Get an Xbox HD DVD player for $49.99

Bundled with full seasons of Battlestar Galactica and Heroes, it's like getting the player for free.

(Credit: Frys)

Now, hear me out. No, you haven't traveled back in time to 2007, when HD DVD was still a viable format. And, no, I haven't lost the last of my marbles. Here's the skinny: Frys.com has the Microsoft Xbox 360 HD DVD Player for $49.99, plus around 8 bucks for shipping.

Why on earth would you want this thing? For starters, it comes with Battlestar Galactica season one and Heroes season one. That's about 35 hours' worth of mighty good viewin' right there.

It also comes with King Kong. I mention that for people who like movies about giant monkeys and the women who love them. I'm not one of those people, but to each their own.

More perks: the player upscales regular DVDs, adds an extra USB port to your Xbox, and comes with a very slick media-center remote.

Yes, I know: it's a dead format. But there are around 400 HD DVD movies and TV shows floating around out there, many of them selling dirt-cheap on eBay, Craigslist, etc. So, if you like movies and TV shows and own an Xbox 360, this is a nice little impulse buy.

OK, you can commence telling me I'm insane.

[livingaudio]

What do you mean by "upscales DVD's"? Might act on that impulse;-)

[sluggotor]

Upscaling is a process that mathematically matches the pixel count of the output of the DVD signal to the physical pixel count on an HDTV. The upscaling process does a good job of matching the upscaled pixel output of a DVD player to the native pixel display resolution of an HDTV capable television, resulting in better detail and color consistency. It's not HD, but it looks better than the output of a standard player.

[t8]

If it plays regular DVDs then think of it as a DVD player that has the bonus of playing a defunct format.

[iconoclast04]

except that if you have a 360 with an hdmi port, i believe it upscales already.

[MCVanOLinda]

I have two Blu-Ray/HD-DVD combo drives, one in my Media Center PC and another in my personal desktop PC. You can get a whole bunch of HD-DVD titles for dirt cheap, sometimes 75-90% off original retail price, and defintely cheaper than their Blu-Ray alternatives. But of course, HD-DVD has gone the way of Beta and all other dead formats, so the discs will just become useless in time.

[planblove]

The $50 price for this add-on has been out there for quite a while, I got one myself back in April-08. But it didn't include the TV shows, only King Kong. But I still think, dead format and all, that its a good deal. The upscaling of DVDs, the Xbox 360 media center remote and free movies make it worthwhile.

[cleptomaniac]

HA!! I got mine as a clearance sale from Sears for $4.97!!! Ebay has got some cheap movies but i think Amazon is still overcharging considering the dead format and all.

[rickbroida]

Wow...now THAT's a deal. :)

[checodaman]

I wouldnt call you insanse, just...mildly unhinged.

[HHaller2]

I'll keep buying HD DVD's till BD's drop in price. There are some great deals out there, and it's a quick way to stock your library, especially if you were dual-format.

[cabrillo24]

Those shows mentioned can be watched online for free with their respective broadcast company, or on hulu. On paper this is a good deal; however, this device doesn't provide longevity, as we all know HD-DVD is no longer supported. With Blu Ray players, and the often less mention 1080 dvd players, I don't see the added value of buying this dead format. Just my two Abe Lincolns.

[zgreenwell]

You can use it with the PC too.

[huntfishandtruck]

Doesn't the Xbox already upscale regular DVDs?

[not2worried]

Nope ; (

[huntfishandtruck]

Doesn't the Xbox already upconvert regular DVDs?

[the_iceman]

yeah it's cheap, but why invest in a dead format?.... I'll pass.

[bbains]

I'm holding out for them to bundle a betamax unit with it!

[Microgates]

Considering that Heroes season 1 is selling for $49.99 at target alone is worth it! Throw in BG and King Kong just makes it sweeter. I still use my stand alone HD-DVD player and love it. I already have the 360 HD-DVD player, but for that cheap, it would be nice to have a reserve. Thanks for the heads up ;)

[HatecrewDr]

The 360 HD player does not upscale DVDs. I am not 100%, but nearly.

[lordpissonyou]

Yes, the newer xbox with the HDMI port do upconvert. I have one and it wors pretty good.

[HatecrewDr]

It does upconvert if a VGA or HDMI cable is used...Still worthless.

[balderasaugusto]

I think it was a good deal, (it's now expired) and was posted yesterday in dealnews.com which I recommend to check periodically for very good deals, not only electronics, but about everything in the web from time to time, I hope this will help someone.

[dctech08]

junk...........

Yah booy

[bigfoot-1]

Got the deal and it took only 16 hours from the time I ordered the XBOX 360 DVD player from Frys.com to the time DHL delivered it to my front door! Connected it to both XP Pro and Vista PCs and drivers were auto loaded. Played regular DVDs (no HD media player on PC) using it as an external USB DVD player. I have a Toshiba HD DVD player to which I added the 3 HD DVD (King Kong, Battlestar Galactica, and Heroes) to the growing library. Fantastic deal!