Games and movies collide, again, this time in high-def. Microsoft's Xbox 360 HD DVD player is targeted specifically at the owners of the Xbox 360 gaming console-or those on the fence about purchasing one. It's an affordable way to bring HD DVD into your existing multimedia system.

Games and movies collide, again, this time in high-def.Microsoft's Xbox 360 HD DVD player is targeted specifically at the owners of the Xbox 360 gaming console-or those on the fence about purchasing one. It's an affordable way to bring HD DVD into your existing multimedia system.

Our PCW Rating for this product reflects its performance, price, features, and design as an HD DVD player, not as a gaming machine.

HD DVD Player has 192MB of storage to speed access; Inexpensive

No HDMI output; Disappointing

I want this thing. But It'll ruin me! I'll have to eat stale bread and drink water for a month if I get this and Forza 2.

I chose the Microsoft Xbox 360 as my next gaming system because of the superior selection of games in HD and the easy to use Dashboard interface. The Xbox 360 also offers excellent online gaming and communications via Xbox Live.

e were fascinated to compare Microsoft and Apple set-top philosophies. Based on looks, the Xbox 360 loses out immediately; it's like a desktop PC from the 1990s, and yes, appearances matter if it's going to live in your living room.

Versatile connection options to TV; CD and DVD playback; removable hard drive; good integration of media capabilities into a ‘gaming' console

Ethernet connection; requires third-party application for iTunes support; it's ugly; hilariously large mains power brick; noisy fan

Introduction As a hard-core gamer for over 30 years and a programmer to boot, both in the arcade and on PC and consoles over multiple platforms, I can say with authority that the true test of any new game system or technology is how much better it is then anything else that's come before it.

With the launch of the Playstation 3 just around the corner, the format war between Blu-Ray and HD-DVD is about to jump up a notch. The integrated Blu-Ray player in the Playstation 3 is expected to be a major driving force for the Blu-Ray camp, creating an immediate install base of thousands of...

Superb image quality; Elegant design; Simple to install; Easy to Use; Low cost

Nothing to speak of

Will you ever grow up? If this question sounds familiar to you, you're not alone. Do you need someone to blame for never growing up? How about video games? This time we can all lay the blame on Bill Gates and his second generation video gaming console, the Xbox 360.

Three years after the first shots were fired in Console War VI, Xbox 360 is winning the fight with the only weapons that really count: the deepest game library around and the most fulfilling online experience via Xbox Live.

Multiplayer matchmaking fills your social void with 12 million friends; Streams media from your PC

Premium Xbox Live account costs 50 clams a year; Clunky UI is terrible for navigating long lists of media