DjiNn, you selling this add-on?

The rest,

Is this add on region locked - ie we can only watch US DVDs?
Pardon my ignorance?

Oo I forgot yours is US set. I was wondering if you can play Region 1 DVDs with the HD-DVD drive.

1080i vs. 1080p

On our tour, one sales rep said pointedly, "The whole world is going 1080p; why would you lock yourself into something that was only 1080i?" It is tough for the typical consumer to argue with that since it makes perfect sense. As one of our readers said in a recent email, "Give me 1080p, 1080p !!! Nothing less will do."

Absolutely. We agree wholeheartedly. The newly emerging, cutting-edge video displays, both projectors and flat panels, are 1080p, or to put it more precisely, they have a physical pixel matrix of 1920x1080, and they are progressively scanned displays. To get the very best performance from these 1080p displays you need a 1080p source.

Contrary to popular misconceptions, HD-DVD and Blu-ray are both 1080p sources. As far as movies are concerned, both disc formats are scanned and encoded in 1080p from the original film. So why the confusion? It comes from the fact that the first HD-DVD player, the Toshiba HD-A1, outputs 1080i, while the first Blu-ray player, the Samsung BD-P1000, outputs both 1080i and 1080p. That sounds like a big deal, but in reality this is more of a marketing/perception problem for the Toshiba player than a technical limitation.

Both HD-DVD and Blu-ray have all of the progressively scanned 1080-lines per frame of information on the disc, and this information is not lost or compromised in 1080i transmission. The transmission interface is simply a matter of the order in which the scanlines are read and transmitted to the video display. If they are transmitted in 1080p, they are sent sequentially. If they are transmitted in 1080i, they are sent in two fields, with one containing the odd numbered lines and another the even numbered lines. These two fields are then reassembled into sequential frames by the video processor in the TV or projector. Either way you end up with the full 1080p frame being used to create the picture, so there is no difference in the end result.

What is not obvious to the consumer is that the Samsung player first converts the 1080p/24 information on the disc to 1080i/60. Once it is in that format, it can output it in either 1080i/60 if that is what the projector or TV takes, or it can convert it to 1080p/60 for output. The Toshiba HD-DVD player converts the 1080p/24 information on the disc to 1080i/60 and simply outputs it in this format. It is then converted to 1080p/60 in the video display. With either player, the signal passes through an interlaced state on its way from the disc to the screen.

Therefore, the 1080p output as implemented on the Samsung BD-P1000 is of no real value to the consumer in terms of enhanced picture quality. It is, however, of tremendous promotional value to Samsung and the Blu-ray group. The extra cost to add 1080p output onto the Samsung BD-P1000 pays handsome returns, because it inspires retail sales reps to say to their customers, "The reason you pay extra for Blu-ray is that it is 1080p, while HD-DVD is only 1080i" Or, as another rep told me last week, "The story is simple: Blu-ray is double the cost and double the resolution."

(By the way, I've never had any indication that comments like these are made with an intent to deceive customers. For the most part, the technologies are just new and there is simply a lot of genuine confusion. The better retailers will no doubt address these issues as time goes on.)

Now, an important side note is warranted. We are talking about the common form of 1080p in the NTSC world, which is 1080p/60. But another way to output the information is to simply transfer the data on the disc in its native 1080p/24 format without doing any conversion to 1080i/60 or 1080p/60. Contrary to what you might expect, 1080p/24 transmission actually can have some incremental benefit over 1080p/60. However, in order to take advantage of 1080p/24 output on the players, we will also need projectors and TVs that can recognize 1080p/24 signals and convert them to 48 or 72 Hz. The vast majority of HD compatible TVs and projectors that have been installed and are being sold today do not have 1080p/24 capability. However, they are beginning to appear in anticipation that Blu-ray and HD-DVD players will be able to output that particular signal format.

The advantage to 1080p/24 transmission is that it can eliminate artifacts associated with the 2:3 pulldown conversion that is common in the NTSC 60 Hz world. The disadvantage is that it adds cost to both the HD disc players and the video display products. Moreover, the vast majority of consumers are not bothered by, or even conscious of the artifacts that it is intended to eliminate anyway. For the most part, 2:3 pulldown conversion is invisible to the viewer except in certain types of scenes, and even then they would not be noticed at a normal viewing distance on most 40" to 50" televisions.

Nevertheless, for videophiles using larger screen systems, 1080p/24 transmission and processing will eliminate 2:3 pulldown artifacts that they can certainly be aware of and bothered by. So as TVs and projectors come onto the market that are able to accept a 1080p/24 signal, both HD-DVD and Blu-ray players will show up that are able to deliver it. In fact, the next wave of higher priced Blu-ray players to hit the market this fall should have 1080p/24 output as an option. A good percentage of the higher end videophile market will be motivated by 1080p/24 transmission, so HD-DVD will need to follow suit in a timely fashion.

probably some of you have seen this link before, Fellowship Of The Ring, DVD VS HD DVD picture comparison.

So I check Circuit City's website earlier today and I see my local store has them in stock. I drive on down to the store. Here is the actual exchange with the young man working at CC.

Me: I'm looking for the HD-DVD add on for the xbox360

CCemployee: AH...the what?

Me: I'm looking for the HD-DVD add on for the xbox360. Your website says you have it in stock.

CCemployee: Ah gee...( walks over to XBOX stuff...picks up a remote) is this it?

Me: No it is a HD-DVD player.

CCEmployee: Gee I am not sure what that is...let me ask someone.

CCEmployee#2: Sir there is no such thing....

Me: Yes there is. It is the hottest add on for the Xbox360...and you have them in the back where your shipment from today is stored.

CCEmployee: Xbox360 cannot play HD-DVD's.

Me: Can I use your store computer to show you that you are worng?

CCEMployee: sure ( walks me to computer)

I pull up the HD-DVD add on from their website. The Employees look at each other and start mumbling....one writes down the item number and goes to the back storage area.

Walks out with a look of amazement..." yes we have 4 of these back there...wow...look at this ( as reads the box)...passes it to the other employee...who then calls another employee over...all are amazed that such a device exists...they had never heard of it. They call the manager over....he is amazed...they are all fondling the box like it is the Holy Grail.

The Manager exclaims " well...we gotta get these out on the floor!!!!"

I purchase it and walk out....

Between Best Buy and CC I am never at a loss for pure entertainment.

Eug: Do you have the Xbox 3....
Salesgirl: Oh, you're calling about the HD DVD drive right?
Eug: <<Shocked>> Wha'? How'd you know?
Salesgirl: We've had a LOT of people coming in or calling to ask about it.
Eug: Cool. So, do you have it?
Salesgirl: Well, it's on its way here, but if we don't get it today, it might not be until Monday.
Eug: Are you taking pre-orders, and if so, am I too late to get one?
Salesgirl: We aren't taking pre-orders, and there's a lot of interest, but you should be able to get one if you come in fairly soon after the shipment arrives. Not sure when the shipment arrives, maybe today, or maybe Monday, but we're getting 60 of them at this store.
Eug: <<Shocked again>>

"Just a quick FYI that we are looking at this problem. I don't have an update on it because I was on vacation for a while. But for now, wanted to let you know that we are finalizing our DTS encoder which once done, should produce the same experience as the Toshiba player which everyone was happy with...."

Time to return my HD-A1...

EDIT

Since so many people seem confused:

HD DVD DTS --> Decoded on Xbox 360 --> Player sounds mixed in --> Re-encoded to Dolby Digital 5.1 --> Output via SPDIF optical
HD DVD TrueHD --> Decoded on Xbox 360 --> Player sounds mixed in --> Re-encoded to Dolby Digital 5.1 --> Output via SPDIF optical
HD DVD Dolby Digital Plus --> Decoded on Xbox 360 --> Player sounds mixed in --> Re-encoded to Dolby Digital 5.1 --> Output via SPDIF optical

Thus, your receiver always receives Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 Kbps), regardless of what the original track was. However, some people have noted that on some tracks on some discs, the sound was a little bit flat.

Microsoft will be releasing an update that will allow:

HD DVD DTS --> Decoded on Xbox 360 --> Player sounds mixed in --> Re-encoded to DTS --> Output via SPDIF optical
HD DVD TrueHD --> Decoded on Xbox 360 --> Player sounds mixed in --> Re-encoded to DTS --> Output via SPDIF optical
HD DVD Dolby Digital Plus --> Decoded on Xbox 360 --> Player sounds mixed in --> Re-encoded to DTS --> Output via SPDIF optical

This new DTS output (1.5 Mbps) should hopefully correct the "flatness" some people have noticed with the previous Dolby Digital 5.1 output on the Xbox 360

the whole LOTR trilogy will be out on HDDVD 

Does the Bravia X has a Native mode, ie bypasses the internal scaler, 1 to 1 pixel mapping.

if they plan to implement region coding in the future then the drive would be useless

Bring order to the next generation of entertainment with the JOYTECH Control Center 540C. State-of-the-art technology fuses with organic design and cutting edge aesthetics, allowing you to organize and customize your AV universe like never before. Exclusively designed to compliment your Xbox 360(tm), the Control Center 540C not only matches the design of the console, but also the flexibility, automatically adjusting the exterior LCD display for horizontal or vertical use. Exhaustive next generation connections and removable faceplates ensure that the Control Center 540C will remain an essential part of your gaming lifestyle.

Features
Proprietary Xbox 360(tm) connection carries all console video and audio through one simple lead
4 HDTV ready Component Video inputs, 5 Composite Video and Stereo Audio inputs, 4
Built in 5 port 10/100 Ethernet Lan Hub provides reliable connection to PC, Xbox Live(R) and
Customizable Backlit LCD Display allows user to name individual Inputs for simple navigation
Remote control included for effortless switching between AV Equipment
Component and Composite cables included

string... does that joytech thingy upscale composite/s-video inputs to the component out? or is it just pass-thru?

Wow thats a sweet looking device there. How much was it?

So this will also essentially help me in my lack of component input problem right?

Ermm...so how much is that fancy looking switcher? I saw online and it is around RM500?

String,
time to upgrade ur speakers

anyone start the MO hehehehe?

string, how much is the final cost including all in, buying the HDDVD?

Hey string, its all the crash info and GPS info pre calculated since the movie is pretty much fixed? Its just basically layering more metadata over the movie watching experience, not some real time calculation like a game. Anyhow more interactivity in a movie is better than none.

i believe those are precalculated lah, no point real time calculating, its prerecorded movie wud.

thx strong, so in other words, to start with i need around RM 802.15 to start with, Japs version? I am on Asia console, can use also right?

Critiquing "U-Control" on Tokyo Drift
by Travis Michael, September 27, 2006

I think most of us will agree that Tokyo Drift is a reference quality disc in all aspects including picture, sound, and extras. And since it's the first title released with the U-Control feature, I wanted to share my thoughts and comments on this particular feature. I watched the movie the first time with no added features turned on since I hadn't seen the movie before. Then tonight after work, I turned on the U-Control feature and plowed through the movie again.

Here are my thoughts and comments:

1) Picture in Picture. Definitely a step beyond the traditional audio commentary. It's pretty awesome to watch a PIP of behind the scenes material and interviews that is directed towards specific parts of the movie while you are watching them (though sometimes they did go off on tangents). I found myself much more able to sit through a second viewing of a movie with the PIP extras rather than just an audio commentary (which is also included on this title, by the way). On the other hand, I wish the PIP feature had a few more options such as adjusting the size and position of the PIP screen itself (it's fairly small in the lower right corner). Also, it would be cool if you could flip the PIP with the actual movie so that the movie itself is in the PIP and the extras are on the larger screen.

2) Storyboards and Production Photos. Pretty self-explanatory - they overlay on the screen during certain segments of the movie. I'm not highly interested in these, but I know some people like them. The only problem I see is that you have to repetitively go to the button on the U-Control to turn it on. There doesn't seem to be a way to just leave it on for the whole movie. The option will appear when storyboards or photos are available and it will turn itself off when there aren't any more to display for a particular scene. So every time one pops up, you have to scroll back down and turn it back on. It would be nicer to just click it once so that all of the storyboards and/or photos display through the whole movie automatically.

3) GPS. This is a pretty unique feature but also somewhat gimmicky. During the one big race a little over half way through the movie, this option will appear and you can see the cars as dots on a map to see their location. The only problem is that the cars pretty much stay all together anyway, so there's really no point in having a GPS other than seeing where they are in relation to the city streets. Still, I can see this TYPE of feature having some great potential for the format.

4) Insurance/Damage Calculator. Another somewhat gimmicky feature, this will show an overlay with damage amounts when the cars are being damaged during specific scenes. It gives you a little chuckle to see the damages rack up when the cars get hit, but again it isn't a substantial add to the extras. But stuff like this is very welcomed and could be taken much further with success, I'm sure.

5) Tech Stats. This one shows an overlay with description information about the cars themselves when they appear in the movie. It shows the make, model, and some other figures like time from 0-60, etc. I found this to be pretty cool, especially for someone like me who doesn't know one car from the other.

NOTE: The PIP display can be left on for the entire feature, but the rest of the U-Control features mentioned above are mutually exclusive - meaning, you can only have one on at a time AND you must turn them on repetitively at different points in the movie. So while you are watching the movie with PIP turned on, other buttons will appear (like the tech stats, etc). So you scroll down and turn it on, but sometimes you have to rewind a bit if you aren't fast enough turning the button on. And there are times when multiple buttons will appear, in which case you'll have to skip back to watch both features, one at a time. This works reasonably well, aside from the pain of turning each feature on over and over (even if all you wanted to watch throughout was the storyboards).

The PIP feature is the meat and potatoes of the U-Control and it's really cool. I would like to see this feature become as standard on HD-DVD as the director's commentaries are on SD-DVD's.

Finally, I should mention that the U-Control is only a fraction of what is available in the extras department on this disc. There's a pretty neat (but again gimmicky) feature when you can change the paint job / tires of a car in a particular scene. There's the standard audio commentary, music videos, and multiple featurettes about drifting.


HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Bring on more interactive extras!

Now, here is where 'The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift' sets itself apart from all next-gen releases that have come before (and that includes you, too, Blu-ray). In a bid for high-def supremacy, Universal is seeking to expand the boundaries of the "In-Movie Experience" we're already familiar with. Though technically "interactive," IME is really just a pre-edited video commentary with two modes -- on or off -- and the few titles so far that have included the feature (such as 'The Bourne Supremacy,' 'Constantine' and 'Terminator 3') don't really let you "customize" the experience in any appreciable way. But 'Tokyo Drift' attempts to change all that, bringing true on-the-fly, user-controlled supplements to a pre-recorded video format.

Which makes my job as a reviewer now next to impossible. I'm not sure exactly how to "review" an experience that, for the first time on an optical disc format, does not exist in the linear sense. Unlike an audio commentary, or a featurette, or a bunch of deleted scenes, there is not necessarily a "start" and "stop" time to these extras. No beginning, middle and end. It is almost like a new paradigm shift in how we consume supplemental material, or, to make a bad analogy, like customizing a hot rod to your own tastes, then driving it around the track of your choosing. Weird, I know. But once you get the hang of it, rather tantalizing.

Let me try to explain the technobabble side of things. For 'Tokyo Drift,' Universal has utilized the HD DVD's format's enhanced (and until now largely untapped) iHD authoring environment. It allows for a variety of pre-encoded material (video, audio, text overlays, etc.) to be stored and accessed separately or together, as well as in real-time and on-the-fly, by users during playback. Multiple audio streams can be encoded on a disc and "mixed live" by the player for integrated supplemental audio content, picture-in-picture video streams can be displayed simultaneously, and even graphic overlays can be "mapped" to specific objects on the screen. If it sounds futuristic, it is, and 'Tokyo Drift' is only the beginning of the possibilities. (Note that some readers have reported that the 2.0 firmware upgrade is necessary in order to view the iHD-powered "U-Control" features.)

As far as the real-world experience goes, Universal has dubbed the user interface on 'Tokyo Drift' "U-Control." There are on-screen instructions to guide you, but anytime throughout the movie, you can just switch on the features you want to watch via the remote. For example, if you are watching the film and decide that during a certain scene you want to see the director's commentary as a picture-in-picture video stream, just make sure you are in U-Control mode and activate the feature -- then turn it off when you're finished. Same with the multitude of other U-Control goodies on 'Tokyo Drift.' In addition to a full-length video chat with director Justin Lin, other U-Control material includes making-of documentary footage on the film's car racing scenes, storyboards and other conceptual art, the ability to "customize" a vehicle and actually have it "drive" it in a scene from the movie (you gotta check this one out to really get an appreciation for it), and perhaps most unique of all, the "GPS mapping" function, which will give you various stats on the cars in the film. And this information is also dynamic -- for example, you can track a car's "damage estimates" as the film progresses, and it is all generated on the fly by the player.

If this sounds a bit confusing, in some ways it can be. However, I will say first that U-Control is indeed very easy to use. But at the same time, the concept is admittedly intimidating. For me, it requires a huge shift in how I perceive supplemental content. I'm used to sitting back and having extras fed to me, whether as a full-length documentary or in easily-digestible bits. With U-Control, it is all in your hands, and requires a great deal more decision-making on behalf of the user. Perhaps for the videogame generation, this is nothing new. But for an old fogey like me, who actually remembers what a Laserdisc is and still plays Pac-Man, it is like learning to ride a bike for the first time.

Certainly, I'm fascinated to see what the reaction will be to 'Tokyo Drift.' It allows for more customization than ever before to the user experience, but also feels like the opening of the door. As the HD DVD format also supports internet connectivity, it is not hard to imagine how all of this could be developed on future releases. Additional content could be made accessible via the web, or extras merged with e-commerce, or a host of other applications. But will all of this ultimately be too much for those who just want to watch the movie and maybe a few extras? I suspect that the younger generation -- especially gamers -- will warm to it easy. Older, more linear-minded users may have more trouble with it. In any case, I'm excited to see what's next...

Eh string, have u tried watching hd dvd using 1080i or 720p ?

Hows the quality ? Is it worth it ? Cant afford 1080p display