Xbox 360 as HD DVD Player: One and Only thread Here

markrubin · 09-20-06, 09:53 AM

This is the ONE and ONLY

XBOX as an HD DVD Player Thread: limit discussions to this thread title

Any other XBOX discussions should be posted on the gaming forum: NOT on this forum

Thanks

SBrooks1 · 09-20-06, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markrubin

This is the ONE and ONLY

XBOX as an HD DVD Player Thread: limit discussions to this thread title

Any other XBOX discussions should be posted on the gaming forum: NOT on this forum

Thanks

Might be a good idea to add "360" to the title

marcello696 · 09-20-06, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBrooks1

Might be a good idea to add "360" to the title

stop busting chops Scotty

markrubin · 09-20-06, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBrooks1

Might be a good idea to add "360" to the title

How is that?

SBrooks1 · 09-20-06, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markrubin

How is that?

Some people might think you're talking about the original XBox and not the 360.

riekl · 09-20-06, 10:34 AM

Well its official .. HD-DVD player for the xbox ~ $177 out in November ! Eat your shorts Sony !

DarkKnight2k4 · 09-20-06, 10:44 AM

Nice.

Is there a hard date ?

I can't wait. I play my 360 on 65" set in my family room. This allows me to get the A2 for my theater in the basement and this drive for my family room !

metalsaber · 09-20-06, 10:49 AM

If the price is under $200, I'll be picking it up.

bases1616 · 09-20-06, 10:55 AM

I have been reading updates on ign.com about the HD-DVD player at the Tokyo Game Conference for the 360 and no official mention of the US price as of yet. Also, Microsoft is saying they will have the 360 supporting 1080p by the end of the year. I am hoping that means that they will finally be releasing some kind of HDMI cable because I don't think component supports 1080p.

Travisimo · 09-20-06, 10:57 AM

Isn't that $177 price the Japanese price converted to dollars? If so, then that doesn't necessarily mean it will be that price in NA. More than likely, it will be $199.99 here, but there hasn't been an announcement here yet (probably during the upcoming X06 conference).

EDIT:

I also wanted to add that I have a Toshiba HD-A1 on the way. I was originally going to get the 360 drive, but I changed my mind because of the following reasons:

The HD-A1 has a great SD upscaler whereas the 360 drive can only upscale via VGA (unless they do release an HDMI cable at some point for the 360)
The HD-A1 has analog audio outputs so I can enjoy TrueHD sound
If I use my 360 for games and movies and there is a hardware failure on the 360, I wouldn't be able to play games OR watch HD-DVD's
The 360 HD-DVD playback quality has not been proven yet. Will it be as good as the HD-A1? Will it be faster? Still a lot of questions unanswered.

All that said, if the 360 drive is $200 or less, I might pick one of them up as well as the HD-A1!

g55555sim · 09-20-06, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bases1616

I have been reading updates on ign.com about the HD-DVD player at the Tokyo Game Conference for the 360 and no official mention of the US price as of yet. Also, Microsoft is saying they will have the 360 supporting 1080p by the end of the year. I am hoping that means that they will finally be releasing some kind of HDMI cable because I don't think component supports 1080p.

1080p over component!! XBox 360 will have a 1080p dashboard update this fall.

Jann Lee · 09-20-06, 11:08 AM

1080p over component AND VGA.

raaj · 09-20-06, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g55555sim

1080p over component!! XBox 360 will have a 1080p dashboard update this fall.

I am guessing 1080p upconversion over component is only for games, since AACS doesn't apply to games. The movies might be restricted to 1080i over component with no upconverting (Thanks AACS!), but might only support upconverting the DVDs and outputting HD-DVDs at 1080p over VGA.

Dahlsim · 09-20-06, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raaj

I am guessing 1080p upconversion over component is only for games, since AACS doesn't apply to games. The movies might be restricted to 1080i over component with no upconverting (Thanks AACS!), but might only support upconverting the DVDs and outputting HD-DVDs at 1080p over VGA.

As you say I would think 1080p for movies to require VGA (fine for projectors, LCD and some other hdtv's ) although the truth is that 1080i will produce the same result in PQ for the vast majority of televisions.

The main impact of this is for marketing value

Clearly they'll still need HDMI at some point to "keep up" with the PS3 on perception...

chap · 09-20-06, 11:57 AM

They actually only announced Japanese info. They still have yet to announce an American street date (which really bothers me. Yes I know its a Japanese trade show but you MUST know when you are going to release in NA by now). For all we know they could just release all there units in Japan, and we may not get any till next year. I doubt it, but you never know.

The other thing that I am still wondering about is the price. Its about $177 there, but there core system is also only $250 with a game while ours is $300 with nothing. Of course we coudl get a price reduction soon also if we are lucky.

Assayer · 09-20-06, 12:00 PM

Do the component & VGA video amplifiers actually have enough frequency range to take advantage of 1080p? Ok, so they upgraded the software to switch the DACs at 1080p, but will we actually see the higher frequency content in the signals?

govschmo · 09-20-06, 12:56 PM

I hope they bundle this dashboard update with the player as well. Not everyone has live.

WilliamR · 09-20-06, 01:05 PM

So, if I use VGA on my 360 for this new player, can I leave the VGA connected all the time or do games suffer from quality? Is VGA a step down from component? Will my games look as good on my high def TV? (My TV is 720p not 1080p). Just curious on what I should do because I would like this to also upconvert my SD DVDs and I am in the market for a DVD player but don't want to but an upconverting DVD player and a high def player. Been leaning towards the 360 drive since I have a 360 already. When its released, if it sucks, I'll buy the Toshiba instead.

So, with this VGA, confused, you actually use VGA for high definition (yes my TV has a VGA port). Help, confused, thanks.

briankmonkey · 09-20-06, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riekl

Well its official .. HD-DVD player for the xbox ~ $177 out in November ! Eat your shorts Sony !

I hope the price is true and I'd probably pick it up for that. Still hope for HDMI so that the audio isn't crippled.

Hardly eat your shorts Sony though as that still puts it above a PS3 for playing movies in HD. Unles of course there is a price drop on the console.

I'll have both eventually though

micah3sixty · 09-20-06, 01:30 PM

This is awesome. HD-DVD up to 1080p for ~$200! Can't beat that. The new toshiba A2x will do 1080p but cost $999. From reading I have done on here, Amirm has confirmed that the HD-DVD addon will decode Dolby Digital TrueHD to most likely 5.1 analog outputs which I assume will be part of the HD-DVD addon kit. I am also guessing that the SPDF out will also send a downgraded version of Dolby Digital + like the Toshiba does if you don't use the analog outputs.

I am also excited that the fall update will also enable upscaling DVDs up to 1080p via component cables as well. So long as the quality of this upscaling surpasses my Sony progressive scan DVD player, I'll be happy.

govschmo · 09-20-06, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamR

So, if I use VGA on my 360 for this new player, can I leave the VGA connected all the time or do games suffer from quality? Is VGA a step down from component? Will my games look as good on my high def TV? (My TV is 720p not 1080p). Just curious on what I should do because I would like this to also upconvert my SD DVDs and I am in the market for a DVD player but don't want to but an upconverting DVD player and a high def player. Been leaning towards the 360 drive since I have a 360 already. When its released, if it sucks, I'll buy the Toshiba instead.

So, with this VGA, confused, you actually use VGA for high definition (yes my TV has a VGA port). Help, confused, thanks.

VGA is sharper, some report washed-out colors, others say beautful picture in games and video. The last dashboard update was supposed to address the washed-out look in VGA (I think it was sending PC levels in error) and enable upconverting DVDs in VGA. There are threads in the xbox forum with several voicing opinnions on it.

So, yes you could use it for both if desired.

thepg12 · 09-20-06, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chap

They actually only announced Japanese info. They still have yet to announce an American street date (which really bothers me. Yes I know its a Japanese trade show but you MUST know when you are going to release in NA by now). For all we know they could just release all there units in Japan, and we may not get any till next year. I doubt it, but you never know.

The other thing that I am still wondering about is the price. Its about $177 there, but there core system is also only $250 with a game while ours is $300 with nothing. Of course we coudl get a price reduction soon also if we are lucky.

They'll probably announce date/price next week at X06. X06 appeals more to Europe and North America.

Quote:

Originally Posted by govschmo

I hope they bundle this dashboard update with the player as well. Not everyone has live.

If I'm not mistaken, you can get the 360 updates through the internet and just burn them onto a CD/DVD

EDIT: Nevermind, that may only be for 360 backwards compatibility updates

govschmo · 09-20-06, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by micah3sixty

This is awesome. HD-DVD up to 1080p for ~$200! Can't beat that. The new toshiba A2x will do 1080p but cost $999. From reading I have done on here, Amirm has confirmed that the HD-DVD addon will decode Dolby Digital TrueHD to most likely 5.1 analog outputs which I assume will be part of the HD-DVD addon kit. I am also guessing that the SPDF out will also send a downgraded version of Dolby Digital + like the Toshiba does if you don't use the analog outputs.

I am also excited that the fall update will also enable upscaling DVDs up to 1080p via component cables as well. So long as the quality of this upscaling surpasses my Sony progressive scan DVD player, I'll be happy.

I heard the 360 COULD do it, but still no official word on how the audio would leave the 360. If current cable is used, it would likely be downconverted to optical out.

govschmo · 09-20-06, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thepg12

They'll probably announce date/price next week at X06. X06 appeals more to Europe and North America.

If I'm not mistaken, you can get the 360 updates through the internet and just burn them onto a CD/DVD

Sadly, only for backwards comp updates for XBOX 1 games. The only option outside live I know of is:
Get a friend with live to use your hardrive and download it. or,
Purchase a game that requires it before it will play. They sometimes have it on the game disc.

Live silver is free and you can get updates, but living in the stix, I am only now getting Comcast digital in the area, and no FIOS or DSL yet.

Thanks for the reply.

thepg12 · 09-20-06, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by govschmo

Sadly, only for backwards comp updates for XBOX 1 games. The only option outside live I know of is:
Get a friend with live to use your hardrive and download it. or,
Purchase a game that requires it before it will play. They sometimes have it on the game disc.

Live silver is free and you can get updates, but living in the stix, I am only now getting Comcast digital in the area, and no FIOS or DSL yet.

Thanks for the reply.

Yeah, hopefully they work out something for people in a similar situation as you.

lynesjc · 09-20-06, 02:10 PM

This will be the cheapest way to get 1080p HD DVD and Dolby TruHD, bar none.

Not sure about the 1080p dvd claims. That's against DVD spec from what I know. (Doing it over analog).

necrolop · 09-20-06, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Your rig will finally benefit by pushing the full 60 megapixels per second of visuals to your compatible HDTV

Read the Press release. he states "60 Mega Pixels per second"

720p60 = 60 mp/s
1080i60 = 60 mp/s
1080p30 = 60mp/s

BUT

1080p60= 120mp/s

Am I missing something here? In his statement he then states that the 360 will NOT do 1080p. If there is indeed 1080p output, Im sure it will be pullup for movies, probably not games.

FreeBaGeL · 09-20-06, 02:48 PM

Am I think only one that thinks this is silly? What the heck is the need for this thread?

This entire forum is dedicated to HD DVD players, of which right now there is basically one or two (if you differentiate between the A1 and the XA1), and one officially announced one on the immediate horizon and we're going to take one of the two or three there are and relegate it to one thread? Why don't we just go ahead and make a seperate thread for the A1 since there's a bazillion posts about it and this entire forum can be made up of two threads?

I count 22 posts about the A1/XA1 on the front page of this forum and 3 about the 360 player. Why the need for this?

Mach1_8 · 09-20-06, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreeBaGeL

I count 22 posts about the A1/XA1 on the front page of this forum and 3 about the 360 player. Why the need for this?

Ummm...why not? Are you worried about taking up too much space?

pasemp · 09-20-06, 03:38 PM

Right now I have an Intercooler hooked up to my 360 and the whole setup is just too loud for most movies. I'm excited by the prospect of this addon at this price, so much so that it's made my hunt for an upscaling dvd player moot for the time being, but, I'd consider this drive less than ideal if the noise issues persist.

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markrubin Volunteer Moderator AVS GOLD CLUB MEMBER Join Date: May 2001 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 16,819 Classified Rating: 100% (4)	Xbox 360 as HD DVD Player: One and Only thread Here This is the ONE and ONLY XBOX as an HD DVD Player Thread: limit discussions to this thread title Any other XBOX discussions should be posted on the gaming forum: NOT on this forum Thanks __________________ click to clean your monitor Display Forum Rules (no price talk) Please take the High Road in every post Last edited by markrubin; 09-20-06 at 09:59 AM..

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Travisimo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 267	Isn't that $177 price the Japanese price converted to dollars? If so, then that doesn't necessarily mean it will be that price in NA. More than likely, it will be $199.99 here, but there hasn't been an announcement here yet (probably during the upcoming X06 conference). EDIT: I also wanted to add that I have a Toshiba HD-A1 on the way. I was originally going to get the 360 drive, but I changed my mind because of the following reasons: The HD-A1 has a great SD upscaler whereas the 360 drive can only upscale via VGA (unless they do release an HDMI cable at some point for the 360) The HD-A1 has analog audio outputs so I can enjoy TrueHD sound If I use my 360 for games and movies and there is a hardware failure on the 360, I wouldn't be able to play games OR watch HD-DVD's The 360 HD-DVD playback quality has not been proven yet. Will it be as good as the HD-A1? Will it be faster? Still a lot of questions unanswered. All that said, if the 360 drive is $200 or less, I might pick one of them up as well as the HD-A1! Last edited by Travisimo; 09-20-06 at 11:17 AM..

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chap AVS Special Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: hawthorne, nj, usa Posts: 3,716	They actually only announced Japanese info. They still have yet to announce an American street date (which really bothers me. Yes I know its a Japanese trade show but you MUST know when you are going to release in NA by now). For all we know they could just release all there units in Japan, and we may not get any till next year. I doubt it, but you never know. The other thing that I am still wondering about is the price. Its about $177 there, but there core system is also only $250 with a game while ours is $300 with nothing. Of course we coudl get a price reduction soon also if we are lucky. __________________ http://card.mygamercard.net/gbar/360/Chap.gif

09-20-06, 01:30 PM	#20 \| Link
micah3sixty NooBe4life Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 682	This is awesome. HD-DVD up to 1080p for ~$200! Can't beat that. The new toshiba A2x will do 1080p but cost $999. From reading I have done on here, Amirm has confirmed that the HD-DVD addon will decode Dolby Digital TrueHD to most likely 5.1 analog outputs which I assume will be part of the HD-DVD addon kit. I am also guessing that the SPDF out will also send a downgraded version of Dolby Digital + like the Toshiba does if you don't use the analog outputs. I am also excited that the fall update will also enable upscaling DVDs up to 1080p via component cables as well. So long as the quality of this upscaling surpasses my Sony progressive scan DVD player, I'll be happy. __________________ Micah

09-20-06, 02:10 PM	#26 \| Link
lynesjc HT Acolyte Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: 34.745245, -82.251769 Posts: 1,888	This will be the cheapest way to get 1080p HD DVD and Dolby TruHD, bar none. Not sure about the 1080p dvd claims. That's against DVD spec from what I know. (Doing it over analog). __________________ Do not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. XBL & PSN GT: ProjectGemini07 www.gamersvantage.com

09-20-06, 10:34 AM	#6 \| Link
riekl Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 458	Well its official .. HD-DVD player for the xbox ~ $177 out in November ! Eat your shorts Sony !

09-20-06, 10:44 AM	#7 \| Link
DarkKnight2k4 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 465	Nice. Is there a hard date ? I can't wait. I play my 360 on 65" set in my family room. This allows me to get the A2 for my theater in the basement and this drive for my family room !

09-20-06, 10:49 AM	#8 \| Link
metalsaber Al Roker's #1 Fan Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Western, Pennsylvania Posts: 2,993	If the price is under $200, I'll be picking it up.

09-20-06, 10:55 AM	#9 \| Link
bases1616 Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 565	I have been reading updates on ign.com about the HD-DVD player at the Tokyo Game Conference for the 360 and no official mention of the US price as of yet. Also, Microsoft is saying they will have the 360 supporting 1080p by the end of the year. I am hoping that means that they will finally be releasing some kind of HDMI cable because I don't think component supports 1080p.

09-20-06, 11:08 AM	#12 \| Link
Jann Lee Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 468	1080p over component AND VGA.

09-20-06, 12:00 PM	#16 \| Link
Assayer AVS Special Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,233	Do the component & VGA video amplifiers actually have enough frequency range to take advantage of 1080p? Ok, so they upgraded the software to switch the DACs at 1080p, but will we actually see the higher frequency content in the signals?

09-20-06, 12:56 PM	#17 \| Link
govschmo Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 462	I hope they bundle this dashboard update with the player as well. Not everyone has live.

09-20-06, 01:05 PM	#18 \| Link
WilliamR Super Special Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 4,263	So, if I use VGA on my 360 for this new player, can I leave the VGA connected all the time or do games suffer from quality? Is VGA a step down from component? Will my games look as good on my high def TV? (My TV is 720p not 1080p). Just curious on what I should do because I would like this to also upconvert my SD DVDs and I am in the market for a DVD player but don't want to but an upconverting DVD player and a high def player. Been leaning towards the 360 drive since I have a 360 already. When its released, if it sucks, I'll buy the Toshiba instead. So, with this VGA, confused, you actually use VGA for high definition (yes my TV has a VGA port). Help, confused, thanks.

09-20-06, 02:48 PM	#28 \| Link
FreeBaGeL Super Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Titletown, FL Posts: 1,515	Am I think only one that thinks this is silly? What the heck is the need for this thread? This entire forum is dedicated to HD DVD players, of which right now there is basically one or two (if you differentiate between the A1 and the XA1), and one officially announced one on the immediate horizon and we're going to take one of the two or three there are and relegate it to one thread? Why don't we just go ahead and make a seperate thread for the A1 since there's a bazillion posts about it and this entire forum can be made up of two threads? I count 22 posts about the A1/XA1 on the front page of this forum and 3 about the 360 player. Why the need for this?

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pasemp Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 33	Noise Issues Right now I have an Intercooler hooked up to my 360 and the whole setup is just too loud for most movies. I'm excited by the prospect of this addon at this price, so much so that it's made my hunt for an upscaling dvd player moot for the time being, but, I'd consider this drive less than ideal if the noise issues persist.