External add-on HD-DVD player for the Xbox 360 for <$200
10-02-06, 05:22 AM
#201
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Originally Posted by DthRdrX
I'm pretty sure if it doesn't have HDMI it doesn't upconvert dvds.
10-02-06, 07:51 AM
#202
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The 360 itself upconverts standard dvds with no need for the add-on.
And, from what I've gathered, they 360 will be doing all the decoding for the add-on anyway, so I would imagine the same would hold true since the streams will just be passed via USB to the main unit for processing.
And, from what I've gathered, they 360 will be doing all the decoding for the add-on anyway, so I would imagine the same would hold true since the streams will just be passed via USB to the main unit for processing.
Last edited by pinata242; 10-02-06 at 07:54 AM.
10-11-06, 08:52 AM
#204
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A user review from AVS:
Well I finally got to play around with the HD DVD addon drive for the 360 this evening and I have to say I am incredibly impressed. I haven't read the Cnet reviews and such, so just incase some of my comments are duplicated, I apologize. But this is a report from a forum member.
First off I have to comment on the access time. WOW this is easily on par if not faster than most DVD players I've used. If there is a disc in the player, the moment you boot your Xbox up and gets past the intro screen, you're immediately in the opening of the disc. Less than 3-4 seconds loading. As far as chapter advances, it's instantaneous.
Now what does the picture look like? It wasn't on a properly adjusted display nor was the player a final build, but it's really really close to the A1 or XA1. The player is remarkably quiet since there really isn't a fan in it. Even the 360 runs just like a DVD on one CPU resulting a more silent experience.
The remote that comes with it is RF just like the controller so that's a bonus for those that are using non-RF or UHF based remote. It's not so great if you want to get the code into a Pronto or MX3000.
Now release date in North America is still next month but they aren't saying which day yet. The good news for Canadians, like myself, is we get the better deal. It's only $199 CANADIAN! as well with Kong/Remote. It's very rare that an item is cheaper in Canadian than the US. Not by much, but most were expecting $250. You can get a couple of flicks with the savings. Booyah!
All in all if only a million users purchase the drive and support it, which isn't asking a lot especially with a 6 million user base, we might see software sales hitting in the hundreds of thousands this Christmas. I don't think Warner will be crying the blues if that happens.
First off I have to comment on the access time. WOW this is easily on par if not faster than most DVD players I've used. If there is a disc in the player, the moment you boot your Xbox up and gets past the intro screen, you're immediately in the opening of the disc. Less than 3-4 seconds loading. As far as chapter advances, it's instantaneous.
Now what does the picture look like? It wasn't on a properly adjusted display nor was the player a final build, but it's really really close to the A1 or XA1. The player is remarkably quiet since there really isn't a fan in it. Even the 360 runs just like a DVD on one CPU resulting a more silent experience.
The remote that comes with it is RF just like the controller so that's a bonus for those that are using non-RF or UHF based remote. It's not so great if you want to get the code into a Pronto or MX3000.
Now release date in North America is still next month but they aren't saying which day yet. The good news for Canadians, like myself, is we get the better deal. It's only $199 CANADIAN! as well with Kong/Remote. It's very rare that an item is cheaper in Canadian than the US. Not by much, but most were expecting $250. You can get a couple of flicks with the savings. Booyah!
All in all if only a million users purchase the drive and support it, which isn't asking a lot especially with a 6 million user base, we might see software sales hitting in the hundreds of thousands this Christmas. I don't think Warner will be crying the blues if that happens.
10-11-06, 09:14 AM
#205
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I will wait for some better reviews, but I just don't see how the Xbox and PS3 can match the standalones in video quality. I'm not saying both can't pass for decent low end players, but I'm really skeptical about software decoding.
10-11-06, 01:16 PM
#209
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Originally Posted by BuddyRevell
Remarkably quiet? Since this is an addon doesn't the 360 need to be on while using the Hd player? Wouldn't that be loud by default?
10-11-06, 01:49 PM
#210
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Good to hear a positive early review on this. I'll be thinning out my DVD and game collections soon in order to get together some money for the crazy amount of video game stuff that's coming out in the next couple of months. I think I'll probably pick up the 360 HD-DVD drive since it's at least $150 cheaper than the cheapest standalone player, and my TV's native resolution is 720p, so I doubt I'd see a big difference between the add-on and a standalone player. Throwing in an HD-DVD that I'm interested in sweetens the deal, and since I already have a Logitech Harmony 360 universal remote, I can eBay the included remote to lessen the cost a little more.
10-11-06, 08:26 PM
#211
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Now release date in North America is still next month but they aren't saying which day yet.
and I'm so happy about the price being in Canada - I expected $299 Cdn plus the dreaded 14% tax...
10-12-06, 07:14 AM
#215
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Originally Posted by ChristianB
I heard November 14 is street date....
and I'm so happy about the price being in Canada - I expected $299 Cdn plus the dreaded 14% tax...
and I'm so happy about the price being in Canada - I expected $299 Cdn plus the dreaded 14% tax...
I still plan on getting this, even with my component cables...I only have 1080i on my TV anyways.
10-12-06, 08:32 AM
#216
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Originally Posted by Cyberock
I was so looking forward to this but I'm going to pass. No HDMI, No buy! Seems like a waste of money when the studios start downgrading HD video played through analog cables.
It ain't going to happen.
10-12-06, 08:44 AM
#217
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Originally Posted by digitalfreaknyc
They addressed that last night.
It ain't going to happen.
It ain't going to happen.
10-12-06, 09:48 AM
#222
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Originally Posted by DJ_Longfellow
Isn't the exchange rate like 1.13 now or lower? It's nice though, maybe I'll head over to Canada to get a deal. I could save a few dollars...us MI people can do that
I still plan on getting this, even with my component cables...I only have 1080i on my TV anyways.
I still plan on getting this, even with my component cables...I only have 1080i on my TV anyways.
10-12-06, 10:25 AM
#223
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After talking to more and more people at my office, I have a feeling this HD DVD add-on is going to be extremely popular. As far as I know, I am the only one in our office (around ~100 people) that has an HD DVD player, but I know at least 3 or 4 people that are definitely buying the 360 add-on as soon as it comes out.
10-12-06, 10:44 AM
#225
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Originally Posted by flashburn
but I know at least 3 or 4 people that are definitely buying the 360 add-on as soon as it comes out.