HD DVD / Blu Ray playback on PC?

1907 Views 46 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Ursa, May 22, 2006

dvdmonster

Discussion Starter · May 12, 2006

HD-DVD pc drives are coming (and if you got a Tosh HD-DVD player, you already got a pc drive inside it).

Blu Ray pc drives are coming.

HDMI graphic cards are coming from ATI and a HDMI motherboard from Abit.

Toshiba has the Qosmio G30 HD-DVD Ready Laptop out with WinDVD HD software.

It seems like all the pieces are here to play back HD-DVD's on the PC.

I got an old CRT TV so HD is no fun there, but I do have a 24" 1900*1200 HDCP monitor, and I would love to get a cheap HD-DVD player this way, but are there any chance I can play back HD DVD's without VISTA? Do we really have to wait for this? The Qosmio is running WinDVD HD software on XP.

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orogogus

· #2 · May 12, 2006

magic 8 ball says, "future uncertain, ask again later."

seriously though, no official source has come out and said what it would take to get AACS approval. It seems that the software decoders (windvd etc.) are releasing products that will do the decoding and are apparently AACS licensed, so I guess it's possible, but the software isn't out yet. No word on what caveats are there in terms of have HDCP out and a next-gen drive. I hope it is as simple as that, I remain cautiously optimistic. There is more scuttlebutt on the HTPC forums though.

diogen

· #3 · May 13, 2006

It looks like the HDMI-connector video cards will cost about the same as non-HDMI cards
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=31668

Certainly good news.

Diogen.

dvdmonster

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 13, 2006

You have to wonder why Toshiba don't push more for this, since it would be a big help in getting a much bigger HD-DVD installation base fast.

diogen

· #5 · May 16, 2006

Just a prototype, but getting really close:
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=31747

Diogen.

Ursa

· #6 · May 16, 2006

With only SPDIF inputs, this limits the HDMI to only DD or DTS bitrates (max: 1.5mbps). Thus, no DD+, no TrueHD, no DTS-HD on these. Forewarned is forearmed.

Also, Abit seems to be getting their motherboard through AACS approval. Availability is expected in late June, but there is no word on what applications will support HD-DVD or BD on it. A plug-in to MCE would be nice.

diogen

· #7 · May 16, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ursa
With only SPDIF inputs, this limits the HDMI to only DD or DTS bitrates (max: 1.5mbps). Thus, no DD+, no TrueHD, no DTS-HD on these...

It's a good start. Since today's HDMI can't do all of new audio standards anyway,

I think it is a good idea to use the onboard audio and just SPDIF-feed the new video card.

Saves on the costs of this card.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ursa
...Abit seems to be getting their motherboard through AACS approval...

Intel onboard video - not a HTPC option.

Diogen.

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sstephen

· #8 · May 16, 2006

From the article
Quote:

I am sure that you will be able to connect the sound internally but you need to know what are you doing.

So maybe you can configure it to pass TrueHD and DTS-HD. The article didn't go in to much detail. It also doesn't say anything about HDMI 1.3, so it may not have the bandwidth for lossless codec and 1080p60

Ursa

· #9 · May 16, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by diogen
Intel onboard video - not a HTPC option.

Ordinarily, I would agree. However, if this is the only way to get a viable BD player for less than a grand, I may be willing to give it a try. Of course, drive cost is probably the limiting factor here once the AACS hurdle is crossed.

Later,

Bill

diogen

· #10 · May 16, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ursa
...if this is the only way to get a viable BD player for less than a grand, I may be willing to give it a try. Of course, drive cost is probably the limiting factor here once the AACS hurdle is crossed...

Too many unknowns.

According to Amir, the hardware doesn't have to be AACS-certified, the player has.

That probably means Abit will bundle a player with this board. Both WinDVD and PowerDVD announced hidef player.

How does a player select hardware - audio and video - to trust? Certain model chips? Separate deals on each model motherboards?

This can get very expensive very fast.

We know that both - HD (Toshiba) and BD (Sony) - formats will be playable on PCs even without Vista.

How much does it cost to get there?

Diogen.

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nataraj

· #11 · May 17, 2006

BTW, anyone with HD-A1 can take out the HD-DVD ROM and put it on a PC with the Vista Beta2 PC and try it out, assuming Beta 2 has the hd-dvd player.

Ursa

· #12 · May 17, 2006

US model BD burner specs. Engineering sample price: $1k. Tray price (lot of 1,000) is expected to be considerably lower.

SP5582C-Blu Ray Detailed.pdf 220.8984375k . file

Ursa

· #13 · May 17, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by nataraj
BTW, anyone with HD-A1 can take out the HD-DVD ROM and put it on a PC with the Vista Beta2 PC and try it out, assuming Beta 2 has the hd-dvd player.

The question is whether this breaks the HD-A1 or not.

vairulez

· #14 · May 17, 2006

Quote:

How does a player select hardware - audio and video - to trust?

that's the part where you need certified drivers

nataraj

· #15 · May 17, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ursa
The question is whether this breaks the HD-A1 or not.

IIRC, the guy who took it out didn't say if he put the drive back and it worked or not. But since nothing was said, I'd assume, its okay (which is also most logical).

diogen

· #16 · May 17, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by vairulez
that's the part where you need certified drivers

Certified by whom?

Diogen.

vairulez

· #17 · May 17, 2006

by certified I mean whql and logo compliant drivers.

chinch

· #18 · May 17, 2006

why do you need an AACS approved (i hate that phrase) motherboard?

is that confirmed?

i was under the impression you need Vista and just a HDCP compliant video card (and appropriate soundcard for hires audio - i'm not personally interested in that myself).

diogen

· #19 · May 17, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinch
why do you need an AACS approved (i hate that phrase) motherboard?

You don't. Taken from here while talking about video cards
Quote:

Originally Posted by amirm
...the card vendor can not get the AACS approval. Whoever does the player is the one that has to comply with AACS rules and certification. If that vendor can connect to this card, all is well. If not, then the card can not be used.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinch
i was under the impression you need Vista...

You don't. MCE in the announced Toshiba (HD) and Sony (BD) will do it.

Diogen.

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chinch

· #20 · May 17, 2006

thanks. by "player" i'm assuming he's talking about BR/HD-DVD drive?

it's looking like my choice of "reasonably priced" combo player would be to put two drives in my HTPC after a few price drops, etc.

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