hotice's Full Review: Microsoft HD DVD for Xbox 360
Background:
I traded in about 100 DVD's to my local blockbuster for store credit before DVD's become worthless like VHS tapes are now.
Personally I prefer computer games over console systems but I have an awesome HD LCD Projector (Panasonic PT-AX100U) and so I wanted to experience playing HD games on big screen. I had enough store credit for XBox 360 and so that's what I got.
A week later I was craving HD movies and so you can't blame me for thinking that extra $200 is a great deal to get the XBox 360 hd player because it's such a great deal right?
Review:
After opening the package I was surprised that the you have to use another power adapter. Why can't thing share power from the XBox considering the console has a huge external ac adapter. After installing the software to make the dvd player work, I tried to use the universal remote that come with the player just like the wireless controllers but it would not work. Later I realized that the remote is infrared only and so would not work since I have the xbox 360 in the back of my theater.
I will not go on how great the picture is simply because that's what HD is. It's not exclusive to Microsoft or the player. Yes HD DVD's are more clear then standard dvd's.
I was using the optical setup for sound because it makes a huge difference and so I figured it would too on this Microsoft HD DVD player but I was dead wrong. I have a already a DVD version of King Kong so I was able to compare the two one after the other many times starting with chapter 21 where the dinosaurs start running.
The first thing I noticed is that I had to turn up my home theater receiver (Pioneer VSX- 1015TX) just to get the sound at the same level I'm used to when using any 1 of 2 DVD players I have connected. That's not the problem though, the problem is with missing sound fields in the movie. You can hear the dialog clear and the base is fine too but all the other sounds are flat (muffled). If you are already using optical cables on your standard dvd player then you will notice the sound is simply not acceptable but if you're using RCA video cable on your standard dvd player, the downgrade will not be as noticeable.
That's Right... I am saying that the XBox HD DVD player sound is worse then sound of a standard DVD player with an RCA sound setup.
Microsoft is aware of the problem but personally I don't think it's fixable with a software update (not available yet). It's most likely hardware. The Optical cable does not plug into the back of the XBox 360 HD DVD player, instead it plugs into a cable box switch that's connected to the player.
Simply put, the setup is retarded. But I guess Microsoft did not have a Apple HD player to copy so there you go.
Conclusion:
Sound is very important to me and so even though $200 is the lowest price you can pay to upgrade to HD DVD if you own an xbox 360, it's not a good deal for me.
So if you have a good home theater receiver, you can buy this XBox HD player and feel like you're watching movies or buy a stand alone HD DVD player and feel like you're in the movies.
My advice is to wait for prices to drop of HD DVD players before buying one.
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