but it only upscales via vga? so sort of a conundrum

No major brand player upconverts over component because them's the rules. So it's the same conundrum for everybody.

I currently have a 32" Dell 3207C with a Samsung HD960 upconverting player. My question is: Will I notice a major difference between an upconverted SD and a HD DVD on a display my size?

No major brand player upconverts over component because them's the rules. So it's the same conundrum for everybody.

Maybe not officially, but my Samsung HD950 does.

I currently have a 32" Dell 3207C with a Samsung HD960 upconverting player. My question is: Will I notice a major difference between an upconverted SD and a HD DVD on a display my size?

I would say outside of the very visible color differences, very unlikely. On my 42" Sony rear projection LCD (720P also) there's really very little difference between upconverted DVDs and HD DVD. The only reason I went HD DVD was the cheap cost of the player ($160 at CC) and the fact that at Amazon it's not like HD DVDs are that much more expensive than DVDs. I intend to get a 60" TV and 1080P/24 player end of next year so I figured whey not go HD now. Worst case scenario I get a universal player at that time.

Maybe not officially, but my Samsung HD950 does.

So do Oppo and Zenith, but they are breaking the rules of the DVD consortium. It's a stupid copy-protection thing.

So do Oppo and Zenith, but they are breaking the rules of the DVD consortium. It's a stupid copy-protection thing.

Agreed. I'm just saying if you want to do it for whatever reason there's major brand players out there that will take care of you, not to mention that here, the HD950 also plays Divx :)

Anyone know what the latest auto update for the drive was/is? Last night when I logged in a popped in a movie I got an update.....

Just minor crap. Ripped from GAF:

January 2006 System Update for Xbox 360

This free Xbox 360™ update is great news! We've been listening to what the community has been telling us, so we're happy to announce that this update will improve your gaming experience.

Here are some of the changes in this update:

* Improvements to the Xbox Guide.
* Option to retain your saved games when you delete a profile.
* Increased accuracy of "last time played."
* Network configuration improvements for Xbox Live® members in the Netherlands.
* More detailed messaging for unreadable disk or region errors.

Not at all. The Xbox 360 add-on displays blacker-than-black and whiter-than-white over component, confirmed by independent reviews and my own tests using the test patterns from both Digital Video Essentials and Avia.

VGA is, as has been said many times here, display dependent. Some displays expect PC black levels over VGA, some video black levels, which are different. Some displays offer good control settings with a VGA input, some none or minimal.

Bottom line, component will look great on the vast majority of sets and projectors, but it won't upconvert. VGA will upconvert, but it may or may not give you better PQ depending on your display.Thanks for the info. :)

Just minor crap. Ripped from GAF.
Do you have a link for future reference.

Do you have a link for future reference.

Apparently the list was a cockup by 1up. As far as the info as to what it fixes, this is all there seems to be:

http://www.majornelson.com/archive/2007/01/09/today-s-dash-update.aspx

If I have a upconverting receiver, and I put the Xbox through that, then what happens to a standard movie? Will that change the picture when it goes to the tv through an HDMI cable?

Because I want to run everything through my receiver and my receiver doesnt have a VGA input, but my tv does, and the reason i bought the receiver is so I can switch between all of my components.

So my main question is this, I know that The add on HD DVD player for x box cannot up convert through component, but if my receiver upconverts to digital is that the same thing?

You can switch the component output from the Xbox the same as with any other device. I have no experience with upconverting receivers, but it should treat the Xbox signals like any other component input

Obviously it won't need to upscale the 1080i output from the HD DVD, but IF it upconverts standard DVDs over component now it should do the same for the Xbox. If it only upconverts from standard DVD players with a digital connection, it probably won't upconvert the Xbox.

The manual for your receiver should give you better answers than anyone in this forum.

Could someone who bought their drive in the USA please check if the included transformer accepts 110-240 volts? Also, does the transformer have a regular two-pin connector for a detachable power lead? Thanks in advance!

For those of you using a Harmony Remote (I have the 680), is there a way to map a "subtitles" button? As far as I can tell, you can't even do it with the controller or the included remote, but I tend to like that functionality when I just can't make out what someone is saying (without having to go back into the menu).

Could someone who bought their drive in the USA please check if the included transformer accepts 110-240 volts? Also, does the transformer have a regular two-pin connector for a detachable power lead? Thanks in advance!

Yes, on both counts if you mean from the transformer to the wall.

Yes, on both counts if you mean from the transformer to the wall.
Yup, thanks for the info!

An upconverting standard DVD player will give you better quality than the Xbox 360, yes.

I purchased a sony upconverting DVD player and compared screen shots between that and the 360 on VGA. 360 was hands down better on standard DVDs then the Sony on HDMI

See here for screen shots: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=780557

Today I compared the 360's DVD Player via VGA @ 720p to my Panasonic S97s Faroudja based unit at 720p via DVI.

In my setup, the 360's deinterlacing just doesn't compare due to jaggies, stair steps, aliasing errors or whatever they are called. Here are some samples. They are more pronounced while viewing. I realize I need to calibrate out the Blue, now that I take a closer look. You get the point. But I see these Jaggies i almost all DVD's. This is the SuperBit version (Not Ultimate) of The Fifth Element.

http://members.cox.net/sandifer4/360dvd.jpg
http://members.cox.net/sandifer4/dvds97.jpg

Overall, the XBOX. Close and distant are better- see her hair,and behind her. but faroudja is still good. Nice comparison. I firmly believe with standard dvd and hddvd, the transfer makes or breaks it.

When will Microsoft release an update that allows the add-on to upconvert through component video? I tried VGA on my Hl-S5687W but hated the fact that it locked out a lot of the functions on the TV such as Game Mode. If they do this it would be amazing to specify what resolutions you would like for each. I found that the 1080p upconvert (when I had the VGA) was far too grainy for normal DVDs and in a sense this was the case for the HD-DVDs as well. I liked 720p for normal DVDs, 1080p for games, and 1080i for HD-DVDs. Anyone else experience this and have hopes for the same thing? -Wes-

When will Microsoft release an update that allows the add-on to upconvert through component video? I tried VGA on my Hl-S5687W but hated the fact that it locked out a lot of the functions on the TV such as Game Mode. If they do this it would be amazing to specify what resolutions you would like for each. I found that the 1080p upconvert (when I had the VGA) was far too grainy for normal DVDs and in a sense this was the case for the HD-DVDs as well. I liked 720p for normal DVDs, 1080p for games, and 1080i for HD-DVDs. Anyone else experience this and have hopes for the same thing? -Wes-
They won't. The CSS license does not permit upscaling DVD over component.

If I have a upconverting receiver, and I put the Xbox through that, then what happens to a standard movie? Will that change the picture when it goes to the tv through an HDMI cable?

Because I want to run everything through my receiver and my receiver doesnt have a VGA input, but my tv does, and the reason i bought the receiver is so I can switch between all of my components.

So my main question is this, I know that The add on HD DVD player for x box cannot up convert through component, but if my receiver upconverts to digital is that the same thing?

Are you sure it is upconverting?

My receiver, Denon 2807, says it upconverts but their use of the word is different than my
use of the word. Their definition means that it will take all signals, composite or component and
"upconvert" them to HDMI. It is the same resolution that goes in, it just comes out the HDMI cable.

Will it up convert if I use my old audio authority- vga to component switch?

Will it up convert if I use my old audio authority- vga to component switch?

so you go VGA out then back to component?

Yes, I had to use it with my first dtc receiver, it only had vga out and my TV only had
component in.

Does it play homebrew HD DVD's written to DVD +/- media? Dual Layer?
This has been confirmed by some users. It will play HD DVD formatted DVD-R and DVD-RW discs.

I can't get my disk to work. It plays on a Toshiba deck but not the XBox 360 HD-DVD player. Any ideas? Is there a software update I need?

David

Does it play homebrew HD DVD's written to DVD +/- media? Dual Layer?
This has been confirmed by some users. It will play HD DVD formatted DVD-R and DVD-RW discs.

I can't get my disk to work. It plays on a Toshiba deck but not the XBox 360 HD-DVD player. Any ideas? Is there a software update I need?

David

It works well for me. I have authored almost a dozen HD DVDs recorded from OTA TV on single- and dual-layer DVD-R and DVD+R, and almost all play back flawlessly on the 360. There have been a couple of singles that exhibit a slight video stutter for the first minute before smoothing out, but that appears to be a case of lower-quality media and not the player.

Check the HD DVD authoring thread that is a sticky in the HD DVD software forum. It's very specific on what software and techniques work. If you follow the guide exactly you won't have any trouble.

Will it up convert if I use my old audio authority- vga to component switch?

This sounds promising...has anyone tried this and if they have what are the picture quality results? I'm curious as to whether they will EVER release an HDMI connection to put an end to all this VGA/Component mess...its annoying. If my VGA input didn't lockout half the picture settings I would be fine with the VGA but unfortunately it doesn't allow for too many adjustments.

I don't know if this question has been answered, but would it be possible to upconvert DVD's with a vga-component cable like this:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10235&cs_id=1023503&p_id=2170&seq=1&format=2&style=

If not a vga-component cable, then a vga-hdmi cable if one exists.

Again, I don't know if this kind of thing would work, but if it does, I'd gladly sell my Sony DVP-NS75H and get the 360 hd-dvd player.

Edit: lol, I didn't even know the people that posted just before me were asking similar questions.

I believe that cable in the link will only work if your VGA port accepts Component video. So all it basically does is pass component output to from the source the VGA input. So no.

Now if you are thinking that using the VGA out of the xbox and running it to component in on the TV I am not sure but I would think that it would not work because it is passing the wrong format also.

The only way I believe this will work is if you get a transcoder. I believe that Audio Authority has them

If I am wrong somebody please correct me.

Thanks,

I have a Sharp 10K FP 720P native. It will also dsplay at 1080i. It has DVI, Component, and VGA inputs. If I get the add-on what would be the ideal connection and setting if I want to also play 480 dvds upscaled?

I have a Sharp 10K FP 720P native. It will also dsplay at 1080i. It has DVI, Component, and VGA inputs. If I get the add-on what would be the ideal connection and setting if I want to also play 480 dvds upscaled?
If you want to upscale DVDs, the only choice is VGA.

unstuck

Quick question.

Just got the add-on and being the idiot male that I am didn't look at the instructions. I connected the drive to the 360 before running the software. I unhooked everything and now it seems that I can't get the 360 to install the the software. It loads the screen that tells me to connect the drive and then just sits there. Is there anyway I can fix this?

Quick question.

Just got the add-on and being the idiot male that I am didn't look at the instructions. I connected the drive to the 360 before running the software. I unhooked everything and now it seems that I can't get the 360 to install the the software. It loads the screen that tells me to connect the drive and then just sits there. Is there anyway I can fix this?
Did you try clearing the 360's cache?

This will clear all updates on the system, and should clear whatever caused this problem. Then just go through and set-up the add-on.

I searched the thread and could not find any follow-ups to this FAQ.

Does anyone know why you can't play games from from the HD-DVD drive? Is this an arbitrary decision?

My XBOX 360 is in my equipment closet and my HD-DVD drive is in my Home Theater Room. I would LOVE to be able to load games remotely without walking around to my closet.

I really, really wish this worked.

pete


Can I put game discs into the HD DVD addon and play games from it?
No. There's nothing stopping you physically putting game discs into the drive, (just like you could also put a slice of cheese, or a round piece of sandpaper), but the game will not play from that drive. It would be nifty to be able to switch between two games, but alas, that is not possible.

I searched the thread and could not find any follow-ups to this FAQ.

Does anyone know why you can't play games from from the HD-DVD drive? Is this an arbitrary decision?

My XBOX 360 is in my equipment closet and my HD-DVD drive is in my Home Theater Room. I would LOVE to be able to load games remotely without walking around to my closet.

I really, really wish this worked.

pete
No possibility of that unfortunately. The main drive has special electronics/firmware for the games which the external drive lacks.

Think about it this way: by splitting your use between the drives, they will both last longer :).

Did you try clearing the 360's cache?

This will clear all updates on the system, and should clear whatever caused this problem. Then just go through and set-up the add-on.

Thanks, that fixed it.

Thanks, that fixed it.
Glad to hear you can now enjoy the add-on liek the rest of us. :)

I believe that cable in the link will only work if your VGA port accepts Component video. So all it basically does is pass component output to from the source the VGA input. So no.

Now if you are thinking that using the VGA out of the xbox and running it to component in on the TV I am not sure but I would think that it would not work because it is passing the wrong format also.

The only way I believe this will work is if you get a transcoder. I believe that Audio Authority has them

If I am wrong somebody please correct me.

Thanks,
Yes, does anybody else know about this? I want to use a vga-hdmi cable or vga-component cable from my 360 hd-dvd player because my TV does not have a VGI input. Would any of these connections work?

Only asking this because I want to upconvert dvds.

Haven't seen anything in the forums yet about this problem, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Just got a Samsung HLS-5687W and the 360 addon last Thursday, got it set up, connected with the VGA cable so I could get 1080p from the 360 and upscale SD DVDS. That night everything was fine, watched Batman Begins, played Gears, Lost Planet etc. The next day when I turned everthing on the image over VGA at 1080p looks like it is moved up, some of the top of the screen cut off and the bottom 4 inches are so is static mess, sometimes green, or white or lots of colors. Now over component everything is fine, and if I change the VGA resolution in the 360 dashboard to any setting other than 1920x1080 I don't have the problem? Any ideas? Could it be the cable, the 360, or the TV? And why did it all work fine for a night and then screw up?

Haven't seen anything in the forums yet about this problem, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Just got a Samsung HLS-5687W and the 360 addon last Thursday, got it set up, connected with the VGA cable so I could get 1080p from the 360 and upscale SD DVDS. That night everything was fine, watched Batman Begins, played Gears, Lost Planet etc. The next day when I turned everthing on the image over VGA at 1080p looks like it is moved up, some of the top of the screen cut off and the bottom 4 inches are so is static mess, sometimes green, or white or lots of colors. Now over component everything is fine, and if I change the VGA resolution in the 360 dashboard to any setting other than 1920x1080 I don't have the problem? Any ideas? Could it be the cable, the 360, or the TV? And why did it all work fine for a night and then screw up?

You know your component inputs on the back of the TV accept 1080p. I have the 5087 and recently discovered this on my own. Check out the specs on your TV from crutchfield. When running via VGA (RGB), on your remote hit the P. Size button, you can make adjustments to fix your problem.

I have the same TV and this is why I ultimately ditched the VGA Cables and went back to Component. Too many problems with adjusting the picture and it also eliminates a lot of picture settings and game mode when you use VGA. Though you don't get 1080p and the upconvert on SD DVDs, its not worth the hastle. -Wes-

Though you don't get 1080p and the upconvert on SD DVDs, its not worth the hassle. -Wes-

Wes --
What do you mean by this? Connecting via VGA gives you SD DVD upconversion?

Wes --
What do you mean by this? Connecting via VGA gives you SD DVD upconversion?

Yes connecting the Xbox via VGA gives you 1080p output on the HD DVD addon as well as upconversion on SD DVD.

I'm ordering a VGA to Component adapter to see if it will solve some of the issues my Samsung HLS 5687 has with the VGA port. If that doesn't work I'm hoping that having a professional calibrate it will solve the problem.

Yes connecting the Xbox via VGA gives you 1080p output on the HD DVD addon as well as upconversion on SD DVD.

I'm ordering a VGA to Component adapter to see if it will solve some of the issues my Samsung HLS 5687 has with the VGA port. If that doesn't work I'm hoping that having a professional calibrate it will solve the problem.

i just ordered the vga for the same reason. do you think we will have to recalibrate the vga setting to get a good picture. i wonder if my sony plasma xbr has differenct calibrations for each input?

i just ordered the vga for the same reason. do you think we will have to recalibrate the vga setting to get a good picture. i wonder if my sony plasma xbr has differenct calibrations for each input?

The problem with the VGA port on most televisions is lack of calibration options. On my samsung hls 5687 I can only change contrast and brightness hence my buying the VGA to Component adapter. The problem I see with this is I might lose upconversion on my SD DVDs. Only one way to find out I guess.

You should be able to calibrate your Sony for each input, but my understanding is the early XBR's don't do 1080p over anything except HDMI so you may run into some problems there.

The problem with the VGA port on most televisions is lack of calibration options. On my samsung hls 5687 I can only change contrast and brightness hence my buying the VGA to Component adapter. The problem I see with this is I might lose upconversion on my SD DVDs. Only one way to find out I guess.

You should be able to calibrate your Sony for each input, but my understanding is the early XBR's don't do 1080p over anything except HDMI so you may run into some problems there.

yeah, mine is just 1080i but i still want the upconversion for sd-dvd's.

Well I finally got my hands on the Xbox 360 HD-DVD add-on drive. Connected it up to my Media Center 2005 PC and installed the driver to access the drive... no problems.

Unfortuantely I cannot get it to play movies properly. I'm using PowerDVD 7 Ultra, I can hear audio fine but the video is basically a series of green horizontal flickering bars on a black background which then mixes with similar bars of other colours depending on what is playing.

I connect my media center PC to my screen via VGA.

I'm guessing my spec isn't up to it:

Pentium 4 3Ghz processor
Ati Radeon 9600
1.5Gb RAM

The Checker from Cyberlink says there's issues with my processor and drivers (I'm running the latest ones), it cannot say whether the card is OK or not. I suspect at a pinch with suitable graphics the 3Ghz processor can scrape through and work based on comments I've read on other people's specs.

HD quality trailers downloaded (in wmv format) work fine in Media Player. My screens resolution is 1360 x 768 as standard and never has any problems with anything else. These trailers look great full screen.

However as soon as PowerDVD tries to play King Kong I have problems.

I've done some research and it seems for my limited budget my only option might be to try an nvidia 7600 AGP card and see if that works.

Can anybody offer any thoughts? I don't want to spend a fortune as I'm on a tight budget and looking to replace the whole PC in the next 12-18 months (Vista Media Center works wonderful on it apart from only being able to deliver stereo sound, which promptly resulted in me switching back to XP MCE2005).

I guess the ideal situation in time therefore is to replace the processor with Core2 Duo and purchase a PCI-E graphics card with suitable grunt (this then requiring a new m/board and memory) ... in other words I may as well buy I new PC ;)

For the time being then if the AGP card replacement is going to be unsuccesful I'm going to resign myself to moving the Xbox360 from bedroom to lounge when wanting to watch HD-DVD movies (it runs as a media center extender in my bedroom).

Cheers.

Well I finally got my hands on the Xbox 360 HD-DVD add-on drive. Connected it up to my Media Center 2005 PC and installed the driver to access the drive... no problems.

Unfortuantely I cannot get it to play movies properly. I'm using PowerDVD 7 Ultra, I can hear audio fine but the video is basically a series of green horizontal flickering bars on a black background which then mixes with similar bars of other colours depending on what is playing.

I connect my media center PC to my screen via VGA.

I'm guessing my spec isn't up to it:

Pentium 4 3Ghz processor
Ati Radeon 9600
1.5Gb RAM

The Checker from Cyberlink says there's issues with my processor and drivers (I'm running the latest ones), it cannot say whether the card is OK or not. I suspect at a pinch with suitable graphics the 3Ghz processor can scrape through and work based on comments I've read on other people's specs.

HD quality trailers downloaded (in wmv format) work fine in Media Player. My screens resolution is 1360 x 768 as standard and never has any problems with anything else. These trailers look great full screen.

However as soon as PowerDVD tries to play King Kong I have problems.

I've done some research and it seems for my limited budget my only option might be to try an nvidia 7600 AGP card and see if that works.

Can anybody offer any thoughts? I don't want to spend a fortune as I'm on a tight budget and looking to replace the whole PC in the next 12-18 months (Vista Media Center works wonderful on it apart from only being able to deliver stereo sound, which promptly resulted in me switching back to XP MCE2005).

I guess the ideal situation in time therefore is to replace the processor with Core2 Duo and purchase a PCI-E graphics card with suitable grunt (this then requiring a new m/board and memory) ... in other words I may as well buy I new PC ;)

For the time being then if the AGP card replacement is going to be unsuccesful I'm going to resign myself to moving the Xbox360 from bedroom to lounge when wanting to watch HD-DVD movies (it runs as a media center extender in my bedroom).

Cheers.

Your video card cannot handle it.

Wait for the budget DX10 cards due in late march from nvidia which will do HD processing on GPU like the 8800's

Well I finally got my hands on the Xbox 360 HD-DVD add-on drive. Connected it up to my Media Center 2005 PC and installed the driver to access the drive... no problems.

Unfortuantely I cannot get it to play movies properly. I'm using PowerDVD 7 Ultra, I can hear audio fine but the video is basically a series of green horizontal flickering bars on a black background which then mixes with similar bars of other colours depending on what is playing.

I connect my media center PC to my screen via VGA.

I'm guessing my spec isn't up to it:

Pentium 4 3Ghz processor
Ati Radeon 9600
1.5Gb RAM

The Checker from Cyberlink says there's issues with my processor and drivers (I'm running the latest ones), it cannot say whether the card is OK or not. I suspect at a pinch with suitable graphics the 3Ghz processor can scrape through and work based on comments I've read on other people's specs.

HD quality trailers downloaded (in wmv format) work fine in Media Player. My screens resolution is 1360 x 768 as standard and never has any problems with anything else. These trailers look great full screen.

However as soon as PowerDVD tries to play King Kong I have problems.

I've done some research and it seems for my limited budget my only option might be to try an nvidia 7600 AGP card and see if that works.

Can anybody offer any thoughts? I don't want to spend a fortune as I'm on a tight budget and looking to replace the whole PC in the next 12-18 months (Vista Media Center works wonderful on it apart from only being able to deliver stereo sound, which promptly resulted in me switching back to XP MCE2005).

I guess the ideal situation in time therefore is to replace the processor with Core2 Duo and purchase a PCI-E graphics card with suitable grunt (this then requiring a new m/board and memory) ... in other words I may as well buy I new PC ;)

For the time being then if the AGP card replacement is going to be unsuccesful I'm going to resign myself to moving the Xbox360 from bedroom to lounge when wanting to watch HD-DVD movies (it runs as a media center extender in my bedroom).

Cheers.

Try using WinDVD if you use VGA. I hear PowerDVD has issues with VGA (bypassing HDCP). Although my recommendation is just using DVI with a HDCP card, you will not find a cheap HDCP compliant card in AGP. If you were to get a PCI-e card, 8800 is not necessary. You just need a decent HDCP compliant card. look for a list of them on google. More importantly, no matter what Cyberlink PowerDVD tells you, your p4 3ghz will not cut it. Dual cores are recommended and in my opinion, it is a must. You'll probably need to build another setup from scratch. Again, try using WinDVD and tell us how it goes.

I read the first post in this thread and it raises this question for me. With the hd-dvd is there a way to upconvert standard dvds? It says it's not possible via component but is there some kind of dvi-component (or dvi-hdmi) cable that would allow upconverting to 720p/1080i?

It's really the only thing that keeps me from buying this player. I will probably buy an oppo if I can't upconvert with the 360 hd-dvd.

Very solid FAQ. Thanks for the info.

I read the first post in this thread and it raises this question for me. With the hd-dvd is there a way to upconvert standard dvds? It says it's not possible via component but is there some kind of dvi-component (or dvi-hdmi) cable that would allow upconverting to 720p/1080i?

It's really the only thing that keeps me from buying this player. I will probably buy an oppo if I can't upconvert with the 360 hd-dvd.

You can upconvert using the VGA cable. I just bought one and regular DVD's look great. Make sure you buy the one from Microsoft. At first I bought a cheapo $19 VGA cable but returned it for the Microsoft one and saw a definite improvement.

Interestingly, so far I haven't noticed a huge difference between DVD's that are upconverted and true HD-DVD (in 720p). I just watched 12 Monkeys on HD-DVD and it looked exactly like regular DVD. By comparison, The Illusionist on regular DVD upconverted looked like it was true HD.

You can upconvert using the VGA cable. I just bought one and regular DVD's look great. Make sure you buy the one from Microsoft. At first I bought a cheapo $19 VGA cable but returned it for the Microsoft one and saw a definite improvement.

Interestingly, so far I haven't noticed a huge difference between DVD's that are upconverted and true HD-DVD (in 720p). I just watched 12 Monkeys on HD-DVD and it looked exactly like regular DVD. By comparison, The Illusionist on regular DVD upconverted looked like it was true HD.

I'm not sure my current or future projector has VGA but they both have HDMI. Can I get a vga-hdmi cable and get upconverting to 1080i?

I'm not sure my current or future projector has VGA but they both have HDMI. Can I get a vga-hdmi cable and get upconverting to 1080i?

VGA is analog. HDMI is digital. So, no.

Are there any settings that the add on drive has? i.e. color, tint, brightness, contrast, gamma

I think the 360 VGA cable is a perfect match for a projector. My project makes better color on the VGA port then it does on the HDMI. I have tried a few different upconverting DVD players and the 360 gives a very noticeably clear/sharper picture.

I second that!

I'm not sure my current or future projector has VGA but they both have HDMI. Can I get a vga-hdmi cable and get upconverting to 1080i?

You can't just buy a cable to do VGA to HDMI you have to buy a converter box.
There are a handful of analog to digital converters but they are expensive and not sure how well they actually work. This one converts VGA to DVI which is easily converted to HDMI through an adaptor:

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/DVI_ADC-converter.html#vgadvi

Anyone else's Xbox HDDVD Drive sound like a blowdryer? I have a Wii, PS3, Xbox360 HDDVD drive (no Xbox 360 console, just the drive) all next to each other (inches apart) and the HDDVD drive is sooo loud compared to the other two. Wii and the PS3 sounds like a fan with no audible "tone". However, the 360 drive has a definite "tone" along with the fan sound. I tried to reposition the drive, set it down on the carpet, etc. Nothing helps, seems like the drive itself is making the noise. Is this normal?

Anyone else's Xbox HDDVD Drive sound like a blowdryer? I have a Wii, PS3, Xbox360 HDDVD drive (no Xbox 360 console, just the drive) all next to each other (inches apart) and the HDDVD drive is sooo loud compared to the other two. Wii and the PS3 sounds like a fan with no audible "tone". However, the 360 drive has a definite "tone" along with the fan sound. I tried to reposition the drive, set it down on the carpet, etc. Nothing helps, seems like the drive itself is making the noise. Is this normal?

Return it. Its busted. Trust me the replacement will be much much better. Unfortunatly when the hd-dvd addon is silent you notice, again, how loud the 360 is. At that point you have to wonder is it worth it waiting a few more months for the stand alones?

...Interestingly, so far I haven't noticed a huge difference between DVD's that are upconverted and true HD-DVD (in 720p). I just watched 12 Monkeys on HD-DVD and it looked exactly like regular DVD. By comparison, The Illusionist on regular DVD upconverted looked like it was true HD.

This screams calibration issues. For example make sure you dont have the picture over-saturated (everyone seems to love to do this, haha).

Return it. Its busted. Trust me the replacement will be much much better. Unfortunatly when the hd-dvd addon is silent you notice, again, how loud the 360 is. At that point you have to wonder is it worth it waiting a few more months for the stand alones?

Well I don't have a Xbox 360, I only have the HD-DVD drive (connected to PC). I'll go pick 2 more drives up tomorrow and see which one is the quietest, then return the other 2 :D

Since this forum is dedicated to the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on drive, I wanted to see if anyone involved can pinpoint the problem that I have. I recently purchased all four of the Discovery Atlas HD DVDs. The Xbox 360 HD DVD drive had no problems recognizing and playing the data on the Brazil and China disks, but it did not do anything except display a black screen when I inserted the documentaries on Australia and Italy. I was wondering if anybody else has had this problem. My guess is that the two disks that did not play have some HD codec that the player cannot recognize at the moment.

Is anyone that interacts within this forum close to the Microsoft HD DVD team or know of someone that is involved with it, and can they ask them the reason why these two disks do not play?

I also found other forums where other people have had the same problems when trying to play these two disks on the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on drive.

P.S. – I’ve tried hitting the OK button on the Xbox 360 Universal Remote, but that does nothing.

I have the exact same problem with Italy and Australia not playing.

Just an update: I went and bought 2 more drives and yup, the first one was definitely defective. It was way too loud compared to the other 2, and the new one (the one I plan on keeping) is as quiet as my PS3 and Wii now. No more blowdryer.

So if anyone else's Xbox drive has an audible tone (sounds like a blowdryer) along with the toneless fan sound, there ARE better drives out there. You should not be able to hear any "tone" unless your ears are touching the drive. In my case, my defective one was so loud I could hear it during quiet scenes in movies (even from 6ft away). Now I can't even hear it from a feet away.

I am buying a Samsung S6188W and the hd addon this week and had a question on whether to use VGA or component to hook my drive. Since the tv will do 1080p over component, should I use VGA or component (or does it matter)? Also, is one better than the other in upconverting dvd's?
Thanks for any responses. :)

I just bought my son a Xbox 360, brand new at BB hour ago, it is the $399 NFL package, i just set it up for him and i noticed the mfg date is 11-18-2005!
Didnt the early builds have major problems?, why is it so old already?
Is BB scamming us with old builds in there package deal's?
Or is this normal to have such a old build?

I just bought my son a Xbox 360, brand new at BB hour ago, it is the $399 NFL package, i just set it up for him and i noticed the mfg date is 11-18-2005!
Didnt the early builds have major problems?, why is it so old already?
Is BB scamming us with old builds in there package deal's?
Or is this normal to have such a old build?
Where do you find the manufacturing date? I bought the madden package also.

I just bought my son a Xbox 360, brand new at BB hour ago, it is the $399 NFL package, i just set it up for him and i noticed the mfg date is 11-18-2005!
Didnt the early builds have major problems?, why is it so old already?
Is BB scamming us with old builds in there package deal's?
Or is this normal to have such a old build?
I don't think its normal to do this since you find the manufacture date on the back of the console in a sealed package. I don't think BB is opening the boxes in search of old ones for thier package deals. It was most likely just one that was on the back of a shelf somewhere and didn't make it to the sales floor til they made that package up.

Its the luck of the draw with all of the systems. I have one with zero issues from launch day, as well as one from Jan 06. The one from Jan 06 is now in Texas being worked on, while the launch system is just fine.

I am buying a Samsung S6188W and the hd addon this week and had a question on whether to use VGA or component to hook my drive. Since the tv will do 1080p over component, should I use VGA or component (or does it matter)? Also, is one better than the other in upconverting dvd's?
Thanks for any responses. :)
You wont get 1080p for HD DVDs or SD DVDs with component; only 1080i and 480p respectively. You can only play games at 1080p over component. So if your TV handles 1080p over VGA, I would highly recommend using that.

Thanks for the info!

I have the exact same problem with Italy and Australia not playing.

Same with me...i tried playing just the Italy one on my A2 (i know, not the 360 but still) and it wouldn't even play. It displayed an error M556 and said unable to read disc...I am glad that at least others are having similar problems. I know that those two discs do in fact work on the A1 model after seeing them demo at my local discovery store. I tried calling both toshiba and the discovery people and offered zero help to the contrary. I would assume that firmware updates might change things but I cannot testify to the 360 compatability as of yet.

This screams calibration issues. For example make sure you dont have the picture over-saturated (everyone seems to love to do this, haha).

Actually the solution was simpler than that. Rule of thumb: Do not purchase cheap low quality components. I returned the cheapo $19 VGA cable that felt like a strand of spaghetti and replaced it with the Microsoft one and it looks noticably better. Still, not a huge difference from component on a 720p TV but enough to justify the $40 purchase.

I have the exact same problem with Italy and Australia not playing.
I found a couple of things in the forums that might be why the Australian and Italy HD DVD disks are not playing in the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on. One is that the Italy and Australia both have stop-resume capability, like a SD DVD, but they're HD-DVD! The other is that Italy and Australia HD DVDs have been authored in "basic" mode rather than "advanced mode". I don’t know the difference between basic and advanced mode, but this seems to be the problem as to why these two disks are not playing in the Xbox 360 HD DVD drive. Like I said before, I didn’t have problems with the China and Brazil disks (advanced mode) playing on the drive.

Is anyone else really feeling like they wished they had the 5.1/7.1 analog out on this thing? I didnt think I would, but man Im starting to feel like Id be better off with it. That coupled with the loudness of the whole set up has me thinking about the HD-A1 online for about 50 more. Anyone else go this route? Whats been your experience?

Using optical to receiver and digital lights up and sound is fine. Loudness? I have to notch it up slightly.

Its even more of an issue than volume, with some hd-dvds you lose alot more. MI3's sound is lame, it was dull and lifeless. On one hand the drive is almost without quirks in terms of load times, pickiness, and PQ. But the other issues are just sticking out more because of this.

This is a Samsung 1080p DLP question. I am thinking of getting the HD-DVD drive and using the VGA/PC port on my 6187W DLP set.

I understand from page one of this thread the XBOX 360 only outputs video levels for the VGA port.

Does anyone know if the Samsung 6187W TV accepts video levels or PC levels over VGA? I'd hate to waste my money (in search of 1080P, that is) if the DLP TV only accepts PC levels and the black and whites are grayed out.

Do the Sammy DLPs do well with this HD-DVD add-on at 1080P for movies, or should I relegate my thinking to 1080i for HD-DVDs, and 480P for standard DVDs?

Any updates on the status of the Dolby Digital audio fix? I remember a post saying they were hoping they could get it in before Christmas... now we're well into February.

Any updates on the status of the Dolby Digital audio fix? I remember a post saying they were hoping they could get it in before Christmas... now we're well into February.
There is a whole other thread about this with daily updates and speculations. But to answer you, as of now, no. And its well accepted that it will be in the spring update.

There is a 1/2 speed slo mo. Hit pause, then fast forward. Crude, but it slows down the good scenes. The reverse mode is jerky though.
This works on DVDs, but this doesn't do slo-mo on HDDVDs for me.
The dark bar across the width of the screen when pausing on the xbox is annoying too.
I'm very disappointed in the lack of functionality of the xbox 360's hddvd player compared with the PS3 blu-ray player.

The dark bar across the width of the screen when pausing on the xbox is annoying too.

Cant say ive had this problem ever

I originally posted this on "The Official Sony 2006 KDS-(XX)A2000 [NO PRICE TALK] SXRD Owner's Thread". Since I'm not sure whether the problem is caused by my TV or the XBOX360 Add-On, I thought I would also post here and see if others are having this same problem on their televisions.

I have had my 50" A2000 since October and absolutely love it. However, I am becoming concerned about an issue I am experiencing while watching HD-DVD's with the XBOX360 add-on. The 360 HD-DVD player is of course hooked up with component cables.

Occasionally when there is a bright flash in an HD-DVD movie such as an explosion, the screen will go black for about 1 second. The picture will pop back in, but if the bright image is still there it will black out again and continue this pattern until the movie changes scenes. I first noticed it during Terminator 3 especially at the end of the movie when the nuclear bombs were going off. I have confirmed that this is not just a random occurence since I can replay the scene and have the same results.

I am concerned that this issue is now happening more often. For instance today while watching the original Superman, the screen was blacking out near the end of the movie when the scene was a shot of a bus hanging off a bridge with a white sky in the background. No huge explosion, just a scene with a bright sky.

I am trying to determine if it is my television or the XBOX360 add-on that is causing the problem. As a test, I played the standard Terminator 3 DVD in a regular DVD player through component cables and did not have any problems during the explosive scenes and the nuclear bombs. Also, for clarification, I have not had this same problem while watching over the air HD television shows, DirecTV, or during XBOX360 gameplay.

Has anyone else experienced this issue? Is this a know problem and is there a fix? Any help in troubleshooting this problem will be greatly appreciated. If needed, I may make a short video illustrating the issue.

i just got the 360 hd dvd player yesterday and when i went to play king kong the only hd dvd i have right now it freezes after about 30 sec to 3 min of playing it looks like the player just turns off because there is no light on it on i would appreciate any help thanx

i just got the 360 hd dvd player yesterday and when i went to play king kong the only hd dvd i have right now it freezes after about 30 sec to 3 min of playing it looks like the player just turns off because there is no light on it on i would appreciate any help thanx

Just return it.

Occasionally when there is a bright flash in an HD-DVD movie such as an explosion, the screen will go black for about 1 second. The picture will pop back in, but if the bright image is still there it will black out again and continue this pattern until the movie changes scenes. I first noticed it during Terminator 3 especially at the end of the movie when the nuclear bombs were going off. I have confirmed that this is not just a random occurence since I can replay the scene and have the same results.

I've followed all the Xbox 360 HD DVD threads I could find in this forum and elsewhere. I've never seen anything like this on my system or reported by anyone else.

You say you've tested the T3 SD DVD in a separate player. Have you tried it in the Xbox built-in drive or the HD add-on? Do you have a second component input on that TV to try a swap?

Unfortunately all I can suggest is a process of elimination to narrow the options.

i just got the 360 hd dvd player yesterday and when i went to play king kong the only hd dvd i have right now it freezes after about 30 sec to 3 min of playing it looks like the player just turns off because there is no light on it on i would appreciate any help thanx

Have you done a system update? Are you connected to Live?

Tried cleaning the disc?

Heat is another possibility. Are the console and the power brick in the open and well ventilated? The only lockups I ever had were when I accidentally placed the power brick in front of a heating vent.

^ Yes try to get on live for an update, if you did that try to swap the player.

To the person with the TV blacking out, I hate to say this but my gut is telling me it is your display. Now it might not be the display in whole, maybe it is the component in on the display that is an issue. As said process of elimination begins. I'd try getting another source that goes into the same component and see if you can reproduce. Also try different cables.

i tried all that i guess ill try to return it thanx for the helo though

I had a few people over to my house last night and plopped in King Kong. As soon as the image was displayed the dash board popped up with a message that this game had an update available. I didn't have a game disc in so I guess it was referring to KK? I played the movie a few weeks ago and didn't get this message. After the update my system did reboot and everything was fine.

I had a few people over to my house last night and plopped in King Kong. As soon as the image was displayed the dash board popped up with a message that this game had an update available. I didn't have a game disc in so I guess it was referring to KK? I played the movie a few weeks ago and didn't get this message. After the update my system did reboot and everything was fine.

That would be a software update for the 360 HD-DVD stuff.

I had a few people over to my house last night and plopped in King Kong. As soon as the image was displayed the dash board popped up with a message that this game had an update available. I didn't have a game disc in so I guess it was referring to KK? I played the movie a few weeks ago and didn't get this message. After the update my system did reboot and everything was fine.

When did you buy your HD-DVD drive and is this its first update?

I am trying to figure out if MS is updating to a version newer than the one dated 1-07.

I just visited their site and it still lists the November update for download, but the file has a date of 1-07, which I have already installed.

i found some one on live that had the same problem as i did they said it was the console that was the problem i guess i need to call ms and try to get a new one

i just got the 360 hd dvd player yesterday and when i went to play king kong the only hd dvd i have right now it freezes after about 30 sec to 3 min of playing it looks like the player just turns off because there is no light on it on i would appreciate any help thanx

I started getting this problem a couple of weeks ago and found that my USB cable was not fully inserted.

I started getting this problem a couple of weeks ago and found that my USB cable was not fully inserted.
yes i tried this too i put it into every usb port with no luck still the same thing

Follow this link for a quick video of the HD-DVD Blackout that occurs on my set while watching Superman.

HD-DVD Blackout Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdvGr5Bd4ak)

I bought my add on drive Jan 13 and I didn't plug it in until about 2 weeks later. I was still finishing up my theater room. I did the install with the cd that came in the box and then watched KK. I think (not positive) that the first time I played the movie that it didn't get an update, but now I'm not sure anymore :(

Anyway it didn't do anything with the sound. I still have to turn the volume way up on KK. Ironically KK was on HBOHD tonight and I got to compare the picture and volume. Picture was better on the add on drive, but sound was better (or at least I didn't have to turn it up as much) on cable.

Even with compromised sound out put, still I think for $189 it is a good hd dvd/sd player for my bedroom, with free KK and remote! I'll give MS some time to fix it

Even with compromised sound out put, still I think for $189 it is a good hd dvd/sd player for my bedroom, with free KK and remote! I'll give MS some time to fix it

What do you mean by "compromised sound output?" Is the XBOX 360 and HD-DVD add-on short of audio standards in some regard?

Yes, the sound quality kind of blows...

Yes, the sound quality kind of blows...Even using my TV speakers, I hadn't noticed. Stunning picture quality keeps me occupied I guess. I'll have to dig out my surround system one of these days (still unpacking from the move).

Well you won't notice if you aren't using a Home Theater system. It is dramatic when you go from a SD DVD on your DVD player to a HD DVD from your Xbox.

Follow this link for a quick video of the HD-DVD Blackout that occurs on my set while watching Superman.

HD-DVD Blackout Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdvGr5Bd4ak)

After reviewing the suggestions in this thread, I began the process of elimination by swapping cables and components around. I soon realized that I had overlooked another possible cause of the problem.

The issue was not caused by the XBOX360 or my Sony KDS-50A2000 television. I was using a Joytech AV Control Center 245C (component switcher) to handle all of my game systems before sending the signal to the television. Once I connected the XBOX360 directly to the television, the problem disappeared. I don't know if it was the Joytech causing the blackouts or the component cable that sends the signal from the Joytech to the TV, since I stopped troubleshooting once the issue cleared up. However, I am not having this problem with any of the other systems that I have hooked up through the Joytech. Perhaps there is an issue with the component switcher handling all true High Definition signals properly.

Thanks to all that helped identify the problem.

The issue was not caused by the XBOX360 or my Sony KDS-50A2000 television. I was using a Joytech AV Control Center 245C (component switcher) to handle all of my game systems before sending the signal to the television. Once I contected the XBOX360 directly to the television, the problem dissappeared.

Glad you got it sorted out. Thanks for posting the answer here. Unfortunately these days there are people prowling these forums looking for isolated complaints to blow up into urban myths.

It's nice to hear a happy ending.

I had the Joytech and returned it. It gave me the purple horizontal north floating lines many have seen with component connection issues. Yours seemed to be even more troublesome.

There is a whole other thread about this with daily updates and speculations. But to answer you, as of now, no. And its well accepted that it will be in the spring update.

About when is the spring update for the XBOX 360 expected? March? June?

Yes, the sound quality kind of blows...

only on Dolby Digital+ tracks, lets not scare everybody away.
Lets not scare everybody away ;)

About when is the spring update for the XBOX 360 expected? March? June?
I expect it late March/Early April.

Hey all-

I'm kind of new to the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on and was going through this FAQ posting thread. I've been busy working on a companion to the HD DVD and Blu-ray sections of AVS to help make stuff easier to find.

The site is over here at http://hddiscs.wetpaint.com/

Anyhow, bkilian gave me permission to post the FAQ up on the wiki. It's here -
http://hddiscs.wetpaint.com/page/Microsoft+Xbox+360+HD-DVD+Player

If you've got some time, I'm trying to update it with all the new stuff we've learned since he so kindly put it together and I'd love your help.

Can't wait to get my HD DVD player fired up. I've finally got some time this weekend for some movies.

Cheers,
Randy Stewart

I'm getting into this a few month late, but back in this post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8871286&&#post8871286) there were instructions to purchase a download version of Windvd 8 from the Japanese website. Is this gone now? I cant seem to find it there, and I am guessing it was pulled.

wait so is the audio issue only with one type of soundtrack??? Is there a standard DD 5.1 option on HDDVDs??? Id so does that sounds fine?

wait so is the audio issue only with one type of soundtrack??? Is there a standard DD 5.1 option on HDDVDs??? Id so does that sounds fine?

There is no problem with DTS or DTHD tracks on discs that have them, and everything is fine on SD DVDs.

The only issue is with DD+ tracks, a reduced dynamic range that some people barely notice and has others ready to toss their add-ons out the window. (I'm in the barely notice category, myself.)

It's like a receiver that offers a night-time listening option that evens out the soft and loud passages to keep from shaking the neighbor's windows. You can still hear everything, there's just a bit less difference between a whisper and a shotgun blast. Again, it affects only DD+.

Currently the Xbox outputs only DD 5.1 via optical, no matter what track you pick, and it does a fine job of converting all but the DD+. The patch, due in the next few weeks, is supposed to fix the DD+ problem and also offer the option to output everything as DTS.

The problem with the VGA port on most televisions is lack of calibration options. On my samsung hls 5687 I can only change contrast and brightness hence my buying the VGA to Component adapter. The problem I see with this is I might lose upconversion on my SD DVDs. Only one way to find out I guess.

You should be able to calibrate your Sony for each input, but my understanding is the early XBR's don't do 1080p over anything except HDMI so you may run into some problems there.

Remember, the Samsung 1080p series "upscales" video, too. I have the XBOX HD-DVD player connected via component, and the Samsung 6188 is doing a most excellent job of upscaling the signal.
A lot of people are having a slightly "washed out" appearance over VGA due to signal disparity, but have been able to tweak the VGA somewhat for an acceptable picture by getting into the service menu for gamma scale changes.
But with component looking GREAT for SD-DVD's, there may not be an absolute reason to go VGA for HD-DVD upscaling of SD-DVDs.
SD-DVD over component into the Samsung 1080p output looks better to me than my HTPC running zoomplayer with FFDshow sharpening.

You can read more at the TECH LINKS (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=697413) thread or the Official Samsung DLP thread.

(Remember, "upconversion" relates to cabling/connection upgrades: e.g. component-->HDMI; and "upscaling" relates to resolution improvements: "480i"-->"1080p")

Cheers,
Doc

PS: I'm sticking with component, and have my HTPC over VGA.

i was tring to watch miami vice hdvd and about ten minutes in when there talking on the phone outside after the night club the picture was real fuzzy i was also downloading the free hd southpark show so i dont know if that was the problem but has anyone else had this problem the only other dvds ive watched was king kong and mi3 with no problems.

From an earlier post, I read it's the way the movie was filmed, not the HD DVD.

Deezul

Does anyone know if there will be a zoom feature for the 360 add on update this spring. I would like to have the option of zooming out the black bars over vga.

Does anyone know if there will be a zoom feature for the 360 add on update this spring. I would like to have the option of zooming out the black bars over vga.

Doesn't your TV have that option? Either way, I didn't like it, picture quality really suffers.

Doesn't your TV have that option? Either way, I didn't like it, picture quality really suffers.

My aspect button on my tv remote only works when its on component. When vga is hooked up the button stays fixed to normal or full but no wide or zoom.

My aspect button on my tv remote only works when its on component. When vga is hooked up the button stays fixed to normal or full but no wide or zoom.

Common thing for vga or HD inputs.

Ive been wondering myself about a zoom function being added. I havent heard a thing about it though. Itll def increase my hddvd usage.

i was tring to watch miami vice hdvd and about ten minutes in when there talking on the phone outside after the night club the picture was real fuzzy i was also downloading the free hd southpark show so i dont know if that was the problem but has anyone else had this problem the only other dvds ive watched was king kong and mi3 with no problems.
it is not your 360 it is the movie.

It rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nuff said.

The 360 already has this option. When you're watching a movie, the Zoom option is on the control panel at the bottom of the screen.

The 360 already has this option. When you're watching a movie, the Zoom option is on the control panel at the bottom of the screen.

Not when your watching a hd dvd with vga cables. I have been able to zoom with the 360 hd dvd add on with vga when its a regular dvd but not with a hd dvd. They should make this part of the spring update.

I'm not sure who is having any problems with the sound but I'm definitely doing ok. I have my add-on hooked to a simple Pioneer reciever. I can't say I am an expert when it comes to sound but I'm no fool when it comes to being able to hear the improvements in the sound quality between Sd-dvd and Hd-dvd. Sounds are richer, fuller, and voice quality is much more balanced that with the regular dvd's.

I have the xbox 360 HD-DVD player. I recently purchased a "switch" that takes the analog signal and converts it to digital between the output of the 360 and the HDMI input of my TV and man, you can really tell a difference. However, my biggest concern regarding the quality of the HD-DVD player is the noted weakening of the audio signal compared to my regular DVD movies when played back. I use a monster optical cable from the 360 to my receiver. The audio sounds great when I'm playing a regular DVD via my HD-DVD player on the 360 but when I put in a HD-DVD movie I have to turn it up quite a bit to get the same, or close to, sound quality even when I change the audio setting of the HD-DVD movie from 5.1 to TrueHD (which does improve it a little bit). I feel like I'm sacrificing the audio quality for the better image quality and now I'm starting to doubt my purchase of the HD-DVD add on. What the hell did Microsoft do? Do they strip the movies audio quality down to just standard dolby 5.1 so one can't hear TrueHD nor DTS-HD??? :mad:

It's not lower audio quality (there is the night mode 'bug' for DD+ content, but that's seperate issue) but lower volume. Get used to it, that's just how it's going to be. Turn up the receiver more.

You've got some catching up to do. ;)

All HD DVD audio is converted by the Xbox into DD 5.1. It does a fine job with all but the DD+ tracks, which are locked into permanent "night listening mode."

In other words, DTS, True HD and other tracks work fine, but there is a reduction in dynamic range for the DD+ tracks -- less difference between the loudest and softest sounds.

MS conceded the problem months ago and a firmware fix is coming in the next few weeks. The good news is that the same patch will enable an option to output everything in full-bandwidth DTS.

I updated the first post in this thread with the new info from the latest updates.

Hey guys! I have an HD3870 and an Xbox 360 HD-DVD player hooked up to my computer; apparently most of the HD-DVD software players makers do not support AMD'S ATI graphics cards. Since I can't post links yet, just google for "Corel Announces InterVideo® WinDVD® BD/HD-DVD Playback/Navigation Support for NVIDIA® GeForce® 8 Series GPUs" it's the second link on the list.
what do I do? How can I play my HD-DVD movies? Thanks!

Not when your watching a hd dvd with vga cables. I have been able to zoom with the 360 hd dvd add on with vga when its a regular dvd but not with a hd dvd. They should make this part of the spring update.

Actually Zoom from the info bar is only available on DVD playback, not on HD DVD playback regardless of connection method.

You can zoom in on an HD DVD just like with stand alone HD DVD players. The disc has to be authored to enable use of the zoom function. And if it is you use the "A" button to zoom in. Warner movies are typically authored to be able to use the zoom function. For instance you can zoom in with the new Harry Potter HD DVDs. You can zoom at 2x, 4x and 8x.

hey,

I have the HD dvd player add on for my xbox 360, but i can't locate the startup disc, is there somewhere I can download the information needed or a way to get the disc... can i burn it from someone elses?

thanks in advance...
Tim

If your HD DVD drive is connected to the 360 and you're connected to the Internet, it will update automagically. It's also on the Xbox.com website if you do not have the 360 connected.

If your HD DVD drive is connected to the 360 and you're connected to the Internet, it will update automagically. It's also on the Xbox.com website if you do not have the 360 connected.

thanks, this will work even if its the first time i hook up the hd player to the 360?

thanks, this will work even if its the first time i hook up the hd player to the 360?

YES

i'm still not clear on this but if i have an elite with hdmi does the player still play movies in 1080i or 1080p? from my understanding the image constraint token prevents the movie from running in full 1080p because its being passed through usb correct?

If you have a 360 with HDMI and your TV accepts 1080p then you are good to go with 1080p. The ICT relates to analog outputs like component and limits output resolution to something like 540. The ICT has no effect on digital connections.

It stretches EVERYTHING ELSE! Settings are the same across the board.

WTH?!

It stretches EVERYTHING ELSE! Settings are the same across the board.

WTH?!

I know with my TV, in SD I have about 5 or 6 stretch settings. But in HD, I have only 2 choices - no stretch, and stretch. You might want to find a thread dedicated to your particular HDTV and ask there.

Has anyone had a problem with the image going to a white staticy screen for a second, then coming back? The sound keeps going fine though. I thought it might be the usb cord being too close to the power brick and moved it, but the issue still happens.

Anyone know if the Xbox HD DVD player will work with the “New Xbox Experience” coming this fall?

I assume it will, but has there been confirmation?

Anyone know if the Xbox HD DVD player will work with the “New Xbox Experience” coming this fall?

I have no actual knowledge one way or the other, but it would be monumentally stupid if they disabled HD DVD playback.

The ICT relates to analog outputs like component and limits output resolution to something like 540. The ICT has no effect on digital connections.

More critically no titles have ICT set (except a couple of Euro titles that did it accidentally).

8800 yen = about US$97, that is a lot of money for a program that (from reading here) almost works???

Hello all.

I got an elite for christmas to replace my busted 20g pro which the hd-dvd addon worked just fine on. Now though, I can't seem to get to work on the new elite that I got. It works on the PC just fine so I know the drive is still functioning. When I plug it in the 360 slows to a crawl, the menus take forever to go away and the whole thing seems really bogged down. Then when I try to update it, it says it can't update it. It shows up in the My Xbox menu but not on the system memory menu so I can't clear the cache or anything for it either. I am clueless now, I have tried just about everything but still no go, even tried on my roommates brand new elite and the same thing happens. Any idea on what I should do? All help would greatly be appreciated. Thank you all for your time.

Hello all.

I got an elite for christmas to replace my busted 20g pro which the hd-dvd addon worked just fine on. Now though, I can't seem to get to work on the new elite that I got. It works on the PC just fine so I know the drive is still functioning. When I plug it in the 360 slows to a crawl, the menus take forever to go away and the whole thing seems really bogged down. Then when I try to update it, it says it can't update it. It shows up in the My Xbox menu but not on the system memory menu so I can't clear the cache or anything for it either. I am clueless now, I have tried just about everything but still no go, even tried on my roommates brand new elite and the same thing happens. Any idea on what I should do? All help would greatly be appreciated. Thank you all for your time.

It works just fine on my Elite. Have you tried running the update without the HD DVD drive plugged in?

Nope, I haven't tried that. The install disk always asks me to plug it in, are you saying I should ignore it and just let it run?

When I put a dvd in the drive it plays the dvd. When I put an HDDVD in the drive it says "Can't connect to HD-DVD drive" and shoots me back to the dashboard. It's a little frustrating but thanks for your response.

Nope, I haven't tried that. The install disk always asks me to plug it in, are you saying I should ignore it and just let it run?


Are you running the update from a disc or view the Internet automatic update? If you're running into problems updating the HD DVD on two different 360s, I'd say the drive itself is bad.

Are you running the update from a disc or view the Internet automatic update? If you're running into problems updating the HD DVD on two different 360s, I'd say the drive itself is bad.

I can't do either. When I download the update from the website, there's only one file and when placed in the dvd drive, it says Mixed Media Disc and does nothing when I try to play it. I can't update it through the Internet because it says it can't connect the Hd-Dvd drive.

I would say the drive is bad too but when I hook it up to my laptop, it works flawlessly.

Thanks again for trying to help, I really do appreciate it.

I can't do either. When I download the update from the website, there's only one file and when placed in the dvd drive, it says Mixed Media Disc and does nothing when I try to play it. I can't update it through the Internet because it says it can't connect the Hd-Dvd drive.

I would say the drive is bad too but when I hook it up to my laptop, it works flawlessly.

Thanks again for trying to help, I really do appreciate it.

I think the file you download is an ISO, so you might have to use something to burn an ISO. But I could be wrong. I can't think of anything else, unfortunately.

I've tried everything and still no go so I give up. Thanks for suggesting helpful things though. If I ever get it working, I'll post just how I did it but it is not looking too likely.

Did you try the install disk that came with the drive or did I miss that? Yup. I did. Wasn't there a particular sequence? Will see if I still have paperwork.

Hi all,
I am new to this forum site because i am also having issues with my HDDVD addon. I have tried all things that i know of to get it to work (not connected to internet, connected to internet, deleting all memory, re-installing the driver etc) but everytime i put in a disc to watch it comes up with "disc unplayable". I have had the addon since Feb last year so it is still under warranty. I have watched movies on it but ever since the NXE update came along it has not worked. What is the update that you guys are talking about in the last couple of replies (NXE update?) or is there an update for the HDDVD addon that i don't know about? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks