Xbox 360 HD DVD Player Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been using this Xbox HD-DVD player for almost a month now and so far it works just great. I actually had no plans to buy either Blu-Ray or HD-DVD until one of those losers became a dominate player. Unfortunately it doesn't look like that's going to happen any time soon. And for $200, I couldn't pass it up since I already had an Xbox. And I couldn't bring myself to keep buying low-def regular DVD's with these awesome HD DVD's out there. AND, the HD DVD combo discs still have regular DVD content for normal DVD players in other rooms in the house.

Out of the box, this drive is extremely easy to setup. Just pop in the setup CD, plug it in, and you're ready to go. There is a separate power cord as well. The included remote is nice, but I'll stick with my Harmony 880. It's able to control all the basic functions of the player. The player is also unable take advantage of the improved audio quality of HD-DVD, so you just get the normal "good" audio quality you had with previous DVD's. Which isn't bad, but still somewhat disappointing. Otherwise, all the menu's work nicely, the player starts up fairly quick, and the picture quality is awesome - for component video at least.

Component is probably the biggest negative I can think of - and that's really due to the Xbox 360's fault, not the player itself. If you think HD DVD looks good on your xbox component connection in 1080i, just wait until you see it via your HDMI port in 1080i or even 1080p (if your TV accept 1080p and is big enough to take advantage of such a high res). Unfortunately, there is no word of HDMI for the xbox. So you only get 1080i via the Component connection. To get 1080p, you need the VGA cable, which has a somewhat better picture.

So I bought the VGA cable. The picture does look a little better on my 61' Samsung HL-S6187W since it's also at 1080p, but there is a 1-3" border around the screen, and the image is tilted. Samsung had no idea how to fix it. But I suspected that might happen since a TV with a VGA port is still a TV, not a PC Monitor. Your results will of course vary depending on your model TV.

The VGA port limitations aren't that big of a deal. If you REALLY want 1080p, you just need HDMI - period. I'll live with 1080i via Component for now until the 1080p players come down in price. In the meantime, at least I've got some awesome looking HD movies to watch on my new TV!

Pros:
* Cheapest HD-DVD solution if you have an XBox 360
* Easy to setup
* Accepts IR from your universal remote via the Xbox
* Great picture quality
* Includes Microsoft Remote and free King-Kong HD-DVD
* UPDATE: HDMI Output (with Xbox 360 Elite Only)

Cons:
* Only outputs 1080i via Component (VGA required for 1080p)
* VGA output has limitations, both due to Xbox and/or your TV
* Can't take advantage of HD-DVD improved audio quality formats

Bottom line, if you have an Xbox 360, and have a HD TV, you've gotta pick one of these up. You just can't go wrong for a $200 entry-level HD player!

*** ELITE/HDMI UPDATE ***

Just purchased the Xbox 360 Elite w/ HDMI. This HD DVD player is even more awesome than before. We just watched the entire Matrix Trilogy in HD DVD in 1080p on the 61" Samsung DLP - and it looked awesome. When compared to component, the HDMI picture is much more crisp, detailed, and even better black levels. Definately recommended!

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Product Description:
You've experienced next-gen gaming on Xbox 360™ ... now experience next-gen DVD movies with HD DVD. The Xbox 360 HD DVD Player is the most affordable way to jump into the next generation of DVD technology, along with the flexibility to enter when you are ready. Just plug Xbox 360 HD DVD Player into Xbox 360 and enjoy the ultimate home theater experience with more clarity and detail than broadcast, cable or satellite HD. Feed your HDTV the high definition content it craves with HD DVD on Xbox 360!Includes the movie King Kong on HD-DVD.Xbox 360 HD-DVD requires a Xbox 360 game console.This is not a stand-alone HD-DVD player.

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Logitech Harmony Xbox 360 Remote Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Pros: Easy to use, easy to program, supports Xbox 360 out-of-the-box

Cons: Some of the usual Harmony buttons are missing, small number pad takes some getting used to, Expensive

This is not my first Harmony remote.Even though I don't yet have a 360 (I know I'll be getting one sooner or later), I decided to go ahead and upgrade so that I could pass my older Harmony 688 on to a relative who really could use it.As soon as I heard about this remote, I knew I had to have one.As someone who is excited about the Media Center Extender abilities of the new Xbox 360 (because I've been looking for a way to hear my multiple gigabytes of mp3's and wma's through my home theater's sound system), I was thrilled to find out that I'd be able to use a Harmony remote to control the 360.

I really need say only one thing about this remote (or any other Harmony remote, for that matter), and that is that once you've used this device for a week or two, you'll wonder how you ever got along without one.Sure, I've got small gripes about the Harmony 360.Because of the added Xbox 360 compatibility, some of the buttons usually present on other Harmony remotes (such as Sound, Picture, Page Up/Down, and dedicated Activity buttons) have been replaced by the YXAB buttons necessary to emulate the Xbox 360 controller's inputs.Additionally, the number pad feels as if it's been squished into the bottom of the remote; the number buttons are extremely small and very tightly packed together, and I've already inadvertently switched to the wrong channel several times.And then there's the price: $130 initially seems a bit high for a remote.However, I firmly believe--and I don't say this lightly--that this remote is worth every penny of its price tag (even without the $30 rebate for 360 owners).Ultimately, these gripes are very minor drawbacks to one of the best universal remote controllers ever.

The biggest draw of the Harmony remote--and what sets it apart from the other 99% of universal remotes available today--is its simplicity.Whereas other universal remotes have a dizzying array of buttons and modes for individually controlling every component of a home theater system, the Harmony keeps things simple by operating a home theater the way it should be operated: by understanding and executing the activities that the user wishes to experience.When I want to watch DirecTV, for example, I simply press the large Activities button at the top of the Harmony remote, which then displays all of the available activities on the backlit, easy-to-read screen.I then press the button next to the option for "Watch DirecTV," at which time the remote turns on my television and switches to the Video 1 input, turns on my home theater system and switches it to the Video 1 input, and then turns on my DirecTV reciever.

What's even better is that the remote's "Smart State Technology" is cognizant of the power status (on/off) and current input setting (video 1/2/3/etc) of all of my devices, so that I always get to do what I want when I press that Activity button.And even when something isn't quite right (such as having the sound system set to the wrong input, resulting in no audio--which occasionally happens), the remote's Help button guides the user through a step-by-step troubleshooting procedure that even the most technologically impaired can use, by asking questions such as "Is the stereo receiver on?" or "Is the stereo receiver set to the Video 1 input?"As soon as you press the "no" button, the remote then changes the input of the stereo receiver and asks, "Did that fix the problem?"Because of this activity-based functionality and intuitive help system, my wife can operate our fairly complex home theater system like a pro, even though she doesn't have the first clue as to how each component is connected to all of the others.For those of you who have friends and family who are "technologically challenged" (and you know that we all do), this is the perfect gift.

The remote's setup couldn't be any easier, either.Programming the remote is accomplished using Logitech's web-based software and a mini-USB cable (included in the box).You simply input the brand and model number of each of the components you desire to control with the Harmony, and the software automatically configures all of the buttons and settings, in addition to suggesting which "Activities" (such as Watch TV, Play Xbox, Watch a DVD, Listen to CDs, Play Radio, etc) it can setup for you on the remote.After initial setup, the software allows you to add and remove devices, activities, and even individual button functions, so if one feature is working exactly as you'd planned you can manually "teach" the Harmony a specific command from that device's own remote and program it to a specific button.I, for instance, wanted my Harmony's "back" button to jump to the previous channel on my DirecTV receiver, so adding the new command was as simple as pointing my DirecTV remote at my Harmony, telling the web-based software to learn a new command, and then pressing the "back" button on my original DirecTV remote.Voila!

THe design, styling, and fit-and-finish of the Harmony 360 remote are top-notch.Even though I prefer the TiVo-esque design and button layout of my old Harmony 688, the 360 remote is nice; and it's definitely sleeker and sexier-looking than the 688 (or just about any other Harmony remote, for that matter).It also has a nice, solid, and substantial feel to it; it doesn't feel as if it's simply made of flimsy, brittle plastics.Bottom line: if you're home theater setup includes more than just a television and an Xbox 360, then go buy this remote now.If you don't have an Xbox 360 but your home theater has more than one or two components, then go buy this or any other Harmony remote now.Truly, the greatest products and technologies are those that are so successful that we can't imagine how we ever got along without them (the Web, anyone?), and this remote definitely falls into this category.

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Product Description:
MODEL- 966200 VENDOR- LOGITECH INC.

FEATURES- Harmony Advanced Universal Remote for Xbox 360- Silver
All the right one-touch activity buttons for your Xbox--and your
entire home entertainment system!
The Harmony Advanced Universal Remote for Xbox 360 makes gaming
easy. Simply choose "Play Xbox 360" and the Harmony will
automatically power on your TV, Xbox 360 and stereo receiver, then
set all the inputs, and even press "Play"!Logitechs patented
Smart State Technology gives you one-touch control over your
console.
And like all Logitech Harmony remotes, the Harmony 360 helps make
home entertainment accessible to the entire family. An intuitive
setup wizard will walk you through the steps to configure the
remote for your audio/video system. An online database containing
the remote codes for more than 2,500 manufacturers and 80,000
devices ensures that your Harmony Advanced Universal Remote will be
compatible with your favorite components.
Includes Harmony Remote, USB cable, Installation CD, Installation
guide, (4) AAA batteries.
* Use the special Xbox buttons. The Harmony 360 includes convenient Y, X,
A, and B buttons and media center controls for your Xbox gaming.
* Control your devices: past, present and future!The Harmony 360 gives
you full control of up to 12 devices. The Logitech database contains over
2,500 manufacturers and over 80,000 IR devices -- everything from HDTVs
to PVRs, DVD players to VCRs, and game consoles to lighting controls! The
database is updated daily, so it is guaranteed to work with all models
and manufacturers.
* Set it up in a snap!The Harmony Set-up Wizard does the programming, so
you do not have to. Just connect your remote to your computer and answer
a few quest

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Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I put a great deal of interest in my purchases. With a lot of extra down-time at work and an internet connection, I find myself reviewing EVERYTHING before I buy it. And only after I am very impressed and convinced by many positive reviews will I take out my credit card. But this product, the Microsoft XBOX360 Media Remote, was one exception having read many bad reviews and deciding to purchase it anyway. Let me tell you...

This remote is PERFECT if...

1. You would like one, easy-to-use remote to control both basic TV and an Xbox 360 that doubles as your DVD player.
2. The only buttons you would need for the TV are: Channels, Volume (TV speaker/output control only), Numerical channel input, Muting, *INTPUT SELECTION* (yes, it CAN switch between your TV's inputs), Return (to toggle between 2 TV channels), and Power.
3. You do not need specialized/advanced buttons found on a OEM remote or advanced learning remote for the TV.
4. You do not need to control a A/V receiver, DVD player (other than XBOX 360), or a digital cable box (Tivo, DVR, etc.)
5. You are on a budget but would still like a quality remote.

If you can say yes to all or most, then don't hesitate to grab one of these remotes. You will be completely satisfied. Especially with immediate access to the tactile DVD buttons versus the 360's annoying on-screen DVD navigation. For this feature it is almost worth the $30 alone.

P.S.
I also own a Logitech Harmony 880 for the living room which I highly recommend for anyone not fitting into the catagory mentioned above.

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Product Description:
Universal Media Remote Xbox 360

Get 4% OFF

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