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[whatdidyousay]

Folks I have a question or two:

I've got a 720p Sony rear projection set and I was wondering what kind of picture quality I can expect from the add-on. I've got digital cable and get HBO, Discovery, etc. in HD--do HD-DVDs look the same as movies on HBO HD? Or better?

I don't think my set can accept 1080p source and scale it down--I tried connecting my 360 via VGA and set the resolution to 1080p, and my TV would only display it in 4x3, and the options to display it wide or zoom were grayed out...

Trying to figure out whether it's worth the money or not, especially since there are so many games coming out within the next few weeks...

 

[Joe]

is king kong a limited bundle?

 

[DenogginizerOS]

:lol I wonder if some poor guy is sitting in Silky O'Sullivan's drinking Coors to numb the pain of being fired by Fed Ex for screwing up the Gears of War distribution.

I am drawing a map of how to find one's own ass. I am going to give it the clerks at Gamestop and tell them, "Good luck with that!".

 

[Stinkles]

Yep, that's unfortunately how it's working.
How stupid is that? You can watch a true 720p movie over component (and thus I could easily capture/reencode it with my HD capture card), but you can't upscale a DVD that anyone out here can rip in perfect quality with his PC. Brain dead it is.

hollywood am retard

 

[Manp]

I've got a 720p Sony rear projection set and I was wondering what kind of picture quality I can expect from the add-on. I've got digital cable and get HBO, Discovery, etc. in HD--do HD-DVDs look the same as movies on HBO HD? Or better?

i guess compression should be way better on HDDVDs

 

[AlanHemberger]

Wow, just wow, I got it this afternoon at around noon. King Kong looked ****ing gorgeous. Especially the scene where they meet the natives. Just holy **** wow. the sounds is just zomg. Besides OTA content and trailers downloaded on the 360, I have never seen HD content on my TV and this just blew me away.

Setup was simple enough. Got it up and running in a few minutes, including installation. It fits with the 360 style perfectly and isn't THAT big.

It's also really quiet. Loved it. Started up really quick and just yum.

Folks I have a question or two:

I've got a 720p Sony rear projection set and I was wondering what kind of picture quality I can expect from the add-on. I've got digital cable and get HBO, Discovery, etc. in HD--do HD-DVDs look the same as movies on HBO HD? Or better?

I don't think my set can accept 1080p source and scale it down--I tried connecting my 360 via VGA and set the resolution to 1080p, and my TV would only display it in 4x3, and the options to display it wide or zoom were grayed out...

Trying to figure out whether it's worth the money or not, especially since there are so many games coming out within the next few weeks...

Definitely worth it. HD DVD will look better than the shit received on digital cable. You don't have to view at 1080p. 720p looks absolutely gorgeous as well.


And Joe, yes King Kong is bundled for a limited time.

 

[DenogginizerOS]

Wow, just wow, I got it this afternoon at around noon. King Kong looked ****ing gorgeous. Especially the scene where they meet the natives. Just holy **** wow. the sounds is just zomg. Besides OTA content and trailers downloaded on the 360, I have never seen HD content on my TV and this just blew me away.

Setup was simple enough. Got it up and running in a few minutes, including installation. It fits with the 360 style perfectly and isn't THAT big.

It's also really quiet. Loved it. Started up really quick and just yum.

Where did you get yours from? I am asking everyone so I can make myself feel worse for having a Gamestop that is INCOMPETENT.:lol

 

[KingJ2002]

i dont think i will be buying one anytime soon... if at all... for the following reasons.

1. after the whole sega genesis thing... I dont support add ons.

2. movie lineup isnt big enough

3. Not joining this format war on consoles. I'd rather wait for the winner to emerge or just buy a standalone hybrid player that plays both formats (if its ever released).


i actually like the idea of the whole "on demand" movie service microsoft is creating for xbox live. i can get my HD movie fix without having to buy a drive.

 

[Sh0k]

Here is a pic I took without my tripod from King Kong, running at 720p on a Sony KDF-E42A10 rear projection LCD.

Without retouching the pic and without setting my camera for a better quality setting, the image quality already blows away a regular DVD, even upscaling DVDs.

 

[AlanHemberger]

Where did you get yours from? I am asking everyone so I can make myself feel worse for having a Gamestop that is INCOMPETENT.:lol

I got mine from Gamestop in Houston, TX. Hot hot hot.

 

[lachesis]

Christ. My Gamestop is telling me that they should have received it today and aren't sure why they didn't. Lovely. Just lovely. I am waiting for the "It is in Memphis" call any second now.

Same thing here now...! It was supposed to be there on Tuesday, and I asked them "will it ever come, i mean ever?" and they are going like... "uhh.. I don't know.."

..
this blows. I've got Bourne Supremacy and Apollo 13 (yes, I'm a space-nut) sitting right by me... but no HD-DVD player.

Instead, I bought Dead Rising and bought a wavebird for GC/Wii. Wii just looks way to tipsy & light - wavebird seems to be a must for me.

 

[Days like these...]

I got mine at a gamestop in Houston also no pre order no nothing just strolled in and plunked down cash money! I'm getting Batman and Slither tonight at work.

I have a question I have a 36" Samsung HD CRT that supports 1080i and 720p what setting do you guys think would give me a better picture?

 

[soul creator]

i dont think i will be buying one anytime soon... if at all... for the following reasons.

1. after the whole sega genesis thing... I dont support add ons.

I'm surprised people make this complaint, considering this type of add-on technically does not affect gamers at all. Genesis, Sega CD and 32X all fundamentally changed hardware and played 4 (!) separate types of game software (genesis, Sega CD, 32X, 32X CD)

This is essentially the pricier equivalent of the original Xbox DVD Playback Kit...if you wanna watch movies on the system, you bought that, if not, you left it alone. Same idea applies here with HD-DVD.

 

[neptunes]

looks good

 

[Cornballer]

Here is a pic I took without my tripod from King Kong, running at 720p on a Sony KDF-E42A10 rear projection LCD.

Without retouching the pic and without setting my camera for a better quality setting, the image quality already blows away a regular DVD, even upscaling DVDs.

Thanks for the picture and impressions. I have the same tv as you. Are you using component cables?

 

[Matrix]

Here is a pic I took without my tripod from King Kong, running at 720p on a Sony KDF-E42A10 rear projection LCD.

Without retouching the pic and without setting my camera for a better quality setting, the image quality already blows away a regular DVD, even upscaling DVDs.

Thanks for the pic,thats the tv I own,looks great

Cant wait to try this out tomorrow.

 

[Sh0k]

Thanks for the picture and impressions. I have the same tv as you. Are you using component cables?

Yes, using component cables. By some reason when I tried the VGA cables, there were black borders around the image that I couldn't get rid off, so I went back to component.

 

[whatdidyousay]

Here is a pic I took without my tripod from King Kong, running at 720p on a Sony KDF-E42A10 rear projection LCD.

Without retouching the pic and without setting my camera for a better quality setting, the image quality already blows away a regular DVD, even upscaling DVDs.

That's my TV, too! I don't think VGA works with this TV--I've always gotten black borders around the content, and when I chose 1080p in the 360 Dashboard, my image was only showing up in 4x3...

 

[AlanHemberger]

I got mine at a gamestop in Houston also no pre order no nothing just strolled in and plunked down cash money! I'm getting Batman and Slither tonight at work.

I have a question I have a 36" Samsung HD CRT that supports 1080i and 720p what setting do you guys think would give me a better picture?

720p I would think.

 

[clashfan]

This is slightly off topic but does anyone know if the encoding method for the HD downloadable movies (soon to be available on XBL Marketplace) different then the encoding methods that is on HD-DVD disk? The files size of downloadable movies seem pretty small.

 

[AlanHemberger]

This is slightly off topic but does anyone know if the encoding method for the HD downloadable movies (soon to be available on XBL Marketplace) different then the encoding methods that is on HD-DVD disk? This files size of downloadable movies seem pretty small.

There will probably be a noticeable difference in IQ quality because of compression.

 

[soul creator]

This is slightly off topic but does anyone know if the encoding method for the HD downloadable movies (soon to be available on XBL Marketplace) different then the encoding methods that is on HD-DVD disk? This files size of downloadable movies seem pretty small.

I believe HD-DVD's are mastered at a much higher resolution and bitrate.

HD-DVD = 1080p at 36mbps maximum (for audio and video)
Marketplace videos = 720p at 6.8mbps or something (not sure if this is just video, or audio and video)

 

[AgentOtaku]

ZOMG at King Kong pic (O____O)

because i live in Alaska, I won't have mine until tommorow =/

 

[DenogginizerOS]

ZOMG at King Kong pic (O____O)

because i live in Alaska, I won't have mine until tommorow =/

Don't feel bad. I live in a medium size city in North Carolina and I won't receive until tomorrow either.

And that King Kong pic looks awesome.

For the guy with the 1080i/720P 36" CRT, I would bet that 1080i will look better. I have a30" Sony CRT HDTV and I run my X360 at 1080i.

 

[ghostmind]

My EB won't pick up their phone, so I don't know if it arrived or not... wonderful.

 

[AlanHemberger]

Has anyone that's received it encountered stuttering problems within King Kong. People have been reporting that at AVS Forum.

 

[123rl]

I thought that the add-on was going to be region-free? I thought that if I bought a PAL box for my PAL X360, I could use any region HD-DVD?

I was just looking on Playusa.com and they're saying that R1 HD-DVDs will only work on a Region 1 HD-DVD player or a North American Xbox360. Is that true?

http://www.playusa.com/DVD/Region_1/CART/-/2519/2-/Promo.html?cur=513

 

[HokieJoe]

Where did you get yours from? I am asking everyone so I can make myself feel worse for having a Gamestop that is INCOMPETENT.:lol

I'm up in VA and I got the same story from my Gamestop- "they should be in tommorow, if not, then Monday or Tuesday". Oh well, at least I picked up my copy of Gears.

 

[AlanHemberger]

I thought that the add-on was going to be region-free? I thought that if I bought a PAL box for my PAL X360, I could use any region HD-DVD?

I was just looking on Playusa.com and they're saying that R1 HD-DVDs will only work on a Region 1 HD-DVD player or a North American Xbox360. Is that true?

http://www.playusa.com/DVD/Region_1/CART/-/2519/2-/Promo.html?cur=513

Hm, I think there's a region coding system set up for the HD DVD, but it just has not been enforced on any yet.

 

[123rl]

That's what I thought too - no region coding as of yet, but maybe in the future. A few months ago I read an interview with an engineer from Toshiba Europe who said that current "region-free" HD-DVD players will never have region-coding and always remain region-free

 

[arne]

Man, none in the Seattle vicinity so far. Looks like I won't be getting it until Monday, so much for watching movies this weekend. I guess Gears will have to tide me over.

 

[Stinkles]

Man, none in the Seattle vicinity so far. Looks like I won't be getting it until Monday, so much for watching movies this weekend. I guess Gears will have to tide me over.

Hopefully tomorrow. I still have the one I borrowed, but I want my own.

 

[amba]

I thought that the add-on was going to be region-free? I thought that if I bought a PAL box for my PAL X360, I could use any region HD-DVD?

I was just looking on Playusa.com and they're saying that R1 HD-DVDs will only work on a Region 1 HD-DVD player or a North American Xbox360. Is that true?

http://www.playusa.com/DVD/Region_1/CART/-/2519/2-/Promo.html?cur=513

The hybrid disks have region encoding on the SD DVD side, but none on the HD DVD side, which causes confusion for some retailers. However, what is said on that website is wrong- there is no region encoding on HD DVDs. Feel free to import if your set can handle 60hz signals.

 

[DenogginizerOS]

I'm up in VA and I got the same story from my Gamestop- "they should be in tommorow, if not, then Monday or Tuesday". Oh well, at least I picked up my copy of Gears.

I just got the Aeris call. It will be arriving tomorrow.

AND THEN, I got another call from Aeris asking if I wanted to particiapte in a customer satisfaction survey. What bad timing for them.

 

[HokieJoe]

I just got the Aeris call. It will be arriving tomorrow.

AND THEN, I got another call from Aeris asking if I wanted to particiapte in a customer satisfaction survey. What bad timing for them.

:lol

"We're sorry, Gears of War didn't arrive today".

They better hope I don't get one either.

 

[boo7z]

:lol I wonder if some poor guy is sitting in Silky O'Sullivan's drinking Coors to numb the pain of being fired by Fed Ex for screwing up the Gears of War distribution.

Man that brings back memories. Nothing like a night on the town in downtown Memphis to make you feel better. Cap the evening off at Raifords woohoo!

And maybe stop at Platinum Plus on the way home depending on how the evening went...

 

[Sh0k]

I exchanged my unopened Corpse Bride DVD for the HD-DVD at Best Buy. The picture quality is amazing !

 

[Raistlin]

I exchanged my unopened Corpse Bride DVD for the HD-DVD at Best Buy. The picture quality is amazing !

Damnit!!!


I still haven't seen the movie ... I can't to watch the HD version!

 

[racerx77]

Damnit!!!


I still haven't seen the movie ... I can't to watch the HD version!

You are in for a REAL treat. Absolutely STUNNING quality. I watched in on my older HDTV which had a res of 1280x720- Then again on the same day I got my new 1080p (1920x1080) set.. Quite a jump- drool inducing. Should look great in 720p but- dont be fooled. 1080p is quite a bit better.

 

[FeedMeAStrayCat]

Since my Samsung Widescreen HDTV is relatively small (26 inches), do you think I'd be able to see a big difference over normal DVDs on my TV, with component? My TV goes up to 720p/1080i.

 

[Raistlin]

You are in for a REAL treat. Absolutely STUNNING quality. I watched in on my older HDTV which had a res of 1280x720- Then again on the same day I got my new 1080p (1920x1080) set.. Quite a jump- drool inducing. Should look great in 720p but- dont be fooled. 1080p is quite a bit better.

I have 1080p


(BTW - I'm talking about the BluRay disk ... not HD-DVD ... shhhhhh ... I don't want to get lynched)

 

[AlanHemberger]

Since my Samsung Widescreen HDTV is relatively small (26 inches), do you think I'd be able to see a big difference over normal DVDs on my TV, with component? My TV goes up to 720p/1080i.

"big difference" is a relative term. But it depends on its calibration and how close you sit really. I would still say yes though.

 

[Hooterville]

Picking up my reserve tomorrow.

 

[lachesis]

Same here.. finally got my call from them, and it will arrive tomorrow afternoon.

on a day, that I have to come home late. I guess HD-DVD will be mine on saturday morning.

 

[FeedMeAStrayCat]

"big difference" is a relative term. But it depends on its calibration and how close you sit really. I would still say yes though.

Yeah, it is a relative term. I'm just afraid I won't be able to see much of a difference on my older, small, CRT HDTV. I'm definitely waiting it out a bit anyways.. I'd prefer to wait for a Blu-ray/HD-DVD winner...

 

[AgentOtaku]

Same here.. finally got my call from them, and it will arrive tomorrow afternoon.

on a day, that I have to come home late. I guess HD-DVD will be mine on saturday morning.

Yep, just got a call from Aeris 10 minutes ago. Looks like afternoon for me also

 

[rage1973]

Where did you get yours from? I am asking everyone so I can make myself feel worse for having a Gamestop that is INCOMPETENT.:lol

I have been checking my local gamestop all week and they said that shipment got delayed until Friday now. Seems to be the case all across LA area.

 

[Stinkles]

Yep, just got a call from Aeris 10 minutes ago. Looks like afternoon for me also

Is Aeris hot?

 

[AgentOtaku]

Is Aeris hot?

...you have no idea

 

[JB1981]

Here is a pic I took without my tripod from King Kong, running at 720p on a Sony KDF-E42A10 rear projection LCD.

Without retouching the pic and without setting my camera for a better quality setting, the image quality already blows away a regular DVD, even upscaling DVDs.

That looks wonderful.