Xbox 360 HD

[barr08]

I just bought a 360 last night, and I was wondering about the component cable that comes with it. Am I getting the best quality on my LCD HDTV with the cable that came with the system, or would I do better with a different cable? Do I need to tinker with any settings in the 360 software, or is it the best quality out of the box? I got an HDTV just for this system, so I want to make sure I am getting the best results. Thanks!

[Haoshiro]

You might get slightly better with VGA, if your TV supports it.

However in my experience the component cables that come with the system are great quality, personally I haven't seen the need to switch to VGA. Of course, I haven't seen any comparisons, so someone else might be able to tell you more accurately. In theory, they (VGA/Component) are very close to the same (and both analog).

[SpankyPenzaanz]

From what I understand you want the vga cable if you want to maximize your hd-dvd viewing experience if you have hddvd addon. with that said I have a vga cable on my dads 55"dlp at home and here at my apt I have the component and have yet to see any real difference

[clayj]

From what I understand you want the vga cable if you want to maximize your hd-dvd viewing experience if you have hddvd addon. with that said I have a vga cable on my dads 55"dlp at home and here at my apt I have the component and have yet to see any real differenceVGA will have an even bigger impact on regular DVD viewing:

Component = HD-DVD @ 1080i, DVD @ 480p
VGA = HD-DVD @ 1080p, DVD @ 1080p

Go with VGA if you can. Otherwise component is only slightly less good.

[zero2dash]

Am I getting the best quality on my LCD HDTV with the cable that came with the system, or would I do better with a different cable?

Monster Cables are overrated and ridiculously overpriced.
Stick with the one you've got. :)

[stagecustom]

VGA will have an even bigger impact on regular DVD viewing:

Component = HD-DVD @ 1080i, DVD @ 480p
VGA = HD-DVD @ 1080p, DVD @ 1080p

Go with VGA if you can. Otherwise component is only slightly less good.
wait? i thought VGA can only produce 720p for the 360 to a monitor? it says on the box of my official vga cables, or is that only for the HD DVD add on?
i guess what im getting at is: is the vga hooked up to a 1080i tv gonna display 1080i? incase i get one in the future?:) BTW ignorance is bliss;)

[clayj]

wait? i thought VGA can only produce 720p for the 360 to a monitor? it says on the box of my official vga cables, or is that only for the HD DVD add on?
i guess what im getting at is: is the vga hooked up to a 1080i tv gonna display 1080i? incase i get one in the future?:) BTW ignorance is bliss;)The box is wrong. VGA connections on the 360 can now go up to 1080p. So yes, using VGA to go to your 1080i VGA-capable TV will get you 1080i in ALL modes (game, DVD, HD-DVD).

[stagecustom]

The box is wrong. VGA connections on the 360 can now go up to 1080p. So yes, using VGA to go to your 1080i VGA-capable TV will get you 1080i in ALL modes (game, DVD, HD-DVD).

AWESOME! will regular dvd's played in the 360 on my 720p monitor (vga) look better then when i play them through my mac mini into the same monitor in dvi?

[clayj]

AWESOME! will regular dvd's played in the 360 on my 720p monitor (vga) look better then when i play them through my mac mini into the same monitor in dvi?Ummm... there's really no way to say either way. You'll need to judge that for yourself.

[Motley]

AWESOME! will regular dvd's played in the 360 on my 720p monitor (vga) look better then when i play them through my mac mini into the same monitor in dvi?

I think the 360 upscales (fakes hi-def) the dvds while the mac does not do any upscaling (of which I am aware).

[clayj]

I think the 360 upscales (fakes hi-def) the dvds while the mac does not do any upscaling (of which I am aware).That's true, it does. But how good it's going to look is still a bit subjective. Upconverted DVDs have more resolution, but no "new pixels" (i.e., no new detail)... so they're pretty sharp, but they won't look as good as an HD-DVD playing at the same resolution, for example.