RB5-Black

Well all I can say it that it lives up to the hype.

I was worried that playing on a projector at 6ft plus screen size I'd miss out on the HD side of it.

So I have King kong on DVD .... slipped that in the drive and firts reminded myself what it looked like. I can see a dit of aritfacting (sp ?) you can see a grain across the whole image and it's a little on the soft looking side.

Popped in the HD-DVD version I got with the drive and the difference is amazing. Pin sharp no grain every hair on the monkey's face (first scene) can be seen. The fast action is amazing, smooth bright colours great contrast. You can see all the marks in the actors faces it's just amazing. All this on a huge screen I'm so chuffed

I'll post pics if anyone wants.

Craig.

Dave_68

Yes please

Where did you get it from??

Dave

ex-webby

I thought the same when playing Blu-Ray stuff on the PS3.

Excellent stuff.

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

Did you put the original in the HD-DVD drive or into the 360s internal drive?
Could you comment on the upscaling of normal dvds as well please?

RB5-Black

Sorry about the picture quality ....taken on a Sony phone

just noticed how dusty that shelf is ....

RB5-Black

I don't think it upscales dvd's. I had the original DVD in both the 360 original drive and HD-DVD drive and it looked the same to me. If it is upscaling then both drives are doing it or neither are

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

Hmm I thought I'd read that it upscaled!
I'll try and find where I read it!!

RB5-Black

Xbox 360 adds 1080p, HD DVD drive is $170 US for November 22nd in Japan - Engadget

looks like it should upscale. Still the HD DVD looks way better

kernel

Does the HD-DVD drive require you to use HDMI/HDCP to watch DVDs with or can one get away with Component? (Guess you has a panel with no HDMI/DVI or HDCP support)

RB5-Black

no HDMI just the normal Xbox 360 connections.

I'm using VGA into my Projector

GeoffMM

is this item out in the uk yet???

ex-webby

You will have a job since no HDMI/DVI connection exists from the 360.

It will be interesting to see what MS do about this...... especially when HDCP protected software comes out.

Nothing seems to be clear about this as some say the MS platform can not output HDCP, whilst others say it can and MS seem to be keeping pretty quiet about it all with no firm commitment.

ex-webby

I didnt think it was but the one that RB5 has is certainly a UK version!

RB5-Black

I'd bet on the machine being able to output HDCP. Many said that it couldn't do 1080p and it does now.I think microsoft will release an update and the cable when required.

I don't want the encryption or HDMI because that would mean a new projector for me

ex-webby

You may not want it....... but it's gonna be coming SOOOON!

messiah

The 360 can do upscaling but only through VGA at the moment.

Actually I thought the pic from the SD DVD of King Kong was spot-on so looking forward to seeing what this one is like.

Is it the new extended edition BTW?

and can you read the back of the box as to what Codec it's using for compresion & audio?

TIA.

chrisowe

AFAIK the HDDVD drive was released last week.
As has been said on other sites their won't be any HDCP for at least a couple of years by then their will probably be another XBOX out. Which will mean Sony will have to catch up again.

Also their is no region coding on HDDVD's at the moment so import discs should work as well.

RB5-Black

Video codec I thought all HD-DVD was the new microsoft one ? not sure ? Audio is theNew Doldy Digital Plus (whatever that means)

where you say DVD's upscale, well all I can say is even an upscaled DVD can't hold up against the HD-DVD's depth of detail the colours and the overall look of the film is just like the cinema.

The version of King Kong looks like the normal version, I can't see a run time or any mention of extended version on the box

kernel

Thanks for clearing up the HDMI question, thought I read somewhere MS were going to put one one on the drive itself.

gregjd

These are pretty hard to come by over here at the moment. Lots of people on AVForums have ordered US ones from movietyme.com but you're paying a premium.

I've got one waiting for me at my Folks in the US from Amazon.com as we're going out there for Christmas. With the exchange rate it's only cost me about £105. Bit of a bargain.

Movietyme look a good bet for ordering cheap discs from the states with UK delivery. I've got Smallville Season 5 on HD-DVD on order. Will pick up some more discs in the states too. Just need to sort out a bigger screen now as my 26" LCD doesn't do HD justice!

RB5-Black

Hows that for an HD screen

ex-webby

roflol

Dont think much of it.... it seems to have some major artifacts being displayed!

Where did you get your drive from mate?

RB5-Black

play.com

Had my pre-order in since day one (2/11/06)

If only I could get rid of that large artifact on the right off the screen my viewing pleasure would increase

RB5-Black

With very naff Xbox Green lighting

ex-webby

That does look the nads!

I'm warming to a projection now..... whats it like it normal ambient light (picture wise)? What are the downsides in your honest opinion?

RB5-Black

I have it projected onto a normal wall painted with Dulux icestorm 5 (slight grey)

The major downside is you need a blacked out room. The picture is ok in ambient light but with a lot of games having lots of dark areas now you loose all the detail.

I'm lucky because I have a spare room I've given over to using as a cinema/games room. The Hitachi I have does 1080i and you can now get it's bigger brother (with HDMI ) for under 800.

if you have the space and can black out the room when you want the best picture I think it's a great way to play/watch. you also get a huge screen for not a lot of money.

Fantom

ahhhhhh geometry wars must have done your head in on that screen!!!!

Steve

On your friends list as ICE

Bajie

Its amazing.
I got my HD-DVD player last week [pre-ordered from gameplay] the day before release.
Was I just lucky, as it seems hardly anyone has them yet

RB5. That screen is awesome

messiah

Cracking telly (if you can call it a telly!!)

Kernal - MS wouldnt put external connections on the unit - it would mean people could get away without having to buy a 360... although it will attach Vista apparently - but MS have said the Vista doesnt support HD (yet anyway)

RB5-Black

12 of 12 Achievements on that very screen for Geo wars

My head hurts just thinking about it.