Toshiba A205 - HD DVD drive questions

Hello!

I just got a new laptop from best buy (Satellite A205-S7464). The computer has the following specs:

-Display Types - WXGA widescreen TFT-LCD with TruBrite technology (1280 x 800), 720p
-Optical Drive - Double-layer DVD±RW/HD DVD/CD-RW
-Optical Drive Speeds - 1x HD DVD; 2.4x DVD+R DL; 2x DVD-R DL; 4x4x8 DVD+RW; 4x4x8 DVD-RW; 3x DVD-RAM; 16x10x24 CD-RW

I hear lots of hype surrounding the Toshiba HD DVD laptop drives. In the two months that I have had this laptop, I have not reaped ANY benefits. I honestly don't know how I can even use this drive. Questions I have:

-Are there high definition video games which I could play? I only have a GMA 3100X graphics card.
-Can I play high definition movies from my laptop onto a TV? What type of cable do I need to do this? Does the TV also need to be High Definition?
-Is there a way to watch internet based high definition TV on my laptop?
-Can I burn high definition movies and play them on a HDTV? Do I need special DVDs, or would it work on any DVD?
-If I download a High Definition movie, does that mean it will automatically play as HD?

Basically I want to know the hype about HD DVD drives (i.e, what else can I do except watch HD dvds on my notebook)? There must be something I am missing here, or else they wouldn't cost $200 and up. Any knowledge here will be great. I don't know where to turn or who to ask.

Please let me know if you have any other questions regarding my computer. I appreciate the assistance.

 

Yours is an HD DVD drive which means it can only read/play HD content and not be able to record. As you stated above, DVD+/- R/W is for DVDs only not HD. There no so called "HD" games out though the graphics are very realistic for the newer which your current, X3100 gpu, would have a hard time if not total unable to play some of the more demanding games. You will have no problems playing HD content on your notebook onto a TV that can display HD content though you will need to use/have an HDMI output and cable. Downloaded HD content should automatically play in HD. HD displays greater amount of detail by having more lines/pixels shown in each.

 

I have a question about my Toshiba HD-DVD Supermulti drive, and Im trying to find compatible dual layer DVD media. I wanted to buy this media:

http://www.amazon.com/Ridata-Double...0/ref=de_a_smtd?ie=UTF8&qid=1197041979&sr=1-3

and one of the people who bought it said these didn't work with his drive, and another person posted that people should make sure their burner is: DVD-R DL before buying these.

I have looked at the documentation on my multi drive and cannot find anything that speaks to this DL bit. One reviewer on the dvd media said this..... "even if a writer claims to write +/-r you need to check that it can write on -DL!!"

Other than a very brief summary of the formats my drive supports... where can I find more detailed description for my HD-DVD SuperMulti drive and what is this -DL stuff all about? Any help and more information I can find out would be great.

 

I know this sounds stupid.... but I know DL sounds like it stands for Double/Dual Layer, but this guys post sounds like -DL is a special type or something. Am I reading more into this than necessary?