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- Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 86 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
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7 out of 10 people found this review helpful
2.0 stars
"This "Lemon" delivers an exceptional picture - when it works."
Pros: The picture quality is excellent. Set-up is a breeze. Quiet.
Cons: On my third unit, volume issues, others outlined in review.
Summary: It's tough not to be intrigued by the $200 price point of an HD-DVD player in today's market. Having never compared HD-DVD or Blu-Ray against the quality of a standard DVD I was set to return this unit if I wasn't impressed by the picture.
Well, needless to say, I returned 2 defective units hoping that my third Xbox 360 HD-DVD player lasts more than a couple of showing because there IS a difference especially with movies filmed in high definition.
The Xbox 360 HD-DVD player is easy to set-up, possesses a relatively small footprint when on its side and delivers an exceptional picture. Honestly, I am not schooled in the difference between 1080i vs. 1080p but comparing King Kong in DVD and HD-DVD - well, let's just say that my wife, who could care less about a high definition picture, noticed a significant difference in favor of HD-DVD.
However, as I stated in my 'con', this is my third player. The first player had an issue with the drive door opening and closing uncontrollably on only my second use. The second drive refused to read a disk, regardless of the format, again on its second use. A little more than a tap on the top of the unit got it started - but I should expect more from a $200 piece of hardware - so I returned it for a third. If that breaks - I am done with this unit - but SOLD on HD-DVD or Blu-Ray if I can get my hands on a PS3 at some point in the next few months.
Also, I feel obligated to point out a sound issue. Not of the hardware itself ? in fact, it is whisper quiet, but one should know that the USB connection will cause you to crank up the volume of your TV or Surround Sound system. I have my Xbox 360 connected to my 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound system via an optical connection. The 360 ROCKS on a moderately low volume setting. I must crank it up to almost twice the volume to get the same volume of sound. The issue is, of course, going back to the Xbox 360 Main Menu which is now incredibly loud. Also, when you turn off the Xbox 360 or return to the Xbox Main Menu while watching a film you do not possess the ability to pick up where you left off.
I?ll be sure to update all of you if I have another issue with the player.
- 7 replies to this review
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My brothers first drive started freezing with in 30 days, and if I recall correctly it may have been less than 2 weeks; His second drive lasted a bit longer, but started freezing this past weekend while watching "Babel." He probably can replace any future ones with the manufactures warranty if it breaks again, but the store warranty is only 90 days, so he's now on his third.
My brother uses netflix and typically rents 1 or 2 movies per week. So that people can get an idea of what has passed through his machine. -
I'm really sorry to hear you've had problems! My unit has worked flawlessly for three months now. I have also noticed the sound volume issue you metioned but haven't really been put off by it.
As far as 1080i versus 1080p, I bought a 1080i TV (50" Samsung DLP). When I was shopping, I compared the one I bought to the 1080p version of the same TV. The difference to me seemed to have more to do with the contrast ratio than the native resolution. I'm not sure many people could really see the difference between 1080i and 1080p, all other things being equal. -
It opens and shuts the door in the middle of a movie causing me seach for the spot where it stopped, manually. I have also noticed that the power light will shut off the same way when it is not in use. After some inpection I found the USB port to be intermitent. I believe this intermitent connection to be the source of all its maladies. The worst malady of all is the XBOX360 doesn't like the HD-DVD's 1080p mode, and automatically switches to 1080i, when the movies start and back to 1080p when the movie is over. (NO it is not the cables or the TV) It is possible the xbox dosen't have the drivers loaded to do 1080p for movies but can do video games in 1080p.
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I have done a direct comparison between the HD DVD and standard DVD for King Kong and there is an obvious difference. It is not as drastic as the VHS to DVD difference, but is very apparent. As far as the volume, I have found huge differences between various DVDs or HD DVDs, and believe it is the volume level of the source recording. Swordfish is recorded at a low volume (I have to crank it), King Kong is recorded at a much higher level. DVDs through my Pioneer DVD player are similar; Lord of the Rings=loud, Alien=low. The biggest drawback I see with the HD DVD player is the noise from the Xbox itself, not really noticable in a game, much more so in a movie. A stand alone player would obviously be quieter.
To me it is a tradeoff, better picture vs cheaper starting point vs noise from the Xbox. I think it is worth it. -
You were unlucky, that's all I can say.
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Contact MS see if they will fix it or give you a new one. Make sure to tell them all your other problems you?ve had with, as they will usually tend to be a little nicer to someone who has had a lot of problems.
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The issue with the sound is actually how the HD-DVD was made; it has nothing to do with the 360. Some of the earlier HD-DVDs are very quiet in the sound department, but that seems to be fixed now with newer HD-DVDs. New technology is great isn?t, we always seem to start at square one once again and work our way up.
That does suck that you?re already on your third player. My console and HD-DVD are all launch day items, and I have not had a problem with either (knock on wood). So I am always dumbfounded by everyone saying they are having problems left and right.
Microsoft Xbox 360 HD DVD player:
