Xbox 360 HD DVD player without HDMI support?

[Nick F]

I have been reading on a few websites on the net that the new HD DVD player won't be suppoting HDMI and only component cables. Can anyone confirm this?

Seems a bit stupid of MS to bring out the cheapest HD DVD player on the market without HDMI support.

[Parm]

It hasn't been confirmed yet but a few signs are pointing towards no HDMI port.

I'll be sure to post if I find any more substantial news though.

[jimborae]

It would be even more stupid if it didn't have component output, ala next generation Sky HD boxes. Most peoples home av amps dont have HDMI inputs/outputs yet and I would guess that if you have an HD player you also have an AV amp & home cinema setup.

[Bluecube]

Ah but you're missing the point of HDMI interfaces. HDMI has HDCP intergrated and so will allow the HDDVD player to play HDDVD films. Component doesn't have HDCP and never will as it's a digital technology. If the HDDVD addon only has component then it'll only be able to play non encrypted HDDVDs which isn't exactly a future proof decision.

[Skinleech]

It needs both really - it has to be able to cater for those unlucky enough to have an HDMI-less HD Ready set, but it needs to have HMDI with HDCP so that the HD signal cannot be downconverted at some point.

It would be a pointless release without them.

I still reckon they'll do a unit with the HD-DVD drive integrated - they;re only saying they won't just now so they can continue to sell units, rather than potentially putting buyers off until the '360 r2' comes out.

[Bluecube]

I doubt it will come with both. Microsoft are saying that it will be the cheapest drive on the market so costs will be cut somewhere. One can but hope though! I also agree that an integrated unit will come out, probably sometime in the the first half of 2007 although I'm guessing.

[EvilWeevil]

Well I'll only buy it if it has an HDCP-compliant technology. While HDMI would of course be preferable, DVI can support HDCP as well. It would probably be a good idea for them to include component support as well; tbh, quite a lot of people are going to re-buying HDTVs as HDDVD is introduced as their current ones don't support the technology required, but until that happens they're still going to need that component output.

[Bluecube]

Can't see DVI being an interface of choice. It's already an "old" interface and the standard is now HDMI. I don't see the need for component support as if you've got a HD TV then there's a good chance that you'll already have an HDMI input.

[Odc]

I thought that HDMI was created so that digital video and audio could be put through one cable instead of two?

[jimborae]

.... I don't see the need for component support as if you've got a HD TV then there's a good chance that you'll already have an HDMI input.

Yes but now you'r missing my point ! It's not only the tv that needs the HDMI input, I reckon in a decent home home cinema setup it's the amp that takes the audio & video input from devices & then outputs the picture & sound. Currently I would guess that most people's av amps only have component inputs.

You're right though I had forgotten about HDCP, maybe I'll hold off buying a new av amp till some cheaper models come out with multiple HDMI inputs so I can be future proof.

[Bluecube]

Yes but now you'r missing my point ! It's not only the tv that needs the HDMI input, I reckon in a decent home home cinema setup it's the amp that takes the audio & video input from devices & then outputs the picture & sound. Currently I would guess that most people's av amps only have component inputs.

You're right though I had forgotten about HDCP, maybe I'll hold off buying a new av amp till some cheaper models come out with multiple HDMI inputs so I can be future proof.

I didn't miss your point, I just ignored it You're right though about amps usually taking component input only however personally that's something I don't do as I believe the less distance the signal has to travel the better the signal and therefore picture will be. I have the component input going straight from my 360 into my TV with a SPDIF cable carrying the sound from the 360 to my amp. Some perfectionists will say this will introduce sound sync problems but I've never noticed...

[Nick F]

More pictures of the unit here.

http://bink.nu/Article8017.bink