The Next Generation of games consoles is closely lined up with the Next Generation of Optical Disks for Movies, HD-DVD and Blu-Ray. HD-DVD and Blu-Ray are both billing themselves as the standard “to be” for the Next Gen of movies, High Definition movies that is. Sony joined and helped to drive the Blu-Ray consortium along with Fox, Pioneer and Samsung while Microsoft joined the HD-DVD consortium along with Intel, Toshiba, NEC and Universal. Blu-Rays only real promise has been capacity which is finally at 50GB (they launched with 25GB). The majority of Blu-Ray supporters are using the ancient MPEG-2 codec (simply increasing the bit rate) for High Definition video while HD-DVD supports have adapted the new VC-1 codec for High Definition video and it has become VERY apparent in the first round of this war that the codec used for HD-DVD is far more efficient (needs less space) and provides better image quality that the codec used for Blu-Ray.
Blu-Ray is quickly turning out to be about nothing more than capacity (which cost them dearly when it comes to development costs and time spent) and two layers of copy protection (HD-DVD uses one layer of protection). The HD-DVD camp on the other hand has chosen a technology that is similar to the existing DVD standard, cost less than Blu-Ray to manufacture, is more reliable than Blu-Ray (Blu-Ray data is stored closer to the surface of the disk making it easier to damage), which in the end allowed the HD-DVD camp to spend their time optimizing the format for what matters MOST, the Video and Audio.
Toshiba released their HD-A1 HD-DVD Player this summer with Samsung launching their Blu-Ray Player shortly after. The HD-A1 has garnished good reviews while the Blu-Ray has been criticized for having soft images and weak detail. Believe it or not, HD-DVD at 1080i is better than Blu-Ray at 1080p (and Yes, I have compared for myself). The Toshiba Player is the best High Definition Product on the market, PERIOD. Better can Comcast HD, Dish HD, and DirectTV HD as these broadcasts are limited to a bit rate around 17 to 21 Mbps (Megabit per second) while HD-DVD is at 30 to 34 Mbps.
This week, Microsoft finally shipped their XBOX 360 External HD-DVD Player into stores. The XBOX 360 HD-DVD Player is an External Drive that connects via USB to the XBOX 360 and is powered by an external power supply (not as the big the 360 power supply). Microsoft includes a copy of King Kong HD-DVD and the 360 Remote with the HD-DVD drive which makes the purchase an OUTSTANDING deal at $199.99 MSRP (+ tax of course).
The HD-DVD Drive is made by Toshiba for Microsoft but the player uses software to decode instead of video processors called DSP’s (Digital Signal Processors) that are used in the Toshiba HD-DVD Player and Samsung Blu-Ray Player. Since no DSP is present in the 360, the XBOX Dev team adopted the H.264 codec but customized the codec to work best with the 360 GPU and its triple cores. Since the 360 does not support HDMI or have any digital connectivity, the only option for output of HD is via component or VGA (must purchase 360 VGA Adapter).
360 HD-DVD Player Installation:
Installation is very simple:
1. Connect the power to the unit
2. Connect the USB cable to Player and 360
3. Insert the installation CD into your XBOX 360 Console. Upon installation I was promoted to download an update for player. 10 seconds later, I was all ready to go.
The 360 HD-DVD Player, Toshiba HD-A1 and the Chronicles of Riddick Directors Cut HD-DVD
When I purchased my Toshiba HD-DVD Player I also purchased many of the best movies available. The Chronicles of Riddick and Serenity are the best two movies on HD-DVD (my benchmark movies) followed by the release of Batman Begins (this fall). I will use the Chronicles of Riddick for today’s review and comparison as I have watched the movie many times in standard definition and also high definition on my Toshiba Player. The Chronicles of Riddick is an excellent benchmark movie as it has many qualities that are appealing in high definition. I have 3 HD displays in my house and today I will use my Panasonic 52” 720p/1080i LCD Projection HDTV and my Optoma EP-1690 HD 720p/1080i Native Projector. All movies will be viewed using 720p and 10801 resolutions.
The Chronicles of Riddick on the XBOX 360 HD-DVD Player is extremely GOOD in comparison to the Toshiba HD-DVD Player (either component or HDMI). I was actually very surprised at how well it holds up to the HDMI on the Toshiba. Riddick features tons of special effects such as the opening scene with the Lord Marshall launching the Necromonger weapon. The level of detail present on the armor attached to the hand is crisp and sharp. The armor comes off as being worn, dark and dingy. The first scene featuring Riddick running from Tombs on the Ice Planet is also right on the money in comparison to the Toshiba Player. If you have seen the HD version, the planet surface is actually a purple/blue tint from the ultraviolet light that reflects off the surface of the planet. The Ice looks crisp and very cold. The 360 delivers nearly the same experience as the Toshiba Player.
The opening scene also features lots of facial shots with ultraviolet light reflecting off the skin of Tombs (and his Mercs) and Riddick. The level of detail present in the skin is a good indicator of HD quality. You can see the pores in the skin in addition to individual blades of hair on their heads (and in the eye brows and eye lashes). You can also see imperfections in their skin which unfortunately is the down side of high definition.
Water and Sweat in high definition also look fantastic. Riddick has many scenes in which the cast is covered in sweat when on Crematoria. Sweat tends to bring out more detail in the skin and creates a cool glossy look. The scenes in the prison are excellent. Sweat shines and reflects in the movie making for a great effect throughout. When feeding time comes, the creatures color change in HD is wicked. Their rough textured skin changes to red with such realism and when one of the creatures walks thru the small waterfall to find Riddick hiding is totally “stunning”. The water looks larger than life running off the creature and Riddick’s trademark “polished eyes” look sharp and lucid. Again, I am very impressed.
Up next in the movie is the scene when the gang escapes the prison and makes their way to the volcano fields. The surface is made up of harden lava which comes off as very black, smooth and shiny (a great effect). And as the planet surface heats up to 700+ degrees, the fireballs moving across the surface are bright and full of colors (red and orange). The final fight scenes on Crematoria are also stunning. Once again the sweat on the cast is outstanding which brings out the detail in the texture of their skin.
The final showdown between the Lord Marshall and Riddick is a beauty to watch. The detail present in Necropolis is staggering. The metallic color of the statues, the armor worn by the Necros, and the surface of the floor are all stunning (exceeding my expectations).
The light levels and color via the 360 HD-DVD Player using Component is nearly identical to the Toshiba HD-A1 Player using HDMI. The Toshiba Player has a bit (very small) more contrast and colors are a little more vivid (again very small), but the difference is truly nominal and should NOT sway anyone from purchasing the 360 HD-DVD Player for their personal viewing enjoyment. When comparing the 360 HD-DVD using component to the Toshiba Player using component the result is identical. I could not really find any "noticeable" difference.
720p provides an outstanding image. But like the Toshiba Player, 1080i provides a little better (and noticeable) image quality, especially during static scenes or scenes with very little motion.
The 360 HD-DVD Player supports the usual suspects when it comes to audio (not a bad thing at all). Dolby Digital and DTS are supported. Both formats deliver the level of quality we expect. The sound is loud, clear, and crisp and the bass is deep (and full). Unfortunately TrueHD is not supported as there are no analog outputs or HDMI but Microsoft does list TrueHD in their specs. (See my Batman Begins TrueHD review for more TrueHD). The assumption is Microsoft has the support in the works. We will have to wait for additional details in the future.
The 360 HD-DVD Player is worth every penny and then “some”. The level of quality is above my expectations and definitely is comparable to the Toshiba HD-DVD Player in every way. Stop reading this and head to a store to purchase yours today.
Stay tuned for more impressions with additional movies soon.
12-19-2006, 02:55 AM
Linear Mode
