XBox360 HD-DVD drive

**Matt D** · 24-12-2006, 19:55

As I'm getting an HD Ready TV, I'm quite tempted to get the 360's HD-DVD drive too.

Everywhere I've looked is out of stock, though.

Have any of CF's 360 owners with HD Ready TVs got one of these rare beasts?

What are they like?

Where'd you find it?

SnoopZ · 24-12-2006, 20:21

Haven't got one, but i've looked on the net also, and can't find the thing anywhere!

kronas · 24-12-2006, 20:41

collect at store available or wait for stock to arrive at warehouse

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/product.php?sku=789061&camp

**Matt D** · 24-12-2006, 21:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronas

collect at store available or wait for stock to arrive at warehouse

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/product.php?sku=789061&camp

I had in look in my local PC World yesterday - completely sold out (as is everywhere else...GAME, Gamestation, etc.), & they had no idea when they'd get more in.

---------- Post added at 21:28 ---------- Previous post was at 21:26 ----------

Pity MS haven't yet brought out an HDMI cable for the 360...although I'd assume they'll eventually release one by the time the studios start enforcing HDCP.

kronas · 24-12-2006, 21:35

ebay has some if you are desperate, although komplett.co.uk says 2007-3-1, your next port of calls should be the LARGE stores of tesco and asda.

**Matt D** · 25-12-2006, 00:22

Bah, ebay can sod off. I'm happy to wait 'till the new year.

Got a big Asda & Tesco nearby.

Anyone got an HD-DVD drive already?

pedantic · 25-12-2006, 12:53

According to their website, they have stock here.

zrerz · 25-12-2006, 15:44

been told it'll be roughly january before new stock comes into store at game, so asked if they'd take my details and hold one, but told no, not sure how many are coming in, so can't take pre-orders (growl).

deathtrap3000 · 26-12-2006, 00:50

I went to my local pcworld and currys and they said that they hadnt even had any in. I really want one of these as it would complement my hdtv and 360 superbly.

By the way shouldnt this thread be in the xbox section

Slyder · 26-12-2006, 08:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by deathtrap3000

By the way shouldnt this thread be in the xbox section

True, but a mod made the thread - so we can bend the rules this once..

Im in Cov, and there was a few shops that had 1 or 2 units in stock. Rumour is when the next generation of 360 is released, the HD drive will be intergrated which would be a bummer for us lot who have the 360 now.

NEONKNIGHT · 26-12-2006, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt D

As I'm getting an HD Ready TV, I'm quite tempted to get the 360's HD-DVD drive too.

What are they like?

The official xbox mag will be doing a full review of the HD-DVD drive in their next issue. In this months they had a small Q&A section on it:

Do I need an HDTV for it to work?
No, the Xbox360 HD DVD drive will work on any regular tv - but the picture will be scaled down to a normal resolution

Is the difference noticeable?
Yes - if you poke your nose right up against the screen. From regular viewing distance on a sofa, you might be hard pressed to see that much of an improvement over a decent DVD.

Do I need an HD lead?
Yes - playing an HD DVD movie on a console connected to a TV with a SCART lead or composite cable will again see the film downscaled to standard DVD-like 480i resolution.

So is it worth it?
Depends. If you want your films to look slightly better, then yes. If not, you might be better off waiting until the whole TV upgrading process becomes significantly cheaper.

**Matt D** · 27-12-2006, 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedantic

According to their website, they have stock here.

Nice find!

Might wait 'till a retailer I know of has them though.

I liked this bit, lol "YOU SAVE Ã‚Â£0.00 !!"

Quote:

Originally Posted by deathtrap3000

I went to my local pcworld and currys and they said that they hadnt even had any in. I really want one of these as it would complement my hdtv and 360 superbly.

Same here. None of my local stores has any, & all the usual sites like GAME, Gamestation, Gameplay, Amazon, etc have sold out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by deathtra[3000

By the way shouldnt this thread be in the xbox section

I thought about putting it in the XBox section, but decided to put it in the Tech forum, as it's not really anything to do with gaming, & just happens to be something you connect to a 360 (& also PC if you want

)

Quote:

Originally Posted by zrerz

been told it'll be roughly january before new stock comes into store at game, so asked if they'd take my details and hold one, but told no, not sure how many are coming in, so can't take pre-orders (growl).

Yup. V annoying. Nowhere seems to let you pre-order (same with the bloody Wii!!!).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slyder

Im in Cov, and there was a few shops that had 1 or 2 units in stock. Rumour is when the next generation of 360 is released, the HD drive will be intergrated which would be a bummer for us lot who have the 360 now.

That would really *really* annoy me, & I'm sure many other people, if they did that.

I've also read vague rumours that they're planning on releasing a newer version of the 360 with a built-in HDMI port (presumably for the rumoured one with built-in HD-DVD).

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEONKNIGHT

The official xbox mag will be doing a full review of the HD-DVD drive in their next issue. In this months they had a small Q&A section on it:

Hmm. May have to buy that issue then!

Not so sure of their Q&A though...

Quote:

Originally Posted by OXM

Do I need an HDTV for it to work?
No, the Xbox360 HD DVD drive will work on any regular tv - but the picture will be scaled down to a normal resolution

Why would anyone in their right mind buy an HD-DVD drive if they didn't have an HDTV???

Quote:

Originally Posted by OXM

Is the difference noticeable?
Yes - if you poke your nose right up against the screen. From regular viewing distance on a sofa, you might be hard pressed to see that much of an improvement over a decent DVD.

Hmm. Surely the difference would be the pretty much the same as playing games in 720p (or above) on an HDTV vs playing games in PAL/NTSC on a normal TV...

kronas · 28-12-2006, 12:28

amazon in stock now go:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Xbox-360-HD-...=hotukdeals-21

SnoopZ · 28-12-2006, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronas

amazon in stock now go:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Xbox-360-HD-...=hotukdeals-21

Not anymore.

TheBlueRaja · 28-12-2006, 16:03

I have an order for one through Play.com - just waiting on the buggers sending it.

I can only imagine that from the time i saw "in stock" to the time i put my card details in it went out of stock again an my order is surplus.

Still it means that next time one comes in to Play.com its mine.