Does the noise generated by the 360 ruin it as a DVD player?

the disc drive isnt nearly as loud playing DVDs as it is playing games.

I was wondering the same thing. I can't believe how loud that thing is! Even when I'm gaming, with the volume at a decent level, sometimes the ambient effects are drowned out by the droning of the 360. My friend said "geez, is that thing gas-powered?" I laughed, but he wasn't far off. I have it standing on end, is it any quieter if you lay it flat?

Mark

Get the HDDVD add on, for 99 bucks, like in the other thread, and it makes 0 noise at all....

The drive itself isn't noisy, even when very close to it. However, I have noticed that there is something about certain disks that makes noise. Some are whisper quiet - others aren't. Still, not a real factor in my opinion.

I don't hear either drive when playing DVDs/HD-DVDs, but I do hear the fans a bit when watching at lower volumes at night. I viewlisten between 4 - 8 feet, depending on where I am sitting.

It has to spin fast for games but slow for movies.. So it's ok...

Go listen for yourself. Surely with 9million 360's out there, you know somebody who will let you play a DVD on the theirs.

I think the whole noise thing is exxagerated. There are two games where my 360 does make enough noise for me to actually hear it. Any other games I play, its not loud at all and I can only barely hear it when I have the tv muted.

Granted I do sit about 8-10 feet away from 360 and some people may have theirs on their desk or sit 2-3 feet away. But you have to consider how far away your view distance is also.

I only use my 360 as my dvd player and couldnt be more pleased with it. Im not super picky about the picture, its looks the same as my stand alone DVD player so thats all that matters to me. I have noticed the blacks are deeper with the HDDVD addon but still usually not enough of a nuisance to warrant getting up and actually switching the disc to it instead of the internal one of the 360.

I still think the best thing you can do is go visit a friend with a 360. Play a game and listen to a DVD. Some people are more sensitive than others so that will be only way to tell if bothers u or not.

That might work if the setups are similar. The listening environment can play a noticable variable in the equation. Chances are that you are overthinking the problem and it plays quiet enough for it not to matter, unless you plan on having it right next to you.