I've preordered the xbox 360 drive, but I was wondering if I'll get better performance and visuals using the toshiba or another hd dvd player? besides the fact hdmi is included.
xbox hd dvd or toshiba hd dvd?
- Thread starter mmx
- Start date
Do you have a good HT system? 360 drive = no TrueHD, Toshiba HD-A1 has the 5.1 analog outs for TrueHD
But isn't the Xbox 360 HDDVD drive much cheaper than that Toshiba? I think it is $200 vs almost $400, but still true HD is better and you have to connect the Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive to the Xbox 360. Perhaps a hassle in the future.
I would personally go for the Toshiba, BUT wait for the second gen to come out (HD-A2 or HD-XA2). They should be out in a few weeks.
KLin
Lifer
- Feb 29, 2000
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Why do you need analog outs for TrueHD?
http://www.dolby.com/consumer/technology/trueHD.html
According to that it's carried via HDMI.
Originally posted by: KLin
Why do you need analog outs for TrueHD?
http://www.dolby.com/consumer/technology/trueHD.html
According to that it's carried via HDMI.
Well you don't, but not everyone has an HDMI connection on their receiver, especially HDMI 1.3
Eug
Lifer
- Mar 11, 2000
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I'm getting the 360 HD DVD drive based on the (p)reviews that say that the video output from the Xbox 360 with HD DVD is stellar (over VGA or component only though, since it doesn't have HDMI).
It doesn't have TrueHD, but that doesn't bother me at all. However, it does decode TrueHD , but reencodes it to 640 Kbps Dolby Digital 5.1. Microsoft did say though they are considering adding (in a later firmware update) an option to reencode it to 1.5 Mbps DTS.
Either 640 Kbps DD or 1.5 DTS is all I need, since I don't have an HDMI receiver.
It doesn't have TrueHD, but that doesn't bother me at all. However, it does decode TrueHD , but reencodes it to 640 Kbps Dolby Digital 5.1. Microsoft did say though they are considering adding (in a later firmware update) an option to reencode it to 1.5 Mbps DTS.
Either 640 Kbps DD or 1.5 DTS is all I need, since I don't have an HDMI receiver.
the reason I preordered the xbox drive is because of the chance that games might come out. I'll probably get the ps3 as I want bluray so might as well, but usually game machines aren't best movie players
If they're out Toshiba doesn't know about it as it's not on their site. The HD-A2 is scheduled for sometime in November and the HD-XA2 is scheduled for late December.
"This item has not yet been released."
The release date for the HD-A2 is the week of November 13th, so no, it's not out yet.
Ah, missed that. Regardless, I still believe the HD-A1 is the better deal, because of the Analog Out's.
Well that depends on what you need. If you don't have the receiver to do HDMI switching, the A1 would probably work out better for you. But everything is moving toward HDMI so all you are doing is delaying the inevitable. I prefer an HDMI connection and faster movie load times.
Eug
Lifer
- Mar 11, 2000
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The other issue is that the Xbox 360 drive will come this week or next week at the latest. The A2 won't be until a bit later. OTOH, the A2 comes with 3 free HD DVDs.
P.S. With regards to disc loading, although the A2 is supposed to be faster than the A1, the Xbox 360 setup is supposed to be the fastest by far. For me it's a no brainer at $200, but that's because I don't need the other audio formats, and because I'm out of component video inputs anyway. The Xbox 360 drive allows me to add HD DVD without needing any more inputs.
I won't be using the Microsoft remote. I have a Harmony remote programmed for the Xbox 360. (I'm so happy isn't using Bluetooth like the PS3 is. Getting a universal remote for the PS3 is going to be expensive, and a pain.)
P.S. With regards to disc loading, although the A2 is supposed to be faster than the A1, the Xbox 360 setup is supposed to be the fastest by far. For me it's a no brainer at $200, but that's because I don't need the other audio formats, and because I'm out of component video inputs anyway. The Xbox 360 drive allows me to add HD DVD without needing any more inputs.
I won't be using the Microsoft remote. I have a Harmony remote programmed for the Xbox 360. (I'm so happy isn't using Bluetooth like the PS3 is. Getting a universal remote for the PS3 is going to be expensive, and a pain.)
Gooberlx2
Lifer
- May 4, 2001
- 15,381
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Typically true, but I've found the Xbox360 to be a stellar DVD player. Better than the standalone I had before (Pioneer DVP640 or something like that), which had been my best quality player for the price.
For that reason, the fact that I don't need or care about TrueHD and the low price compard to current standalone players, I would get the Xbox360 HD-DVD player (if you already have an Xbox360)....but I don't intend to purchase any such player until a true victor over the format war emerges and movie prices have come down.
edit: Researched more about Xbox360's upscaling of regular DVDs. Apparently only 480p over component (booo!) and up to 1080p with VGA....now I'm going to have to consider shelling out the $40 for that VGA cable as I've read it does a great job of upconversion on regular DVDs.(even if my TV only does 720p/1080i).
my problem is that my 60in xbr sony doesn't display more than 1280x1024 on vga, instead of 1080p.
Meh, my TV only goes up to 1080i anyway, so if its anything, its the HD-DVD drive.
Course I might just rent the movie over Live.
Course I might just rent the movie over Live.
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