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MS Xbox 360 HD-DVD Player: Who's getting it?

Gamestop FTL...

I've called a couple of times during today, and they've said it's "shipped" to them, but didn't rerceved and doesn't know when it will come in. :(

Oh well..
 
fernoca said:
Anyone knows if Wal-Mart has them???
As of about 2 hours ago, I checked 2 in my area (Arlington, TX) and they did not. Their site says it ships TODAY for online orders, so maybe in stores tommorow?
 
Sweet ebgames.com shipped my order :D I'll have it Friday.
 
So does it play regular dvd games or do you still have to use the noisy main drive for that?
 
Placed my order on Wednesday at ebgames.com and it shipped already the same day. I should have it by tomorrow, $9.99 overnight shipping FTW !
 
Stinkles said:
I got one! Not from retail, but mine has shipped apparently (Gamecrazy) so huzzah.

Quick unscientific impression from 1080p Qualia projector and component 1080i on Bourne Supremacy. Qualia interlaced to 1080p perfectly over component. Effectively true 1080p image (for film material). Image about 100 inches diagonal.

AWESOME. Crisp colors, amazing detail. Lovely, lovely lovely. I LOVE HD. Nice retail packaging - as compact as the 360 box. Batteries and usb cable and remote included. Audio was 5.1 Dolby, you know. Sounded great. Startup was fast - ten seconds maybe? Really cool use of joystick if you don't use the remote and HD DVD nav is lovely - realtime overlay above image lets you select or use any disc feature while movie continues to play.

Sound - quiet. 360 is quieter and drive is very hush hush while playing. Tested in office with noisy AC but seemed almost silent. Will test again tonight in creepily quiet house. PEACE!

Did I say AWESOME!?

Isn't that projector like 15 grand? All I have to say is niiiiiice.

Anyways, I checked my local Futureshop up here in Canada and the guy working in the games section didn't know anything about the product. Doesn't fill me with hope that they'll be getting any soon. Damn, I want this thing. Don't you want my money! Take it!
 
Stinkles said:
I got one! Not from retail, but mine has shipped apparently (Gamecrazy) so huzzah.

Quick unscientific impression from 1080p Qualia projector and component 1080i on Bourne Supremacy. Qualia interlaced to 1080p perfectly over component. Effectively true 1080p image (for film material). Image about 100 inches diagonal.

AWESOME. Crisp colors, amazing detail. Lovely, lovely lovely. I LOVE HD. Nice retail packaging - as compact as the 360 box. Batteries and usb cable and remote included. Audio was 5.1 Dolby, you know. Sounded great. Startup was fast - ten seconds maybe? Really cool use of joystick if you don't use the remote and HD DVD nav is lovely - realtime overlay above image lets you select or use any disc feature while movie continues to play.

Sound - quiet. 360 is quieter and drive is very hush hush while playing. Tested in office with noisy AC but seemed almost silent. Will test again tonight in creepily quiet house. PEACE!

Did I say AWESOME!?
Thanks for the impressions. Did the navigation feel slow? The demos I saw had the menus running really slowly.
 
Blimblim said:
Thanks for the impressions. Did the navigation feel slow? The demos I saw had the menus running really slowly.

Not really. They're very slightly framey but the menus pop up quickly enough. Hard to say tho because the overlayed menus for HD DVD are so much better than the STOP EVERYTHING TO CHANGE AUDIO regular DVD stuff.

Oh and freaking Bourne Supremacy - great movie, TERRIBLE test for HD - every single shot is a jumpy doc style. The only way to see detail for any length of time is to hit pause. Getting something else tomorrow.
 
I'm interested in picking this up, but I'm wondering if it's worth the investment (dvd's all ready look really nice on my 32" Sharp Aquos LCD). Basically, I'm wondering how much better HD-DVD's look compared to HD broadcasting. I appreciate the impressions so far, they're definitely helping me decide if I should get one. I'm leaning towards getting it.

I guess I will be able to see the quality of HD movies after Nov. 22 when their video download service kicks off.
 
ChrisJames said:
...

I guess I will be able to see the quality of HD movies afer Nov. 22 when their video download service kicks off.

I don't think the downloadable movies will have the same quality as one on a HD-DVD. Isn't a movie on a HD-DVD like 20GB?
 
Stinkles said:
Not really. They're very slightly framey but the menus pop up quickly enough. Hard to say tho because the overlayed menus for HD DVD are so much better than the STOP EVERYTHING TO CHANGE AUDIO regular DVD stuff.

Oh and freaking Bourne Supremacy - great movie, TERRIBLE test for HD - every single shot is a jumpy doc style. The only way to see detail for any length of time is to hit pause. Getting something else tomorrow.


sounds great, thanks Stinkles.

In terms of image quality, I'd recommend Serenity, Fast and furious tokyo drift, MI:III or Batman begins

Can't wait for some more detailed impressions from you later.
 
There is a remote WITH the HD dvd drive?
It can be use with the xbox alone too or its specifiq?


For movie , is it better 720p or 1080i? ( i dont have full hd)
 
f@luS said:
There is a remote WITH the HD dvd drive?
It can be use with the xbox alone too or its specifiq?


For movie , is it better 720p or 1080i? ( i dont have full hd)


it comes with the big media remote that you can also buy separately. so you can use it with the xbox on its own too. I only have the little stubby one and you can browse the dashboard well and use all the streaming photos/music stuff very nicely.


Movies are encoded on disc at 1080p. The best way to reproduce is to output 1080i to a 1080p screen that can properly deinterlace. But not many people have one.

I have a 720p TV and a 720p projector and HDDVD looks *FANTASTIC* on both - more on the projector because I sit quite a long way from the TV.

What you set the xbox to depends how it scales. Try both and see which you prefer.
 
-I have Samsung LE26M51 , is it ok for the deinterlace thing?
-Is there an option to put a 1080i only for movie and autoswitch to 720p for games? (kinda annoying maybe to switch everytime)
-Is it a LOT better than the 720p video on the live? i dled Pirates 2 720p video and i dont see much difference with classic DVD...


thx again
 
How long is the USB cable? the power cord?

I bought Bourne Supremacy, Batman Begins, and Polar Express. I have V for Vendetta coming from Netflix. I better friggin get it today. F'ing Gamestop.
 
I'm in Japan and got my shipping confirmation this evening (morning for you folks).

I wish they'd come out with Spiderman 1, 2, Superman, Superman II, Batman (original), Matrix, Invincible, Hero, Inside Man, Philadelphia, Blade Runner, just everything...

Thanks for the handson Stinkles
 
Spiderjericho said:
I'm in Japan and got my shipping confirmation this evening (morning for you folks).

I wish they'd come out with Spiderman 1, 2, Superman, Superman II, Batman (original), Matrix, Invincible, Hero, Inside Man, Philadelphia, Blade Runner, just everything...

Thanks for the handson Stinkles

Superman Returns is coming out in a combo pack and Superman II Donner's Cut is coming out really soon if it isn't already out.
 
Spiderjericho said:
I'm in Japan and got my shipping confirmation this evening (morning for you folks).

I wish they'd come out with Spiderman 1, 2, Superman, Superman II, Batman (original), Matrix, Invincible, Hero, Inside Man, Philadelphia, Blade Runner, just everything...

Thanks for the handson Stinkles

LOL
 
If you buy MI:3 from buy.com using google checkout, you can get it for $20 (10 bucks off).

If you really want value out of your purchases and want some really loaded HD DVDs that contain all the bonus features from their 2-disc DVD sets (some are more expensive on DVD actually, or out of print - $30+ on DVD vs. $20 on HD DVD assuming you use an online amazon.com or buy.com with their google coupon), these are some:

MI: 3 (obviously)
Jarhead
Cinderella Man
Constantine (exclusive PiP-commentary)
V for Vendetta (exclusive PiP-commentary)
Batman Begins (exclusive PiP-commentary)
Seabiscuit
Unforgiven
The Searchers
The Adventures of Robin Hood
Grand Prix
Last Samurai
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (exclusive in-movie features)
Ray (doesn't included extended cut though, but does have the extra scenes)
Backdraft
Red Dragon
 
f@luS said:
-I have Samsung LE26M51 , is it ok for the deinterlace thing?
-Is there an option to put a 1080i only for movie and autoswitch to 720p for games? (kinda annoying maybe to switch everytime)
-Is it a LOT better than the 720p video on the live? i dled Pirates 2 720p video and i dont see much difference with classic DVD...


thx again

If anyone know for this

thx a lot
 
Lol just checked ebgames.com. Did a search within 200miles and every store is getting them. That means atleast 1 per store, and you now not everyone did a preorder for one. I would call up your local stores today. They should have it today, if not tomorrow the latest.

I better get mine today! :lol
 
f@luS said:
If anyone know for this

thx a lot


question 2 I don't know - good question though. TBH I'd probably be happy to leave things at 720p if you have a 720p set. The toshiba standalone players (now) do a good job of scaling - better than your TV is likely to do

LOTS better than the downloadable cack on Live.

as for size - well your 26" has the same resolution as my projector and that looks fantastic. But its small. So you won't notice a huge difference if you're sat 10ft away. But if you sit a lot closer then you should be very happy :)
 
Scoobert said:
Lol just checked ebgames.com. Did a search within 200miles and every store is getting them. That means atleast 1 per store, and you now not everyone did a preorder for one. I would call up your local stores today. They should have it today, if not tomorrow the latest.

I better get mine today! :lol

I went to a couple of Gamestop's yesterday and they are only getting the players for people that pre-order. One of the Gamestops was getting only 2 pieces for the 2 pre-orders that they had and the other wasn't getting any, because nobody pre-ordered in that store.
 
mrklaw said:
question 2 I don't know - good question though. TBH I'd probably be happy to leave things at 720p if you have a 720p set. The toshiba standalone players (now) do a good job of scaling - better than your TV is likely to do

LOTS better than the downloadable cack on Live.

as for size - well your 26" has the same resolution as my projector and that looks fantastic. But its small. So you won't notice a huge difference if you're sat 10ft away. But if you sit a lot closer then you should be very happy :)


well i am close since its also my Computer screen , very close...
So u think its better to leave at 720p than 1080i on my screen? ill try the 2 anyway .

But im just a little septical , after the 720p video from live (xmen 3 , pirates 2..) and also ive dled 720p video from microsoft HD demo and it feels HD but no "wow factor" like i though i would have.....i see some artefacts and some compresion problems here and there.


edit : Thx for the answers
 
Sh0k said:
I went to a couple of Gamestop's yesterday and they are only getting the players for people that pre-order. One of the Gamestops was getting only 2 pieces for the 2 pre-orders that they had and the other wasn't getting any, because nobody pre-ordered in that store.

Check the inventory for the store that says they aren't getting any. It will probably say some are on the way.
 
I have a 27 in. Westinghouse, and although the resolution probably wouldn't be much of a jump under normal circumstances, since I live in a small dorm, we are forced to sit pretty close anyway, so both my roommate and I notice quite a difference from regular 480p DVD with the Toshiba HD-A1 player.
 
Coming in late again...


Need a summary because this turned into a 1080p/1080i/720p upscaling HD "typical" bull**** thread.

- Will the HD-DVD Player upconvert via Component?
- If not, I'm using my Xbox 360 through my component cables, what the f*** do I buy now to connect it?
- Anywhere online still have it?
 
VictimOfGrief said:
Coming in late again...


Need a summary because this turned into a 1080p/1080i/720p upscaling HD "typical" bull**** thread.

- Will the HD-DVD Player upconvert via Component?
- If not, I'm using my Xbox 360 through my component cables, what the f*** do I buy now to connect it?
- Anywhere online still have it?

-No - VGA only for normal DVD upscaling. Blame Hollywood - it's the "law" even though they do allow 1080i HD movies over component.
- VGA if you want upscaling, component if you don't care and just want HD DVD movies at 720p or 1080i.
- Dunno. Amazon seems to.
 
Sh0k said:
I went to a couple of Gamestop's yesterday and they are only getting the players for people that pre-order. One of the Gamestops was getting only 2 pieces for the 2 pre-orders that they had and the other wasn't getting any, because nobody pre-ordered in that store.
It's funny the mouth breathers at each Gamestop/EB always seem to say something different. I've called one that says they will have them for sure today, for walk ins. The other 2 I've spoken with this morning "have no idea when they will get it and won't know until they look through their shipments after lunch". God I hate this worthless chain so much, too bad my inpatience often forces me to give them my money. Wish they'd just go out of business.
 
bill0527 said:
Early impressions from the AVS forums are pretty good.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=726038&page=47&pp=30

They start on page 47 of that thread I linked.

A couple of people are reporting that its upconverting their standard DVDs over component. I'm waiting for more verification before I really get excited about it.

I find that hard to believe. I believe MS would be in deep trouble if that were true.
 
Well, same here. They get their shipments between 1:30p to 3:00p today, and hopefully they've got theirs by then... luckily, I'm off work today, so if I get it today, I'll see if I can come up w/ some pics.
 
DenogginizerOS said:
Stinkles

How long is the USB cord? the power cord?


USB cord isn't crazy long (three - plus feet) but the (laptop-style) power supply is VERY long, like ten feet. The USB cable is certainly long enough for most home theater setups, but it's Mini-usb to USB, so you could always buy a longer one. I guess you could even use a hub. I'll try that later.
 
Stinkles said:
USB cord isn't crazy long (three - plus feet) but the (laptop-style) power supply is VERY long, like ten feet. The USB cable is certainly long enough for most home theater setups, but it's Mini-usb to USB, so you could always buy a longer one. I guess you could even use a hub. I'll try that later.

Stinkles, put in a DVD and tell me if its upconverting or not.
 
bill0527 said:
Stinkles, put in a DVD and tell me if its upconverting or not.

It is, but I'm connecting with VGA :-( so I can't answer the pressing question. Seems unlikely tho.
 
Stinkles said:
It is, but I'm connecting with VGA :-( so I can't answer the pressing question. Seems unlikely tho.

You could connect the component for the test. :p

BUT, you work for MS, so NO, don't do it. DON'T INFORM OUR OVERLORDS OF A POSSIBLE BREACH IN THE SYSTEM!

:p

That's what Arne's for.
 
i heard the same thing from my EB. Friday. Only for people that preorderd (i did). My discs all came in yesterday so I have 5 films to throw on this bad boy.

off topic, i'm glad i spent the extra money to get a TV set with great internal upscaler. that way you never have to worry about anything. everything looks good on this set.

Stinkles, that projector sounds crazy. Good stuff :)
 
plagiarize said:
i heard the same thing from my EB. Friday. Only for people that preorderd (i did). My discs all came in yesterday so I have 5 films to throw on this bad boy.

off topic, i'm glad i spent the extra money to get a TV set with great internal upscaler. that way you never have to worry about anything. everything looks good on this set.

Stinkles, that projector sounds crazy. Good stuff :)


Ain't my projector. Office projector.
 
For those with HD-DVD movies, which ones are good picks? I was planning on picking up V for Vendetta, but I'm not sure what else, since the choices are somewhat scarce and, well... poor.
 
F*** EB... called them - they didn't know what I was talking about this time, whether it was released yet, or when they would get it... but I got a nice speech about preordering Halo 3!



WTF did I go back to that shithole? Stupid stupid stupid...
 
ghostmind said:
F*** EB... called them - they didn't know what I was talking about this time, whether it was released yet, or when they would get it... but I got a nice speech about preordering Halo 3!



WTF did I go back to that shithole? Stupid stupid stupid...


You did preorder Halo 3 tho, rite?

Kong should be a better test.
 
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