XBOX 360 HDMI cable worth getting?

kesterwww · 29-01-2009, 17:16

Hi all. I currently plug my 360 into my hdtv via the yipper (or YPbPr) connection, which I believe gives a really great picture. However, I have seen an HDMI cable avalible, and wonder if this is any better than the, I suppose, standard way of plugging it into the tv.
Anyone have any idea on this? As far as I can see, the back of the 360 doesn't have a hdmi connection.
Any way, over to you...

icestar2 · 29-01-2009, 17:26

If the 360 does not have a HDMI port then its not even worth thinking about tbh. The converters are rubbish and you would probably end up with a worse picture.

The diffrence between HDMI and Component are hardley even noticable so I'd just stick with what you have m8 and enjoy it

danny85 · 29-01-2009, 17:40

the newer 360's have hdmi but the hdmi cable you have seen is probably component anyway was it a official microsoft product at about Â£40 ?????

Charlie_Bubble · 29-01-2009, 18:06

I use a VGA cable to connect my xbox to my TV. Gives a great picture. I've heard you can sometimes get slight delays when you use certain cables due to the processing the TV does on the signal as it comes in.

danny85 · 29-01-2009, 18:18

i use component as my tv has only 1 hdmi port and the picture quality is very good

SnoopZ · 29-01-2009, 18:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by icestar2

If the 360 does not have a HDMI port then its not even worth thinking about tbh. The converters are rubbish and you would probably end up with a worse picture.

The diffrence between HDMI and Component are hardley even noticable so I'd just stick with what you have m8 and enjoy it

You can use the Xbox 360 VGA cable instead of HDMI and the picture is just as outstanding as over HDMI.

It also allows you to watch upscaled DVDs which you can't do over component.

---------- Post added at 18:39 ---------- Previous post was at 18:38 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie_Bubble

I use a VGA cable to connect my xbox to my TV. Gives a great picture. I've heard you can sometimes get slight delays when you use certain cables due to the processing the TV does on the signal as it comes in.

No delays for me using the official VGA cable at 1080p resolution.

29-01-2009, 18:42

I have an xbox360 with HDMI port and the 'official hdmi' lead connected. I use this because my set has three hdmi ports and it keeps the amount of cables used to a minimum. As icestar2 pointed out there is hardly any difference between the two - you would have to have 20/20 vision IMO to notice much of a difference at all between the two (I know i can't and I have great vision) You have a great console with a great picture quality no need to buy any other cables - enjoy!

kesterwww · 29-01-2009, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by danny85

the newer 360's have hdmi but the hdmi cable you have seen is probably component anyway was it a official microsoft product at about Â£40 ?????

Yep, it was official, and I'm pretty sure it's the component conection. I get confused though, this is the VGA cable, correct? Allows one to watch dvds with an upscaled picture, that sounds good. But I think I agree with NEONIGHT, my picture quality is really good, and there isn't really a lot of point spending money on something I don't need.... Well, maybe if I saw a dirt cheap one going on ebay...
Thanks everyone for your advice.

SnoopZ · 29-01-2009, 20:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by kesterwww

Yep, it was official, and I'm pretty sure it's the component conection. I get confused though, this is the VGA cable, correct? Allows one to watch dvds with an upscaled picture, that sounds good. But I think I agree with NEONIGHT, my picture quality is really good, and there isn't really a lot of point spending money on something I don't need.... Well, maybe if I saw a dirt cheap one going on ebay...
Thanks everyone for your advice.

The VGA cable has a D type connector on the end for the TV and the component cable is the one you get with the Xbox 360 Premium which is not HDMI and doesn't allow dvd upscaling.

In my experience the official VGA cable gives a better picture than the component, however it's just a little bit better and makes it as good as the HDMI for games, so if you don't plan to take advantage of dvds being upscaled then you might as well stick with component.

Charlie_Bubble · 30-01-2009, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnoopZ

You can use the Xbox 360 VGA cable instead of HDMI and the picture is just as outstanding as over HDMI.

It also allows you to watch upscaled DVDs which you can't do over component.

---------- Post added at 18:39 ---------- Previous post was at 18:38 ----------

No delays for me using the official VGA cable at 1080p resolution.

I meant cables other than vga, ie hdmi etc.

**Matt D** · 30-01-2009, 20:43

Component:

Up to 1080p for games

Up to 1080i for HD DVDs [limited by AACS restrictions]

Up to 480p/576p for DVDs (i.e. standard def. progressive scan) [limited by CSS restrictions]

HDMI and VGA:

Up to 1080p for games

Up to 1080p for HD DVDs

Upscale up to 1080p for DVDs

I use VGA, & I much prefer it to Component, & find it pretty much the same as HDMI.

As for the 360's official HDMI cable...

Only worth anyone getting the official one if you need a separate audio output from the console (e.g. optical for a surround sound receiver) - this is because the official HDMI cable comes with an "audio dongle" which plugs into the normal AV port & gives you an optical output, & a pair of phono outputs, for audio [If you use the component or VGA cable to get an optical audio output you cannot plug an HDMI cable in at the same time as the component/VGA cable connector is too fat].

For anyone who does not care about connecting an amp, and wants HDMI, then any HDMI cable will do, whether it costs Â£5 or Â£100 (obviously I'd go for one which cost Â£5!).

broadbandking · 03-02-2009, 14:00

Any HDMI leads work fine I use the one Virgin Media supply, I never tryed the component cables so cant comment on that.

kesterwww · 21-02-2009, 13:26

Just an update. My 360 does have a HDMI port, I just didn't see it hidden under the regular connection, not that I'll probably use it yet. Thank you all for the advice.

Taf · 23-02-2009, 18:23

I've just connected my daughter's new LCD TV to the new XBox (with HMDI output this time) with a Â£5 Tesco budget lead... looks brilliant!

The red/yellow/white leads only gave out a B+W picture!

kesterwww · 31-05-2009, 23:29

I started this thread a long time ago, but have come back for an update, mainly for anyone who may be wondering the same as I was, is it worth using an hdmi cable over the component cable on the 360?
Well, Game was doing a sale on some stuff and the sales person mentioned hdmi cable. I asked if I would notice much difference to which they said I would, so I got one. And I have to say that it has made a difference, the picture has improved and I'm pleased I purchased it. Also, DVD's are upscaled and look a lot better.
So my advice to anyone considering the best way to connect a 360 to an hdtv, use a hdmi cable. Thanks to everyone who gave me advice on this.