owners might want to say on the issue. The CNET reviewers are fairly knowledgable (are you disagreeing with their assessement that the SXRD is about as good as it gets?) if not always consistent. However, in a fairly well controlled side-by-side I would say they are forced to be consistent (by definition almost).

The details that ARE THERE (as you mention) just aren't noticeable at 10' away (and 10' is NOT what the CNET people mean by sitting "close") on a 50" screen. Also, when they say "larger sizes" they do not mean 50" since that is the size of screen they tested. 10' away on a 100" projector image? SURE...I'd go 1080p every time.

As I mentioned before, my friend has the 50" SXRD so I see it all the time just as he gets to see my 50" Pio plasma all the time. We haven't had a true 1080p source to test with yet but using 1080i...the visual differences we both notice at 10' aren't due to resolution. I think the CNET investigation backs that up whether you want to accept it or not.

I'm done on this topic as this isn't the place for it...I just hope that potential add-on buyers know enough to realize that an HD DVD is going to look significantly better than a DVD (even upscaled) for most/all 720p displays despite what some people might say.

did any suffer any "slowdown or stuttering" on their dvd drives, like the lip sync to the actual audio??????

mine had some minor slowdown thru out the entire movie.

Did you reboot the system before playing the movie (i.e., after updating the system)? Other posts suggest this might be the solution to this problem.

I'd just like to say that I just hope Microsoft have the business 'wit' to go one step further with this.

They should produce a driver disc for XP & Vista so that those of us (not into gaming) can just buy this drive and use it with our PCs, officially.

As this appears to be a Toshiba drive, I wonder if Tosh and MS have an agreement in place that would leave the PC HD-DVD drive market to Tosh?

Well, all I can offer you is my eye as a source and when my add-on plays an HD-DVD it switches back to 1080i, when I play a game it goes back to 1080p. This is using a Sharp LC-52D62U


overtime, I offer pictures. These are shots from dashboard and while playing King Kong. The TV is a Sharp 37D90U using a component cable. For me, with only a 37 inch screen, going to VGA in the hopes of improving the picture with 1080p is probable not worth it. Just to confirm what others have said, a standard DVD outputs 480p if you can believe what the Sharp is telling you (I do).

The PQ is fantastic BTW (although my photos are not). I thought the Comcast Discovery channel broadcast was good until this. I now realize how much motion blur, macro blocking etc was due to the source.

Yes, you just need a plug adapter. Don't need a transformer...

Should add this to FAQ :).

From what I can tell, you don't even need an adapter, just replace the power cord going to the power supply with any standard EU/UK powercord. Like the ones you have from a PSOne/Two, original Xbox, Saturn, Dreamcast, ghetto blaster, you name it.

Quote:
did any suffer any "slowdown or stuttering" on their dvd drives, like the lip sync to the actual audio??????

mine had some minor slowdown thru out the entire movie.



Did you reboot the system before playing the movie (i.e., after updating the system)? Other posts suggest this might be the solution to this problem.

----------------------> thanks! i will do that then. i never rebooted the system. maybe that is the problem

Last night I watched King Kong without any problem whatsoever. Then this morning, I popped it in and there was slowdown everywhere. I had to turn off the system and turn it back on for it to go away. I hope that's something that can be fixed.

Last night I watched King Kong without any problem whatsoever. Then this morning, I popped it in and there was slowdown everywhere. I had to turn off the system and turn it back on for it to go away. I hope that's something that can be fixed.

I am sure Microsoft is going to come out with an update soon to fix all these problems, I would be surprised if they didn't.

Anyone else have tokyo drift on hd-dvd. I watched both sides through VGA on a 1080p Sammy HLS and the hd-dvd looks only a little bit better than dvd side as far as i'm concerned.

There was someone else that said it wasn't much better but hd-dvd is better but not that much better than my hdtv scaling or the 360 caling although my set scales better. Gonna watch KK, Training Day, and Last Samurai later.

Hello folks, first post here.
Great site btw.

Here's my 2 pennies.

As a Brit I've (had to) be waiting to see how this drive performed and how it was received, looks very good so far.
It certainly looks like excellent value.

I'd just like to say that I just hope Microsoft have the business 'wit' to go one step further with this.

They should produce a driver disc for XP & Vista so that those of us (not into gaming) can just buy this drive and use it with our PCs, officially.

'Officially' means it would gain much more credibility with the general public than can be expected when the *ahem* 'other people' get around to exploiting it this way (which I am sure is not exactly going to be a long time in coming).

Why not?
Plenty of laptops are already using just such a HD-DVD drive without too much expense, fuss or difficulty.

IMO they have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain by making this the first inexpensive, genuinely mass-market and 'universal' HD-DVD ROM drive.

It looks like it'll already sell by the crate load but opening it up to the PC market would be a seriously smart move which would ensure HD-DVD entrenches itself into the market for good.

Basically it would ensure that no matter what happens with Blu-ray there will always be a worthwhile market for HD-DVD - I suspect that it already has just done that as an XBox add-on but going for the PC market would be a killer blow in this annoying and ultimately anti-consumer so-called 'format war'.

Here's hoping.
HP hd100 External HD DVD-ROM drive (http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press_kits/2006/psgconsumer/ds_hd_dvd.pdf)

Coming in 2007
Supports Windows XP SP2
You need high end hardware though.

Anyone else have tokyo drift on hd-dvd. I watched both sides through VGA on a 1080p Sammy HLS and the hd-dvd looks only a little bit better than dvd side as far as i'm concerned.

There was someone else that said it wasn't much better but hd-dvd is better but not that much better than my hdtv scaling or the 360 caling although my set scales better. Gonna watch KK, Training Day, and Last Samurai later.

Please don't use VGA, on most set it's horrible and MS know the issue. It's already been proven

Here Tokyo Drift is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better on the HD DVD side, than the DVD side using a HD-A1

If you have DNIe Active DEACTIVATE it , it kill detail on Samsung Display, if you can't deactivate it like some model of Samsung than you're stuck with it..

Anyone else have tokyo drift on hd-dvd. I watched both sides through VGA on a 1080p Sammy HLS and the hd-dvd looks only a little bit better than dvd side as far as i'm concerned.

There was someone else that said it wasn't much better but hd-dvd is better but not that much better than my hdtv scaling or the 360 caling although my set scales better. Gonna watch KK, Training Day, and Last Samurai later.

I've said before on this forum...there are known issues with low picture quality on the VGA output on the xbox 360. Microsoft engineers are aware of the problem and are working on a fix.

In the meantime, try using the component video connection, and you will probably notice a substantial difference.

IMO they have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain by making this the first inexpensive, genuinely mass-market and 'universal' HD-DVD ROM drive.


Couldn't agree more! :) But the only way to confirm this now is to hook this to an HD DVD laptop.

As I mentioned before, my friend has the 50" SXRD so I see it all the time just as he gets to see my 50" Pio plasma all the time. We haven't had a true 1080p source to test with yet but using 1080i...the visual differences we both notice at 10' aren't due to resolution. I think the CNET investigation backs that up whether you want to accept it or not.

I'm done on this topic as this isn't the place for it...I just hope that potential add-on buyers know enough to realize that an HD DVD is going to look significantly better than a DVD (even upscaled) for most/all 720p displays despite what some people might say.[/QUOTE]

I got a pioneer 5070hd, what do u like better 1080i or 720p?? and wat settin do u prefer to use?

by the way i just picked up the HD DVD, goin home now to set it up.

Ok Everyone, I Scored, I Just Picked Up The Xbox 360 Hd Dvd Player From Surprisingly A Local Coconuts Store, I Was Amazed They Even Had It. Listen To This, I Looked Around And Didnt See It At First Then I Looked Behind The Register And There It Was, 1 Lonely Hd Dvd Player. So I Caml Ask The Clerk Walkin Around If They Have Any 360 Hd Dvd Players, She Was Like Huh Wats That, Im Like Omg R U Serious, Then She Said No We Dont Have Any, So Im Like What About That One Right There And She Like Oh I Didnt Know, I Never Heard About It. I Cant Believe There Oblivious To This. So Anyway I Grabbed The Only One They Had In There, Its Been There Since Wednesday She Said. So Everyone Make Sure U Look Around And Ask The Right Person. Now I Have To Wait Till 6pm To Go Home And Play. I Was On My Lunch Break And I Didnt Even Eat Lunch. Lol

This is only slightly less taxing than leaving you caps key on! :(

Just got my HD-DVD add-on delivered and set up. Overall impression jives with others in that PQ is excellent, setup was easy, and the noise level output is no different than browsing through the dashboard.

Other random observations:
- The eject button on the remote opens the 360 tray, but not the HD-DVD tray. Any one else see that one? I don't see an option to select which tray to open.
- The 2x and 4x fast forward option is amazingly smooth on the screen. My old DVD players were always a little choppy when fast forwarding through a movie.
- Could be my imagination, but the PQ with standard DVDs looks sharper when played through the HD-DVD vs. the Core player (Seabiscuit was my test).

Still playing. Will post anything else of interest I see.

I believe its FALSE to say disc space has NOTHING to do with a game running in 1080p.. A game could be upsampled but to use textures that would take advantage of 1080p it would impose more space hogging on a disc.. So it does have relation to it, but yes it is correct, you could therotically run a game with hi-res textures off a CD even.. there is no disc required, just taking a game like GTA which already fills up a dvd, and then trying to put texture samples on that disc that are possible 2x, 4x or even 5x the resolution, would definately have something to do with disc space... so i wouldn't say it has NOTHING to do with games having 1080p support, just has alot less than processor or graphics chip speed..

No, it is TRUE that disk space has NOTHING to do with a game running at 1080P. Would the amount of spaced used by a texture require more space? Yes. Would it require so much space that you would need 15 - 25 GB of space? No.

You have to look at the other things that going on a game disk and weigh that also. GTA... Last time I played GTA it was chock full of music. Several different genres that went on for hours. Now that is going to take up a lot of space. FFXII? I can't believe how many cut scenes, with voice acting that game has in it. That is also going to take up a lot of space. And if you wanted those cut scenes to be put out in 1080P you can be sure that they would not fit on a regular DVD. But if you wanted to only update the graphics on that game to 1080P then you are not looking at much of a change in space.

Lets look at FFXI also for a second. That game can currently run in 1080P (actually higher then 1080P). Though you have to force it because Square wants everyone to be at the same resolution. The textures are already at a great resolution. The amount of extra space used: none.

I've said before on this forum...there are known issues with low picture quality on the VGA output on the xbox 360. Microsoft engineers are aware of the problem and are working on a fix.

In the meantime, try using the component video connection, and you will probably notice a substantial difference.
this is true someone else had the same problem yesterday and he fixed it and he said that he noticed a difference right away and he hasnt posted since im guessing his enjoying his hd-dvd add on right now :D

Anyone else have tokyo drift on hd-dvd. I watched both sides through VGA on a 1080p Sammy HLS and the hd-dvd looks only a little bit better than dvd side as far as i'm concerned.

There was someone else that said it wasn't much better but hd-dvd is better but not that much better than my hdtv scaling or the 360 caling although my set scales better. Gonna watch KK, Training Day, and Last Samurai later.

If Tokyo Drift is only slightly better than SD DVD, then something is wrong with your set up. Try component inputs set to 1080i.

I've said before on this forum...there are known issues with low picture quality on the VGA output on the xbox 360. Microsoft engineers are aware of the problem and are working on a fix.

In the meantime, try using the component video connection, and you will probably notice a substantial difference.

Why do you keep parroting this with no evidence? The problem lies in the TV's implementation of VGA wrt the difference between video and PC luminace scales in digital video. Half the people complaining about the issue don't even recalibrate their sets before complaining when they switch inputs.

That being said, if like the way component looks after calibration compared to VGA, by all means use that. I think it's premature to blame MS for a bad implementation on the CE manufacturer's part.

VGA looks great compared to component on my set- panny 50HD7UY running at 1360x768.

I just picked up a HD add on, and let me tell you, it loads SO much faster.

IMO they have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain by making this the first inexpensive, genuinely mass-market and 'universal' HD-DVD ROM drive.

Two problems. MS may not want to undercut HD DVD ROM sellers (like HP which is selling it for $349, IIRC). Second is one of support. Support calls and thus cost on these can be prohitibitive .... esp. if this is being sold on thin margin.

Why do you keep parroting this with no evidence? The problem lies in the TV's implementation of VGA wrt the difference between video and PC luminace scales in digital video. Half the people complaining about the issue don't even recalibrate their sets before complaining when they switch inputs.

That being said, if like the way component looks after calibration compared to VGA, by all means use that. I think it's premature to blame MS for a bad implementation on the CE manufacturer's part.

VGA looks great compared to component on my set- panny 50HD7UY running at 1360x768.

This statement was made by an MS employee a couple of days ago. What people are seeing with their VGA connections confirms it.

anyone have the player and a 1080i only CRT, how's it look?
Not sure how much of an improvement the xbox's 720p signal would be compared to my upconverting DVD player. Seems most users have 720p or 1080p sets.

I have a 1080i CRT at work, and it looks very good and very detailed.

Xbox 360 as HD DVD Player: One and Only thread Here
I guess this isn't the "one and only" thread anymore ;)

I know there is a lot of discussion on this, but I'm hoping for an answer from somebody who has tested both.

I have a Samsung HL-S5687W that is capable of displaying 1080p through both component and VGA (at least I think through VGA). I got the HD-DVD drive and am wondering if I should us a VGA cable instead of component to get full 1080p from the HD-DVD Drive. Has anybody tried both and found a noticeable difference?

One further complication is that I have everything running through a Denon 2807 which does not accept a VGA video input. Can I still run optical to my Denon and VGA straight to the TV? Will there be lip sync issues?

Thanks for the responses.

Just got my HD-DVD add-on delivered and set up. Overall impression jives with others in that PQ is excellent, setup was easy, and the noise level output is no different than browsing through the dashboard.

Other random observations:
- The eject button on the remote opens the 360 tray, but not the HD-DVD tray. Any one else see that one? I don't see an option to select which tray to open.
- The 2x and 4x fast forward option is amazingly smooth on the screen. My old DVD players were always a little choppy when fast forwarding through a movie.
- Could be my imagination, but the PQ with standard DVDs looks sharper when played through the HD-DVD vs. the Core player (Seabiscuit was my test).

Still playing. Will post anything else of interest I see.
I put in Garden State last night in the HD DVD player and it looked better than in my standalone DVD player. I liked it. Just looked a lot smoother when it came to artifacting and whatnot.

did any suffer any "slowdown or stuttering" on their dvd drives, like the lip sync to the actual audio??????

mine had some minor slowdown thru out the entire movie. Anyone else experience this or is there anything i can do? i have mine running thru vga at 1080p btw. THANKS IN ADVANCE PLS! PLS CHIME IN!

I had some problems with both stuttering and lip sync. But I was using a different USB cable then the one that came with the drive.

Regular DVDs were fine, but King Kong was pretty bad. And only got worse as I skipped through the chapters. When I put the MS cable on everything was fine.

You may want to double check your USB cable connections. Or if you have a really good USB cable with a mini-USB connection on one end try that one.

Id just like to tell everyone who has an older CRT based HDTV that they shouldnt be concerned that they wont see any difference between regular DVD and HD-DVD.

I have a Panasonic 47" CRT HDTV - cant remember model # - its 3 or 4 years old - and I got the add-on yesterday.

At first, watching King Kong in HD, I wasnt very impressed. I also have KK in SD, so I put it in the Xbox360's regular drive, and switched back and forth, and the difference is like night and day. So I next went and put the SD KK in my main DVD player - a Faroudja Denon changer, which gives out a good picture, and it too doesnt come close to the HD-DVD.

I had a friend look at it today, and he doesnt have an HDTV yet, and his comment was "I wish you hadnt shown this to me."

It looks amazing, to tell you the truth.

I also bought Training Day - and it looks pretty good too. I live in a small town so there arent many places to buy HD-DVD's locally. Time to join Netflicks I think.

I read one post where someone said it the drive was loud - it isnt...its real quiet.

My one complaint is with the remote - I wish they included a remote that could be programmed to control a receivers volume....the one they gave us can only be programmed for TV's.

Anyway for the people like me w/older CRT HDTV's - it is definately worth it.

Have it hooked up via VGA and picture looks better then the HDTV I am getting over the air. (My OTA outputs via DVI). Picture looked good, although the only movie I've put in so far is Batman Begins, and with it being a darker picture I thought I lost a little by watching it on an LCD. Once the movie started I didn't notice any sound from the 360 or HD-DVD drive and I only sit about 8 feet away and use the regular TV speakers.

I know there is a lot of discussion on this, but I'm hoping for an answer from somebody who has tested both.

I have a Samsung HL-S5687W that is capable of displaying 1080p through both component and VGA (at least I think through VGA). I got the HD-DVD drive and am wondering if I should us a VGA cable instead of component to get full 1080p from the HD-DVD Drive. Has anybody tried both and found a noticeable difference?

One further complication is that I have everything running through a Denon 2807 which does not accept a VGA video input. Can I still run optical to my Denon and VGA straight to the TV? Will there be lip sync issues?

Thanks for the responses.

I have the 61" version of your TV. I've been running only VGA since the Fall update and watching a standard DVD. I put the component cables away somewhere and may go looking for them over the weekend to see if there's much of a difference. But honestly I'm not seeing any reason why I would want to use the component cables again.

I got mine from cc in san bernadino and hooked it up to my 5 year old mits 55819 through component and picture looks really sweet.Anyone on the fence go for it.

I have the 61" version of your TV. I've been running only VGA since the Fall update and watching a standard DVD. I put the component cables away somewhere and may go looking for them over the weekend to see if there's much of a difference. But honestly I'm not seeing any reason why I would want to use the component cables again.


btw it has been stated in write ups that the vga output is also an analog signal and is no different than the component signal from this player so really no reason to screw with it according to MS.

You guys aren't finding the HD-DVD drive noisey itself?? Mine is pretty loud when watching a movie. The 360 itself is not loud, but the HD-DVD drive is.

i think i found the reason peopel say its not as clear or not as big a leap when using the vga port.

on the link to microsofts site it states that the following are the resolutions for the vga output cable.

Standard and High-definition gaming output in the following VGA formats:
640 x 480, 848x480, 1024 x 768, 1280 x 720, 1280 x 768, 1280 x 1024, and 1360 x 768

the component allows for full 1920x1080, im just wondering if you cannot ouput full resolution with the vga able.

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360vgahdcable/ (link )

Nope. You can output 1920x1080p with the VGA cable now thanks to fall update.

I put in Garden State last night in the HD DVD player and it looked better than in my standalone DVD player. I liked it. Just looked a lot smoother when it came to artifacting and whatnot.

I have the same problem with the remote eject button opening the console, the only other option on the dashboard is play HDDVD and eject console, no eject HDDVD unless it's empty. If u stop an HDDVD the dashboard does not give u the option to eject. i also cant get the remote to work with my TV. any ideas?

You guys aren't finding the HD-DVD drive noisey itself?? Mine is pretty loud when watching a movie. The 360 itself is not loud, but the HD-DVD drive is.

nope... mine is very very quiet.

After spending most of the day it is clear to me on my Panny AE900 that the VGA cable provides the best picture. I watched a few movies on VGA, then switched to component. I immediately noticed how soft the image was. It had nowhere near the detail via VGA but did have better colors.

My display is native 1280x720 so I used 720p over component. Tried all kinds of combinations and I have a high quality component cable w/25ft run.

Any other AE900 owners notice the same?

No noise from the hd-dvd drive. Plenty of noise from the 360.

Using VGA out to a 720 P projector. Looks great. Better than HD from satellite via D* HD250. But not night and day better. No surprise there.

Tried going VGA out to a Faroudja NRS DVI then DVI into the projector but could not get that to work. Wish I could because feeding the projector direct from the 360 just will not be practical longer term given the short 8 foot lead.

Finally got mine today.

It's been staring at me for the last 7 hours at work! I cant wait to go home and get it hooked up and experience the glory of this little device!!!

overtime, I offer pictures. These are shots from dashboard and while playing King Kong. The TV is a Sharp 37D90U using a component cable. For me, with only a 37 inch screen, going to VGA in the hopes of improving the picture with 1080p is probable not worth it. Just to confirm what others have said, a standard DVD outputs 480p if you can believe what the Sharp is telling you (I do).

The PQ is fantastic BTW (although my photos are not). I thought the Comcast Discovery channel broadcast was good until this. I now realize how much motion blur, macro blocking etc was due to the source.


good pics and example. that shows proof that the addon can only output 1080i

is it just me that see's this guy as a troll?

seriously.

For those who didn't get their pre-order through Amazon (like I didn't) and really want one this weekend I have a suggestion. Go to the circuit city website and search for xbox HD DVD. Then for delivery options select in store pick up. You can see if any stores around you have it in stock and go ahead and order it.

I'm so mad at Amazon; I preordered this thing over a month ago and it didn't ship. There are people who ordered it two days ago and have it in thier house right no.

Sorry if similiar rants have been posted before.

I did this today. Got one no problem from CC - with KK. By the time I picked it up they were sold out. I lucked out - they were supposed to have it waiting for me w/in 24 minutes of on-line order. Went to pick it up after work and it was not ready. Bingo, $24 off. $14 cheaper than amazon (even after taxes).

Just canceled my Amazon order - if they had been clearer about the ad-on coming with KK, I would have waited - but they never stated whether or not my order would include it.....

Lumpy

See this post.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8867577&&#post8867577

Amirm, Got my HD-DVD addon and my customers units today.

Wonderful job. Nice and fast the problems I saw at Digital Life are GONE.

BTW: Works great as a PC HD-DVD-R reader. (No Driver Needed)

The Cyberlink HD-DVD/Blu-Ray PC test software considers the drive a valid Hd-DVD drive. "THANK YOU" But at the cost of making a PC setup HDCP compliant it is just cheaper to get a Core XBOX360.
http://download.cyberlink.com/ftpdl..._HD_Advisor.exe


My questions are...
Are your movie setup preferences stored? Like English 5.1 Audio and No Subtitle.
Does the HD-DVD just use the DVD parental control system?

can someone with excellent experience tell me which is better 1080i or 768p???

Please don't use VGA, on most set it's horrible and MS know the issue. It's already been proven

Here Tokyo Drift is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better on the HD DVD side, than the DVD side using a HD-A1

If you have DNIe Active DEACTIVATE it , it kill detail on Samsung Display, if you can't deactivate it like some model of Samsung than you're stuck with it..

I appreciate your advice. I have a HL-S5088 1080p set and have my VGA cable calibrated. Color reproduction is as good if not better than component. I also have DNIe off. Its probably the worse function I have ever seen. But yea my component and VGA look basically the same. No one is better because my set is deinterlacing the 1080i over component very well. I'm still standing by my opinion.

After spending most of the day it is clear to me on my Panny AE900 that the VGA cable provides the best picture. I watched a few movies on VGA, then switched to component. I immediately noticed how soft the image was. It had nowhere near the detail via VGA but did have better colors.

My display is native 1280x720 so I used 720p over component. Tried all kinds of combinations and I have a high quality component cable w/25ft run.

Any other AE900 owners notice the same?
I also have the Panny AE900. I bought a VGA cable today when I got the HD DVD drive and first thing I noticed is the picture was washed out and and scaling was off,not sure how to adjust that. I hooked up my component cables and looked great, I did compare HD KK with the SD KK and what a difference.

I've said before on this forum...there are known issues with low picture quality on the VGA output on the xbox 360. Microsoft engineers are aware of the problem and are working on a fix.

In the meantime, try using the component video connection, and you will probably notice a substantial difference.

What I said above.

Hey just popped in Last Samurai and it floored me. I love to watch scenery and what not (Discovery HD I love you lol) and Last Samurai is amazing. I think it looks better over VGA than my component. Just my opinion. Everything is sharper. Man I'm watching as I am writing this. My statements about drift has nothing to do with the add-on. The add-on is great. Maybe my Tokyo Drift has a problem. Well I'm done here for teh night my girl friend is smiling watching Last Sa. and I'm going to join her. Didn't mean to raise any eyebrows with my statement earlier lol.

Has anybody tried using the vga cable and then using an adapter to connect the vga cable to the dvi port on a TV? I have a Hitachi RPTV and was wondering if this would work for upconverting dvd's.

What I said above.

Check out justmeandher's comment above.

And FYI, your Japanese signature is wrong. It should read "Sore kara", not "Sere kara" at the beginning of the second sentence.

After spending most of the day it is clear to me on my Panny AE900 that the VGA cable provides the best picture. I watched a few movies on VGA, then switched to component. I immediately noticed how soft the image was. It had nowhere near the detail via VGA but did have better colors.

My display is native 1280x720 so I used 720p over component. Tried all kinds of combinations and I have a high quality component cable w/25ft run.

Any other AE900 owners notice the same?

Can you share your VGA settings with the 900 please...I bought it awhile ago but couldn't get 1:1 mapping with it.

microsoft has stated that there will be no hdmi adapter because "IT is NOT needed"



It IS needed! If Dolby digital plus can only go over HDMI how does one get this signal without it being converted to plain Dolby digital?

hadnt thought of that. perhaps a petition is in fact needed. If we are short a feature or capability of said product, then is said product actually what they clain.

is this truely a hd dvd player if it does not include all of the features of an hd dvd?

hope i didnt just start a war :)

No noise from the hd-dvd drive. Plenty of noise from the 360.

Using VGA out to a 720 P projector. Looks great. Better than HD from satellite via D* HD250. But not night and day better. No surprise there.

Tried going VGA out to a Faroudja NRS DVI then DVI into the projector but could not get that to work. Wish I could because feeding the projector direct from the 360 just will not be practical longer term given the short 8 foot lead.
What movie are you watching? The HDDVD discs are 5x better than HD on TV.

yay got mine this afternoon from gamestop finally! looking to pickup batman begins as i heard its the best looking HD DVD out there??.. Anyone second?

MS may not want to undercut HD DVD ROM sellers (like HP which is selling it for $349, IIRC).

- I have to say that if their concern at this stage really was for another competitor who are selling at a far higher price when the sole concern ought to be the establishment and building of the HD-DVD 'installed user base' then not only does that sound crazy to me but it also would seem counter to Microsoft's usual tactics.

Second is one of support. Support calls and thus cost on these can be prohitibitive .... esp. if this is being sold on thin margin.

- Microsoft are a company measuring their quarterly profits in $ billions.
They can afford it.
They ought to afford it.

If Microsoft are serious about what they have said about supporting HD-DVD then I really don't see any other clearer and more obvious move to make.

It's capitalising on HD-DVD's trumph card, similar excellent (and in fact often better) picture quality but at a price so markedly lower than the competing Blu-ray that it truely can threaten Blu-ray's continued existence in the mass-market place.

Got my 2nd HD-DVD drive today. The first one had a mechanical problem and could not play any disks. SD or HD.

WORKS GREAT!!! KING KONG, well you could almost count the hair on his..........

Hi,
My setup: Samsung HL-S 5688 (overscan off), 360,360 hd-dvd player,Logitech Z-2300 speakers.
Here are my observations in no particular order:
1. The hd-dvd drive does make some noise, but its nothing compared to the 360 itself.
2. Over Component, games are 1080P, HD-DVD are 1080i. DVD's are 720X480.
3. Over VGA, games, HD-DVD & DVD are ALL displayed at 1080P.
4. Cars (standard dvd) is in the hd drive via vga right now, & info displays 1920X1080 @60Hz.
5. I have to turn the volume a lot for the hd-dvd's, if i swap over to say, gears of war, its way too
loud, much louder than the movie that was just playing.
6. VGA is noticeably sharper than component, it was a smaller picture at first, but thanks to Management's info about the p-size button im good to go. It resized the movies perfectly & the 360 fills 99.7% of the screen. Itll do 100%, but i need to reposition the dmd module & correct the minor tilt i have.
7. On component the picture is softer overall, easiest place to see the difference is on the Dashboard. Oh and of course the hd-dvd picture has top & bottom black bars, but none on the sides. I wouldnt say its a big huge deal, but if you have good eyes & sit close (im at 7ft), you will notice the softness of component, vs the smaller VGA image.
8. In the service menu, with PC (VGA) as the source, overscan is greyed out. ? I was under the impression it was required to turn off overscan to get 1:1 pixel mapping. But im not going to bother turning overscan back on to see if there is a difference.
9. Either way the PQ for hd-dvd is AWESOME, and upconverted dvd's look good, Component or VGA.
10. In my opinion, if you have a 1080P capable set that can do 1:1 pixel mapping with a VGA input, & are after every last thing you can do to improve the picture, then get the VGA cable. $40 bucks well spent for me.
11. For the LAST frickin time please please understand that the only reason everything isnt 1080P via component is because of copyright concerns, NOT because its analog. Yes digital looks better, but its not required for 1080P.

Oh & for the 720P crowd & a few others, remember that the less the signal is messed with the better it will look. So if you take a 480P dvd & play it over VGA with the xbox360 upconverting to 1080, and lastly your tv downconverting it to 720 (or 768), the picture wont look as good as if you just had the 360 set to 720, unless you think your tv upconverts better than your dvd player (or 360 if thats your dvd player), then you could just leave it at 480 for dvd playback. & for the record, i have a 26" 720P samsung LCD & love it, high definition looks awesome on it. The reason i have a 1080P big screen is for the upgraded color wheel,brightness & processing, not simply because its 1080.
For the Samsung 1080P guys, i didnt really notice a difference in games whether the 360 was outputting via 720p or 1080i (over component), but i noticed a difference with the November Update that allows us to select 1080P.
Oh & i have zero stuttering or lip sync issues.
I hope this helps somebody somewhere.

A petition for HDMI isn't a bad idea. Anyone know how to set something like that up? I'll sign it.

Amir denies to answer questions about the HDMI cable but I found proof in several places. Such as gamestop has it listed for sale in December and this...

Destructoid mole: Microsoft announcements coming around Nov. 22?
>> From destructoid.com (rumor warning!):

One of the first big waves the mole drops on us has to do with Microsoft and some major announcements due around the pivotal shopping period of Nov. 22. Here's a look:

* On the hard drive: They are going to announce and release 80GB or 100GB hard drives, but not sure yet which one but possibly both. As well as the future 160GB and 200GB options.
* Cables: HDMI cables and prices should follow this hard drive news. Expect a $69.99 price.
* Game price drops: The Outfit for the 360 is dropping to $10 at Best Buy "FOR SURE." It's also a solid rumor that many will drop to $15 and $20 through the holidays. Madden 06, PDZ, THUG, King Kong, NHL06, Ridge Racer (already is) and most dated sports games.

- I have to say that if their concern at this stage really was for another competitor who are selling at a far higher price ..

HP is not a competitor.


- Microsoft are a company measuring their quarterly profits in $ billions.
They can afford it.
They ought to afford it.


I guess you don't work on wallstreet.

my panasonic th-42px60u plasma has a native resoluton of x768. What should I set the xbox 360 to so I will get the best possible picture from the hd-dvd player and games from the xbox 360 itself.

720p?
1080i?

my panasonic th-42px60u plasma has a native resoluton of x768. What should I set the xbox 360 to so I will get the best possible picture from the hd-dvd player and games from the xbox 360 itself.

720p?
1080i?

Try both & see which one looks better to you!!!

How Microsoft couldn't make the HD-DVD Drive upconvert SD-DVD via component IMO is unacceptable. No HDMI, NO HD-DVD SURROUND SOUND No UPCONVERSION.. WTF :confused:

VGA looks much better on my Westinghouse 42 inch 1080P LCD.

All I had to do was jack up the saturation and hue a little bit and adjust the contrast and brightness on my set and BAM a PQ much better than component and 1080P across all media formats.

People complaining seem to be to lazy to slightly adjust their picture settings for VGA.

How Microsoft couldn't make the HD-DVD Drive upconvert SD-DVD via component IMO is unacceptable. No HDMI, NO HD-DVD SURROUND SOUND No UPCONVERSION.. WTF :confused:
Uhhh, it's not Microsoft's fault. If it's that important to you, buy the VGA cable. And no surround sound? Do you mean no Dolby Digital Plus? You still have surround sound.

I got it today.

I have a 61 inch Samsung DLP. I also bought V for Vendetta and Batman Begins in hD-DVD.

Even though component gives me 1080i and VGA gives me 1080p, I think the component actually looks better. Over VGA it doesn't fill the screen and looks smushed.

The video on King Kong is much much better than Batman or V.

How Microsoft couldn't make the HD-DVD Drive upconvert SD-DVD via component IMO is unacceptable. No HDMI, NO HD-DVD SURROUND SOUND No UPCONVERSION.. WTF :confused:
DVD copy protection rules as set up by DVD CCA, disallows playback of DVDs on component above 480. This applies to every company, not just Microsoft.

But in an interesting twist, you can go all the way up to 1080i for HD DVD!

I just plugged in the unit I received from Amazon today. I'm watching Aeon Flux that I rented from Netflix.

My initial thoughts:

The good:
- Picture quality is noticeably sharper than regular DVD. It's remarkably sharp and clear.
- There are far fewer compression artifacts (macroblocking, etc) than broadcast. Swapping back and forth between ESPN HD and Aeon Flux HD, this is hugely noticeable.
- The biggest noticeable difference is the sound quality. Even though my receiver only does 5.1, the sound quality seems way better than DVD or broadcast. This is what I am most impressed by.
- Installation is a snap. Super easy, fast and no problems.
- I am really digging the remote. I did not get a universal media remote, so this is my first 360 remote. It glows brightly with backlit buttons.
- Mine did come with King Kong, but I am not interested in this movie at all, so I'll probably just sell it without opening it.

The bad:
- I do get the black bars at the top and bottom of the screen, which is no good. It makes the picture appear smaller.
- Remote control button presses are not as snappy or responsive as I would like. It takes a hare too long for action to happen on screen, from the time you press a button.
- Hitting "Eject" on the remote ejects the 360's drive, not the HD-DVD drive.

I have yet to do a direct comparison as I am short on time. Time to go to dinner.

I got it today.

I have a 61 inch Samsung DLP. I also bought V for Vendetta and Batman Begins in hD-DVD.

Even though component gives me 1080i and VGA gives me 1080p, I think the component actually looks better. Over VGA it doesn't fill the screen and looks smushed.

The video on King Kong is much much better than Batman or V.

Be sure and recheck your settings after hooking up the VGA cable. I've heard of people's settings going back to default when changing the cables, so you might want to give that a try (just in case).

well the add on does upconvert sd over vga. the ps3 doesn't upconvert period.

and it does have surround sound. it does at the very least decode HD audio formats from the disc to sound better than dvd-audio. Which to most consuemrs - especially t hose settling for a 200 dollar add-on are ok with.


I plan on using both the 360 and ps3 as my hi-def players until a reliable and affordable dual-format player emerges.

Originally Posted by scherer326
my panasonic th-42px60u plasma has a native resoluton of x768. What should I set the xbox 360 to so I will get the best possible picture from the hd-dvd player and games from the xbox 360 itself.

720p?
1080i?

This depends on your TV and your connection type. Some TV's have better scaling at certain resolutions then others. So I would agree with who ever said which one looks better to you, unless you can get technical information on how the scaling of your TV works and to what it handles best.

DVD copy protection rules as set up by DVD CCA, disallows playback of DVDs on component above 480. This applies to every company, not just Microsoft.

But in an interesting twist, you can go all the way up to 1080i for HD DVD!

Thanks for clarifying the upconvert aspect of my post. So how is it that SD-DVD Upcovert via VGA connection?

NOT FOR YOU, BUT COMPONENT CABLE CAN ONLY ACCEPT 1080P SIGNAL, NOT DISPLAY IT. MEANING YOU WILL GET A PICTURE BUT IT ACTUALLY WONT BE DISPAYING IN 1080P. HDMI CABLE IS DIGITAL, WHICH HANDLES 1080P RESOLUTION, COMPONENT IS NOT.

This is silly and wrong...

component also can't handle 480p - cuz it's like digital. you like need hdmi for 480p. :P








sarcasm intended.

This is silly and wrong...


wat is sill about it, its true that HDMI is a digital connection and about the part with component not able to output 1080p, i guess i was misinformed, oh well, wat can i say.

anyway i just tested out on the HD DVD 1080i and 720p. They kinda look the samefrom my eyes, 1080i might me 5% sharper. Very very close

can someone with excellent experience tell me which is better 1080i or 768p???

there is no 768p
it's 1080i or 720p
imho 1080i wins, on paper 720p should be better but 1080i fools your
eyes very well but if you truly want hi-def go 1080p

Thanks for clarifying the upconvert aspect of my post. So how is it that SD-DVD Upcovert via VGA connection?
VGA is classified as a computer component and does not fall under the same regulations.

HAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! Mine is finally shipping from Amazon! It's about enough to make a guy want to punch his hand through his hat like good old Sam Mussobinni!

720p?

but don't you need hdmi for that?

there is no 768p
it's 1080i or 720p
imho 1080i wins, on paper 720p should be better but 1080i fools your
eyes very well but if you truly want hi-def go 1080p

i was going to purchase the sony xbr46" lcd but i wanted 50" so i got the pio 5070hd and i was told that i wont see a big difference in resolution b/c its only 46" screen, 1080p is good for larger screen b/c they nee dmore pixcels to cover the screen and, further, nothing is broadcasted in 1080p. the only stuff available now is a few games some movies.

got mine today via CC overnight delivery. Hooked it up right away. I'm watching on a 3 year old Panny 53" thru component.

I've only got King Kong right now to review.

Video quality is very good. Slightly better than some HD OTA I receive here in So. Fla. Significantly better than SD DVD.

I must say I'm not "blown away" by the improvement, but I am satisfied. Is Kong among the best transfers of HD DVD's out there in your opinions? I'm hoping to still be blown away by some other HD DVD's.

And how can I stop the movie where I want and return later and pick up exactly where I left off?

Thanks

720p?

but don't you need hdmi for that?

dont u

It IS needed! If Dolby digital plus can only go over HDMI how does one get this signal without it being converted to plain Dolby digital?

All of you calling for HDMI, you do know you will need a HDMI receiver dont you?

Clearly some people have not researched the addon very well, have a look at the faq here http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=748740 to answer all your questions.

Hi,
My setup: Samsung HL-S 5688 (overscan off), 360,360 hd-dvd player,Logitech Z-2300 speakers.
Here are my observations in no particular order:
1. The hd-dvd drive does make some noise, but its nothing compared to the 360 itself.
2. Over Component, games are 1080P, HD-DVD are 1080i. DVD's are 720X480.
3. Over VGA, games, HD-DVD & DVD are ALL displayed at 1080P.
4. Cars (standard dvd) is in the hd drive via vga right now, & info displays 1920X1080 @60Hz.
5. I have to turn the volume a lot for the hd-dvd's, if i swap over to say, gears of war, its way too
loud, much louder than the movie that was just playing.
6. VGA is noticeably sharper than component, HOWEVER, i do suffer some screen size loss when
viewing either dvd,hd-dvd, or playing games. Watching Cars on component i would have the
top/bottom black bars, but on VGA, i have 3/4 inch bars on the sides as well. So on a 56 inch
screen, i have a 51 inch viewable picture.(measured top left to bottom right), compared to a
54 inch viewable picture via component. Gears of War on VGA was a 53 1/2 inch picture
over VGA, while Gears of War over component fills the entire 56" screen.
7. On component the picture is softer overall, easiest place to see the difference is on the
Dashboard. Oh and of course the hd-dvd picture has top & bottom black bars, but none on the
sides. I wouldnt say its a big huge deal, but if you have good eyes & sit close (im at 7ft), you
will notice the softness of component, vs the sharper,smaller VGA image.
8. In the service menu, with PC (VGA) as the source, overscan is greyed out.
9. Either way the PQ for hd-dvd is AWESOME, and upconverted dvd's look good. (comp or vga)
10. In my opinion, the differences arent worth the $40.00 bucks for the VGA cable to me, but
im sure some people will think it is.
11. For the LAST frickin time please please understand that the only reason everything isnt 1080P via component is because of copyright concerns, NOT because its analog. Yes digital looks better, but its not required for 1080P.

Oh & for the 720P crowd & a few others, remember that the less the signal is messed with the better it will look. So if you take a 480P dvd & play it over VGA with the xbox360 upconverting to 1080, and lastly your tv downconverting it to 720 (or 768), the picture wont look as good as if you just had the 360 set to 720, unless you think your tv upconverts better than your dvd player (or 360 if thats your dvd player), then you could just leave it at 480 for dvd playback. & for the record, i have a 26" 720P samsung LCD & love it, high definition looks awesome on it. The reason i have a 1080P big screen is for the upgraded color wheel,brightness & processing, not simply because its 1080.
For the Samsung 1080P guys, i didnt really notice a difference in games whether the 360 was outputting via 720p or 1080i (over component), but i noticed a difference with the November Update that allows us to select 1080P.
Oh & i have zero stuttering or lip sync issues.
I hope this helps somebody somewhere.

You might want to use the "psize" button at the bottom of the remote so that you can get rid of the bars on teh left and right and fill the screen.

Check out justmeandher's comment above.

And FYI, your Japanese signature is wrong. It should read "Sore kara", not "Sere kara" at the beginning of the second sentence.


Thanx for the typo correction.

Also, his set is 720p and he is not seeing 1080p upcoversion and I recanted my previous statement btw and he doesn't have his VGA calibrated. Ok yes at first you get a washed out picture when using VGA (everyone says that) but who watches a set without calibrating it. If John Doe is gonna knock the input without calibrating it then I'm not gonna pay John Doe any attention. If you don't have the enough options to change the VGA settings then stick with component. The only difference I get with VGA is a sharper picture. Other than that there is no difference between MY component input and VGA input. That extra sharpness just works better for me and my eyes when watching any and everything.

Thanks for clarifying the upconvert aspect of my post. So how is it that SD-DVD Upcovert via VGA connection?
There was a provision in there for "computer output" which includes VGA port as when DVD came, computers only supported VGA output. Component output does not fall in that category.

Just watched the 2nd half of King Kong on my new 360 HD-DVD. Amazing picture. Better than my DVD version for sure.

Initially it stuttered after I installed the disk and did the update. So I restarted my 360 and all was gravy from there.

Very happy with my decision.

Watched it on a Sammy 4095d using component cables at 1080i. Yup no 1080p with HD-DVD over component.

Did I use VGA for the 1080p? No, I think it looks washed out in games so I didn't even bother trying it.

Did I use the Psize on the remote to get rid of the black bars? No, I wanted the real image without stretching.

Can the 360 play asian and european discs as well for HD-DVD? I know the A1/2 can just want to be sure abotu the 360addon

Got my 2nd HD-DVD drive today. The first one had a mechanical problem and could not play any disks. SD or HD.

WORKS GREAT!!! KING KONG, well you could almost count the hair on his..........

Thats funny i was looking at that too...and how bout that UNIVERSAL logo at the begining...lol

OK.. I am here scratching my head. So there is no way to eject the HD-DVD drive from the remote huh?

Updated my post, thanks Management! Much better now!
While the hd-dvd's look a little washed out, i didnt notice it playing gears of war. Im going to get a buddy over this weekend with his 360 & gears of war, we'll do a direct comparision.

I believe its FALSE to say disc space has NOTHING to do with a game running in 1080p.. A game could be upsampled but to use textures that would take advantage of 1080p it would impose more space hogging on a disc.. So it does have relation to it, but yes it is correct, you could therotically run a game with hi-res textures off a CD even.. there is no disc required, just taking a game like GTA which already fills up a dvd, and then trying to put texture samples on that disc that are possible 2x, 4x or even 5x the resolution, would definately have something to do with disc space... so i wouldn't say it has NOTHING to do with games having 1080p support, just has alot less than processor or graphics chip speed..

Full color 24 bit images in full 10 megapixel resolution can be store in compressed format in only a couple of megabytes worth of space. Disc storage really is inconsequential here. GPU power, bus bandwidth, and system/GPU memory are the limiting devices here. Not the drive.

At any rate, let's talk more about HD-DVD. I am interested in this thread because I am learning a lot about the ad-on, but it seems like a lot of XBOX gamers are joining the discussion and trashing the thread.

All of you calling for HDMI, you do know you will need a HDMI receiver dont you?

Clearly some people have not researched the addon very well, have a look at the faq here http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=748740 to answer all your questions.

Well I have a Denon 4806, if that answers your question there :)

Yes, it will.

Amir,

Have you any updates with regards to the VGA cable and it's washed out look on many sets? Again, a simple "in dash" calibration screen (some grey levels, colors, etc.) and brightness, contrast, asturation, tint and gamma controls would go a long way to solving the problem. I know it would probably be much more complicated to actually alter the video levels at the output.

I have managed to get my VGA looking about as good as component, but I could still use a touch more contrast, and my set's control is pegged.

OK.. I am here scratching my head. So there is no way to eject the HD-DVD drive from the remote huh?

I havent figured this out either. and mine don't work with my tv as well. called tech support and they were no help at all

Just watched the 2nd half of King Kong on my new 360 HD-DVD. Amazing picture. Better than my DVD version for sure.

Initially it stuttered after I installed the disk and did the update. So I restarted my 360 and all was gravy from there.

Very happy with my decision.

Watched it on a Sammy 4095d using component cables at 1080i. Yup no 1080p with HD-DVD over component.

Did I use VGA for the 1080p? No, I think it looks washed out in games so I didn't even bother trying it.

Did I use the Psize on the remote to get rid of the black bars? No, I wanted the real image without stretching.

I just used the p-size to adjust, & nothing looks stretched at all! Its not a zoom function, using it does not degrade the picture quality.

I just used the p-size to adjust, & nothing looks stretched at all! Its not a zoom function, using it does not degrade the picture quality.

:rolleyes:

I picked up my HD-DVD player from CC tonight and I'm watching King Kong right now. I bought the VGA cable because of the limitations it has with content. For those of you who are asking

YES 1920x1080 is enabled on the dashboard
YES It's very easy to setup
YES it is beautiful

Now I just need to get my picture calibrated JUST right.

later,
matt

Anyone have good tips to calibrating the 32" Westinghouse with the HD addon through VGA?

overtime, I offer pictures. These are shots from dashboard and while playing King Kong. The TV is a Sharp 37D90U using a component cable. For me, with only a 37 inch screen, going to VGA in the hopes of improving the picture with 1080p is probable not worth it. Just to confirm what others have said, a standard DVD outputs 480p if you can believe what the Sharp is telling you (I do).

The PQ is fantastic BTW (although my photos are not). I thought the Comcast Discovery channel broadcast was good until this. I now realize how much motion blur, macro blocking etc was due to the source.

Does the VGA on your set even support 1080p? I am planning on getting the same set to replace my 32 (which will go in the bedroom) and would like to run through VGA just to get upsampled SD discs too. I know 1080p 1080i difference is superficial on 24 or 30fps material (essentially everything out) but can't bear to lose the upsampling on the SD movies. The 360 does quite well upsampling on my current Sharp (1360x768 VGA).

When I was 18 I saw Rattle and Hum in the theater.
When I was 20 I bought Rattle and Hum on VHS and it looked and sounded good with the HI-FI on VHS.
When I was in my late 20's I bought Rattle and Hum on DVD and it looked ok and sounded way better.
When I was 36 I bought Rattle and Hum on HD-DVD and now It sounds great but it looks grainy. (for those who wonder no black bars on this one).

We have come a long way! Now film looks like crap on HD-DVD.

When I was 18 I saw Rattle and Hum in the theater.
When I was 20 I bought Rattle and Hum on VHS and it looked and sounded good with the HI-FI on VHS.
When I was in my late 20's I bought Rattle and Hum on DVD and it looked ok and sounded way better.
When I was 36 I bought Rattle and Hum on HD-DVD and now It sounds great but it looks grainy. (for those who wonder no black bars on this one).

We have come a long way! Now film looks like crap on HD-DVD.

Well R&H has been filmed with almost war footage during in interviews. In Show, it tought i looked ok, better than 90% of my shows on DVD in the B&W Shows part..

Question about Kong:

I purchased the HD-DVD add on from EB and hooked everything up. I have a 56" 720p Samsung connected via component cables and Kong does not fill my entire screen. My 360 is set to 720 and I was wondering if this is right? The menu on Kong fills up the entire screen but when the movie plays it is what I call letter boxed (black bars above and below the picture) Nothing is out of whack in the picture ie: no head cuts off or circles look like ovals. Just wondering if this is right?

Also would it benefit me in anyway to use VGA over the component cables?

Question about Kong:

I purchased the HD-DVD add on from EB and hooked everything up. I have a 56" 720p Samsung connected via component cables and Kong does not fill my entire screen. My 360 is set to 720 and I was wondering if this is right? The menu on Kong fills up the entire screen but when the movie plays it is what I call letter boxed (black bars above and below the picture) Nothing is out of whack in the picture ie: no head cuts off or circles look like ovals. Just wondering if this is right?

Also would it benefit me in anyway to use VGA over the component cables?

I'm watching it right now as well and I also found this puzzling. All Broadcast HD content that i've seen fills the entire screen...so shouldn't this?

And about the VGA cable, it would only do you good if you wanted to use your 360 to up-convert SD-DVDs since that's the only limitation it's putting on your setup.

Matt

Question about Kong:

I purchased the HD-DVD add on from EB and hooked everything up. I have a 56" 720p Samsung connected via component cables and Kong does not fill my entire screen. My 360 is set to 720 and I was wondering if this is right? The menu on Kong fills up the entire screen but when the movie plays it is what I call letter boxed (black bars above and below the picture) Nothing is out of whack in the picture ie: no head cuts off or circles look like ovals. Just wondering if this is right?

Also would it benefit me in anyway to use VGA over the component cables?

King Kong was shot in 2.35:1 aspect ratio which is even wider than 1.85:1 aspect. When you watch 1.85:1 on a widescreen television you'll get no black bars, but 2:35:1 will have them. Rest assured though, you are getting all the picture, and the 360 has zoom and p-size functions if you just have to fill your whole screen. :)

swanlee, what are the settings you used on your Westinghouse 42 inch 1080P LCD?

Has anybody tried using the vga cable and then using an adapter to connect the vga cable to the dvi port on a TV? I have a Hitachi RPTV and was wondering if this would work for upconverting dvd's.

Doing this now on my Sharp LCD. You have to have an analog capable DVI port though. It will be called DVI-I. If your is DVI-D then it is not capable of analog input. On my Sharp I have to enter the DVI setup menu and specifically select DVI-Analog PC in order to get it to work.

I got a quick little video stutter (or skip of frame or 2) right when they enter the swamp and the black guy asks them "gimme a head count" it happens right around that area.
(speaking about king kong)

My last post got me intrigued because I remembered seeing a menu selection for DVI-Analog AV as well as Analog-PC. I selected it, and nothing...until I went back and switched to 1280x720 resolution (was at 1360x760).

Now my Sharp is displaying via VGA, and the colors are as vibrant as component (maybe more). Also, all my standard video adjustments are back again (color, hue, contrast, etc.). So it seems that while MS states that sets are "incorrectly" assuming the VGA is PC format, and it is in effect really AV format they are bending the truth.

From what I can find, AV format VGA means it adheres to AV standard resolutions such as 1280x720, and 1920x1080i/p. The other resolutions in the MS dashboard are PC resolutions, and fall outside the AV DVI-A format. The display will complain the input is incompatible unless you got to DVI-A PC mode. Then it will allow virtually any resultion under or equal to the displays native matrix.

So Amir, is there a way to build in the adjustment functionality I mentioned in my earlier post so that PC mode can be used to get native 1/1 pixel mapping on a 768p set, with the vibrancy and contrast of the component/VGA-AV mode? I am happy with my newfound knowledge, but I still would prefer 1/1 pixel map over display-upsampled 720p.

EDIT - Upsampling of SD-DVD when using the 720p setting and Analog AV DVI setting is no good. Double upsampling (or something) causes the benefit of upsampling to turn into a strange jaggy fest. Funny though, switching back to PC mode (keeping 1280x720) results in the smooth upsampling. 1360x768 upsamples perfectly, and rivals that of the Toshiba. In fact, the 360 can properly handle SD-DVD version of Seabiscuit, which the Toshiba struggles with in certain scenes. The only other one that I have seen to do that is the Faroudja based Panasonic S77, and the 360 definitely looks better than that on my set. Please fix the contrast/color issues MS!

I got a quick little video stutter (or skip of frame or 2) right when they enter the swamp and the black guy asks them "gimme a head count" it happens right around that area.
(speaking about king kong)

For those that have the stutter & are using the supplied usb cable, have you tried clearing the cache on your 360?

Picked mine up at Circuit City - Torrance

I saw someone else picking one up at the same time.

I have my order at Amazon shipping next week, but will just cancel that one now.

That could have been me if the CC Torrance was the one that's actually in Hawthorne off Rosecrans?? :cool:

Got mine a few hours ago from CC about 30min from here. So far I am very pleased. A good friend of mine has an HD-DVD player, I'll have to take it there to compare on his projector. I have a Sanyo Z3. Luckily I had Kong on DVD, I honestly didn't expect to see that much of a difference, but WOW. For $200, I know I can't beat it. The question I still ahve to figure out in the coming weeks is how does it compare to the 500 stand alone one. Also for the Kong HD-DVD, load times were less than 30 seconds. I heard that some of the standalone units are pretty slow on that front. No noticible stutters yet. I'll give it a more thourough analysis tomorrow night hopefully.


So far, me = super happy.

wat is sill about it, its true that HDMI is a digital connection and about the part with component not able to output 1080p, i guess i was misinformed, oh well, wat can i say.

anyway i just tested out on the HD DVD 1080i and 720p. They kinda look the samefrom my eyes, 1080i might me 5% sharper. Very very close

I tink its 8.5% shrapper!
:eek:

When I was 18 I saw Rattle and Hum in the theater.
When I was 20 I bought Rattle and Hum on VHS and it looked and sounded good with the HI-FI on VHS.
When I was in my late 20's I bought Rattle and Hum on DVD and it looked ok and sounded way better.
When I was 36 I bought Rattle and Hum on HD-DVD and now It sounds great but it looks grainy. (for those who wonder no black bars on this one).

We have come a long way! Now film looks like crap on HD-DVD.

Ok, Rattle and Hum was 1/2 shot on 16mm film that was then blown up to 35 and cropped. And the other 1/2 that was shot in 35mm was shot using VERY fast, (meaning grainy) film that could be used in low light. It was meant to look gritty and documentary like. NOT like an HD video production. The reason it looks "worse" to you now is that HDdvd is a much higher resolution format than DVD and for the first time since the theater you are seeing all the grain again that was in the original film. I saw it in the theater and it looked grainy as hell there too.

More info and comments, opinions here...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=708500&highlight=rattle+and+hum

I have a quick question that hopefully someone can answer. I'm hooking up my 360 and HD drive to a Gateway FPD1975W monitor using a VGA cable. The monitor's native resolution is 1440x900, so it's 16:10. During gameplay it's not really been an issue, but now that I've been playing some HD DVDs on it, I've noticed that there is a slight vertical stretch to the picture. I've tried running the system on multiple resolutions, but it's always the same. Is there any way for me to get it to be displayed in a 16:9 aspect ratio?

Did anyone try to play any WMV-HD discs, like "Coral reef adventures" on the HD-DVD add on.???

Well, folks, you can now officially welcome me to the exciting world of HD DVD!!! :D

I purchased the 360 HD DVD add-on earlier today, and when I got home from work tonight, I hooked it up via component cable (by way of my Xbox 360, of course!) to my Zenith M52W56LCD 52" LCD Projection HDTV and my Denon AVR1905 DD-EX DTS-ES 7.1 receiver. I just watched a few random scenes on the "King Kong" HD DVD, including Kong's first appearance, and I must say, so far I am extremely impressed, not only with the picture (1080i on my TV) and sound quality, but with the performance of the HD DVD add-on, too!!! :cool:

I was worried that there might be some picture studdering after every chapter stop, as well as lip-synch problems like some in this thread have reportedly experienced. Thankfully, it plays as smooth as silk, with no problems whatsoever! :D I'll be watching the entire film tomorrow night, after I get home from work, and I'm REALLY looking forward to it!!!

Okay, a very brief video/audio review:
The picture quality of the "King Kong" HD DVD is, in a word, GORGEOUS!!! It's so crystal-clear, and the colors, as well as the blacks, are so beautifully and deeply rendered, it looks FIVE TIMES AS GOOD as it did when I saw it in the movie theater last December! I was expecting great, but I was not expecting it to be FREAKIN' SWEET!!! :D
As far as the sound quality, I thought I'd heard some high-quality, aggressive Dolby Digital tracks on standard-def DVDs, but this HD DVD DD+ track bests them all!!! The bass is so rich and deep, I could literally feel it in my chest cavity (WOW!) :eek: And the other five speakers? Well, they were all active and extremely alive, even during the quieter moments! As Darth Vader once commented to Luke Skywalker: "Impressive! Most impressive!"

Also, I had quite an adventure in buying this thing today! It's true, what everyone here has been saying: GameStop really does suck! The only reason I even bothered to buy it at GameStop was because I had $96.00 in store credit there (after trading in a few games a week ago). The first one I went to, the guy at the counter told me they'd just received their new-product shipment, but he wasn't gonna be bothered with actually opening up the blank cardboard boxes and putting all of the new items away. He was content to just stand around and do absolutely nothing. I asked him if any of the HD DVD add-ons had come in today. He said he didn't know, and acted like he didn't care. So, I gave up on that moron (he was the only one there at the time), and drove to the second GameStop in my town. When I asked the three employees working there if any of the add-ons had come in, they each got blankly stupid looks on their faces, and one of them even asked me what HD DVD was. After ten minutes of me explaining it to them, and them STILL apparently not understanding, I said never mind, and drove over to the third GameStop in my town. The guy behind the counter at that one at least knew and understood what HD DVD is (he told me he has the Toshiba HDXA1 at home), but was completely mis-informed about the add-ons release date. He was golly-gosh-darn positive the release date for it was DECEMBER 8th! I tried to convince him that it was released two days ago, and if he would just look it up in his computer system, he would see for himself, but he would not go for that. Now feeling very frustrated, and a bit put-upon, I decided to give the first GameStop a second try. Maybe by now, that guy had finally gotten around to opening the shipment boxes, and maybe they'd gotten in one or two of the add-ons. To my great surprise and delight, his manager had come into work a few minutes after I'd left, and the manager had made him put all the new products away. And, lo and behold, they'd gotten in one, and ONLY one, HD DVD add-on, and it was not reserved for anyone! FINALLY, after two hours of driving all around town, I walked out of a GameStop with an Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on drive under my arm, and a BIG, SILLY GRIN :D on my face!

Ahhh...!!!
Over-all, it was a very good day, today!!! :)

Got mine a few hours ago from CC about 30min from here. So far I am very pleased. A good friend of mine has an HD-DVD player, I'll have to take it there to compare on his projector. I have a Sanyo Z3. Luckily I had Kong on DVD, I honestly didn't expect to see that much of a difference, but WOW. For $200, I know I can't beat it. The question I still ahve to figure out in the coming weeks is how does it compare to the 500 stand alone one. Also for the Kong HD-DVD, load times were less than 30 seconds. I heard that some of the standalone units are pretty slow on that front. No noticible stutters yet. I'll give it a more thourough analysis tomorrow night hopefully.


So far, me = super happy.

As far as I can tell, the load-times on mine are between 5 and 10 seconds! Talk about speedy!!! :eek:

Somebody on a french forum reported , that with vista 64 bits RC2 and wmp 11 and a HDCD graphic card, he is able to play HD-DVD on the pc without any other player.
Had somebody do this test?

Thanks

When I was 18 I saw Rattle and Hum in the theater.
When I was 20 I bought Rattle and Hum on VHS and it looked and sounded good with the HI-FI on VHS.
When I was in my late 20's I bought Rattle and Hum on DVD and it looked ok and sounded way better.
When I was 36 I bought Rattle and Hum on HD-DVD and now It sounds great but it looks grainy. (for those who wonder no black bars on this one).

We have come a long way! Now film looks like crap on HD-DVD.


wat do u expect the original movie is 30 years old, request that they make the film over with todays technology and new actors and u will get a sharper picture. but for now be happy that u get to see it on HD DVD.

Hey Starwars congrats man! Welcome to the HD era!

Quite a story/adventure there! :)

Yea I timed my HD-DVD players load time & it's the same as yours, between 5-9 secs for load & start of HD-DVD movie.

As far as HDMI cable goes, I attended the Digital Life Expo here in NYC last month. HD-DVD & MS had reps & products setup & displaying, including the HD-DVD add-on & Toshiba stand alone players. the HD-DVD camp had a trailer inside the expo, where inside they had a huge projector setup up running a HD-DVD stand alone player playing FF:Tokyo Drift. A buddy & me waiting on line to get a chance to go inside & check out the setup, but as we finally got up front & were next to go inside, the President of ESPN showed up with a camera crew & went inside to setup for a demonstration & interview. A HD-DVD rep then informed us that it would take about an hour before they were done,so we left & didn't get to see it, but during the time we waited in line a guy in front of me struck up a convo with a HD-DVD rep there, asking him about the XB360 HD-DVD add-on, I was able to catch most of the convo. HDMI was brought up, the rep stated that MS will be releasing an HDMI Cable, but that it just hasn't been announced & won't be until sometime in Nov or Dec, when asked again if this was 100% true facts, the rep said YES! Adding that XB360 architecture is so flexible for such a thing.

Congradulations, i got luckier, the second store i went to had only one in stock since Wedneday, and at a Coconuts store, who would have known. I asked the clerk how many did they have in total since wednesday and she said only 1. I guess its not a hot item to some people. Oh well lucky me i got it. now i got to restart my video collection in HD.

Here are 3 Hi-Res pics of KING KONG HD-DVD, running on the XB360 HD-DVD add-on, displaying on my HP MD5880N 1080P RPHDTV using Component cables.

http://www.imagestation.com/8408782/3961084478

http://www.imagestation.com/8408782/3961084473

http://www.imagestation.com/8408782/3961084469

The original pics are larger, but due to their size (each are 3008x1768) the website I use to store them for sharing crops them down to smaller size, but you can still get an idea of the PQ this HD-DVD player can produce, it's very impressive! 2 of my buddies have asked me to order them a HD-DVD add-on for their XB360, after seeing mine.

Here are 3 Hi-Res pics of KING KONG HD-DVD, running on the XB360 HD-DVD add-on, displaying on my HP MD5880N 1080P RPHDTV using Component cables.

http://www.imagestation.com/8408782/3961084478

http://www.imagestation.com/8408782/3961084473

http://www.imagestation.com/8408782/3961084469

The original pics are larger, but due to their size (each are 3008x1768) the website I use to store them for sharing crops them down to smaller size, but you can still get an idea of the PQ this HD-DVD player can produce, it's very impressive! 2 of my buddies have asked me to order them a HD-DVD add-on for their XB360, after seeing mine.

nice pics there buddy, how many pixels is ur camera?

So, My Addon must have got too hot last night because about 2/3 through "Fast Times" the cooling fan kicked in and was working really hard. It was loud. I think it was my fault though because I had it on top of me AV reciever. I have moved it to the top of the 360 now and will see what happens today. But, it was really loud with the fan running at full speed. Anyone else notice this?

So, My Addon must have got too hot last night because about 2/3 through "Fast Times" the cooling fan kicked in and was working really hard. It was loud. I think it was my fault though because I had it on top of me AV reciever. I have moved it to the top of the 360 now and will see what happens today. But, it was really loud with the fan running at full speed. Anyone else notice this?

No, but I have an "open air" A/V rack with the 360 sitting by itself. I have the HD-DVD drive sitting on top in the middle of the system, so it doesn't block the side air vents on the left and right edges.

The back of the system was fairly hot while watching a movie, but the rest of the box stayed cool. No lockups at all while watching pieces of King Kong, Batman, and the entirety of "The Thing".

So, My Addon must have got too hot last night because about 2/3 through "Fast Times" the cooling fan kicked in and was working really hard. It was loud. I think it was my fault though because I had it on top of me AV reciever. I have moved it to the top of the 360 now and will see what happens today. But, it was really loud with the fan running at full speed. Anyone else notice this?


Mine is loud the minute you put the disc in. Don't know what to do. Maybe I will exchange it today if they have more in.

So, My Addon must have got too hot last night because about 2/3 through "Fast Times" the cooling fan kicked in and was working really hard. It was loud. I think it was my fault though because I had it on top of me AV reciever. I have moved it to the top of the 360 now and will see what happens today. But, it was really loud with the fan running at full speed. Anyone else notice this?

nothing should be placed on top of an a/v receiver...you usually can cook an egg on the tops of mine :)

"ok and wat about the most important one, HDMI??"

No HDMI for the 360, Since VGA does full 1080P on all formats HDMI need is reduced.

I beg to differ as to HDMI need being reduced. There are people who have newer sets that do not have VGA, but have HDMI, like myself. My set doesn't support 1080p but it does have HDMI and HDMI does provide a superior picture to even component. My HTPC going over HDMI makes the standard DVD playback of the XBOX360 look like crap.

I'm not spreading FUD, because the HD-DVD playback is AWESOME! and more than worth the $200.00, and the sound is great, You can indeed hear the difference on the Dolby TrueHD soundtracks, and I don't have great speakers, or a subwoofer.

I feel that the 360 playing standard DVD's is using the exact same method of playing them as before. All that may be different is upscaling due to the Fall update and since I don't have VGA I can't confirm that.

TimT