More E3 news about Microsoft's external HD-DVD add-on player to the Xbox 360. I don't believe any price was announced, nor a firm release date beyond "before Christmas 2006," but one thing that came out is that it apparently connects via USB to the 360. It's not that USB 2.0 can't handle the data--it can--but more that I don't believe it's possible to implement HDCP protection over USB. And if you can't protect the player's output via HDCP, a disc has the option of falling back to standard-definition resolutions. And you're then in the same stinky boat as the purchasers of the non-HDMI version of the PS3 mentioned in a previous post.
I've just realized that (a) the previous paragraph is totally incomprehensible to most consumers who just want to play some friggin' games and DVDs, and (b) I barely have a grasp on the issues involved and I kind of do this for a living. I think both these thiings indicate that Hollywood have shot themselves in the foot with their futile attempt at locking down their HD content. They've made it so annoying to navigate the minefield of copy protection that it's more of a disincentive to purchase the new format than the promise of HD playback from a disc.
Budget PS3 & Xbox 360 HD DVD accessory run into ICT issues - CD Freaks.com
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