I don't think it's worth it to get a PS3 with backwards compatibility, but maybe I say that because I already have 2 PS2's. In any case, I like the looks of the PS3 slim a lot better, and I think it does upscale over component. Not positive, though.
the inability to upscale via component (And for the same reason not being able to watch DVDs/BD movies/copyrighted video over Remote Play on the PSP) is artificial and imposed by the licensor. The HDMI up-scaling seems to be a sort of loophole I think
It is simply because HDMI has DRM (HDCP) and component does not. That's why it is often referred to as the "analog hole" when copying a HD signal via component. -hl718
It's worth pointing out that the 360's HD-DVD drive doesn't have much in the way of processing hardware in it - that's all handled by the 360 itself. Would be interesting to know if that process deals with DVDs differently to a stock 360.
btw, the drive also works with a PC. Drivers should unofficially be found if you google. I might have them somewhere, too. @Alchy, one drive is SATA the other is PATA if memory serves. Other than that, it's sitting on the same abstraction layer.
I've got a pair of 360 HD DVD players (one in use, the second as a backup). The HD DVD drive is basically just a drive in a shell. It doesn't contain any funky hardware beyond two extra USB ports on the back (as it needs to connect to one on your system to work), a design that allows it to have the WiFi dongle clipped onto its back (as normal people would use the USB port on the back of the 360 + doubling as a WiFi adapter cable extender = w00t!), and it has a built in 200mb storage capacity for downloadable online content accessed via certain HD DVDs. It appears as an extra drive under "My Xbox" on the NXE dashboard (almost all the way to the right). If you still have a pre-NXE dashboard (and get the install disc for the player), it will basically "split" the drive option on the dashboard into two halves (top and bottom. Top being game and bottom being the HD DVD player, iirc) It plays HD DVDs (which are all region free) and regular DVDs (region restricted, not sure if that's hardware or software controlled). Does not play CDs. I find it particularly handy for when I get lazy while either watching dual disc versions of movies (Extended Editions of films and stuff) or TV series. Not having to swap discs, just change which drive I read from on my 360. Getting a pile of cheap HD DVD releases is also fairly easy (and well worth it, should there be shows, movies or documentaries available that you want). Getting a player + a pile of discs = cheap. And I know that I at least haven't regret my purchase of a couple of players + well over 40 releases :nod: Got any actual experience with this? Is the region detection for the HD DVD drive actually controlled by the drive and not software? I've been hoping to get an answer to this for a while. 'Cause if they are (hardware controlled), I so need to grab a US/R1 drive to replace my current EU/R2 drive. So I may also play R1 DVDs on my 360 :nod: (Come to think of it... I haven't checked if the Is this correct for the 360? I don't recall my TV changing display modes during playback of DVDs back when I was still on component. Either way, VGA + HDMI scales perfectly fine and makes the 360 a perfectly good DVD player (with the exception of the odd DTS compatibility issue during playback of max high bitrate DTS audio tracks. Not entirely sure what's up with that... encountered it on like 2-3 of my movies)
All DVD upscaling equipment must do so over HDMI. It is against license to upscale over anologue connections.
One quick query. Does anyone know whether Mac drivers exist that would allow the HD DVD player to work on an iMac? I know Google is my friend, but when I asked my friend he came back with yes / no / maybe and wondered whether anyone actually knew for certain without me wading through 15,565 articles on the matter. Thanks!
Doesnt matter since there isnt an HDDVD or Bluray player for OSX yet. It'd work under bootcamp, probably (depending on the display of an iMac, dunno the details on that).
I have dual boot into OSX & XP so it may actually work. If I can be bothered to dig it out of the attic I shall let you know how it goes.
