I know this is kinda the wrong forum to ask this question, but here goes.

Putting together my HTPC was a long and arduous process and it seems to be greatly rewarding. Especially with the DVR, but I just can't stop there and I would like to put a HD Disc format on my shiny new HTPC

Currently I own a HD-A1 and about 60 HD-DVD, no blu-ray. Should I just get another HD-DVD player for the PC to enjoy my current selection of DVD's or should I get the newly errupting format of Blu-ray?

Thanks!

P.S. - Don't worry about the computer hardware, I have that handled :)

You can get the Xbox 360 HD add on for $200, maybe less, and it supposedly works fine with a driver. Much more info in the HTPC part of the forum.

Blu-ray is basically only selling burners, and they are expensive. Currently about $600+ from many vendors - lite-on, sony, pioneer, philips, etc. Kind of silly IMO to pay that much just for playback with the inevitable headaches of HTPC, when you can just get a full PS3 for the same price. OTOH, if you want to do some burning, maybe it's worth it.

Windows XP and Vista officially support the HD DVD add-on. Just run Windows Update to install the drivers for the USB ports. You'll need PowerDVD Ultra, however. Once it is installed you'll be able to watch HD DVD movies (PowerDVD Ultra 7.3 will play both HD DVD and Blu-ray). Just be sure that you meet minimum system specs however.

**************** has the HD DVD add-on for $179, fyi, you may be able to find it for less. I have it and it is fantastic.

Aren't there some issues with the blu-ray burners only working for data storage. I didn't think you could watch movies with them.

Aren't there some issues with the blu-ray burners only working for data storage. I didn't think you could watch movies with them.

I guess I should check on that!

Aren't there some issues with the blu-ray burners only working for data storage. I didn't think you could watch movies with them.
If I remember correctly Sony released firmware to allow movie playback.

The drive I am thinking about getting is the SW-5582-C (Panasonic)

Does your htpc have an hdcp enabled video card? If not you won't be able to playback either HD DVD or BD movies, unless you are willing to circumvent the AACS protection and copy the movies to hard drive.

Also, if I were in your shoes, I'd wait to see if windvd or powerdvd get updates to prevent reading their AACS codes. I'd be nervous about the studios insisting on changing keys, and then preventing either windvd or powerdvd from getting new ones, since they both screwed up royally with their existing insecure software.

Well, I said no worry about hardware but I have the EVGA GeForce 8800 with HDCP and all the "bells and whistles like 2 DVI ports and a component out.

Does your htpc have an hdcp enabled video card? If not you won't be able to playback either HD DVD or BD movies, unless you are willing to circumvent the AACS protection and copy the movies to hard drive.

Also, if I were in your shoes, I'd wait to see if windvd or powerdvd get updates to prevent reading their AACS codes. I'd be nervous about the studios insisting on changing keys, and then preventing either windvd or powerdvd from getting new ones, since they both screwed up royally with their existing insecure software.
You can get around this by using VGA or component. If you use DVI or HDMI then the video card will need to be HDCP compliant.

Or use Anydvd. My HTPC has an internal BD burner (the Sony) and the external XBOX 360 HD drive hooked up. Works just fine ;)