Xbox as a HTPC? (1 Viewer)

[chris larralde]

This may be a dumb question, but will Microsoft's Xbox be a viable alternative to a HTPC. The AV adapter adds component out and the unit supports native SVGA and XGA resolutions. I think it also has the latest greatest video chip (or whatever) that's used in PCs.
I confess that I don't know much about PCs (just Macs) but am I missing something here?
For that matter, will a Playstation II work? I know it sucks as a stand alone DVD player, but how about as a system to drive a projector?

 

[Camp]

Xbox and PS2 will both work -as a DVD player. Xbox is supposed to support progressive scan (and there have been rumors that PS2 will eventually).
That said, neither is yet capable of scaling the resolution like a HTPC can. At best you get a capable progressive scan DVD player. Microsoft has claimed HD support but hasn't actually announced any specifics leading me to believe it's just marketing hyperbole.
-Camp

 

[chris larralde]

I just emailed a buddy who works on the Xbox team and he said at this point, the Xbox won't support progressive scan. I was, however, under the impression that Xbox would support 600x800 as well as 1024x768 resolution.

 

[Abdul Jalib]

Yeah, well, the key question is whether it will support 1080i for DVD output. If it only outputs DVD at 480i (and maybe 480p), then it cannot compete with a HTPC for DVD.
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[Morgan Jolley]

The PS2 is supposed to have a software update with the Sony remote that will support progressive scan. I heard the XB would support prog scan, but obviously that was wrong. I wonder if the DVD add-on will enable it.