360: 120Gig HDD or HD-DVD Drive?

[Markleshark]

So as it's Christmas I'm going to treat myself, which would you guys buy and why? The 120Gig HDD or the HD DVD Drive?

I have no real rational reasons for wanting either other than I can, so go for it...

[MacRumorUser]

Surely with that staff discount you could really splash out on yourself and buy both ;):)

[Markleshark]

Surely with that staff discount you could really splash out on yourself and buy both ;):)

I want both, but I don't think I can afford them both. It's really just a 'which first?' question... Leaning towards the HD DVD Drive. You have one MRU, is it worth buying? I know what I'm getting with the HDD like.

[MacRumorUser]

Yeah the HD-DVD drive is great. It's quiet (quieter than the 360 standard drive) and as long as you dont leave a disc in your 360's drive - the 360 & HD-DVD work together quietly (important if your watching a movie)

I have a load of HD-DVD's, and the 360 drive is still one of the best value as you get the film, the remote and the drive, ( + a voucher now for five free movies depending where you get it) so for the price it's good value for money.


The HDD just depends on how much you download. To be honest even though I got the Elite, I havent used any more space on the drive than I did with the 20GB model, so it's a little bit of a waste.

[wwooden]

I used to want the 120gig harddrive, but with Connect360 and the new DivX support in the 360, I have no need to put videos on the console. These two work absolutely perfect for me, I really couldn't be happier. I usually have around 3-4gigs free on my 360 and I keep a bunch of demos on there.

I would go with the HD-DVD drive first, I think you'll get more enjoyment out of it. With the 120gig drive, really nothing changes about the system and you'll have to wait a while to have all your stuff transfered over. At least with the HD-DVD drive, you can use it right away with the included movie.

I personally buy most of my HD-DVDs online, through Amazon, I refuse to pay over $30 for a movie. But BestBuy is having a BOGO free deal right now that includes some great movies like Transformers and Shrek the Third. That is just this week though.

[twoodcc]

yeah i vote for the HD-DVD drive as well

[Spanky Deluxe]

HD DVD without a doubt. Just be prepared to end up buying a lot of films!! Since I went hidef, I've spent a fortune on HD DVDs and Bluray. Its so worth it though. Transformers is simply incredible on HD DVD.

If you're prepared to wait up to three weeks to get your films you can get them from Movietyme - they import them all from the states. Its much cheaper that way and HD DVD is region free. :)

[Markleshark]

Yeah, pretty much think thats what I've decided on. Returning Mass effect (:o) so that'll make it a touch cheaper as well.

I will be downloading the Xbox Classics, which is the reason I was looking at the 120 Gig, but there are not many titles yet so that can wait for now. HD-DVD here I come. For £90 I don't even care if Blu-Ray wins. :cool:

Edit: Cheers Spanky Deluxe, Transformers is on the list anywho mind. As is 300 (Quite simply an epic film) can't wait to get it now. Play.com are doing Buy 2 get one free on some, so I think 300, Tranformers and Blood Diamond will be my first three. Get 5 from Microsoft as well. Good times.

[Spanky Deluxe]

Yeah, pretty much think thats what I've decided on. Returning Mass effect (:o) so that'll make it a touch cheaper as well.

I will be downloading the Xbox Classics, which is the reason I was looking at the 120 Gig, but there are not many titles yet so that can wait for now. HD-DVD here I come. For £90 I don't even care if Blu-Ray wins. :cool:

Edit: Cheers Spanky Deluxe, Transformers is on the list anywho mind. As is 300 (Quite simply an epic film) can't wait to get it now. Play.com are doing Buy 2 get one free on some, so I think 300, Tranformers and Blood Diamond will be my first free. Get 5 from Microsoft as well. Good times.

Well you could get really into HD DVD and a few months down the line convince yourself that you should really go dual format and so of course you *need* a PS3... :rolleyes:

I've got 300 too but never watched it, its still sealed. It came free with my player but I never liked the look of that film. Transformers is seriously good in HD, I just finished watching it again about two minutes ago. Superman Returns is meant to be a very good HD transfer. If you get the HD player, keep an eye on the bargains forum on avforums (http://www.avforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=49). Anyone that finds a good deal puts it up there. I'm unwise enough to subscribe to that forum and its made me buy way too many films just because they were a 'good deal'.

[MacRumorUser]

^ Superman Returns ain't all that hot. It's one of the poorer HD movies I've seen. Not a huge difference over DVD

[gkarris]

HD DVD drive, definitely.

I downloaded Star Trek in HD from XBox Live and the 720p versions only make your mouth water for the 1080 ones...

Just make sure you have the system for it, and only certain movies filmed or remastered for HD are the only ones really worth getting...

(anxiously awaits the arrival of "Blade Runner" in the mail...)

[Spanky Deluxe]

HD DVD drive, definitely.

I downloaded Star Trek in HD from XBox Live and the 720p versions only make your mouth water for the 1080 ones...

Just make sure you have the system for it, and only certain movies filmed or remastered for HD are the only ones really worth getting...

(anxiously awaits the arrival of "Blade Runner" in the mail...)

I've got the Star Trek Season 1 Boxset in HD DVD and it is simply incredible. I'm rationing watching it since I know it'll take them about a year before they release the next season. Watch maybe one a week roughly.

The films I want more than anything else to be remastered are all the Trek films and the LOTR films. Both are set to come to HD DVD rather than Blu-ray although not for a good while.

I've got Blade Runner too but haven't watched it yet, I keep buying all these darned films but don't watch them! I blame it on the girlfriend, she always wants to watch Hollyoaks and then Friends in the evenings and then she's 'too tired' for a film.

[MacRumorUser]

^ I just got the USA BladeRunner 5 disc set. Why the hell did they only give Europe a 2 disc version ?

[Spanky Deluxe]

^ I just got the USA BladeRunner 5 disc set. Why the hell did they only give Europe a 2 disc version ?

I have no idea. I've got the 5 disc one too. In the normal, non metal, box though. How they could fit that many disks into there is beyond me.

[gkarris]

^ I just got the USA BladeRunner 5 disc set. Why the hell did they only give Europe a 2 disc version ?

Europe has only a "Final Cut" on the HD version. We here in the US also get the "Theatrical Release", the "International Video Release", and the "Working Version" in the HD set. If Europeans want those versions, they have to get the standard DVD...

I'm confused with all the different releases of the film...

[Markleshark]

Well I've decided on the HD-DVD Drive, have to wait till after Christmas though I'd say.

Going to get 'The Ultimate Bourne Collection' when they have that in stock at play.com. All 3 films in HD DVD for £32.99.

A quick HD question though, films that have already been made; they can then go back and master them into HD from the original recordings, right? It's not just some watered down computer trickery?

[Spanky Deluxe]

Well I've decided on the HD-DVD Drive, have to wait till after Christmas though I'd say.

Going to get 'The Ultimate Bourne Collection' when they have that in stock at play.com. All 3 films in HD DVD for £32.99.

A quick HD question though, films that have already been made; they can then go back and master them into HD from the original recordings, right? It's not just some watered down computer trickery?

Well the print you see in the cinema is beyond HD, as in seriously beyond 1080p. They just get that copy and size it for HD, no dirty trickery involved. I've got Space Odyssey 2001 and that looks simply incredible and was made long before even Laserdisks were invented. :)

I think you're eligible for five free HD DVDs via a form that you send off so you can get a few films that way. :)

[Dagless]

The moment Apple lets us use 360 HD-DVD drives in DVD Player I'm buying one.

I was going to say get the HD-DVD drive but you've already settled on it :)

[2nyRiggz]

^ I just got the USA BladeRunner 5 disc set. Why the hell did they only give Europe a 2 disc version ?

I just picked this up on blu-ray...loving it. OP get the HD-DVD drive I think you'll get more use out of it now...wait until you really need HDD. Does the HDD come with the migration kit....if not then that sucks.



Bless

[Dagless]

^ I just got the USA BladeRunner 5 disc set. Why the hell did they only give Europe a 2 disc version ?

Probably like how our PSP slim only comes with the console, mains adapter and manual :)

[Markleshark]

I just picked this up on blu-ray...loving it. OP get the HD-DVD drive I think you'll get more use out of it now...wait until you really need HDD. Does the HDD come with the migration kit....if not then that sucks.



Bless

Yeah, it does. Which is a good thing.

Carlisle match has been called off 2mora, so I'm prolly gonna clean the car and pop up the town and get a one. :)

[MacRumorUser]

Well the print you see in the cinema is beyond HD, as in seriously beyond 1080p.

Yep that it exactly. Basically FILM is high resolution, just that we never had the means to be able to see it in its full detail before.

There is actually a lot of older films that look so much better in HD than a lot of newer movies which utlise a huge amount of post filtering, added grain and other gubbins.

[Markleshark]

Well I am now the proud owner of a 360 HD DVD Drive. I also ended up buying 'Jarhead' and 'The Ultimate Bourne Collection' for myself as well, as the player only ended up costing me £36. :D

Just filled my form in for the 5 free ones from Microsoft, so I shall post that but gawd knows when I'll get them, hopefully they wont have a fit when they see my receipt... Muahahaha...

[Spanky Deluxe]

Well I am now the proud owner of a 360 HD DVD Drive. I also ended up buying 'Jarhead' and 'The Ultimate Bourne Collection' for myself as well, as the player only ended up costing me £36. :D

Just filled my form in for the 5 free ones from Microsoft, so I shall post that but gawd knows when I'll get them, hopefully they wont have a fit when they see my receipt... Muahahaha...

£36????? At that price I'd consider getting one in case Apple ever get round to supporting HD DVD!

[MacRumorUser]

£36?????

I assume that was staff discount ;)

[Vigilante]

120 GB hands down. Sure, I only have like 80GB filled, but it will eventually get there.

[MacRumorUser]

120 GB hands down. Sure, I only have like 80GB filled, but it will eventually get there.

The thing is you have a lot of downloadable movies and stuff, where as we have 'limited' amount of media to download. I assume 'licensing rights'

[Vigilante]

We meaning Britain? Yes, I have like 120 arcade games (they don't take up much room, though), 80 demos, 20 game previews/game cinematics, and I transferred over half of my music collection. If you are in Britain, what do you have?

[MacRumorUser]

^ Actually I meant Europe as a whole..

But they have 'just' started offering movie rentals. USA has had that ages haven't you.

But other than that the usual demos and stuff is the same.

I thought they were meant to start IPTV in the USA this winter with the 360.

[Vigilante]

I don't do movie rentals on there, anyways. I use... um... different means to acquire my movies. :)

Where did you hear about IPTV? I know what it is, but I never heard of it coming to the X360.

[Markleshark]

I assume that was staff discount ;)

Yeah, and I returned Mass Effect. So is it true they are stopping production of HD DVDs next year then? That'd be a bit annoying.

I must admit, having never really shopped for BluRay or HD DVD I'd not taken much notice, but in terms of catalogue size only BlueRay > HD DVD. Doesn't mean the quality of films available is the same though.

[Spanky Deluxe]

Yeah, and I returned Mass Effect. So is it true they are stopping production of HD DVDs next year then? That'd be a bit annoying.

I must admit, having never really shopped for BluRay or HD DVD I'd not taken much notice, but in terms of catalogue size only BlueRay > HD DVD. Doesn't mean the quality of films available is the same though.

They're not stopping making HD DVDs. Neither Blu Ray nor HD DVD is winning, its a stale mate. Both have exclusive titles. The interactive feature of HD DVD is superior to Blu-ray's and is more feature complete, Blu Ray has some of the big studios on their back (who largely go with Blu-ray because of its region coding). But then HD DVD players are much cheaper and better value for money and HD DVDs are often cheaper (and you can import them from the states without region coding). Blu-ray has a larger apparent installed base, however, that's because of all the PS3s sold. All HD DVD players have been bought for people who want to watch films. Most PS3s have been bought for people who want to play games.
You'll get some very strong and biased views on these and particularly some PS3 fans will kick and scream about how immensely superior Blu-ray is.

Personally, I prefer HD DVD. Maybe its because I don't particularly like Sony. Maybe its because the players are better value for money or maybe its just the fact that they don't have region coding so you can get disks for often half price via import. To avoid hassle, however, I've gone dual format and have both a stand alone HD DVD player and a PS3.

I think that the 'format war' is over and neither side has won. There are a couple of dual format players coming out early next year and I think this is where the future will be. While they'll be expensive to start, come Christmas 2008 I reckon you'll be able to get a dual format player for ~£150 and the Blu-Ray, HD DVD thing will go the way of DVR+RW and DVD-RW.

[MacRumorUser]

^ I prefer HD-DVD menus and stuff.

Quality wise of the movies themselves - they are indistinguishable really.

I like the fact HD-DVD is region free too.


Euro perspective.


The actual sales ratio is really around 60/40 or 55/45 for BluRay to HD-DVD

Those that say its two or three times more are falling for the marketing BS discrepancy that Sony are keeping secret... When they say BluRay sales to HD-DVD they often mean THE WHOLE of BluRay sales which includes PS3 games too. It's a bit sneaky and misleading.

[Spanky Deluxe]

Those that say its two or three times more are falling for the marketing BS discrepancy that Sony are keeping secret... When they say BluRay sales to HD-DVD they often mean THE WHOLE of BluRay sales which includes PS3 games too. It's a bit sneaky and misleading.

Yet another reason why I don't like Sony.

Also, with HD DVD being region free, a lot of people in Europe will be buying imported films. Most of the Blu-rays I buy are UK region. Most of my HD DVDs are US. If UK purchases of US HD DVDs were included, HD DVD would probably outdo Bluray.

[Markleshark]

So I'm ok with HD DVD for now? I'm not bothered, if needs be I'll splash out another £36 for the Blu-Ray version of the 360 drive and have both. ;)

So Movietyme are ok then? I've ordered a couple now, don't mind waiting.

[MacRumorUser]

Movietyme are very good. I've bought HD-DVD & BluRay from them. They keep sending me 50p off vouchers by email, as if that's gonna act as a big incentive to spend ? :rolleyes::p:D

[Spanky Deluxe]

Movietyme are very good. I've bought HD-DVD & BluRay from them. They keep sending me 50p off vouchers by email, as if that's gonna act as a big incentive to spend ? :rolleyes::p:D

Ditto. As long as you don't want it sharpish. I've had some deliveries take over two calendar weeks. Sometimes you get them within a few days. Pre-orders tend to be pretty quick too - I think they might get a bunch over of newly released ones and then dispatch them from the UK.

[MacRumorUser]

I think they might get a bunch over of newly released ones and then dispatch them from the UK.

Yeah a lot of the USA and Canada based stores often send bulk stuff to a european despatch center where they are re-sorted and posted on.