Xbox 360 Hi Definition problems?

[patrober]

[off topic!]

Wow deltatango301! Thats an impressive collection of toys you have there! I thought i was lucky having 1 pinball table (TZ).

Envious....

P

[Beertiger]

Taken from another forum which translated the original into English. Original source is here http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/64507

-No digital interfaces to displays / TVs. No MPEG-4, VC-1 or H.264, only MPEG-1 and 2, but some may be added in a firmware upgrade (either online or via new games - users don't get a choice). This will also be used to fix security holes.

- Only via streaming from MCE can WMV-HD be played, but only non-DRM'd ones. DRM'd content will only be streamed in single definition (480p?). Computer with Windows XP can only stream music or photos.

- Presentation was with the native resolution of the console, 1280x720, higher resolutions will simply be upscaled. The following resolutions can be set in the dashboard: 640x480, 848x480, 1024x768, 1280x720, 1280x768, 1360x768. No 1920x1080 (1080i).

Seems like they've severely crippled the streaming content for no sane reason. Looks like everyone will be chipping them again. More technical analysis going on here http://www.beyond3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24123. I think that's the original post too.

[loadsofleads]

and initial games will most likely be on DVD.

I don't think so, Electronic Arts and many others have stated that the capacity of blu-ray will be utilised fully in games, and add that they would be hard pressed to produce games with HD, surround sound etc without it.

Makes you wonder how they will get on with squezzing games onto the XBOX360

[Pooon]

Originally Posted by taffyboyo

Although you can bet that company's like Ixos will be busy producing their own versions with hdmi connectivity

Surely thats not possible!. what with HDMI being a purely digital signal, which the 360 does not output, so how would anyone make a lead that starts out analogue(component) then magically changes into a digital one(HDMI/DVi)?

[loadsofleads]

what with HDMI being a purely digital signal, which the 360 does not output

What do you mean, 'does not output' ? Where do you get this information from. You assume that the signal coming out of the XBOX360 is analogue because the official HD cable has component cables, your wrong. The reason Microsoft chose component over HDMI is the same reason Sky is incorporating component onto the first generation of Sky HD boxes......... compatibility. Are you telling me because SKY HD boxes use component, that they are analogue STB's

[Beertiger]

Originally Posted by taffyboyo

What do you mean, 'does not output' ? Where do you get this information from. You assume that the signal coming out of the XBOX360 is analogue because the official HD cable has component cables, your wrong. The reason Microsoft chose component over HDMI is the same reason Sky is incorporating component onto the first generation of Sky HD boxes......... compatibility. Are you telling me because SKY HD boxes use component, that they are analogue STB's

Heck man 3 posts up is a post about people that have seen one in the flesh and got a tech list. It was already common knowledge before that display that the X360 does not have the capability to display a digital signal from the graphics card.

[AML]

Originally Posted by deltatango301

Hi

After reading that thread its made a bit clearer to me now
personally I would like HD playback for the Plasma weather its Blue Ray
or HD DVD I dont think it matters in the 1st instance I bought the plasma
because my daughter kept on she wanted my Sony 36" CRT so thought I
would have a Plasma to keep in line with whats happening in TV then had
to make discision on HD or NO HD I went the HD line so thats where we
now and want to make the right discision on Playback i don't really want
games but the PS3 seems to be a option and the Xbox 360 is on the
backburner maybe will cancel that on monday by waiting for the PS3 to
come out in Spring 2006 will see how the Sky HD broadcast box and setup
is going and maybe by then the HD war might be a little clearer

Terry

If you dont plan on playing any games then I dont see the point of buying a PS3. It will be expensive becuase its a brand new machine and it has a Blu Ray drive making it even more expensive. If I were you I would wait for the first batch or even the second batch of Blu Ray or HD DVD players or PC drives to come out. These will focus on video play back and not on games making them better for actuall video and maybe cheaper than the PS3.

However, depending on what price these new players and drives come out at, it may in fact be cheaper to buy a PS3 as a player, and keep it for any games you or your daughter may want to play. Never say never!

One thing is for sure, the XBox 360 will be for games only and you shouldnt bother with it if you want video play back.

One other thing i didnt mention. The PS3 will output 1080p while the 360 only goes up to 1080i.

Im assuming blu ray will also go all the way up to 1080p so i hope your plasma can handle that!

[James B]

Originally Posted by taffyboyo

What do you mean, 'does not output' ? Where do you get this information from. You assume that the signal coming out of the XBOX360 is analogue because the official HD cable has component cables, your wrong. The reason Microsoft chose component over HDMI is the same reason Sky is incorporating component onto the first generation of Sky HD boxes......... compatibility. Are you telling me because SKY HD boxes use component, that they are analogue STB's

The difference is that the Sky HD Box has HDMI as well as component, giving the user the choice of what they want to use. The Xbox 360 has component only, there is no digital lead available or announced.

Whilst it may be possible, it seems bizzarre for MS not to have announced it if it were!

[James B]

Originally Posted by Juzminator

Sure I know that it ain't gonna play HD-DVD stuff (due to the lack of an HD-DVD drive), but has this lack of upscaling been confirmed by MS? If that's the case then I'll have to be looking at getting an Oppo or Samsung HD950 for my upscaling DVD thrills...which would be an ass-pain.

The DVD Forum specify that in order to offer upscaling (officially) it has to be done over either DVI or HDMI with HDCP. So if they did offer upscaling over the component leads, it would be in breach of the DVD specifications.

I know there are plenty of players of there that do offer upscaling over component, but they are usually from smaller manufacturers who can get away with this sort of stuff!

[richard plumb]

thats the kicker though.

HDMI is there on sky to protect the movie studios' copyright. Same with PS3/bluray.

No reason other than a slight increase in image quality to put a digital out. and with MS actually trying to make money this time, every cent helps.

[Pooon]

Originally Posted by taffyboyo

Are you telling me because SKY HD boxes use component, that they are analogue STB's

i think your putting words in your head. i never mentioned sky, and why would anyone, ever, for any reason, say that beacuse something has an analogue output that it would have to be a analogue product, thats just madness

an i don't know for certain, its just my assumpion that the 360 has a analogue video output, as there is no evidence to suggest otherwise

[danvitale]

Originally Posted by James B

I know there are plenty of players of there that do offer upscaling over component, but they are usually from smaller manufacturers who can get away with this sort of stuff!

Samsung are not a small company the last time I looked

They sponsor Chelsea!!!

[James B]

Originally Posted by danvitale

Samsung are not a small company the last time I looked

They sponsor Chelsea!!!

True, but their players offer scaling over HDMI with HDCP, the component output scaling is only available through a hack.

[Lord Midas]

[quote]

Originally Posted by danvitale

Samsung are not a small company the last time I looked
They sponsor Chelsea!!!

Originally Posted by James B

True, but their players offer scaling over HDMI with HDCP, the component output scaling is only available through a hack.

[quote]

LOL - You mean their "players" keep failing believing themselves to be "hacked" and diving like a bunch of girls... oops, wrong forum!!

ahem...

[James B]

Originally Posted by Lord Midas

LOL - You mean their "players" keep failing believing themselves to be "hacked" and diving like a bunch of girls... oops, wrong forum!!

ahem...

LOL