HDA1 vs Xbox360 HD DVD Summary
Do dark and windy Gotham nights have you down, or is it the lack of a true high definition disc player?
I expected the very least from a budget add-on. However, it provided equally impressive video and provided us with audio options that put it a cut above the HDA1.
The HDA1’s lack of multi-channel TrueHD support means I couldn’t recommend the player even if you don’t own an Xbox 360. Let’s face it, a dedicated HD DVD player should be able to perform all of the format’s capabilities.
I’m not 100% sure the Xbox 360’s HD DVD is really providing TrueHD audio or a downsampled variation. But, it sounds at least as good as the HDA1.
If you already own an Xbox 360 and love movies, the optional add-on is a terrific accessory. As an HD DVD player, it will tie you over until someone releases an affordable, fully featured dual format player.
ICT Flag Warning
Getting the best, cheapest HD DVD (IE. Xbox360’s HD DVD player add-on) is not without risk. ICT stands for Image Constraint Token, a digital flag embedded in high definition content such as HD DVD movies. It’s another content protection scheme dreamed up by a consortium of entertainment and film studios called AACS (Advanced Access Content System). It’s designed to prevent people from viewing high definition movies through non-HDCP (High Definition Content Protection) compliant hardware.
If all these acronyms for organizations that sound like secret societies and their embedded codes and secure tunnels sounds right out of DaVinci Code, welcome to high definition entertainment, 21stcentury style. By all accounts the ICT flag isn’t likely to be used or turned on. But if it is, all non-HDCP compliant hardware handling hi-def content will have high-definition images cropped down to a resolution of about 960x540. Only those with HDMI (and some DVI) connections will maintain high resolution video.
Unfortunately Xbox360 only uses a component video connection which is analogue. This means if the flag is ever engaged, kiss HD DVD on your Xbox360 good bye. Is it likely to happen? Microsoft apparently doesn’t think so but Sony (who is also one of the content providers as Sony pictures) must believe there is that possibility.
For the record Sony, a member of the AACS voted against downsampling video to analogue equipment.
Wayde Robson
Editor gizmocafe.com
