Belkin AV360 Review - Successfully play your XBOX 360 on your 27" iMac

[carbonfly]

I finally got a chance to sit down and test out the Belkin AV360. I have seen other people complain of problems with the Dr. Bott and Kanex (note I have not tested either of these, just posting complaints I have seen) products. Well Belkin has really impressed me.

SETUP:
It has a simple setup. Plug in the HDMI cord from your XBOX, Playstation, whatever into the belkin box. Then plug in the Mini Displayport cord and USB cord from your iMac into the Belkin box. Then when you are ready to play, just turn the XBOX on. Your iMac will automagically know when it is turned on and flip to display the XBOX on the screen. When you are done playing, just turnoff the XBOX and your iMac instantly switches back to the desktop. It really is idiot proof.

VIDEO QUALITY:
The Belkin AV360 does display in 720p. Visual sticklers will probably not be satisfied with this quality when they know that the iMac's screen is capable of more. 720p was fine for me. Definitely could see some pixelation because I was sitting pretty close to the screen which only enhanced the pixels. I was still satisfied because I doubt 1080p would be much better since I was sitting so close.

PACKAGING:
Everything you need to connect your iMac to the Belkin AV360 is included in the product. You only need to supply the HDMI cable to connect the Belkin to your XBOX. This can be picked up for about $3 at Monoprice.

SCORE:
I give this product 4.5/5 stars. The only thing that I would like to see improved is for the Belkin device to be a little bit smaller (stuff can always be smaller right?) and brushed aluminum instead of white as Apple seems to be moving towards the brushed look over the classic white. Those are minor inconveniences and do not distract from the overall experience of the product.

 

[Jakelshark]

How can you stand that window glare?

 

[slicecom]

Thanks for the great review! I've been waiting for one for a while. I think I'll get this to hook up my PS3 to the iMac when Gran Turismo 5 comes out so I can use my wheel.

 

[cmvsm]

$150 for a piece of plastic converter box that is 3" x 6" long. Really?? That's almost the cost of the Xbox itself.

I'll wait until Monoprice or someone else comes along to place a reasonable price of $29 or $39 bucks for this thing.

 

[iCaleb]

The ''Atlona HD620'' allows you to play 1080p instead of just 720p.....

 

[carbonfly]

How can you stand that window glare?

I opened the window shade a little bit to light up the room enough to get a picture. It's not bad when I close it.

$150 for a piece of plastic converter box that is 3" x 6" long. Really?? That's almost the cost of the Xbox itself.

I'll wait until Monoprice or someone else comes along to place a reasonable price of $29 or $39 bucks for this thing.

Plastic is light, easy to transport. Also, unlike the Kanex, etc you don't have to carry around a heavy fat power brick. The power unit is built into the box which is why I suspect it is a little bit on the large side. But it is very flat and stores easily. It would be nice if Monoprice could release something that cheap. I just couldn't wait any longer. I am away from home on a clinical rotation and needed a way to play my XBOX.

The ''Atlona HD620'' allows you to play 1080p instead of just 720p.....

I refuse to pay the cost of another XBOX system just to go from 720p to 1080p. Like I said, I usually sit pretty close so the jump won't help that much. Playing the XBOX on my iMac still looks nice and bright. I consider the Belkin product a nice travel product. Great for people who want to continue to play while on the road. I wouldn't use this as my primary setup.

 

[wilycoder]

Like I said, I usually sit pretty close so the jump won't help that much.

The closer you sit to the screen, the more IMPORTANT 1080p is.

Don't give advice unless you know what you are talking about.

 

[carbonfly]

The closer you sit to the screen, the more IMPORTANT 1080p is.

Don't give advice unless you know what you are talking about.

If you are sitting as close to the screen as I am it doesn't matter if it was 1440. You could still see pixels. Most people can't even tell the difference between 1080 and 720. Like I said, for me it's fine. I knew that it displayed 720 when I bought it. It's the only thing out there that doesn't cost me an arm and a leg to be able to play my XBOX while I am away from a TV on clinical rotation.

You don't have to love everything about a product, but the review is accurate.