XBox 360 Question - HDMI, Composite, and Component...

[Thelin]

Hello. I've been racking my brain for a few hours now, trying to figure this out and I need some help.

I've recently purchased a HDMI capable computer monitor. I believe it's capable of running 900p, if I've understood everything correctly. Meanwhile, my 360 is working on my old TV through composite cables (the non-HD wires). It does not have a HDMI port nor am I able to use the component cables (HD wires) because I don't have anything that works in HD besides the new monitor.

Those who know what the hell I'm talking about, did I get that all right?

Now MadCatz came out with this highly expensive HDMI Converter Kit. Would it pay for me, who is unable to use the component cables, to get this? I'm already aware that if I could use the component cables, this converter would be pointless. Meanwhile, the damn thing would probably cost anywhere between $70-90.

The other option is to "trade in" (see also being robbed) my current XBox and shelling out whatever in order to get an HDMI capable box ALONG with the mandatory $50 for the HDMI cable. This doesn't sound cost effective at all, but I've read it being argued that it's the only way to guarantee the best video performance. I can't help but think that my monitor's 900p limitation kind of moots this point, no?

My dilema is really...is HDMI, or Hi-Def in general, worth all this headache? I just don't quite grasp exactly the whole thing and while searching through the internet, I was constantly stumbling upon articles and what-not that are made from people who DO understand and, really, it just caused me to confused more. I took a good half hour before I noticed the different uses for the terms "composite" and "component".

So, please, if you've been graced with the ability to firmly grasp all of this, give me your opinion. I'd really appreciate it.

 

[Haggis and tatties]

Well unless you have a nice big HDTV or are buying one soon with a minimum size of 32 in screen, i would suggest you get yourself a official 360 VGA cable and use that with your monitor, on a monitor VGA will be perfect and give you the best possible picture for your setup without spending big bucks on anything else.

And get ready because once you start using your monitor or any device that allows HD gaming you wont be able to go back to standard games, its that good.

 

[firehawk12]

Yeah, you can spring for the VGA cables, although sadly they didn't work that well for me. The official MS ones worked better than the no name ones though, but I personally got better results with Component and HDMI.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

I don't have a 360 but a PS3, but I can tell you that I picked up a 42" TV yesterday with an HDMI cord, and the difference is fucking amazing.

 

[Teelie]

Even with component it's a big upgrade in picture quality from composite.

 

[clint g]

I think you still get an HD picture with the component cables, you can go up to 1080i as opposed to 1080p with the HDMI cable. personally, I can't tell the difference at that point. You can also go for the VGA cable, which worked fine for me. If you're monitor can only go up to 900p (which sounds off to me, but I can be wrong. You should recheck that) then the HDMI cable wont make a difference, the component cable will be fine

 

[vice1986]

The 360's component output DOES have the capability to output 1080p, just so long as your TV/display device have inputs which are also 1080p compatible. I tried both HDMI and component for mine and IMO there's not much of a difference.

 

[firehawk12]

He's unable to use component though, so VGA is probably the only option for a 360 without HDMI output.

 

[JonathonWally]

I've recently purchased a HDMI capable computer monitor. I believe it's capable of running 900p, if I've understood everything correctly. (

Please, for the sake of us knowing. Use computer monitor measurements for monitors and television measurements for televisions.

Are you saying that your monitor is 1440x900?

TVs are 480, 720, 1080, Interlaced or progressive depending on your TV.

First, be certain Xbox likes your monitor resolution, up until a few months ago when they patched it, 360s didn't like 1680x1050 on a monitor, I don't know if 1440x900 was included in that patch or another one, check first.

Second, if you do upgrade you 360 to one with an HDMI jack, then all you would need to buy after that is a $15 HDMI to DVI wire (If your monitor supports DVI instead of just VGA, which I'm sure it does, but check anyway.)

 

[Thelin]

Well unless you have a nice big HDTV or are buying one soon with a minimum size of 32 in screen, i would suggest you get yourself a official 360 VGA cable and use that with your monitor, on a monitor VGA will be perfect and give you the best possible picture for your setup without spending big bucks on anything else.

And get ready because once you start using your monitor or any device that allows HD gaming you wont be able to go back to standard games, its that good.

Hmm, the VGA cable isn't cheap. Wouldn't I need to pick up a VGA switch to avoid the hassle of having to swap wires each time I go from the computer to 360 or vice-versa? I don't know if it'd be most cost effective and convenient, but it's certainly something to consider.

Also, to the others, thank you for your input, but like Firehawk pointed out, I can't use the component cables. It's either HDMI, VGA, or bust.

I've recently purchased a HDMI capable computer monitor. I believe it's capable of running 900p, if I've understood everything correctly. (

Please, for the sake of us knowing. Use computer monitor measurements for monitors and television measurements for televisions.

Are you saying that your monitor is 1440x900?

TVs are 480, 720, 1080, Interlaced or progressive depending on your TV.

First, be certain Xbox likes your monitor resolution, up until a few months ago when they patched it, 360s didn't like 1680x1050 on a monitor, I don't know if 1440x900 was included in that patch or another one, check first.

Second, if you do upgrade you 360 to one with an HDMI jack, then all you would need to buy after that is a $15 HDMI to DVI wire (If your monitor supports DVI instead of just VGA, which I'm sure it does, but check anyway.)

I apologize for lack of information. Like I said, I'm not sure I've got a total understanding of all of this, but I'm trying.

Here is the BestBuy link to the monitor itself, including its specifications: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9218786&type=product&id=1218061081362

I hope that clarifies things. And I very much realize you get what you pay for, hence it doesn't support DVI and seemingly has a strange resolution. But hopefully it's agreeable with the 360?

 

[JonathonWally]

Well unless you have a nice big HDTV or are buying one soon with a minimum size of 32 in screen, i would suggest you get yourself a official 360 VGA cable and use that with your monitor, on a monitor VGA will be perfect and give you the best possible picture for your setup without spending big bucks on anything else.

And get ready because once you start using your monitor or any device that allows HD gaming you wont be able to go back to standard games, its that good.

Hmm, the VGA cable isn't cheap. Wouldn't I need to pick up a VGA switch to avoid the hassle of having to swap wires each time I go from the computer to 360 or vice-versa? I don't know if it'd be most cost effective and convenient, but it's certainly something to consider.

Also, to the others, thank you for your input, but like Firehawk pointed out, I can't use the component cables. It's either HDMI, VGA, or bust.

I've recently purchased a HDMI capable computer monitor. I believe it's capable of running 900p, if I've understood everything correctly. (

Please, for the sake of us knowing. Use computer monitor measurements for monitors and television measurements for televisions.

Are you saying that your monitor is 1440x900?

TVs are 480, 720, 1080, Interlaced or progressive depending on your TV.

First, be certain Xbox likes your monitor resolution, up until a few months ago when they patched it, 360s didn't like 1680x1050 on a monitor, I don't know if 1440x900 was included in that patch or another one, check first.

Second, if you do upgrade you 360 to one with an HDMI jack, then all you would need to buy after that is a $15 HDMI to DVI wire (If your monitor supports DVI instead of just VGA, which I'm sure it does, but check anyway.)

I apologize for lack of information. Like I said, I'm not sure I've got a total understanding of all of this, but I'm trying.

Here is the BestBuy link to the monitor itself, including its specifications: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9218786&type=product&id=1218061081362

I hope that clarifies things. And I very much realize you get what you pay for, hence it doesn't support DVI and seemingly has a strange resolution. But hopefully it's agreeable with the 360?

That's the a strange resolution. Would have to look up how the 360 supports it. Having and HDMI jack is just as good as a DVI, they're the same thing just that HDMI carries audio in it too.

 

[clint g]

yeah, it can get annoying plugging and unplugging your monitor if you use the VGA cable. If thats too much of a hassle than just go for the HDMI kit, you really shouldn't have any picture quality issues either way

 

[Haggis and tatties]

Well unless you have a nice big HDTV or are buying one soon with a minimum size of 32 in screen, i would suggest you get yourself a official 360 VGA cable and use that with your monitor, on a monitor VGA will be perfect and give you the best possible picture for your setup without spending big bucks on anything else.

And get ready because once you start using your monitor or any device that allows HD gaming you wont be able to go back to standard games, its that good.

Hmm, the VGA cable isn't cheap. Wouldn't I need to pick up a VGA switch to avoid the hassle of having to swap wires each time I go from the computer to 360 or vice-versa? I don't know if it'd be most cost effective and convenient, but it's certainly something to consider.

Also, to the others, thank you for your input, but like Firehawk pointed out, I can't use the component cables. It's either HDMI, VGA, or bust.

Are you looking at the right thing, if you go to ebay you can pick one up there for about $10 delivered, and it don't really matter if its a third party one with your 20in monitor......Yes you would have to plug and unplug your VGA cable in and out with your PC, but if your PC has a HDMI video card you could use that with a HDMI cable and have both plugged in at the same time.

But that about the cheapest option you have at the moment that will give you best results HD gaming wise without having to sell a kidney to finance it all.

 

[firehawk12]

I still warn against third party VGA cables. I mean, "YMMV" and all that, but I got a lot of artifacts with a third party one but had no problems with my Microsoft branded one.

 

[Haggis and tatties]

^^As long as its not mad catz i think they will be OK, and with only a 20in monitor your not really going to see anything.

I got a third party one and checking it against the HDMI game my Bro had on his elite i was quite surprised at just how sharp it was.

But i would definitely steer clear of Mad cats cables, they are usually crap.

But the upside of the more expensive MS official cable is guaranteed perfect picture quality, no bones about that.

 

[Thelin]

That's the a strange resolution. Would have to look up how the 360 supports it. Having and HDMI jack is just as good as a DVI, they're the same thing just that HDMI carries audio in it too.

Yeah, it is a weird resolution. In my defense, it was a gift from a person who didn't do any of the research. Of course, since it's a gift, asking for the receipt would definitely be construed as...uncouth.

yeah, it can get annoying plugging and unplugging your monitor if you use the VGA cable. If thats too much of a hassle than just go for the HDMI kit, you really shouldn't have any picture quality issues either way

Yeah, I won't lie, the idea of having to plug and unplug sounds tedious, at best. I'll probably run with the HDMI kit if I can find a reliable site to get it off of.

Are you looking at the right thing, if you go to ebay you can pick one up there for about $10 delivered, and it don't really matter if its a third party one with your 20in monitor......Yes you would have to plug and unplug your VGA cable in and out with your PC, but if your PC has a HDMI video card you could use that with a HDMI cable and have both plugged in at the same time.

But that about the cheapest option you have at the moment that will give you best results HD gaming wise without having to sell a kidney to finance it all.

Yeah, unfortunately, no HDMI on my comp at all. If I went the VGA cable route, I'd definitely need to pick up a VGA switch box. I've thought about it and getting a VGA cable (non-Microsoft) and a VGA switch box would still be cheaper than the MadCatz HDMI kit. Also, both the cables and the box are readily available from reliable websites.

Do the VGA cables allow for upconverting for DVDs, too? I know the HDMI kit doesn't.

^^As long as its not mad catz i think they will be OK, and with only a 20in monitor your not really going to see anything.

I got a third party one and checking it against the HDMI game my Bro had on his elite i was quite surprised at just how sharp it was.

But i would definitely steer clear of Mad cats cables, they are usually crap.

But the upside of the more expensive MS official cable is guaranteed perfect picture quality, no bones about that.

That's my big concern at the moment. Does it really pay to sink in the, what, $50 or so to get the XBox to work on a so-so 20inch monitor? Just using the monitor for normal online stuff the difference is substantial and I keep convincing myself that hooking up the 360 would just blow my mind. It may just not be worth it, though.

 

[firehawk12]

The jump from SD to HD, or even "ED" at 480p is substantial. For me, I was playing on a 17" CRT monitor for a while and it was a much better experience than playing on my old TV.

 

[Haggis and tatties]

That's the a strange resolution. Would have to look up how the 360 supports it. Having and HDMI jack is just as good as a DVI, they're the same thing just that HDMI carries audio in it too.

Yeah, it is a weird resolution. In my defense, it was a gift from a person who didn't do any of the research. Of course, since it's a gift, asking for the receipt would definitely be construed as...uncouth.

yeah, it can get annoying plugging and unplugging your monitor if you use the VGA cable. If thats too much of a hassle than just go for the HDMI kit, you really shouldn't have any picture quality issues either way

Yeah, I won't lie, the idea of having to plug and unplug sounds tedious, at best. I'll probably run with the HDMI kit if I can find a reliable site to get it off of.

Are you looking at the right thing, if you go to ebay you can pick one up there for about $10 delivered, and it don't really matter if its a third party one with your 20in monitor......Yes you would have to plug and unplug your VGA cable in and out with your PC, but if your PC has a HDMI video card you could use that with a HDMI cable and have both plugged in at the same time.

But that about the cheapest option you have at the moment that will give you best results HD gaming wise without having to sell a kidney to finance it all.

Yeah, unfortunately, no HDMI on my comp at all. If I went the VGA cable route, I'd definitely need to pick up a VGA switch box. I've thought about it and getting a VGA cable (non-Microsoft) and a VGA switch box would still be cheaper than the MadCatz HDMI kit. Also, both the cables and the box are readily available from reliable websites.

Do the VGA cables allow for upconverting for DVDs, too? I know the HDMI kit doesn't.

^^As long as its not mad catz i think they will be OK, and with only a 20in monitor your not really going to see anything.

I got a third party one and checking it against the HDMI game my Bro had on his elite i was quite surprised at just how sharp it was.

But i would definitely steer clear of Mad cats cables, they are usually crap.

But the upside of the more expensive MS official cable is guaranteed perfect picture quality, no bones about that.

That's my big concern at the moment. Does it really pay to sink in the, what, $50 or so to get the XBox to work on a so-so 20inch monitor? Just using the monitor for normal online stuff the difference is substantial and I keep convincing myself that hooking up the 360 would just blow my mind. It may just not be worth it, though.

Going from standard TV to a HDTV or a monitor capable of 720p will definitely blow your socks off.

I would also go for the VGA cable, its up to yourself if you try a third party or a official one.(But official will give you the best overall pic guaranteed)

As for the Mad catz HDMI converter forget it, your 360 like all HDMIless 360s only has a analog connection, those converter are costly and pointless as there is a depreciation in quality or picture from the conversion of the analog signal to digital, your top choice for best picture choice for your machine is a VGA cable, anything else will be of lower pic quality.

 

[clint g]

Going to throw my vote in there with those who say its worth it. I did the VGA thing for a while on a square monitor and although it wasn't the best, I've never looked back

 

[Thelin]

You know, I want to thank you guys for all the help. You've really helped me with this and if these forums had any sort of reputation feature, you'd all get positive rep from me.

I've decided that VGA is the best way to go. I'll probably scour through the seemingly unlimited number of Gamestop's in my area to find a used 360 VGA wire, which drops the price, according to Gamestop's site, to like, 10 bucks. Then I'll grab a VGA switch (because I refuse to swap cables everytime I go to do anything) for like, $20. Those are easily attainable online if I'm unable to pick something up nearby. I'm looking at $30 and that is certainly an acceptable price, I think. Especially for what I'll be gaining, like you've all pointed out.

Again, thanks a bunch, guys. Your input really has been invaluable.