360 With HDMI

[Syd]

I'm sure I have read somewhere that MS are going to be launching/relaunching the 360 with a HD drive and HDMI output (1 box solution) is there any truth in this guys?

Secondly as a dvd player, what is the 360 like (in terms of picture and digital sound quality output)

Thirdly is there a good remote available for the 360?

I am thinking of ditching my sparates DVD player and using a 360 instead.

Thanks for your thoughts in advance.

[Veles]

The DVD player on the 360 is absolute crap, but not the HD-DVD player, I hear thats good.

The "Zephyr" model is an unconfirmed rumor, stuff about this has been flying about for a long time, as of yet they havn't even confirmed it, let alone given a release date.

[Norky]

If you want to use the Xbox 360 as a DVD player get the HD DVD drive. It does a great job of upscaling SD DVDs over VGA and is a lot quieter than the DVD drive in the Xbox.

[Syd]

If you want to use the Xbox 360 as a DVD player get the HD DVD drive. It does a great job of upscaling SD DVDs over VGA and is a lot quieter than the DVD drive in the Xbox.

Cool, I take it you can convert from VGA to component quite easily - and run into a LCD/Plasma, and get good results then ?

And does it come with a remote/ and lastly does it upscale to 1080i/1080p or 720?

Thanks.........

[Dooms]

The first batch of Premium packs came with the media remote but I dont think they do anymore... I picked mine up from gamestation for £10 pre-owned but looked like it had never been used.

I wouldn't hold your breath for the HDMI 360, its starting to look like they are releasing a black 360 but none of the extra crap people have been talking about. In countless interviews MS have said they chose component over HDMI because more TV's have ir (or have have it free) compared to HDMI and unless they force HD-DVD to use it there isnt any point.

From what I understand it does up-scale with the HD-DVD addon or if you are running via VGA?

[Agent]

MS have made it clear that they will not ship the console with a HD-DVD drive built in.
HDMI is likely though, but not confirmed!

[Norky]

You get the full media remote with the HD DVD drive. The reason I mentioned VGA is that IIRC it will only upscale to 1080p via VGA, I think through component it will only do 720i.

[Dorza]

You get the full media remote with the HD DVD drive. The reason I mentioned VGA is that IIRC it will only upscale to 1080p via VGA, I think through component it will only do 720i.

My mate said the same thing to me yesterday. Although the 360 now has 1080i/p capability, he can't get it upscale to that res over component. He said he would have to use VGA but would rather 720 component since he thinks the colours look a bit dodgy over VGA.

[bigblue]

The 360 isn't actually that bad a DVD player, but it is damn noisy. If you have an even louder sound system it isn't an issue but it's a bit of a pain if you're watching something quieter.

The HD-DVD drive is good, and produces a decent picture, but sound is more of a problem, as the lack of HDMI stops it from supporting the new "HD" audio formats.

I think folk are getting a bit concerned about the value of 1080p upscaling of SD DVD for nowt If you have a 1080p display the TV will upscale it for you anyway, possibly in a preferable fashion to the 360.

But for £129, with a remote, the HDDVD is a steal.

[Veles]

I doubt the TV will upscale it better than the 360, otherwise what would be the point in the expensive upscaler chip they put in there?

[Syd]

I was thinking of buying a Sony 40/46X2200
which runs 1080p - and wanted good dvd playback -esp as my 2000pound 2001 Onkyo DVD939THX DVD has gone up the spout AGAIN!!!!!

I gues I wanna know if the XBOX with/without HD Drive can do the job

[bigblue]

I doubt the TV will upscale it better than the 360, otherwise what would be the point in the expensive upscaler chip they put in there?

Obviously I could be wrong, but from what I've read it's not really any more expensive or capable than a decent TV scaler, pretty much the same basic technology. Some 720p TV's coming onto the market now have Faroudja scalers which I imagine are quite a lot more capable than the 360 chip. Deinterlacing especially, is not so great left to the 360.

And if you have a 1080p TV, the scaler in that should be at least a match for the 360, in many cases better I imagine.

For Syd, a couple of reviews. Less subjective and more benchmark based (and possibly therefore, far more useful) than your What Hi-Fi's and the like
360 DVD playback http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-b...0%20(Component)
360 HD DVD playback http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-b...20DVD%20Add-On

[Syd]

Obviously I could be wrong, but from what I've read it's not really any more expensive or capable than a decent TV scaler, pretty much the same basic technology. Some 720p TV's coming onto the market now have Faroudja scalers which I imagine are quite a lot more capable than the 360 chip. Deinterlacing especially, is not so great left to the 360.

And if you have a 1080p TV, the scaler in that should be at least a match for the 360, in many cases better I imagine.

For Syd, a couple of reviews. Less subjective and more benchmark based (and possibly therefore, far more useful) than your What Hi-Fi's and the like
360 DVD playback http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-b...0%20(Component)
360 HD DVD playback http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-b...20DVD%20Add-On

Thanks Blue, I shall go and have a look here

[TheAnimus]

The main grudge i have against the hd xbox is the noise... Its really off putting at first, but having found a suiteable hiding place (under the drawers) it dapens the fan sound.

My main concern is lack of HDCP, which might make it a very loud useless lump of plastic.

But at £130 from play, it was an absolute no brainer for me, and i'm happy!

[Nix]

I have no problem with the standard dvd drive in the 360

[steve threlfall]

I have no problem with the standard dvd drive in the 360

I do

DVD's look rubbish over component for me. Do HDTV's automatically upscale DVD's?