HDMI and component question

I'm getting a new 360 soon, one that has an HDMI slot, and I was just wondering if I can route the picture through the HDMI, but the sound through the component cables? I use an external sound system separate from my TV because HDTV's don't have great speakers. I can do this on my PS3 so I figured it's possible on 360 but I'm not sure. Thanks for any help.

you would have to buy a different componet cable.

then the one that comes with the 360.

As there isn't enough room to plug in both hdmi and the component cable in the 360 at the same time.

Yes, but you'll have to take a pair of pliers or a screwdrive and pop the plastic casing off your component cable plug where it fits into the 360 - it'll block the HDMI port otherwise. A neat trick by Microsoft to sell an overpriced adapter for RCA and digital audio, but at least there's an easy solution.DJ_Lae

Really? I have an HDMI cable lying around and that's the only reason I don't use it cause the damn connector is so huge and blocks the port.. so you just pry it off with a screwdriver? Does it damage anything?

This is the cable you want and you need an optical cable also to complete it. It fits perfectly in the AV-slot while HDMI is connected.

This is the cable you want and you need an optical cable also to complete it. It fits perfectly in the AV-slot while HDMI is connected.

daniel_haaf

Holy cow, $50 and I though the hard drive prices were crazy.

[QUOTE="DJ_Lae"]Yes, but you'll have to take a pair of pliers or a screwdrive and pop the plastic casing off your component cable plug where it fits into the 360 - it'll block the HDMI port otherwise. A neat trick by Microsoft to sell an overpriced adapter for RCA and digital audio, but at least there's an easy solution.JU5T1N-

Really? I have an HDMI cable lying around and that's the only reason I don't use it cause the damn connector is so huge and blocks the port.. so you just pry it off with a screwdriver? Does it damage anything?

Shouldn't as long as you don't push it (I haven't tried it myself as I'm running audio through HDMI).

I can't find a decent guide online, but the first few steps of this one show how it's done:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/14/how-to-turn-a-standard-xbox-360-video-cable-into-a-vga-cable-fo/

You just don't need to go any further after popping the cover off. And if you're worried about it shorting out, you can put a strip of electrical tape over the exposed metal where the housing used to be.

edit -

Step 1 - Take Apart Your Xbox 360 Video Cable

The Xbox 360's video cable assembly doesn't use screws but luckily it's still pretty easy to take apart. Here's how:

Insert a small, thin screwdriver at the seam shown in the above photo.
Press in and towards the label (also as shown) to get around the inner lip.
Once you breach the lip you should hear a crack. You're in!
Make a few more breaches like this next to each other, then insert a larger screwdriver as shown below. Twist it and the casing should pop open nicely.

Next, insert the big screwdriver at the seam near the main cable, and twist the case open at this place as well. You can now pull off the bottom portion of the plastic, and then pull the guts out of the top portion. The "TV / HDTV" switch will fall out at this point, save it if you ever plan to revert the cable to its original form (which is becoming less and less likely as this progresses).

And no expensive adapter!

If you do not want to pop off the whole case you can do like I did. I drimmeled the plastic down to wear the HDMI cable would plug in and I could still use my optical out. On my other 360 I have a Mad Catz VGA cable I bought on ebay for 4 bucks plugged in so I can use the optical cable. It fits perfectly without having to modify anything.