Xbox 360's HD DVD drive already functioning on PCs

In you haven't had enough Xbox 360 (let alone Wii and PlayStation 3) news lately, we've got one more tidbit for you. While we knew the device would sport USB connectivity, the recently released (and unboxed) HD DVD add-on drive has reportedly already been hacked to function on plain ole PCs, no Xbox 360 necessary. Utilizing Toshiba drivers, users have apparently been able to not only view the file contents of their HD DVD flicks directly within a Windows XP environment, but have been able to play back the film on PCs well-spec'd enough to handle the load. By enabling the computer to read the UDF (Universal Disc File system) v2.5 -- which is currently used by Toshiba's first generation HD DVD drives -- you can avoid throwing down the coin required for an Xbox 360 if you so choose. But as these roundabouts always go, we wouldn't count on things working out so smoothly for too much longer, especially with HDCP always lurking and waiting to pounce.

[Ed @ Nov 13th 2006 11:23AM]

I would imagine that as long as a movie plays on the xbox 360 (which doesn't have HDCP or HDMI), it will play on this method, as well.

And, of course, given that there are HDCP video cards and displays available for PCs now, you can future-proof yourself pretty well, there.

My prediction is that if the ICT is ever turned on, it won't be until 2011.

[Shawn O @ Nov 13th 2006 11:40AM]

I'm curious how this comes as news or a suprise as Microsoft themselves confirmed that the HD-DVD drive would be usable via PC. How much "hacking" really needs to be done for a device that was meant all along to work with the PC?

[tiuk @ Nov 13th 2006 1:32PM]

I wondered the same. I guess since official drivers aren't available yet it's a bit of a challenge, but eh.

[master_of_fm @ Nov 13th 2006 3:37PM]

toshiba drivers and a compatible codec like the nvidia purevideo or windvd 8 and you are all set. really nothing special about it

[Mat @ May 25th 2007 7:55PM]

It's pretty 'special' when you happen to have an nVidia 8800 card and are running Windows XP. PureVideo HD is only rolled into the driver for the Vista driver for the 8000 series card. Even buying and installing PureVideo HD as a separate program hasn't helped. The 'HD able' checking program that CyberLink provide says that my graphics card drivers and monitor are causing PowerDVD to fail to enable VMR.

My monitor isn't HDCP compliant .. but from what I've read on the net I'd gotten the impression that if you connect your monitor with an analog (VGA) connector then it should get around that problem.

All the success stories I see posted seem to involve the 7000 series of nVidia card which does have PureVideo HD rolled into the driver for Windows XP.