HD-DVD help

Mike_J_D · 01-16-2008, 11:17 AM

OK, so I have been a blu-ray user for a while now - love the PS3. Anyway there are a few titles that are only available in HD-DVD that I wanted - Transformers, BB, and Serenity - to name a few. So I read and read an decided I would go with the add-on HD-DVD drive for the 360; got it home, hooked it up and threw in KK, WOW really great picture, low audio volume (issue with the drive itself). Then I get BB, yes! WOOT....happy days. Needless to say I was really disappointed. I wanted to do a comparison between the HD and SD version, using the PS3 to play the SD. Well I could see a little better color and clarity in the HD version, but not much over the SD version upconverted on my PS3. Also it was very clitchy, meaning the panning wasn't smooth in places....and same can be said for playing Serenity. Not to mention unable to play in 1080p; so long story short is I took the damn HD-DVD drive back. Now I have three movies I can't watch, but I know BB will be on Blu-ray sometime since WB just went to BD.

My question, finally - is it worth getting an HD-DVD player now? Since WB has gone exclusively BD, and I know Transformers will one day be BD. But the Bourne are HD and some other titles as well. I'm thinking about the A35, seems like it gets good reviews here. It does 1080p and will pass lossless audio. I've got a 3808ci on it's way to replace my NAD T763 (which I'm sad to have to replace, great receiver). I just don't know if it is really worth the $269 (on Amazon). Help? Advice?

This is also posted in the Christmas Rant thread, but it's a little different than what that thread is about.

Thanks

Mike

Steve Schaffer · 01-16-2008, 05:48 PM

Mike,

If your 1080p tv does correct de-interlacing of incoming 1080i there's no reason to get a 1080p player, and a Tosh A3 can be had for $149 list. Only you can decide if it's worth it to get the movies that are currently HD DVD exclusives. None of the HD DVD exclusive studios have made any announcement about going BD, and even if they do tomorrow the fact that the BD replication facilities are already stretched to the limit will no doubt mean that these studios will be concentrating any BD releases on new titles, not their current catalog of HD DVD releases.

Patrick Sun · 01-16-2008, 09:28 PM

It would help if you gave us more details as to the make/model of the TV and video connection used between the Xbox 360 and the TV.

Mike_J_D · 01-16-2008, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick Sun

It would help if you gave us more details as to the make/model of the TV and video connection used between the Xbox 360 and the TV.

Thank Patrick and Steve - my current setup is as follows:

Sony Bravia 46XBR4
Xbox-360 connected directly to the Sony via component video (older 360 doesn't support HDMI).

Steve I'm not sure if my Sony does de-interlacing, I'm sure that's something I can easily look up on Sony's website...just hadn't thought to look before.

If my Sony does do de-interlacing will there be a big difference in picture quality? Or, running it through the 3808ci when it arrives - I know it upconverts.

Thanks for replying guys.

Mike

Patrick Sun · 01-16-2008, 10:51 PM

Have you consider using the PC-VGA input on your TV? That's the way I have my Xbox 360 connected to a plasma TV with the VGA input. You'd need to get the Xbox VGA cable, though (it replaces the Xbox 360 Component video cable). My solution works pretty well, never had a reason to complain about the video quality, also it allows you to upconvert your SD DVDs with your Xbox using the VGA connection. The cost of the VGA cable is small compared to another HD DVD player.

XBOX 360 VGA CABLE

**HTF Ads**

Mike_J_D · 01-16-2008, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick Sun

Have you consider using the PC-VGA input on your TV? That's the way I have my Xbox 360 connected to a plasma TV with the VGA input. You'd need to get the Xbox VGA cable, though (it replaces the Xbox 360 Component video cable). My solution works pretty well, never had a reason to complain about the video quality, also it allows you to upconvert your SD DVDs with your Xbox using the VGA connection. The cost of the VGA cable is small compared to another HD DVD player.

XBOX 360 VGA CABLE

I'd read here that the VGA cable didn't have as vibrant colors as the component cables.....also I didn't like that the HD-DVD player for the 360 didn't play the movie very well, maybe I got a faulty player? Either way I already took it back. I currently use my PS3 to play SD DVDs since it upconverts very well, I think.

Maybe I'll look into the A30/A3 since they are pretty inexpensive, and I believe my Sony does do the correct de-interlacing which would allow me to buy a 1080i unit.

Thanks Patrick

Dave>h · 01-17-2008, 01:19 PM

Hi,

I am an hd dvd supporter but given you already have a PS3 and are happy with the way it upconverts your SD DVD's, I don't think it would be worth it for you to purchase a stand alone player.

If I were in your position, I would rent the SD versions of the movies that don't come out on Blu, enjoy them upconverted and wait until the war is over to purchase them on the winning format.

Dave

Mike_J_D · 01-17-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave>h

Hi,

I am an hd dvd supporter but given you already have a PS3 and are happy with the way it upconverts your SD DVD's, I don't think it would be worth it for you to purchase a stand alone player.

If I were in your position, I would rent the SD versions of the movies that don't come out on Blu, enjoy them upconverted and wait until the war is over to purchase them on the winning format.

Dave

I've considered that also...I'm still not sold on there being 1 HD to rule them all.

Steve Schaffer · 01-17-2008, 05:43 PM

Your Sony set will do fine with the 1080i via HDMI from an A3. I have a Sony KDS60A2000 1080p SXRD rear projection with an A3 and a PS3 connected with HDMI via a Pioneer VSX-82 receiver. PQ is identical on HD DVD at 1080i vs BD at 1080P. Upconverted SD discs look about the same with both players, slight edge to the PS3 on some video-based SD discs.

I've always regarded the 360 add-on via component configuration as a sort of "patch job" solution. It was great at $179 for existing 360 owners back when a standalone HD DVD player cost twice as much but now that an A3 can be had for $149 max the standalone is a better deal.

Contrary to the BD situation where the PS3 is far superior to any available standalone, a standalone HD DVD player is imho a better choice than the 360 add-on.

Note that your set stores separate video adjustment parameters for each individual input, so you may need to adjust the video settings differently for whatever HD DVD player you choose vs the PS3. I have not had to make different video settings for my PS3 vs my A3 or my HD DirecTivo.

Mike_J_D · 01-17-2008, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Schaffer

Your Sony set will do fine with the 1080i via HDMI from an A3. I have a Sony KDS60A2000 1080p SXRD rear projection with an A3 and a PS3 connected with HDMI via a Pioneer VSX-82 receiver. PQ is identical on HD DVD at 1080i vs BD at 1080P. Upconverted SD discs look about the same with both players, slight edge to the PS3 on some video-based SD discs.

I've always regarded the 360 add-on via component configuration as a sort of "patch job" solution. It was great at $179 for existing 360 owners back when a standalone HD DVD player cost twice as much but now that an A3 can be had for $149 max the standalone is a better deal.

Contrary to the BD situation where the PS3 is far superior to any available standalone, a standalone HD DVD player is imho a better choice than the 360 add-on.

Note that your set stores separate video adjustment parameters for each individual input, so you may need to adjust the video settings differently for whatever HD DVD player you choose vs the PS3. I have not had to make different video settings for my PS3 vs my A3 or my HD DirecTivo.

I just want a HD DVD player that will play the movie without hiccuping. It drives me crazy when movies don't play right, and the add on for the Xbox didn't work well. I'll check out my local store and see if they have the A3; I know for a fact that they have the A30. Thanks for your help, I love the SXRD line. Kinda of sucks to see Sony moving away from the rear - projection market; who knows how OLED will do, who wants to pay $2500+ for an 11" screen.

Mike_J_D · 01-19-2008, 06:35 PM

Ok, so I went to Nebraska Furniture Mart today to look at the A3 vs the A30; I had decided on a A30 because it was only $40 more, but I couldn't find where they had them in the store. Grabbed a sales associate and asked him - and he showed me. We got to talking and he tells me Toshiba has already contacted them informing NFM that they can send back any and all HD-DVD players that are returned; doesn't matter when they were purchased.

He also says that HD-DVD is dead, and this is the reason Toshiba has made this offer to its customers. Needless to say I didn't buy one, although now that I think about it I could just buy one and take it back when the announcement is made. But here is my problem, I haven't heard anything about HD being "dead". Not on here (unless I just missed it) or any other forums I'm a member of. Thoughts?

Also, another sales person told me that the PS3 doesn't pass lossless audio? WTF? I told him that he was wrong....or am I. I though it did pass DD HD just not DTS HD - yet. Or does it just not decode lossless, but my 3808ci will be able to decode the signal. Correct.

Thank you again.

Mike