This attachment to the X360 gives you the ability to play HD DVD(s) through your system.

It supports 1080p via component and VGA connections as well as surround sound via the main console's connections

I figured what the heck. Lets get it. It's cheaper than a standalone HD player, particularly one that supports 1080p. ($200 (and console) versus $1500 for the 1080p standalone.)

While it has some issues with 1080p (notibly, at launch, an absolute refusal to work with Sony's XBR sets),it works great. Since my current tv does not support it, I'm quite happy with 1080i.

Another issue I've heard about the unit is that it doesn't support true uncompressed audio, as that is only capable with HDMI. For some reason, I'm told, even fibre optic cables don't support true uncompressed audio. Again, I just have my left and right audio hooked though my surround system, so not that big of a deal for me.

Truth be told, the biggest worry I had about purchasing this unit was the noise of the X360 while I was trying to watch a movie. Surprisingly, it's almost non-existent, as the main console stays surprisingly silent once the movie gets up and running.

The upconversion of this unit is comparable to that of Clegg's upconverting dvd player, and as such, is an added benefit. It's pretty much taken over the main DVD-playing responsibilities in my household, save for the disks it has problems with. So far, I've noticed issues with my Family Guy disks, and some others.

So, with the elusive zephyr (X360 ver.2 -- 120GB HDD, HDMI, built-in HD DVD) nowhere in sight, this is a great add-on for your X360 (provided there's movies on HD DVD you want...). And because of that, if you're thinking of picking this up with a new HDTV as an entry into high definition, make sure your television supports 1080p over component (mostly Samsung models) or VGA to get the true benefit of it. Or, at the very least, that your HDTV will upconvert the component signal to 1080p (which in most cases, you can't tell much difference between true 1080p and 1080i upconverted).

Well, now that that HD lesson is over, pop in a HD DVD and enjoy the best experience in video to date. (Not to mention you get King Kong for free with the units...or at least, I did.)

****½