HD DVD player flies off digital shelves [update 1]

It's not really that by buying it you are proving that the PS3 isn't too expensive.

The other people are proving by not buying it, high definition video playback should be an optional feature


I would guess that it will sell well, but I would also guess that less than 30% of 360 owners buy one.

not interested for several reasons.

1) Mainly because I dont have an HDTV, rendering the next gen format 100% pointless.
2) The format wars are not over. although it looks like HD-DVD is going to win since its outselling blu-ray 8:1, I still will not buy until the war is completely over
3)discs are too expensive. They are $39.99 here in canada. That means I have to work an entire shift at work just to buy a couple movies. Not worth it at all. Ill stick to me < $5 fake Dvds for now.

It is a good value for an HD-DVD drive tho, and hd-DVd sure does look nice. But even if I had the HDTV, I still wouldent buy mainly becasue of disc prices.

I would like to buy one but I'm holding out until Xbox 360 can do HDMI output... the TV I want to purchase next year (a 1080p Samsung DLP) doesn't do 1080p over component nor VGA!!!!

I'm not on the pre-order list because my TV (an older Samsung HD that refuses to letterbox 1080i) wouldn't really do it justice. I'm also a little hesitant because of the falloff in standard DVD player prices over the past year or two. I don't think HD-DVD players are going to follow the same path due to slower adoption, but I'm sure it's in the back of some people's heads.

Oh, who am I kidding? I'll buy one in the next few months.

I'm waiting to see what kind of library HDDVD will offer, and more specifically what the library of movies on netflix will be.

If the majority of new movies start coming out in HDDVD and netflix offers them, then I will almost certainly get one. Absolutely.

Although I wouldn't mind TV show DVDs with better per-episode quality (less artifacting, mainly)I'm not ready to completely re-purchase the movie collection I spent the last 7 years building up. So no. Now's not the time for another format war anyway...not while SD-DVD still has legs.

I already have a 360 and an HDTV, so it makes sense spending an extra $200 for HD DVD instead of $500 (the cheapest player) right now.

Like Mike - I'm not getting one anytime soon because I don't have an HDTV.

I was going to wait for the format wars to get resolved...but given that I had a HDTV and Xbox 360, I bought it because it was so cheap.

SORRY TO SAY GUYS BUT NO HDMI FOR XBOX 360, THE FUTURE IS THIS COMPANY NAMED WIRELESSHD. CHECK IT OUT.

I do have a relatively new HDTV and do have an XBOX360 but I am unlikely to purchase this anytime soon.

I'm happy enough with the quality of standard DVD's at the moment and will wait until the format war is figured out.

The cost does seem semi-reasonable as compared to stand alone players. I don't see either format really going anywhere until there are more hardware options in this price range.

By buying I'm proving the PS3 is expensive, in the UK at least. PS3 with nothing = £425 but Xbox 360 + PGR3 + extra wireless controller = £284, HD-DVD player + King Kong = £120 which is a total for £404 leaving you with £20 in your pocket or to spend on an accessory or game.

Yes, I have pre-ordered the HD-DVD Drive. One, it is only $200. Two, who knows what will happen in the format war, but some of your big players are on both sides of the fence. Even Apple (Walt Disney) sits on the DVD Forum which helped developed the HD-DVD even though they show only supporting only Blu-Ray at this time. I think HD-DVD will win in the end due to Sony's rep, but that is not why I purchased the drive. If all else fails and somehow Blu-Ray does win then Microsoft can release a Blu-Ray player and I will by them. It's all good. HD ROCKS!!!

Neh, just another 360 piece of hardware to send in for repair/exchange. I wonder what the new error codes will be for this one?!

I wasn't planning on it. Unless it becomes blatantly obvious that Blu-ray is going to hit the can.

I think some still overestimate the "self-describing" feature of HD-DVD.

If a "HD dumb" consumer reads these two:

"HD-DVD attachment for the Xbox 360"

or

"The PS3 has a built in Blu-ray drive"

It's not so obvious what the latter is. Even the regular consumer could figure out the DVD acronym. Adding HD on there makes it easy.

Blu-ray on the other hand takes a line or two of text to explain. It's unfamiliar. Even the name itself isn't consumer friendly.

Look at it this way. HD-DVD is the sequel to DVD. Blu-ray is that new IP that "mimics" HD-DVD but has a couple more features. When it comes down to it, it is the same game. ;)

@3...just curious what Samsung 1080p DLP are you talking about?

I placed my pre-order at GameStop last week. With the Free Peter Jackson Kong HD-DVD...it's a steal. I figure...I already have a 360 and HDTV and this is the cheapest way for me to get a High Def player.

Local shops are carrying more HD-DVD titles than Blu-Ray. I thought I wouldn't care about HD-DVD...but I'm so impressed by High Def Television and its superiority over movies on DVD that I'm looking forward to the upgrade.

Nah I already own an HDA1. I'm curious though, does anyone know if the 360 HD DVD will output True HD Audio? If so, how? All the info about the 360 HD player so far seems to avoid what the Audio features are.

Hell yes I'm buying this. If I was strapped for cash, I might be inclined to wait, but luckily I'm not and 200 bucks is pretty cheap for an HD-DVD player. Having HD is worth every penny and having HD movies....wow....it's gonna be one hell of a Christmas =)

When I get myself a HDTV, I'll get one.

I will definately be buying one. Probably early 2007.

I'm interested, but won't be buying it any time soon. I have a large standard DVD collection and I'm very happy with the 360's ability to upscale them to 720p over VGA. I just have no reason to move to either HD disc format right now.

I have loosely followed the HD DVD launch on HD Beat / Engadget HD and I haven't see a whole lot of titles launch on HD DVD that make me think "Wow, I would love to own that on HD DVD". I can say the same about Blu Ray.

Does anyone want to check off some really AAA titles from either side of the ledger?


I've got Comcast HD on Demand and I have to say that so far I'm pretty satisfied with it. It gives me enough HD content - not all of it is great but every once in a while (like now) they pull out a gem like Star Wars. That's pretty cool and it's something you can't do on HD DVD or Blu Ray.

Plus, $200 is a stand alone price to me. Drop it to $100 and I'm in right away. I understand that won't happen right away but maybe by next Christmas?

I am not surprised however that it is "flying" off shelves. $200 is a substantial discount for any XBox360 owner over any other HD disc alternative and let's face it - most 360 owners are HDTV owners and starved for HD content.

is this thing coming out in Canada next week? Can't seem to find it anywhere...

waited for 360 at launch. pre-ordered HD-DVD from Amazon. Had an HDTV, but moved it down the line to get a 1080p tv. going to midnight launch of GoW @ Gamestop. I like the HD-DVD titles out so far, I like the 360 and I like next gen movie-playing for an additional $200.

Brian -
Short answer is: Yes, there is HD - DVD sounds. From the X06 press release: "Introducing HD DVD — The Look and Sound of Perfect — With up to 1080p screen resolution and 7.1 surround sound, HD DVD is the final step in perfecting your High Def entertainment experience."

How? Is magic a good enough answer? i really don't know but I am intrigued as my receiver has been waiting 9 months for ture 7.1.

I will be getting one. Soon, hopefully. I say this knowing that HD-DVD is not necessary. It is gonna be replaced by digital, downloadable content in the not so distant future. But for $200, it is a great chance to see the glory of HD, and upsample my current collection. If the format wars do play out and there is a winner, I predict HD-DVD by the standpoint of backups (correct me if I am wrong), not movies. BlueRay has already said that burners will not be available in the states for the near future, so HD will be first to market yet again, and in a crucial sector.

I'm not buying it right now for two reasons:

a) Like has been mentioned, the next-gen dvd format war is not over yet, and I do not want to be stuck with a obsolete format.

b) I need to wait for reviews of the drive to see whether it is a quality HD-DVD player, or a lower end model. I want nothing but the best for my HDTV.

@ KilgoreTrout XL

Netflix is already renting both HD-DVD and Blu-ray movies

I am going to pick an HD-DVD player up because I have two XBOX 360's and I am getting a PS3 at launch. I am covered.

I have the WESTINGHOUSE 42" 1080p Monitor, after the recent firmware update I switched the 360 to output 1080p - then I checked my monitor's info screen and indeed it said 1920*1080. My monitor has a vga input. But contrast that with my Tosh HDDVD player that only outputs 1080i.. my westy says the resolution is only 1920*540 and that thing cost me over $500. So if you have a 360 already and a 1080p monitor with vga input, this would seem the way to go. Plus its USB.. this thing will sooner or later have windows drivers for people connecting it to their pc's.

It's about choice obviously. These people are proving that some people would've paid full price for HD-DVD to be included....

But, it also proves other things. I could buy a 360 now, and know that later on only a $199 investment will get me a HD-DVD player. I don't have to sink $599 today. Also, If I don't want one at all, I don't have to pay for it.

Sadly, I think many PS3's will never see a Blu-Ray Movie disk in their players. They will see lots of DVD movies however.

Sony's Downside: Sony could sell millions of PS3's, but it may not help sell Blu-Ray. They cannot rely on PS3 sales as proof of Blu-Ray's success.

Microsoft's Upside: HD-DVD players that sell for 360 can be used as a measurement of HD-DVD's success.

MS would know that these people are going to buy movies. Sony Does not know for sure.

Sony is risking a lot by including the Blue Laser Diodes into the PS3 and delaying the format for othere manufacturers. They may have been more valuable to people just looking for a player and not a video game system. Not every movie buff is going to buy a "playstation" because that is a toy for videogamers.

I would like to thank MS for giving me a choice...allowing me to get a powerful system for $399, and down the road I can get HD-DVD for $199. Where else can I get a HD-DVD so cheap? You have to think of them as separate items for people with 360's. You cannot just add the costs to make the equivalent to the PS3, as long as you are looking through a gamers eyes, and not a techies eyes.

Not everyone is buying a 360 just to get the HD-DVD add-on...in that case, it would make more sense to get a PS3.

i'm going to hold off and in the mean time watch HD media ripped to WMV in 720p off of regular DVD-Rs thanks to the Fall Dashboard update!

I have an HD DVD drive ordered and I can't wait. HD DVD is most likely going to be the next gen DVD format. But I hear a lot of people say that they're going to wait until the format wars are over. Well guess who decides when they're over? You. If more HD DVDs are sold then Blu-ray over a long period of time, more studios are likely to support HD DVD and less likely to support Blu-ray.

David said:
"I would guess that it will sell well, but I would also guess that less than 30% of 360 owners buy one."

That actually would be fantastic. If that were the case then there would be three six times the HD DVD (console) players out on the market (the other of course being the PS3). If that large a number of new HD DVD players are on the market and the software is selling studios have to take notice.

The whole format war is hinges on the PS3 being a smash hit. Sony has all their eggs in the PS3 basket and it may come back to bite them. If HD DVD becomes the winner of the format war then Sony will be left making games on Blu-ray. But at that point the discs will be even more expensive to make because no one will be manufacturing them any more and no one wants to buy a $100 game. But if they go down to just making games on DVD again, then they will be admitting that Blu-ray was never really necessary for gaming and I don't know about you but I don't see Sony admitting they were wrong any time in the future.

"I'm curious though, does anyone know if the 360 HD DVD will output True HD Audio?"

At the current time no. To get a lossless audio from an HD DVD you have to have the analog audio out. Keep in mind that this add on is a very entry level unit. This is not made for the Home Theater buff (nor would a real home theater buff want one for his only HD DVD player) that's what the A1 is for.

"...has a couple more features."

Such as what? HD DVD has standards that every player has to abide to (much like the 360 and games) but Blu-ray doesn't have any such standard as to what their players can/should be able to do (sounds a lot like Sony's online plan doesn't it?). So if you know something I don't please let me know.

"Does anyone want to check off some really AAA titles from either side of the ledger?"

How's this? Does anyone want to check off some really AAA titles from either side of the ledger?

Does anyone want to check off some really AAA titles from either side of the ledger?

How's this?
http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/reviews.html

I think there are a good many movies there I want to own. And then these are coming out:

http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/releasedates.html

Not too shabby says I.

Okay, so wrapping this all up I'll say that the format wars can be ended as soon as you decide they are.

ShaolinDolemite

I'll be getting mine soon. It's going to cost me aboout $172 (employee discount) and I'll eBay that "free" remote since I have the Harmony remote.

I haven't ordered it, but I will be getting it provided it doesn't suck. I DO still think the PS3 is too expensive, but ONLY because I feel that HD-DVD is going to be the winner. Blu-ray is superior in hardware, but HD-DVD is cheaper, the players are cheaper, there's more titles available, and the codecs are FAR more advanced.

So I don't consider the Xbox 360 and HD-DVD player as a single package like the PS3 because I was ALREADY going to get an HD-DVD player when they fell into the $200 range. And whoops! The HD-DVD is there, so done deal for me.

If you want a Blu-ray player, the PS3 is a great deal. If you want an HD-DVD player, the 360 + HD-DVD drive is just a good deal. The PS3 is cheaper than a Blu-ray player, and the 360 is the same price but does WAY more.

I never would have bought a 360 if I HAD to buy an HD-DVD drive embeded. At the time I didn't own an HD-tv and the cost would have put it out of my reach. I've always loved the 360 for what it is. But only since I bought a HDTV to enjoy the system more do I want a HD-DVD player. I love that I ahve this cheap 1080P alternative to buying a 1000$ stand alone player.

I have to wait and see how the movie playback is. Current 360 DVD playback leaves a little bit to be desired with video quality on a 720p LCD with a 480p signal. To be fair I can't get the PS2 to output 5.1 Audio or go 480p either.

They're back in... quick!! Get in now!!

The following was just seen posted at 11/3/06 14:03 EST

Attention Amazon.com customers: Great news Xbox 360 fans - Amazon.com has secured extra allocation of the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player and are once again taking pre-orders. Supplies remain limited though, so pre-order yours today.

I will buy although probably after Christmas as cash is tight for the next couple of months. The answer to HD Audio is yes it will be full surround HD audio via optical cable. Remember all video and sound is still comming out of the 360 not the new HD DVD drive. I agree that HD-DVD will win the format war. First the extra cost to run Blu-Ray does not justify the extra storage capacity. Second we are talking about Sony here, does the word BETA ring a bell?

I have a good HDTV, but am more than happy with the VGA upscaling. No HD-DVD nor Blu-Ray for me in the immediate future.

Besides, the whole HDCP and DRM thing makes me sick to my stomach.

Its tempting, maybe after I get and HDTV. But I also hears rumors MS will start offering HD movies as downloads (rentals and purchases) over Xbox Live sometime soon...

I plan to buy one, purely because I have the option to. I bought my 360 in december so adding another $200 on to it isnt nearly as painful as one big $600 chunk.

I think the thought of High Definition dvd play back being optional is what makes this so perfect. I have been in HIGH anticipation of HD-DVD for a while now, but several people I know could care less. We all have 360's for the purpose of gaming, but it isn't exactly fair to chunk on an extra couple hundred dollars primarily for a feature a lot of people aren't ready to use or take interest in. Me on the other hand, I was already going to have a next-gen console in my home, so the $200 for HD-DVD is a no brainer compared to a lot of the head unit costs. I've had mine on pre-order for a while and I can't wait to see what they've done with King Kong and I'm even more excited about what Batman Begins, Narnia, Miami Vice, etc are going to look like.

Sony should of offered two sku's: Ps3 with blue-ray and one without. That way I could have a choice. Plus Sony would be in a better position to compete with M$, because the one without BD would sell for $350-$400.

Sony fans may be saying that this HD drive makes the 360 the same price as the Ps3. well in a way it does, but I can pay for it in a two part payment plan(buy the 360,then the HD DVD), plus I get two drives out of the deal, a DVD drive in the 360 and a seperate HD DVD drive.

But Im not getting the HD DVD attachment yet, DVD's are fine for now on my HDTV. Ill just wait till the price drops.

Actually, SuicideNinja, HD-DVD has MORE features than Blu-Ray. The only advantage of the latter is storage space, which is absolutely useless when it comes to movies since HD-DVD can store over 4 hours per disc.. There aren't too many 4 hour movies out there as it is. HD-DVD has better video playback quality, better menuing system, more interactive options, and its less expensive to manufacture the discs.

You gotta like the price perspective ... give it that ... but acceptance of this HD/Blu-ray war is a tough sell after people have put money and time into a DVD collection.

I'll buy the HD-DVD drive as soon as blank HD-DVD discs become readily accessible. I wouldn't mind ripping a crap load of movies to WMV format and stuffing them on one HD-DVD at all ;)

People get Xbox 360 HD DVD NOW!!! here's why... the package cost $200 King Kong is free -$40, the media remote is free -$30 and shipping is free -$10 so you actually be paying $120 for the HD DVD!!! Plus, if you apply for the Amazon Visa you'll get $20 off!!! so you actually be paying $99!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My HDTV boat just came in ... and I have to come back and echo what tanis38 said almost perfectly. Besides not being a huge movie fan, I also don't wanna be caught supporting the wrong side in a format war. Seeing as how I don't use my game systems for movie playback either the MS HD-DVD add-on will have to be at a measurable level to that of a decent standalone regular HD DVD player. Especially considering how many people seem to think the original xbox and the 360 had less that perfect movie playback compatibilities.

im might buy this but it really should be made to play games to cause dvds are gonna get cramped pretty soon