Which HD DVD player to choose

[Akwaaba]

Had a quick look around, it seems that the cheapest way to play HD content is either usung an xbox 360 Hd DVD drive (but my PC is in a different room to my TV) for around £100 or to buy a Toshiba HD-E1 HD DVD player for around £230.

Anyone know of a cheaper HD DVD player?

[Odc]

The Xbox HD DVD player is the cheapest around. Your not gonna' get anything cheaper for a while yet unfortunately. I can vouch for the Xbox player though. It's awesome

[neonplanet40]

Originally Posted by Odc

The Xbox HD DVD player is the cheapest around. Your not gonna' get anything cheaper for a while yet unfortunately. I can vouch for the Xbox player though. It's awesome

I thought it was annoyingly loud just like the dvd player?

[jimborae]

Originally Posted by neonplanet40

I thought it was annoyingly loud just like the dvd player?

Nope

[suniil]

360 HD DVD drive doesn't give you good quality sound nor new generation audio formats (True HD / DD+ etc).

[Akwaaba]

Originally Posted by suniil

360 HD DVD drive doesn't give you good quality sound nor new generation audio formats (True HD / DD+ etc).

So probably not worth it?

Does the 360 HD DVD Drive work like an external DVD drive, or more like an internal one? (i.e. would it work with a laptop?)

[Odc]

Originally Posted by suniil

360 HD DVD drive doesn't give you good quality sound nor new generation audio formats (True HD / DD+ etc).

Isn't that when you use it with the 360 though? When you use it with a PC I think it works fine.

[Skinleech]

Originally Posted by Akwaaba

So probably not worth it?

Does the 360 HD DVD Drive work like an external DVD drive, or more like an internal one? (i.e. would it work with a laptop?)

It'll work fine with a lappy (providing it's specced to play HD content).

Originally Posted by Odc

Isn't that when you use it with the 360 though? When you use it with a PC I think it works fine.

The 360 doesn't have the capability for the new audio codecs as it;s only sp/dif out. But then nor does the PC - PowerDVD can decode them, but you still only get the max throughput of sp/dif (which is only 1.5mbits) unless you use analog and connect each channel to your amp.

Of course, soon enough sound card wich do decode them will be out, but you'll again either need analogue or HDMI 1.3a on both the sound card and the recevier.

[suniil]

you can get it work like internal, but you need an adapter-converter thingy (forgot the link, but will find later if you need)

SPDIF is the only option right now.

Originally Posted by Odc

Isn't that when you use it with the 360 though? When you use it with a PC I think it works fine.