Xbox360 HD DVD drive recognized as optical drive on PCs

13 Oct 06 17:40 by Crabbyappleton in category Uncategorized To news archive

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This could be interesting, especially if you have a HTPC. It seems Gizmodo was in attendance at a
Microsoft-Toshiba demo of the Xbox360 HD DVD player and Toshiba 2nd gen HD DVD players. The article said that at the demo, the reps there had some new HD DVD movie discs that blew away the ones sold at retail at the moment as far as quality goes. They said the films played over component connections were of a stunning quality. Interestingly, the output to the display from the external HD DVD drive was of course 1080i, but they said it was de-interlaced by the 50″ Pioneer 1080p display and it looked great. But, read below for a tantalizing tidbit, that is even more fun to ponder about:

Some things I found out, and can talk about is the 360 HD-DVD drive can be plugged into a PC and it will be recognized as an optical drive, but will not play HD-DVD movies. I asked what if you have the proper HD-DVD software on the PC, to that [redacted] said that he didn’t know, it hadn’t been tried yet- maybe there’s something there…

Well, wouldn’t it be interesting if these $199 dollar HD DVD external drives would work on a PC with a software addition? It might entice some home theater PC owners to make the leap to HD optical! Most already have a 720p or 1080i display and I bet there are some component connections available for such a device.

Source: Gizmodo

8 Comments

shimman: Posts: 596; Posted on: 13 Oct 06 19:16

i think this area is where ms is being smarter than sony; sony wants to lock users in the prison, but because ms is software company, they are little bit more open to the hardware although ms is following sony by lock the 3rd party hardware license

Crabbyappleton: Posts: 5757; Posted on: 13 Oct 06 19:27

Agreed. I also am very tempted to buy one of these drives if we can make it work on Media Center or at least XP. I don't see how it wouldn't work yet. *fingers crossed*

agomes: Posts: 1232; Posted on: 13 Oct 06 19:35

If it plays HD movies to the XBox why will it not do the same to a PC, providing you have the right connection and software player? The real prob will be the software side, both the films and the player, and the implemented DRM protections that may require you have the appropriate in/out connections supporting the studios interests, not your pleasure desires.

Crabbyappleton: Posts: 5757; Posted on: 13 Oct 06 19:41

I don't know the answers to your questions, but I am thinking the same thing you are. I don't think the protections, besides AACS come into play over component cable, which is what this drive uses. In my case, my plasma tops out at 1080i so I am happy with AACS limitation for component. My receiver has a spare component connection and is also a video switcher. :d
[edited by Crabbyappleton on 13.10.2006 19:43]

agentk7: Posts: 127; Posted on: 14 Oct 06 01:29

This would be a brilliant move for the Toshiba/HD-DVD camp as that price point would be much more enticing if it not only worked with the Xbox but regular PCs. Sony's little PS3/Blu-Ray leverage/strategy would be completely blown away. The only reason I bet they aren't specifically marketing PCs is because of the high system requirements for playback. If it is compatible with a PC, I wouldn't be surprised to see a 3rd party or maybe even Microsoft try selling a $30 PC/XP Compatible software kit or better yet, from a marketing perspective, push some kind of promotion with Vista.

ominus: Posts: 49; Posted on: 14 Oct 06 14:40

i ll wait for ps3.probably a better investment than ms's xbox2.

RDJ: Posts: 740; Posted on: 14 Oct 06 17:02

Two movies of the HD DVD addon in action can be found here This dutch Xbox game site where i am a part off also posted last thursday in this post that the X360 gets DivX and XviD support in less then two months. A Microsoft emploment told me this personaly after a mulitimedia demonstration on the Mission 360 event.

harryg: Posts: 39; Posted on: 15 Oct 06 20:13

Microsoft, pile of pish............

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Xbox360 HD DVD drive recognized as optical drive on PCs

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