Xbox 360 HD-DVD Drive

[Funkstar]

VLC is free, so is winamp and media player classic.

But they won't playback a HD-DVD.

Although I should qualify that statement. They are all capable of playing the video content of an HD-DVD, but none of them will handle the copy protection, interactive features, or menu systems. If you want to play them on windows you need to buy software to do it. This will either be an actual player, or something else that will let these access the video content of the disk. the second option I'm not going to go into on these forums as it is has a very dubious legal background.

[Cus_de_Sparta65]

A 360 with a broken laser would still be able to use the HD-DVD add-on right?
I have got the chance to buy a very cheap core console because the laser has gone on it.
I am thinking this will be better and less hassle than using Windows.
Any opinions?

[Funkstar]

I could be wrong, but I think you need to load the green xbox disk that comes with the HD-DVD drive before you can use it.

[finlay666]

A 360 with a broken laser would still be able to use the HD-DVD add-on right?
I have got the chance to buy a very cheap core console because the laser has gone on it.
I am thinking this will be better and less hassle than using Windows.
Any opinions?

As what? A console or just for dvd playback?

Dvd/HD playback only yes, for playing games, no

[Cus_de_Sparta65]

I could be wrong, but I think you need to load the green xbox disk that comes with the HD-DVD drive before you can use it.

Ah OK so that sounds like that plan is off then, thanks

[Cus_de_Sparta65]

As what? A console or just for dvd playback?

Dvd/HD playback only yes, for playing games, no

Yes just for HD-DVD playback


OK I have it set up with my PC - OS XP64. I keep getting a message when I have a HD-DVD disc in saying

""Windows does not recognise the disc maybe it is corrupted or the wrong format""

It plays normal DVD's fine. I have tried VLC Winamp, KM Player, PowerDVD 9. I also tried Arcsoft Total Theater 8 & 9 but I don't think it runs with Windows 64 as I just kept getting a error message when I tried to open it!

Any ideas anyone?

[Skinleech]

Looks for a UDF 2.5 driver. XP won't see the disks without it. Vista & 7 have UDF built in.

[finlay666]

OK I have it set up with my PC - OS XP64. I keep getting a message when I have a HD-DVD disc in saying

""Windows does not recognise the disc maybe it is corrupted or the wrong format""

It plays normal DVD's fine. I have tried VLC Winamp, KM Player, PowerDVD 9. I also tried Arcsoft Total Theater 8 & 9 but I don't think it runs with Windows 64 as I just kept getting a error message when I tried to open it!

Any ideas anyone?

XP 64 bit is shocking for drivers, even XP 32 bit has no standard driver for the HD DVD drive
You also need a HDCP enabled monitor to be able to play it. Why on earth are you running XP 64 bit anyway? Get Vista/windows 7 as they actually support high def playback.

VLC will not play a HD-DVD, it can play the individual TS files within but the container format isn't supported.

[Funkstar]

Might be a XP-64 issue. I used my xbox HD-DVD drive with my XP laptop for a while without an issue when I first got it. The UDF drivers were downloaded by the new hardware wizard from Windows Update.

[Cus_de_Sparta65]

OK guys I think it is a XP 64 problem then by the sounds and looks of it.
The only reason I am using XP 64 is because I was wanting windows to utilise all the RAM I had installed and not just the 3 GB or so that a 32 OS can use.
I never really noticed any improvement tbh but just never got round to putting another OS back on.

I am not giving up until I get this thing running either thru Windows or whether I get a cheapo used XBox 360 from Fleabay or where ever.
I am really interested to see if this HD DVD & Blu Ray war had anything of substance to it or if it was as I suspect just fanboys sticking up for their respective players or multi national conglomerates!

I know the format war is over and Blu Ray won the major film studios over (eventually) but HD DVD really had a massive army of fans who swore blind it was a far superior format.
I had never even watched a HD movie of any kind until last week when I got myself my first 1080p HDTV. I ordered around half a dozen of each format and I have to say Blu Ray is pretty amazing

I just need to get this HD DVD player working and I can at last be able to make up my own mind on what is now for all intent and purposes a moot point but one I would like to lay to rest for personal curiosities sake.


BTW thanks to everyone who helped me in this thread, it is really appreciated

[Terbinator]

Well statistically I don't think HD-DVD was ever superior, not in disc size alone but don't to the various formats supported by each one.

[Cus_de_Sparta65]

Looks for a UDF 2.5 driver. XP won't see the disks without it. Vista & 7 have UDF built in.

Thank you very much!! I never saw your post yesterday but I just installed UDF 2.5 driver from Toshiba and it works great with VLC player.
That is the only player I have tried so far but I am sure it will work with others.

Thanks again Skinleech, you solved my puzzle

[12GaugeShotty]

I know nothing about this HDCP that you speak of tbh. I have a HD4780 card connected by DVI to my monitor but I will be buying a 32' TV next week with 1080p rez so hoping to get it set up with HDMI.
I actually just downloaded Power DVD 9 (I think) so have I wasted my time doing that then?
I was just wondering about the HD-DVD player as you can pick them up dirt cheap now new. Plus the back catalogue of HD-DVD's can be picked up starting at 2 quid LOL.
I do not buy Blu-Rays simply because they are too dear but at these prices I would buy a good collection in no time.

A Radeon HD 4870 connected via DVI is HDCP compliant. For playback I would use TotalMedia Theater 3. It has the best hardware accelerated support (and quality) that I have ever seen. It also supports DVD upscale to 1080p as well.

[finlay666]

A Radeon HD 4870 connected via DVI is HDCP compliant.

Not if the monitor doesn't support it