XBOX 360 HD-DVD Addon... R I P. Yet it worked better than the Console.

While THIS FINE GADGET is lowered down to its final resting ground, we can ALL AGREE that this XBOX 360 player... never gave us the RED RING OF DEATH. Ironic that the one box you don't expect to die, keeps giving us the RROD, while the other keeps chuggin' along, only to be killed by A MARKETING DISASTER.
http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/23/xbox-360-hd-dvd-now-dead-get-em-while-theyre-hot/

So long XBOX 360 HD-DVD, we shall meet again... on the $49 clearance shelves. Oh wait, using you means also buying the RROD console, for an added $300! I think I'll pass. I'll wait for some brainiacs to hack you for a my HTPC addon. At least I know THAT WORKS.

While the billowing bagpipes blare next to Bill Gates, we can take comfort on this refreshing Sunday Sermon, from our long-time friend... and Pastor: Reverend Willie Wilson, to put everything into perspective.

(Feel free to copy & paste this publicly-released link below, to the top of your weblink. Media Player needed to hear the audio.)
mms://kroq.wmod.llnwd.net/a168/o1/kbaudio/preacher_lesbian.asf

That article is written by a tard. "Red ring of death"? GMAFB, I had about 3 movies that gave me problems, all of which were quickly resolved when I downloaded the latest FW soon afterwards. Oh, and "Relentless Enemies" wouldn't play on the add-on but did play on my A1, until I had to update the FW. Same with Heroes disc 4, worked fine on the XA2 but the add-on needed an update.

By and large, HD DVD players had a few fixable issues just like the add-on did. Certainly to be expected for a new format, but unexpected to see them resolved by Toshiba so quickly.

Now, if only a FW update would make these PiP features play in my Blu-ray player.

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Now, if only a FW update would make these PiP features play in my Blu-ray player

You can still watch the PiP content, just not in a little window while the movie is playing. For example, check the "Features" menu on the Sunshine Blu-ray title. But if watching the content in actual PiP format was really important to you, you should have done a bit of research (like visiting this site) and bought the PS3 instead.

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You can still watch the PiP content, just not in a little window while the movie is playing. For example, check the "Features" menu on the Sunshine Blu-ray title. But if watching the content in actual PiP format was really important to you, you should have done a bit of research (like visiting this site) and bought the PS3 instead.

lol, you can't be serious, Skyhawk. It's easy for someone to remember which BD players are PiP capable: The PS3 and the latest Panny. I knew exactly what I was buying with the Samsung BD-P1200, but since it was cheap ($250 new) and had the REON chip, I thought that price would be bearable to jump into the format while it's still not ready. I wouldn't consider putting the PS3 in my rack, but to each his own. The Sammy will tide me over for a year or so until a 2.0 player comes along at a decent price. I haven't wanted to watch any PiP yet on Blu-ray, but thanks for the tip.

[Post edited by BruceAmes on Feb 24, 2008]

I've got that drive in my PC and it works Great!!!

The XBOX 360 HD-DVD add on can be easily used in any computer. You don't even have to hack anything. I've seen a few articles, I'll dig one up and post the link in a little bit.

EDIT: http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/index.php?p=147

[Post edited by Fumbled_Revolution on Feb 24, 2008]

Do you need a superfast CPU and lotsa memory to do this?

I wouldn't mind doing it on mine

Quote:
That article is written by a tard. "Red ring of death"? GMAFB, I had about 3 movies that gave me problems, all of which were quickly resolved when I downloaded the latest FW soon afterwards.

If you read the info correctly (which, apparently, you didn't), I'm referring to the popular RROD that plagued the XBOX 360 console. NOT THE XBOX 360 HD-DVD ADDON. I also re-iterated the irony, of the player's EXCELLENT RELIABILITY, compared to its Console cousin, yet was given the AXE due to the HD-DVD MARKETING BLUNDER. I'm afraid the only 'tard' here, are those that can't read the 'article' properly. That's ok! The schoolbus driver said he still has your helmet, when you took off this morning.

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I've got that drive in my PC and it works Great!!!

Yes, I've heard good reviews about adding this to the pc or htpc. Minimum requirements, as I've read in different forums, can be an AMD X2 5000 cpu, 2gb of ram, ati hd 2400 (ati videocard brand having THE BEST HDTV translation) & a Raptor or Creative Labs X-fi soundcard. DON'T GET A MOBO W/ A BUILT-IN AUDIO card. All in all, considering the dramatic price reduction in ALL THESE items.... under $500, including a 300gb HD, medium power supply & atx case, dvd writer, & quiet cpu fan (since the x2 5000 runs at 65w, & ati hd 2400 runs cooler than the gaming cards)... provided you're starting from scratch.

I'm off to get one at my retail store now & try adding this to my htpc. Of course, I'll be returning it back once I get my results. Now way I'll be paying for a $150 box, about to go $50 in under a month (or less). I'm just curious how my rig can handle the HD load.

[Post edited by xplaytendo on Feb 24, 2008]

Jesus, Xplaytendo, now you're calling all people tards because they misunderstood one phrase in an article? Are you this writer's fucking brother or something? Chill out dude.

WELL WHAT THE HELL 'ARTICLE' ARE YOU REFERRING TO? The comment I mentioned, or the writer's info from Engadget...

Either case, NEITHER ONE mentions A SCANT NOTION... that the XBOX HD-DVD ADDON was a defective item, unlike the XBOX 360 Console- providing RROD to millions of owners.

Then you spit your comment that the person that wrote the 'article' is a TARD. I'm sorry, but the only person that NEEDS TO CHILL... and PROPERLY READ comments - IS YOU.

I don't know dude, you just called me a tard and you're typing in CAP letters. I already said I misunderstood that part in question and still you're attacking. I think you really need to read the site rules about attacking other members and calm down.

Quote:
NO PERSONAL ATTACKS. Discuss the content of a post. Do not attack the poster. This includes name-calling.

I have never had and HD-DVD NOT play in my Add-On.

You guys in this thread are a joke. Why don't you try to have an intelligent debate. The post from the get go was poorly written. Then to make fun of others who were born into this world without the same abilities as yourselves is just embarrassing. Thankfully it seems none of you have children that are handicapped. I would feel bad for those kids to raised by such negligent parents as you represent yourselves to be. Grow up! You guys act like 5 year olds on here. Have intelligent debates.

The Xbox 360, PS3 and the Wii all have had there problems. I wanted an Xbox without the RROD so I got one with a Falcon motherboard. If you want to buy something that lasts do your research and make a smart purchase. Otherwise quit crying and just walk into the local retailer like any other joe and slap down the money for something you have no idea how it works.

PS - YOU are the people that bring this forum down in quality!

Quote:
You guys in this thread are a joke. Why don't you try to have an intelligent debate. The post from the get go was poorly written. Then to make fun of others who were born into this world without the same abilities as yourselves is just embarrassing. Thankfully it seems none of you have children that are handicapped. I would feel bad for those kids to raised by such negligent parents as you represent yourselves to be. Grow up! You guys act like 5 year olds on here. Have intelligent debates.

The Xbox 360, PS3 and the Wii all have had there problems. I wanted an Xbox without the RROD so I got one with a Falcon motherboard. If you want to buy something that lasts do your research and make a smart purchase. Otherwise quit crying and just walk into the local retailer like any other joe and slap down the money for something you have no idea how it works.

PS - YOU are the people that bring this forum down in quality!

So now you're attacking? WTF is it with some of these new people are here? How many months to you have to be a member before you get around to reading the rules of this site?

First of all: You're the one that BLATANTLY BREAKS THE RULES.

BruceAmes resorts to name-calling, a violation of these board's policy:

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That article is written by a tard.

BruceAmes colorful use of profanity, after being corrected of his errors, another violation:

Quote:
Are you this writer's fucking brother or something?

BruceAmes incapacity to PROPERLY READ THE POST, then EASILY spits out crap, like he just joined this message board yesterday. The sad part is, this member (since 2006), can't take criticism, when someone corrects him on THE ACTUAL MEANING OF THE POSTED MESSAGE.

This member of 2006 easily spits out crap on this thread, then gets offended when corrected, then posts profanity when confronted by what he says.

BruceAmes, I don't care how long you've been a member in this site. You act like a child. YOU GET TREATED LIKE ONE.

Xplaytendo, it's not a personal attack and thus not against the rules for me to call, say, Bill Hunt, a tard. If I say for example, 'Bill Hunt is a tard', that is not a personal attack against another member of this site. If you can't understand that, I'm sorry, but that does not give you leave to redirect it toward a fellow member, whether or not you think he 'deserves' it.

I hastily misunderstood the RROD as the 'blue screen of death' that I had heard elsewhere, about certain Blu-ray players not playing the latest movie because it needs a firmware update. I figured it meant the same thing, but towards HD DVD players (and should have known better before I typed my response but it was early and hadn't drank my coffee yet). So I thought the article was saying the add-on was more reliable than the standalone HD DVD players, and in my anger I called him a tard. If somehow calling him that personally offended you, because you introduced the article, then I apologize. I'm not used to being attacked, so if I was, I know I said something dumb, so just leave it at that and not assume my reading skills are lacking. OK?

Bruce Ames said -

Quote:
"I wouldn't consider putting the PS3 in my rack, but to each his own."

Well, for myself, I love the PS3 and it's Blu-ray quality. I have it on the latest firmware (2.18), with none of the reported playback 'problems' from some of the latest Blu-ray discs, and it's output is specifically set to 1080p/24hz (the exact signal encoded on most Blu-ray discs - some are 1080i/60, like concerts etc).

Then I have the PS3's signal sent thru it's 1.3 HDMI output to one of my 4 Pioneer plasma 1.3 HDMI inputs (36 bit), and have my plasma's PRO option set to ADVANCED (72hz - which is a 24fps mutiple), with no further 3:2 processing needed, before the signal is scaled to the set's native resolution (768p), so the final signal is viewed at 768p/72hz, which is the native 1080p/24 of the disc scaled to my set's native resolution in advanced mode. THE IMAGE IS OUTSTANDING!

Now, I'm just waiting on my new Toshiba A35 HD-DVD player to arrive within the next day or two (purchased this past week on Amazon for discount-sale of $169 + free shipping, from TigerDirect 3rd party seller). I received the shipping email a few days ago, so it should arrive soon. I can then put my legacy A1 HD-DVD player on reserve, as a 'back-up'.

For that new A35 unit, I will do the same as the PS3 with it's output, specifically setting it to 1080p/24hz to another of my KURO plasma's 4 HDMI 1.3 inputs (36 bit), so that I can view all of my HD-DVDs as 768p/72hz, and my sitting distance is 10 feet. You cannot tell that the image is just 768p (and not 1080p), as it is so beautiful! The Pioneer plasmas offer the best contrast, deep black levels, superior image processing of all signals, especially 1080i and 1080p in advance 72hz mode, as well as excellent color, NO image rentention (w/Orbiter feature), and great remote (with DIRECT inputs, no "cycling" needed), etc.

NOTE: for the noticeable viewing improvement of 1080p/24 signals, your TV specifically MUST have an option of displaying -that- signal natively (like the Pioneer), otherwise even if you "choose" that signal to be output from your player, the TV will convert it to it's 'normal' native signal, usually 1080p/60hz, or 768p/60hz, or 720p/60hz, and add the 3:2 pulldown processing (for conversion of 24fps to 30fps, and doubled to 60hz for all TVs). 1080p/24 is only applicable if your TV provides the option for viewing it in a 24 multiple, without conversion to 60hz - like Pioneer plasmas do with their ADVANCED 72hz viewing option.

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)

[Post edited by Love Hendrix! on Feb 24, 2008]

Jimi, I know the PS3 is a great Blu-ray player. So great in fact, that it's reliability and ability to upgrade to 2.0 helped Blu-ray's cause immeasurably. Imagine if the Blu-ray component of the PS3 were crap, or at least, so-so? In any event, although I hear nothing but praise for the PS3, it just sounds to 'Sony' too me, and too Blu-ray, at least for now. It was hard enough just looking in the mirror after buying the Sammy, but I'll get used to it.

Hey, I bought the same A35 from Tiger Direct for $169. Great minds do think alike!

[Post edited by BruceAmes on Feb 24, 2008]

Bruce Ames said -

Quote:
"Great minds do think alike!"

Why, thank you!

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)

Bruceames - Not attacking you. Just pointing out it's lame that you have to use words offensive to some that are less fortunate than us when you are attacking other posters. And yes I have read the rules and would say I agree with xplaynintendo, from what I've read in this post you are the ONLY one breaking the forums rules.

ummmmm The Xbox HD-DVD has worked great for me.
I use it with my 360 AND with my home theater PC which can be controlled by PowerDVD Ultra
and Vista Media Center.
Its selling for 40 bucks?
Great I will buy another one.

Swanson, I couldn't disagree more, but to humor you and a few others who seem to find my posts distasteful, I'm backing out of here. If there were an ignore button, then there would be no problem, but alas you have to read everybody around here. Next time I'd advise not trying to mod by calling people a bunch of 5 year old babies because you only add fuel to the fire.

Hey, xplaytendo... if you might be interested in an XBOX 360, but are leery of the RRoD... just do some research and you'll find enough info on which console is safe to buy. The newer units that have the "175W" [that's "175 watt"] power supply, are the ones that have the "Falcon" chip in it. AVOID THE CONSOLES THAT HAVE THE "203W" POWER SUPPLY IN IT - that's what my first consoles had! There's a sticker right on the outside of the box with that info on it. If you can't verify the version of 360 console (like, from an online purchase), don't buy it!

I was an early buyer of a 360, and it "RRoD'd" 54 weeks after I bought it. I sent it in, got it replaced with a refurbished unit... and it worked great - until 10 months later when it RRoD'd! I since bought an XBOX 360 Elite (the black one with the 120GB HD). This is a "version 3" console, and has that Falcon chip in it - which is smaller, runs cooler and they have improved the cooling on this unit - AND it is a LOT quieter!!! We'll see if this console runs 12 parsecs - oops, 12 months - without burning up!

XBOX Live is great! The friends list is awesome, being able to play with people from anywhere in the world (that has XBOX Live). Also, the gamerscore/achievements feature is a fun part, too. Not only do you have some bragging rights for little accomplishments within a game, but you can compete with your friends for the better gamerscore overall. Your username here would be a cool gamertag (which, BTW, is available as of this moment - I just checked)!

Yes, Microsoft seriously screwed-up by not thoroughly testing these consoles before letting them hit the market, but the version 3 consoles may be what they needed at launch in 2005!

To relate more directly to this topic... the ONLY time I ever had a problem playing an HD DVD (on the 360 add-on drive)... was when I didn't have my console logged-on to XBOX Live, or the first time I "refused" cookies. That was SERIOUSLY stupid to refuse. What was I thinking... was allowing cookies going to mean a pop-up advertisment for "Viagra" or something, would appear in the middle of a movie? NOT! I haven't had any problems since I set it to accept all cookies. I doubt that anyone would even waste time collecting data on the remaining HD DVD loyalist viewing preferences, anyway!

Veteran-Viewer - Great point made.

I bought a 360 with a Falcon chip in early December and haven't had one issue with it. And I know this may make me sound foolish but since it was a Falcon and should NOT overheat, I have it in a area that has very little ventilation and it's on for 10 - 12 hours at a time once or twice a week.

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Hey, xplaytendo... if you might be interested in an XBOX 360, but are leery of the RRoD... just do some research and you'll find enough info on which console is safe to buy. The newer units that have the "175W" [that's "175 watt"] power supply, are the ones that have the "Falcon" chip in it. AVOID THE CONSOLES THAT HAVE THE "203W" POWER SUPPLY IN IT - that's what my first consoles had! There's a sticker right on the outside of the box with that info on it. If you can't verify the version of 360 console (like, from an online purchase), don't buy it!

Thanks for this informative hint. I'll probably ponder a 2nd console (since I now have a PS3 BLU RAY player) during HOLIDAY '08. Meantime, I'll stick this HD-DVD addon to my HTPC & mess with it for a while.