The Xbox 360 HD DVD Emulator is now available as a free download on Xbox Live Marketplace when you request a token at http://www.thisishddvd.com/emulator/.
(Update: Read this blog first: http://blogs.msdn.com/amyd/archive/2008/03/05/overwhelmed.aspx)
Why is it free now?
This decision was made in light of Toshiba’s recent announcement that they are discontinuing their HD DVD business. The reasons for offering the emulator for free are two-fold.
Microsoft is committed to interactivity and giving content authors the ability to create more compelling entertainment experiences. The specification for HDi was developed with significant input from studios like Warner Bros. and Disney based on scenarios they desired in the next generation format. Offering the emulator for free allows a greater audience to experiment with interactivity with little to no cost.
Second, the emulator beta program had approximately 80 participants across the industry who relied on the emulator for testing HDi content. Continued access to the emulator will assist those post houses and developers in completing their outstanding HD DVD projects.
Requirements:
- You need an Xbox 360 with a hard drive. The emulator is software that runs on the Xbox 360. We are not giving away hardware. The software will only run on the Xbox 360. It will not run on a PC. And it won’t run on the Xbox 360 Arcade because it doesn’t have a hard drive.
- You need the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on. The software needed for HD DVD playback is on the add-on drive, so it is required to run the emulation software as well. If you don’t have one to go with your Xbox 360, you will need to purchase one to use the emulator.
- This is a development and test tool. If you’re looking to make your own HD DVDs or play around with some HDi – have at it. If you think this will allow you to playback ripped discs you have stored on a hard drive, it will not. The emulator is a great tool for testing HD DVD projects. If you’re looking for something that will just playback content, use the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on (which you would already have), or buy a Toshiba HD DVD player for under $100, or buy the Cyberlink PowerDVD player that will play that other media format as well. Seriously, I think the emulator is great (Andy does good work), but it’s not much fun outside the context of HD DVD development.
…more at:
http://blogs.msdn.com/amyd/archive/2008/03/04/xbox-360-hd-dvd-emulator-now-free.aspx
kurtsh
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