| The DVD Playback Kit from Microsoft is necessary to play DVD
movies on your Xbox` but is it worth the extra $30? I would have to say yes. It
shouldn�t replace a stand-alone DVD player if you are serious about getting the
best overall experience out of your movies` but as a second DVD player in a game
room or an office it is perfect.
What You GetThe DVD Playback Kit consists of an IR receiver and a
remote control. You just plug the receiver into any of the control ports on the
Xbox and the system will magically start recognizing and playing DVD movies. You
can leave the receiver plugged in 24/7/365 with no ill effects which is pretty
handy. The remote is pretty much a standard DVD player remote with a 0-9 keypad`
Display` Reverse` Play` Forward` Previous Chapter` Stop` Pause` Next Chapter`
Title` Info` Up` Down` Left` Right` Select` Menu` and Back buttons. The buttons
are laid out fairly intuitively and the unit itself is pretty comfortable to
hold in your hand for long periods if you are one of those people that have to
hold onto remotes constantly. It is constructed fairly solidly and should hold
up pretty well over the long term.
FeaturesThe Xbox DVD player is surprisingly full featured and has
everything you�d expect plus a few extras. The Display button on the remote
opens up an onscreen menu that allows you to adjust subtitles` audio` angle`
auto shut off` A-B playback` and zoom. Of particular note is that the zoom is
2`4`8` and 10x which is pretty impressive. Also impressive is the A-B playback
feature which allows you to choose an �A� point and a �B� point and that section
of movie will loop indefinitely. All of the other standard DVD features � start`
stop` pause` next chapter` etc. � are present and work just like you�d expect.
One thing I do want to say about the Xbox DVD player is that it has better
features than you�ll find on most of the cheap stand alone players you can find
now. If you have to choose between those $30-50 cheapo DVD players you�ll find
at most department stores or the $30 Xbox DVD Playback Kit` I�d take the Xbox
DVD player every day of the week. More features` better value` and you already
have an Xbox sitting in your living room/bedroom/office so why not get some
additional use out of it.
Audio and Visual QualityThe one area where the Xbox DVD player falters
a little bit is in overall image and sound quality. The Xbox is no slouch and it
provides a nice picture and sound that is just as good as those cheapo stand
alone players` but it is in no way comparable to the better DVD players that are
on the market. One major drawback of the Xbox DVD player is that it doesn�t play
DVDs in progressive scan. Like I said` though` the quality is more than good
enough to make the Xbox a solid second DVD player and is a pretty good value
when you take total cost/features/ease of use/quality into consideration.
Bottom LineAll in all` the Xbox DVD Playback Kit is a reasonably cheap
way to get yourself a second or third DVD player and that is always a good
thing. The features` quality` and construction of the kit are pretty good for
just $30. Since you already have an Xbox sitting on the shelf to play games on
you might as well squeeze a bit more functionality out of it..SHOP WITH CONFIDENCE
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