External add-on HD-DVD player for the Xbox 360 for <$200
09-20-06 | 09:01 AM
#26
Banned
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 15,957
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: NYC
News reports now coming out that the add-on will be $177 in Japan and released November 22.
It will also support 1080p.
http://www.gamespot.com/events/tgs20...pslot;action;2
It will also support 1080p.
http://www.gamespot.com/events/tgs20...pslot;action;2
2:21: Ah, something everybody wants to know more about: the HD-DVD add-on. Connects with USB, as we know, and supports 1080p. Mr. Kawanaka from the hardware division is now leading a live demo of the peripheral, which seems to integrate seamlessly with the 360 dashboard. Insert an HD-DVD disc, see an option to play it at the bottom of the screen, just like normal.
And what finer cinematic masterpiece with which to demo the new peripheral than The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift? We're seeing some demo features that can be found in all HD-DVD players, like bookmarks and picture-in-picture commentary. Playback also integrates seamlessly with the dashboard. No big surprises here--except perhaps that you can do video chat while you're watching a movie.
The drive will be hitting the streets November 22 at a price of 20,790 ($177), including tax. But when will it be out in the US?
And what finer cinematic masterpiece with which to demo the new peripheral than The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift? We're seeing some demo features that can be found in all HD-DVD players, like bookmarks and picture-in-picture commentary. Playback also integrates seamlessly with the dashboard. No big surprises here--except perhaps that you can do video chat while you're watching a movie.
The drive will be hitting the streets November 22 at a price of 20,790 ($177), including tax. But when will it be out in the US?
09-20-06 | 10:11 AM
#27
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Well, I'm sure they are trying to launch it right around the PS3 launch.....
I'm interested still. Also, they say it will do 1080p, which I'm not sure how over component...is that possible?
I'm interested still. Also, they say it will do 1080p, which I'm not sure how over component...is that possible?
09-20-06 | 10:21 AM
#28
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,830
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Mpls, MN
Why is Xbox news about Japan? They've sold what, a dozen units over there?
1080p is possible over component, although I'm not sure if any TVs are supporting it. Which might make it pointless, although technically ok. They may just mean it can read 1080p, which is obviously a requirement to play any HDDVD.
1080p is possible over component, although I'm not sure if any TVs are supporting it. Which might make it pointless, although technically ok. They may just mean it can read 1080p, which is obviously a requirement to play any HDDVD.
09-20-06 | 10:23 AM
#29
Banned
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 15,957
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: NYC
Originally Posted by Spiky
Why is Xbox news about Japan? They've sold what, a dozen units over there?
1080p is possible over component, although I'm not sure if any TVs are supporting it. Which might make it pointless, although technically ok. They may just mean it can read 1080p, which is obviously a requirement to play any HDDVD.
1080p is possible over component, although I'm not sure if any TVs are supporting it. Which might make it pointless, although technically ok. They may just mean it can read 1080p, which is obviously a requirement to play any HDDVD.
09-20-06 | 10:59 AM
#30
DVD Talk Legend
I know there is a Westinghouse that can take a 1080p signal over component, but they are pretty rare.
The $177 price for Japan gives a good chance for a $150 price here.
The $177 price for Japan gives a good chance for a $150 price here.
09-20-06 | 11:38 AM
#32
Originally Posted by darkside
I know there is a Westinghouse that can take a 1080p signal over component, but they are pretty rare.
The $177 price for Japan gives a good chance for a $150 price here.
The $177 price for Japan gives a good chance for a $150 price here.
http://www.westinghousedigital.com/p...p-monitor.aspx
09-20-06 | 03:58 PM
#34
DVD Talk Gold Edition
I've read that its a mini-usb port on the back, that is how it will connect to the 360.
http://gear.ign.com/articles/733/733328p1.html
http://gear.ign.com/articles/733/733328p1.html
09-20-06 | 07:47 PM
#35
Banned by request
It looks like it has two standard USB ports and a firewire port. If it (or the 360) doesn't have firewire or HDMI or 5.1 analog outs, how will it pass advanced audio?
09-21-06 | 12:39 AM
#37
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,830
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Mpls, MN
Sorry, boys. That is a mini-USB port, not Firewire. For attachment to the 360.
"It attaches via a mini-USB to the X360 which is where all the processing for the drive will happen."
"It attaches via a mini-USB to the X360 which is where all the processing for the drive will happen."
09-21-06 | 12:54 AM
#38
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Sign me up for one although I hope these 1080p-over-component and advanced audio issues are addressed. I wonder if they could make a breakout box for HDMI to attach via USB?
09-21-06 | 05:53 AM
#39
DVD Talk Special Edition
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Mobile, AL
Here's what the 360 will output with the add-on. This is per the insider thread, source is amir @ Microsoft. Reference: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&&#post8478750
1080p is supported over VGA for DVD, HD DVD and gaming output. And yes, AACS does allow 1080p over VGA (classified under authorized "computer monitor outputs").
For component, you get gaming up to 1080p, and 1080i for HD DVD. DVD only works at 480p over this connection. The latter two are due to restrictions in DVD CCA and AACS rules for DVD and HD DVD playback respectively.
On gaming, the machine supports both scaling of 720p games to 1080p, and native games running at 1080p resolution. It is up to game developers to decide which way to go.
For component, you get gaming up to 1080p, and 1080i for HD DVD. DVD only works at 480p over this connection. The latter two are due to restrictions in DVD CCA and AACS rules for DVD and HD DVD playback respectively.
On gaming, the machine supports both scaling of 720p games to 1080p, and native games running at 1080p resolution. It is up to game developers to decide which way to go.
09-21-06 | 02:08 PM
#43
Scared to post this because of the obvious bashing, but I'm not the one saying it. Would hate to see the one who is get banned! 
http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/21/so...-announcement/
http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/21/so...-announcement/
Originally Posted by Sony
"It's unfortunate that Microsoft's external HD-DVD drive will not enhance the experience at all for the gamer. Sony realizes that to truly take gaming into the next generation requires a larger data format for both games and movies. PS3 uses the Blu-ray format for gaming, giving developers 50 GB of high-definition storage on a single disc, while Microsoft's 9 GB DVD gaming format is an obstacle for storing HD content. Furthermore, Microsoft's announced HD games patch is really just a compatibility feature -- upscaling lower-resolution content does not make it Full HD (1080p), something that PS3 can do out of the box."
09-21-06 | 02:53 PM
#45
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Originally Posted by digitalfreaknyc
Put this on the list of the reasons why I hate Sony, next time a mod asks.
09-21-06 | 05:17 PM
#46
DVD Talk Legend
I can't wait to see how many games go over 9GBs. I'm betting they will have to toss in tons of HD FMV to do it. Oh well, back to playing my DS. A system that totally proves that large storage capacity is needed for great gaming. 
09-21-06 | 08:54 PM
#47
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Originally Posted by digitalfreaknyc
Put this on the list of the reasons why I hate Sony, next time a mod asks.
09-21-06 | 10:36 PM
#48
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,830
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Mpls, MN
Originally Posted by DVD Josh
Will VGA work in a RGB input?