No HDMI for Xbox 360 HD DVD Add-On?

[zombie]

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh...DVD_Add-On/248

[shamus]

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh...DVD_Add-On/248
Microsoft has unveiled the first detailed look at its highly-anticipated HD DVD add-on drive the Xbox 360 console, but those looking for the best in high-def video and audio quality may be out of luck.

At least, that's according to IGN.com, who have posted new online pics that give a close-up of the device's front and back casing, including its A/V connections:
Surprisingly, Microsoft has decided to forgo any HDMI connections on the HD DVD peripheral, instead opting for component outs and two USB ports. Which is unfortunate, as HDMI is currently the only way to ensure that the interface will be capable of transmitting uncompromised video streams and the full resolution the high-def format is capable of. Though no HD DVD-supporting studios have yet to engage the dreaded Image Constraint Token (ICT) on their next-gen discs -- which in the name of copy protection would down-res video quality to standard-def levels via any output other than HDMI -- they very well could at any time in the foreseeable future

[shamus]

Nyg, sorry... you beat me to it!!!

[Dave]

At least they anounced price: $170-200

[partridge]

1080p for video output on the way

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/09...d_dvd_details/

But still no details on HDMI - surely they can only offer this through an adaptor? If there is physically no HDMI socket on the console or the HD-DVD add on, they have to offer it as an adaptor?

It really is a halfway house with the Xbox360:

It's an HD device, but has no HDMI connection
HD games but no HD storage system
HD movies, but only with an add on, and possibly no disc playback higher than 720p
HD video content playback at 1080p, but no system for HDCP!

What a mess. Y'know, I actually wouldn't be surprised to see a revamped Xbox360 released in 2007 that takes care of the above - and would MS care about pi$$ing off their existing customers? When do they ever!

[marzetta7]

I agree Partridge. What a freakin mess. At least with Blu-ray's PS3, you get an internal drive that is capable of both playing movies AND games--all at the same cost as an Xbox360 with an external add-on.

Why am I not seeing the outrage of how expensive this is when it costs the same as a PS3? I think some Microsofties are living a double standard.

[zombie]

Originally Posted by marzetta7

Why am I not seeing the outrage of how expensive this is when it costs the same as a PS3? I think some Microsofties are living a double standard.

Great point! This info should go over well at AVS... not.

[partridge]

They will argue that MS is giving them a choice...

Stuff the choice, gimme everything in one box!

[phranctoast]

an add on never works.

32x
sega cd

[partridge]

What gets me is the backtracking MS are now doing; having said PS3 won't have any 1080p games and that 720p is where it's at for HD gaming, they now announce the 360 will have 1080p upscaling! Why?

They argue that gamers don't want a HD movie system on a games console, but they release an HD-DVD add on?

Take a step back and look it from another angle - MS are actually doing what they can to beef the Xbox360 up to match the PS3. But if they're so sure of their own console "as is" why add these patches and hardware add ons? The cost adds up to a package not far short of the PS3 itself - that's the 60Gb version, the 20Gb PS3 is cheaper than the 360+add on!! (and is actually a better comparison console to the premium 360 anyway)

MS must have serious concerns about the PS3 if they are willing to pull out the stops to make their machine match it anyway they can..!? Which kind of admits they know their console has shortcomings..

It's been pointed out on websites that 1080p via analogue isn't necessarily guaranteed on every HDtv - most will be expecting that resolution via HDMI, not component. If MS had an HDMI connection on the way, now would be the time to reveal it...

[JTK]

Originally Posted by partridge

They will argue that MS is giving them a choice...

You got it! That's exactly what they're "arguing" en masse over there.

Originally Posted by partridge

What gets me is the backtracking MS are now doing; having said PS3 won't have any 1080p games and that 720p is where it's at for HD gaming, they now announce the 360 will have 1080p upscaling! Why?

One article said: "To shut the fanboys up"

Whatever that means.

They argue that gamers don't want a HD movie system on a games console, but they release an HD-DVD add on?

Because they're Microsoft and they can do no wrong, but if Sony does something it's evil.

Take a step back and look it from another angle - MS are actually doing what they can to beef the Xbox360 up to match the PS3. But if they're so sure of their own console "as is" why add these patches and hardware add ons? The cost adds up to a package not far short of the PS3 itself - that's the 60Gb version, the 20Gb PS3 is cheaper than the 360+add on!! (and is actually a better comparison console to the premium 360 anyway)

Exactly right.

It's the kind of thing that lends credence to a theory that a lot of my acquaintances and contacts felt when the 360 launched: They weren't going to bother, and didn't, because they were so sure a "1.5 or second gen" Xbox360 would be brought out to go against the Ps3.

The PS3's hardware SMOKES the Xbox360's with ease.

MS must have serious concerns about the PS3 if they are willing to pull out the stops to make their machine match it anyway they can..!? Which kind of admits they know their console has shortcomings..

You know they do, which is why they've run one of the most sophisiticated and aggressive FUD and propoganda campaigns against it for months, not the least of which includes some of their employees practically living on certain AV forums to do exactly this.

I've never seen anything like it before for ANY CE product like the PS3. That thing's had a big bullseye on its back for the last year, at least.

It's been pointed out on websites that 1080p via analogue isn't necessarily guaranteed on every HDtv - most will be expecting that resolution via HDMI, not component. If MS had an HDMI connection on the way, now would be the time to reveal it...

I'm amazed they're even bothering. I'm still not 100 percent convinced to this day about MS's "zeal" for HD-DVD. Why wasn't this device ready to go when the 360 launched a year ago or at least have it come out at the same time the first A1's and XA1's hit the street?

I think once they get VC-1 where they want it, they cash out and win no matter what. VC-1 is all they really care about. I think HD-DVD is just a front job and smokscreen to get it done.

A glorified strong arm tactic of sorts.

Well, a big strong arm is about to flex large in about two months or less, so we'll see about that.

[partridge]

So is VC-1 a MS proprietary HD codec? One that they hope to licence to blu-ray and/or HD-DVD authors?

[Blackraven]

This is why PS3 could possibly beat X360 in the performance aspect with as stated, one of the reasons is the lack of HDMI port and only offering component and VGA ports.

Oh well, at least when I get my X360 with an internal HD-DVD drive (and not external add-on CRAP!!!) by late 2008, I can save an HDMI slot on my upcoming HDTV.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by partridge

So is VC-1 a MS proprietary HD codec? One that they hope to licence to blu-ray and/or HD-DVD authors?

Essentially yes, but that's an oversimplified answer.

[Dave]

IGN has a summary article on the state of 1080p from Microsoft and their Xbox 360 -- with the planned HD DVD add-on release coming soon, but without any HDMI support. Since many 1080p-capable sets only support that resolution via HDMI cabling, the assumption is that manufacturers like Microsoft would include the connectors so that the sets capable of getting the highest resolutions actually can. But so far, Microsoft is only planning to have VGA or component connectors, and when the studios turn on the Image Constraint Token to disable full resolution via analog outputs, your $200 add-on will be barely more functional than the DVD player inside the console itself.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/09/28...-lack-of-hdmi/

[partridge]

MS are now saying the drive will hook up to a PC

http://www.hdtvuk.tv/2006/10/xbox_hd_dvd_dri.html

But without any official drivers to allow it to actually do anything...

But yes, this add-on is a paper weight waiting to happen.

[vick vega]

awesome now I can watch them on my pc............NOT