It's official - MS announces HD-DVD drive for the Xbox 360!
#1
DVD Talk Special Edition
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's official - MS announces HD-DVD drive for the Xbox 360!
I was going to post this in my older thread, but I thought this news deserved its own thread.
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/...dexplained.htm
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/...dexplained.htm
#2
DVD Talk Godfather
Just an FYI, price announcement to come in the next few days. I'll come right out and say it... if it's more than $249 no one will buy it. If it's $149, it will be like hotcakes. So, my prediction is $199 or less.
If Microsoft is smart: $Xbox 360 + $HD-DVD add-on < $PS3
If Microsoft is smart: $Xbox 360 + $HD-DVD add-on < $PS3
#5
DVD Talk Special Edition
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am guessing that the price will be $149. The press release makes a big deal about HD-DVD being a better value for consumers and refers to the price of the add-on as "good news." I will definitely be picking this up.
#6
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Join Date: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,937
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am now officially very excited. I hope it interfaces well with the 360, I was debating the Toshiba version, but after playing with it at Best Buy I think it would drive me nuts. Count me in as long as it's under $300.
#10
DVD Talk Special Edition
Originally Posted by raven56706
that article is so true.... the momentum is with hd-dvd.....
King Kong or a Lord of the Rings announcement would really light the fire, though.
#11
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That's a great article. Hits (and hammers) every single point that we've been debating here for weeks...
While I believe the hybrid disc idea isn't great for me (especially at additional cost), they do a good job of explaining why you would want to buy one and (here's the kicker) point out that BR can't do it that way. It makes Blu-Ray look less compatible with DVD than HD-DVD.
While I believe the hybrid disc idea isn't great for me (especially at additional cost), they do a good job of explaining why you would want to buy one and (here's the kicker) point out that BR can't do it that way. It makes Blu-Ray look less compatible with DVD than HD-DVD.
#13
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mobile, AL
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Uhh, USB 2.0 is plenty fast enough.
Also, if this thing is gonna output HDMI, that will have to come from within the add-on, since the 360 doesn't have such a connection.
Also, if this thing is gonna output HDMI, that will have to come from within the add-on, since the 360 doesn't have such a connection.
#14
DVD Talk Godfather
Originally Posted by Grimfarrow
You must be kidding...via USB?!?! Sorry, but with USB speed this thing is utterly useless. I have no idea why you guys are all so excited.
#17
Thing that sucks about this is how loud the 360 is even when there's not a game spinning in it. No way in hell I would use this in my home theater with that cyclone fan blowing. If the fan ramps all the way down during HD-DVD playback (like when the power is off and you're charging the wireless controller through USB) then I would consider it.
#19
Yep, the only way they'll get around that is if they can make the unit big enough to house 120mm fans. The noise on the 360 actually sounds like it triples once a game disc spins up. WTF
#20
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Grubert
Question for those who think that the PS3 won't have an effect in the format war: do you think this Xbox add-on will? If so, why?
I think they just want it out there as a choice for XBox360 owners. They certainly don't want the PS3 to be the only HD movie playing console out there.
The way that MS has done this enables users to choose whether they want to use the 360 for games or if they want it configured to play games and HD-DVDs. That makes it cheaper for those who want to use it for games only (most users). Sony is forcing both types to get BR which makes the unit cost more for those who don't care about the movies.
For people who just want HD movies, the cheapest route is a stand alone HD-DVD player... but if you already have a 360, that will be a cheaper incremental cost.
#21
DVD Talk Limited Edition
I have to read this later at home....I'm excited. Still curious how the HDMI will be handled though, I guess I'll have to read before I ask questions (since my TV only has component)
#22
DVD Talk Special Edition
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by matome
Yep, the only way they'll get around that is if they can make the unit big enough to house 120mm fans. The noise on the 360 actually sounds like it triples once a game disc spins up. WTF
#23
DVD Talk Special Edition
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Besides the HDMI issue, the thing that really troubles me is the high-res audio problem. It would be great to see a cable from MS that could output 7.1 ch analog audio, but I doubt that will happen. We'll probably have to settle for regular DD/DTS and, if we're lucky, PCM over HDMI.
#24
Yeah, the add-on unit will probably be quiet, but the fan on the 360 is obnoxious even if you're just futzing around on the console menus.
I'm waiting for Blu-Ray, but if this add-on will be sub-$200, I will pick it up to check it out regardless of the console noise.
I'm waiting for Blu-Ray, but if this add-on will be sub-$200, I will pick it up to check it out regardless of the console noise.
#25
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by awmurray
I don't think it will.
I think they just want it out there as a choice for XBox360 owners. They certainly don't want the PS3 to be the only HD movie playing console out there.
The way that MS has done this enables users to choose whether they want to use the 360 for games or if they want it configured to play games and HD-DVDs. That makes it cheaper for those who want to use it for games only (most users). Sony is forcing both types to get BR which makes the unit cost more for those who don't care about the movies.
For people who just want HD movies, the cheapest route is a stand alone HD-DVD player... but if you already have a 360, that will be a cheaper incremental cost.
I think they just want it out there as a choice for XBox360 owners. They certainly don't want the PS3 to be the only HD movie playing console out there.
The way that MS has done this enables users to choose whether they want to use the 360 for games or if they want it configured to play games and HD-DVDs. That makes it cheaper for those who want to use it for games only (most users). Sony is forcing both types to get BR which makes the unit cost more for those who don't care about the movies.
For people who just want HD movies, the cheapest route is a stand alone HD-DVD player... but if you already have a 360, that will be a cheaper incremental cost.