Xbox 360 HD DVD Vs. the Toshiba's HD-A3, LG Electronics GGW-H20L, PlayStation 3

Why would you buy a Xbox 360 HD DVD player when you could just purchase another stand-alone HD DVD player?

After all, the cost of this little accessory - it runs about $180, depending where you buy - is somewhat prohibitive when you consider the added cost of the Xbox 360 itself - usually right around $350. In addition to the foregoing, even if the surround sound audio option is incredible and sure to knock your sox off, is this gadget really worth the $530 plus tax?

Those who go out and purchase this system will most likely begin by putting a specific setup disk into the Xbox 360 which will prime the system for connection of the HD DVD component. A very simple onscreen menu pretty much feeds you through the maze of the system and before long you will be prompted to attach the accessory to the Xbox (the USB cable you need should be included in the package; wise is the consumer who will double check by opening up the package in the store).

Once connected, you are now able to kick back and enjoy the display of crisp picture in picture functions as well as the ease with which you may navigate through transparent onscreen menus while a movie is playing. Anyone who - perhaps for the first time - notes the difference between a regular DVD player and an HD DVD display will be amazed by the high quality of the visual display, no doubt about it! Yet will this translate into a willingness to pay $530?

Perhaps the biggest competitor to Microsoft backed Xbox 360 technology is Sony's PlayStation 3, which relies on Warner Brothers' favored Blu-ray Disc technology. This technology is of course part and parcel of the push Sony is using to market the PS3 and with a cost ranging between $400 and $500, it appears to be a good deal, but since many a user is somewhat cynical about the viability of Blu-ray, not a good choice for the movie buff with a shelf full of HD DVDs. Thus, stand alone boxes usually are "it".