this isn't exactly about extenders but its about home entertainment with your 360 so its fitting.

I recieved by hd-dvd drives yesterday for the 360.  Purty playback, I'm not missing the digital out at the moment.  Component is great  :)  Turns itself off and on with the console.   1 cable to the 360.  Has a spot fo rhte wireless adapter to attach to since the connect displaces the usb port.  also has a second usb port on it for what I assume is the webcamera or other usb device so its a mini 2 port hub also. 

Comes with the full remote control for the 360.  Its a slightly hardware upgraded version.  If your in tv mode with the remote the tv button lights up red.  A lot easier than the original remote release where you couldn't tell if you were controlling the 360 or the tv.

Install was fast.  usb cable tothe back, put in the install cd that came with it, quick update took a few moments and hd-dvd is activated.   Currently it comes with the king kong movie in hd-dvd but I already had a collection so I first fired up serenity (which I never saw in the theater) and then tomb raider. 

I have dozens of other movies to enjoy but so far its a must buy for anyone with a 360 connected to a hd tv.   Bestbuy seems to sells most hd-dvd titles for $20.  $30 is the normal price.  amazon has a 10% off with 10% off for hte next year if you buy 3 at once.  just read the description of hte movie close.   If your near a tower records/video.  They are being liquidated and in the nyc store, they are 30% off right now but nothing new released int he last month.

Netflix also has both HD DVD and Blu-ray if you are a renter.

I saw a news story earlier this week that blockbuster also has hd-dvd and blu-ray in stores to rent also.

btw, I just got back from bestbuy, I'm not sure if hte $20 was the special Tower video 2 blocks away price at this specific store but they range form $20 to $30.  Some multi-box sets seemed like $70-$75.  Its was $72 for the MI series if your a Mission Impossible Fan.  $30 per if you get them seperate.

I got a call last night from EB Games saying mine would be in the store this afternoon, so I will stop by after work and pick it up. I have a dual purpose in mind....My 360 & my htpc. I downloaded Windvd 8 last night, so I will be playing this weekend to see if I can get it to work along side the Blu-ray w/Powerdvd. If not, I can still enjoy HD movies on the 360 upstairs....

Anything you download from InterVideo's site isn't going to let you play HD DVD's (at least, AACS protected HD DVD's) 

SUCCESS!!!

I re-installed the Japanese version I downloaded in September since Chris didnt seem to think that downloaded version wouldn't work. And low and behold everything works perfectly! I am watching an HD-DVD on my PC for the first time...

Setup was easy, just plugged the xbox hd-dvd drive in, XP found it quickly. It couldnt find an Xbox 360 HD-DVD Memory driver, but it doesnt appear to be needed.After the drive was connected I re-installed WinDVD 8 HD, rebooted and all is good with the world!

Thanks M$!!!

Charles

Japanese version of what? Are you saying you successfully installed the hd-drive to your mce2005 machine and all you did was reinstall WinDVD 8 HD? Will this work for Vista? This will make this drive sell out quick.

Its already sold out.  In fact, I know a bunch of stores that only got a fraction of their pre-orders filled and the rest have to wait for second shipment of them. 

but its been said for some time its going to work with the pc IF you can get software and meet various other possible requirements (like hdcp, etc).  nothings sold on the shelf yet, he happened to have something that worked.   Although you can get the cyberlink software packaged with blu-ray drives but they are pricey.

The japanese version (http://www.intervideo.co.jp/products/wd8p/) of WinDVD 8. I purchased it back in September when I pulled my HD-DVD drive out of my HD-A1, but was unsuccessful in getting it to work.

I am running XP MCE as there are no Nvidia Purevideo HD drivers out yet for Vista :( As soon as they are available I will be installing on another drive to try it out.

As Bryan mentioned you have to have a HDCP compliant video card, Nvidia Purevideo HD drivers, HD-DVD drive and software to run it. Unfortunately the HD-DVD drive has to be one supported by the WinDVD software, which the Toshiba is but the NEC is not.

 

Charles

 

P.S. I also have the blu-ray drive working with Cyberlink Powerdvd as Bryan mentioned above.

 

 

Do you need a HDCP card if you're outputting via VGA/Component? Or just if you're using a digital link like DVI/HDMI?

According to the specs, it should work on analog connections, shouldn't it? And if it doesn't it because of extra restrictions added by the software developers?

Congratulations on getting it to work, I've been wondering about this for a while.

If anyone's game, what is there a standard IDE drive inside the case?

Update: I was having issues with a few movies last night (King Kong specifically) where it would pause for a split second. I started looking at processes running and removed some software I was not using. After uninstalling my Cyberlink Powerdvd software that came with my Blu-Ray drive, WinDVd would no longer play King Kong. I can only imagine it has to do with the AACS Chris mentioned earlier in this thread. The player still played Van Helsing and a few other HD-DVD's, but not most of my collection.

I am not sure how the Cyberlink software has anything to do with the Intevideo software, but after re-installing it along with the Sony drive Patch King Kong worked again (but still with the same issues stated earlier.)

Just wanted to give you guys the heads up in case you were to try to install the Japanese version alone....

I think the drive might actually have an issue focusing on the second layer of a disk.  I've noticed the movies with either dual formats (dvd on one side) and longer movies and movies with a ton of extras, there starts to be play issues about where it sounds like its refocusing on the second layer.

Got mine last week works awsome. I love it.  But it is ugly. no matter what you do it will look bad on your shelf. I see some Mods coming for this thing to make it match the 360.. yes it looks like a mini 360 but not on your shelf since you have to face the grey side out. so even if you got a cool faceplate the drive will ruin the look.  I guess a grey plate for the 360 would help.

It looks clumbsy but Works awsome.

Gary P.

chasmetz:

Update: I was having issues with a few movies last night (King Kong specifically) where it would pause for a split second. I started looking at processes running and removed some software I was not using. After uninstalling my Cyberlink Powerdvd software that came with my Blu-Ray drive, WinDVd would no longer play King Kong. I can only imagine it has to do with the AACS Chris mentioned earlier in this thread. The player still played Van Helsing and a few other HD-DVD's, but not most of my collection.

I am not sure how the Cyberlink software has anything to do with the Intevideo software, but after re-installing it along with the Sony drive Patch King Kong worked again (but still with the same issues stated earlier.)

Just wanted to give you guys the heads up in case you were to try to install the Japanese version alone....

Hmm, this is discouraging. I bought an HD DVD drive and could not get it to work. I have the right setup except no Powerlink software (which is only available it looks like with the Sony drive). That is mega frustrating. Thanks for the update. Please keep them coming.

aactually, the sony/blu-ray software will not play hd-dvds either.  its a specific blu-ray one. 

Theres a rumor that the FULL paid, non-trial windvd8 platinum may work but nobody confirmed yes or no.  I asked cyberlink when a purchasable hd-dvd playback option was available and let them know a lot of hd-dvd 360 drive owners want it. 

I think the best hope will actually be if the HP HD100 drive comes out soon.  Its suppose to be out for this holiday, it should be a liteon model since liteon makes all their drives, and it shouldn't be to costly and will come with cyberlink software packaged with it.

I've also been daily combing all laptop makers with hd-dvd models to see if any accidently put it for download on their support site :)