Video of Xbox 360 HD DVD player in action

We've already got the info on the Japanese prices and 1080p support (whether it's really necessary/useful or not), but how about we see the thing in action. Microsoft gave a live demo of the HD DVD drive at the Tokyo Game Show and the guys from Xboxyde were there to see it. The cam video isn't HD, only 960x540, but you can get a good look at the much-ballyhooed special interactive features of the Fast and the Furious 3: Tokyo Drift HD DVD coming soon, as well as the Xbox 360's ability to bring the guide up as the movie continues to play in the background. Even if you're not thinking of getting the HD DVD add-on, who could miss a moment of the glory that is Fast and the Furious 3? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 20th 2006 7:14PM]

This is freakin great!
And the release date is right before all the Reeve Superman movies, and Superman Returns are released on DVD. Those movies were the ones that were going to finally push me into the HD-DVD Market for good. Now it won't cost me near as much since I already have the 360.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 20th 2006 7:15PM]

Cooooooooooool.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 20th 2006 10:04PM]

The whole high definition landscape just got more interesting.

[scotty1time Posted Sep 20th 2006 10:32PM]

JimJimBinks I think you are on my Xbox Live friends list from the Planet forums. It's a small HD world.

I too am really looking forward to this lower cost option when its available, especially with Batman Begins and the Superman films coming out.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 20th 2006 10:55PM]

Not to mention that it'll upscale regular DVDs as well. That was my one concern about the HD-DVD addon, but I wonder if the upscaling of regular DVDs is more of the fall software update via Xbox live than the HD-DVD addon. It might be a requirment to have the HD-DVD addon to get the DVD upscaling, I guess only time will tell but either way I sure am glad that it has it.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 21st 2006 6:00AM]

I have just seen on xbox 360 site they are going to enable 1080p as well on 360 its going to upset Sony as this was big thing with blue ray HD DVD add on $179 want one now on list of must buys

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 21st 2006 6:37AM]

Yeah too bad you wont be able to display it in 1080p on ANY TV currently available. Should be nice for monitor users I guess.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 21st 2006 9:07AM]

I wish I had the money to download this video :(

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 22nd 2006 1:52AM]

Why is it only announced for a Japan release? Will it be available in the US at a similar time? The 360 is a small market in Japan and I wonder if they have limited # of units at this early date. Is this announcement a PR move?

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 21st 2006 10:30AM]

Whoah...the 360 will be able to up-convert regular DVDs either by software or with this HD-DVD addon? I haven't read that yet. If so that is excellent news...for about $200 I think I'm sold. Now if BluRay would just go away life would be grand haha.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 21st 2006 10:50AM]

Now with 1080p support the HD-DVD add-on at $199 or less is pretty much a no brainer for me. My Mits 1080p set does support native 1080p via VGA so supporting it over component really does matter to me. Plus I dont see why Microsoft wouldnt put out a HDMI cable at some point anyways. Sony better hope a standalone blu-ray player doesn't show up for $399 or less because that will be the day I see absolutely no need for a PS3.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 21st 2006 10:50AM]

#7 - If you dont have the money to download the video - then you really dont ahev the money for the add-on. That means you would just be getting more worked up anyway :-)

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 21st 2006 1:21PM]

WASD John,

I believe the upscaling of DVDs is already on the 360, but you have to use the VGA connection to utilize the feature.

Ill ask the team and will try to clarify it for ya.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 21st 2006 2:06PM]

#9

There is another conference called X06 on the 27th where they will most likely announce the US date. It'll probably be the same day.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 21st 2006 2:48PM]

Excellent, I want one now, now...

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 21st 2006 3:09PM]

#13 Matt, yes, upscaling of DVDs was added during the spring update, via VGA only.

#7 The Natural

"Yeah too bad you wont be able to display it in 1080p on ANY TV currently available." -- What do you mean by that? I thought the AACS rule (or whatever its called, so many HD acronams) hadn't been enforced yet?

And the video has been removed from Xbox Xyde, another can be found at Gamevideos though...

http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/6237

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 22nd 2006 9:02AM]

This was the Tokyo Game Show. Microsoft focused most of the information towards the japanese community that was there.

We do have X06, which although is a big European event, usually has alot of big information that regards the xbox brand across the world.

-Matt, Xbox MVP

[EHamilton Posted Sep 23rd 2006 2:33AM]

That demo was very nice and did quite well at showing off the XBOX 360 as a more than basic HD-DVD player. This addon is shaping up to be what seems like a great value.