DVD playback for XBOX?

[AB]

How is the DVD playback for the XBOX. Is it Progressive out? Worth upgrading to it for an HD setup? Just some feedback on the dvd playback capabilities would be great. Thanks.

 

[Sugadaddy]

Progressive is only for games. DVD playback is only standard 480i.


It is decent (and better than PS2's playback from what I read) and has nice features, but certainly not worth upgrading to if you already have a good stand alone player.

 

[AB]

How are they able to limit the DVD playback to non progressive when the games are? Just an inquisitive question. Thanks. Also, does the quality drastically improve with the progressive on a HDTV? I would assume so. Just debating on whether I should pick up the cable or not.

 

[Sugadaddy]

I have no idea why they dropped 480p for DVDs... The Conexant chip that handles the output can do it for games, so there's no reason it couldn't do it for DVDs.


And yes, I'd pick up the HD pack if you have an HDTV. It's only 20$... 480p will look better than 480i without a doubt, and you'll also be able to use higher resolutions when games support it. (720p is a possibility) It also adds optical output for DD 5.1 in games and DVDs if you have a HT setup.



edit--- I found the answer... Taken from Anand's article:

This isn't because of a hardware limitation rather that it does not support Macrovision in 480p mode.


Makes sense, the MPAA woud've sued them if they'd enabled playback without Macrovision.

 

[bigshooter]

I read that as microsoft release new dvd software, they may enable progressive scan on dvd playback.

 

[Goi]

From what I've reach 480p is disabled as they're unable to do 480p with Macrovision. As to why that is so, I have no idea. Anyway, the XBOX is really quite limited in its capability. A regular HTPC with a Radeon would probably outperform it by a lot, and have the ability to do a lot of other cool stuff that the XBOX won't be able to.