HDTV HDMI cable for best qualtiy and FTW?

I just got a 46" 1080p LCD tv and set it up last night. I hooked up my Xbox to play some GTA 4 and I was surprised that although the picture looked quality looked great, it wasn't everything I thought it was going to be. The TV does have 3 HDMI inputs.

This might be a very noob question but I guess what I was wondering is, in order to get the best picture quality of my 360 (when playing games or watching movies on it), then I would have to get a HDMI cable and hook it up to the TV? Can someone clear this up for me?

i'm not sure i understand the question, but i'll try to help you out... how do you currently have your 360 hooked up?? on a 46" lcd, yes, hdmi will give you the best quality, due to its pure digital nature... go to www.monoprice.com and get an hdmi cable if you don't already have one.

also... gta is a pretty good game, but graphically it's not the all time greatest masterpiece. technically, yes, it is phenomonal how much detail is in the game world and that they can keep it going smooth with that much detail packed into each screen, but individual people, buildings etc. won't blow anyone away.

Fairly sure you don't need the cable. From what I understand it has to do with driving and receiving circuits on either end of the cable.

Just be sure to set up your 360 display settings correctly.

i'm not sure i understand the question, but i'll try to help you out... how do you currently have your 360 hooked up?? on a 46" lcd, yes, hdmi will give you the best quality, due to its pure digital nature... go to www.monoprice.com and get an hdmi cable if you don't already have one.

also... gta is a pretty good game, but graphically it's not the all time greatest masterpiece. technically, yes, it is phenomonal how much detail is in the game world and that they can keep it going smooth with that much detail packed into each screen, but individual people, buildings etc. won't blow anyone away.

shotputking

I just have the 360 hooked up with its own cable to the TV. And I understand that GTA4 is not the best game to test graphical quality. I figure GoW or Mass Effect might be better? What would be a "blow you away" game?

Fairly sure you don't need the cable. From what I understand it has to do with driving and receiving circuits on either end of the cable.

Just be sure to set up your 360 display settings correctly.

Soothsayerr

Why wouldn't I need the cable? I am not sure how the HDMI signal would work? Isn't the cable necessary to get the best vidoe quality possible? Will it affect the quality of any DVDs that I try to watch through the 360? And in terms of setting up the 360 display settings, is that through the game or through the 360 settings?

yeah, i don't understand the comment about not needing the cable either... by it's own cable i'm assuming you mean the component that comes with it? 6 little wires attached to each other? i would recommend getting the hdmi because of your tv type. yeah, there are many tvs where it won't matter, but on an lcd, it will.

GeoW absolutely blew me away in november of 2006, and still looks great, but i don't know if it will still blow people away when they see it the first time... i would say bioshock is pretty great graphically and artistically... people complain about halo 3, but on my tv i swear you would think i had a bunch of action figures standing on a shelf, not a tv projecting a video game... COD4 is a pretty safe bet... DMC 4 has great graphics, but the textures are kind of old schoool when it comes to facial detail and stuff like that.

oh yeah, movies will definitely benefit from hdmi...

due to the HDCP restraints, the 360 can not upconvert movies over component, only over hdmi or vga... so you'll need hdmi to watch movies in a higher quality.

yeah, i don't understand the comment about not needing the cable either... by it's own cable i'm assuming you mean the component that comes with it? 6 little wires attached to each other? i would recommend getting the hdmi because of your tv type. yeah, there are many tvs where it won't matter, but on an lcd, it will.

GeoW absolutely blew me away in november of 2006, and still looks great, but i don't know if it will still blow people away when they see it the first time... i would say bioshock is pretty great graphically and artistically... people complain about halo 3, but on my tv i swear you would think i had a bunch of action figures standing on a shelf, not a tv projecting a video game... COD4 is a pretty safe bet... DMC 4 has great graphics, but the textures are kind of old schoool when it comes to facial detail and stuff like that.

shotputking

Yeah I meant the component cable that comes with the 360 with the 6 little wires attached to each other. Do I still need to go and get an extra cable or can I just stick with the current one?

Wow, you got some very strange answers from this thread.

First off, YES get the HDMI cable. It is the only way to get true 1080p out of it. Setting your Xbox to 1080p and letting it Upconvert will make it look worse than an HDMI cable.

Do NOT get a monster cable. It's 100$ for 1 HDMI cable, and it's a ripoff. Search Amazon and you can get a cable for 5$, and I can attest that these are good cables. Just make sure you get a cable capable of 1080p.

[QUOTE="shotputking"]

yeah, i don't understand the comment about not needing the cable either... by it's own cable i'm assuming you mean the component that comes with it? 6 little wires attached to each other? i would recommend getting the hdmi because of your tv type. yeah, there are many tvs where it won't matter, but on an lcd, it will.

GeoW absolutely blew me away in november of 2006, and still looks great, but i don't know if it will still blow people away when they see it the first time... i would say bioshock is pretty great graphically and artistically... people complain about halo 3, but on my tv i swear you would think i had a bunch of action figures standing on a shelf, not a tv projecting a video game... COD4 is a pretty safe bet... DMC 4 has great graphics, but the textures are kind of old schoool when it comes to facial detail and stuff like that.

vashts85

Yeah I meant the component cable that comes with the 360 with the 6 little wires attached to each other. Do I still need to go and get an extra cable or can I just stick with the current one?

You can stick with those, but with a nice tv, there's really no reason not to get an HDMI. Why buy a 2,000$ tv, and not finish it off with the 5$ cable? That's just the way I see it.

Make sure the switch on your component cable is set to HDTV for now. The switch is set to Standard Definition as default, just warning you in case you didn't see it.

yeah, there is no quality difference between a monster cable or any other cable. because it's digital, the picture is the exact same. the only difference might be insulation and protection, but just don't put the wire somewhere where you'll step on it and you'll be just fine.shotputking

How can you be certain there is no difference? I just got back from Best Buy and they gave me thorough explanations as to why the more expensive cables are better. I mean, there are pipeline capabilities and different cables process different amounts of information, so why wouldn't a more expensive/higher quality cable be better?

[QUOTE="shotputking"]yeah, there is no quality difference between a monster cable or any other cable. because it's digital, the picture is the exact same. the only difference might be insulation and protection, but just don't put the wire somewhere where you'll step on it and you'll be just fine.vashts85

How can you be certain there is no difference? I just got back from Best Buy and they gave me thorough explanations as to why the more expensive cables are better. I mean, there are pipeline capabilities and different cables process different amounts of information, so why wouldn't a more expensive/higher quality cable be better?

Because he is trying to sell you the expensive cables. The mark up on those cables is astonishing. Best Buy has got to be making a 1000% profit on those cables. No joke.

The monster cables are no different than a generic cable. Like the poster above said, go to monoprice.com and purchase a cable there. They are of the same quality and you can even get "high quality" cables for a fraction of the cost. Strait from the supplier without a middle man.

NEVER BUY CABLES FROM ELECTRONIC STORES

Moster's selling point is for people who think a bulky looking cable is a good one. Where in fact, they are all made in Tiwan, china, wherever by the same slave labor.

Here is a certified cat 2/CL2 rated cable. No worse than the 100 dollar monster. Heck its even designed for construction and in wall mounting.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024004&p_id=3662&seq=1&format=2

[QUOTE="vashts85"]

[QUOTE="shotputking"]yeah, there is no quality difference between a monster cable or any other cable. because it's digital, the picture is the exact same. the only difference might be insulation and protection, but just don't put the wire somewhere where you'll step on it and you'll be just fine.glesniak

How can you be certain there is no difference? I just got back from Best Buy and they gave me thorough explanations as to why the more expensive cables are better. I mean, there are pipeline capabilities and different cables process different amounts of information, so why wouldn't a more expensive/higher quality cable be better?

Because he is trying to sell you the expensive cables. The mark up on those cables is astonishing. Best Buy has got to be making a 1000% profit on those cables. No joke.

The monster cables are no different than a generic cable. Like the poster above said, go to monoprice.com and purchase a cable there. They are of the same quality and you can even get "high quality" cables for a fraction of the cost. Strait from the supplier without a middle man.

NEVER BUY CABLES FROM ELECTRONIC STORES

Moster's selling point is for people who think a bulky looking cable is a good one. Where in fact, they are all made in Tiwan, china, wherever by the same slave labor.

That still doesn't explain to me why one cable is $5, and the other is $90. If they are all the same quality why would the company even care to manufacture one that costs so much more?

[QUOTE="glesniak"][QUOTE="vashts85"]

[QUOTE="shotputking"]yeah, there is no quality difference between a monster cable or any other cable. because it's digital, the picture is the exact same. the only difference might be insulation and protection, but just don't put the wire somewhere where you'll step on it and you'll be just fine.vashts85

How can you be certain there is no difference? I just got back from Best Buy and they gave me thorough explanations as to why the more expensive cables are better. I mean, there are pipeline capabilities and different cables process different amounts of information, so why wouldn't a more expensive/higher quality cable be better?

Because he is trying to sell you the expensive cables. The mark up on those cables is astonishing. Best Buy has got to be making a 1000% profit on those cables. No joke.

The monster cables are no different than a generic cable. Like the poster above said, go to monoprice.com and purchase a cable there. They are of the same quality and you can even get "high quality" cables for a fraction of the cost. Strait from the supplier without a middle man.

NEVER BUY CABLES FROM ELECTRONIC STORES

Moster's selling point is for people who think a bulky looking cable is a good one. Where in fact, they are all made in Tiwan, china, wherever by the same slave labor.

That still doesn't explain to me why one cable is $5, and the other is $90. If they are all the same quality why would the company even care to manufacture one that costs so much more?

Youre not listening to me. Retail stores such as best buy, circuit city, etc.. all have crazy mark ups on their cables. They make the most profit from their cables. Why do you think when you buy TV's or other devices they always try to sell you additional cables. They make slight profits off to tv's, but make a KILLING on the cables. HDMI, Audio, anything...

Thats why they say buy the expensive ones. Because the expensive ones are making the company more money, and the guy more money in some cases (if the salesman works for commission)

That and manufacturers dont sell the cables directly, and best buy isnt the manufacturer. Manufacturesers sell the cables to best buy for 3 bucks, then best buy sells them to you for 90. See what I am saying?

Online, the manufacturers sell them to online companies, in which sell them for a marginal profit. The average consumer does not understand online shopping, and therefore thinks the only place to buy "good" cables is at the store. Manufactureres sell the 3 dollar cable to online company, then the online company sells the cable for 15 bucks and makes a 12 dollar profit. See the difference?

What I am really doing here is trying to save you a lot of money. Money in which could be put towards another game, XBL, or gas even.

[QUOTE="glesniak"][QUOTE="vashts85"]

[QUOTE="shotputking"]yeah, there is no quality difference between a monster cable or any other cable. because it's digital, the picture is the exact same. the only difference might be insulation and protection, but just don't put the wire somewhere where you'll step on it and you'll be just fine.vashts85

How can you be certain there is no difference? I just got back from Best Buy and they gave me thorough explanations as to why the more expensive cables are better. I mean, there are pipeline capabilities and different cables process different amounts of information, so why wouldn't a more expensive/higher quality cable be better?

Because he is trying to sell you the expensive cables. The mark up on those cables is astonishing. Best Buy has got to be making a 1000% profit on those cables. No joke.

The monster cables are no different than a generic cable. Like the poster above said, go to monoprice.com and purchase a cable there. They are of the same quality and you can even get "high quality" cables for a fraction of the cost. Strait from the supplier without a middle man.

NEVER BUY CABLES FROM ELECTRONIC STORES

Moster's selling point is for people who think a bulky looking cable is a good one. Where in fact, they are all made in Tiwan, china, wherever by the same slave labor.

That still doesn't explain to me why one cable is $5, and the other is $90. If they are all the same quality why would the company even care to manufacture one that costs so much more?

Trust me dude, it's like shovelware titles on Wii, they prey on soccer moms and people who don't know any better.

The fact is, if you put the cable in, and your TV recognizes it as 1080p, the cable is doing 100% of it's job. There's no such thing as a better/faster HDMI cable. That's not how it works.

I have a monster that I bought with my TV because I didn't know any better, I did research later on when I needed a second and bought the 5$ one off of Amazon. You could Switch the cables on me and I'd never know the difference. Trust me, I did a lot of research on HDMI for a work presentation.

Isn't it better to waste 5$ than to waste 95$ and realize the 5$ cable did the same thing?

Also explain to me how a monster cable is 100$, yet you can buy the Playstation 3 brand 1080p HDMI cable for 24.99$...monster must know something about quality that sony doesn't...yea, or not.

Don't you think it's weird that a store like Best Buy only carries one brand of HDMI cable? Best Buy, the store that carries 4 different versions of the same CD, and they don't offer any competition to the cables? It's a sales tactic...and the fact that they pretty much force you to take one if you buy an HDTV there.

Also explain to me how a monster cable is 100$, yet you can buy the Playstation 3 brand 1080p HDMI cable for 24.99$...monster must know something about quality that sony doesn't...yea, or not.

Don't you think it's weird that a store like Best Buy only carries one brand of HDMI cable? Best Buy, the store that carries 4 different versions of the same CD, and they don't offer any competition to the cables? It's a sales tactic...and the fact that they pretty much force you to take one if you buy an HDTV there.

Mau-Justice

So what cable would you recommend I get for my Xbox 360 (link?) I have a home theater system I also just bought and need to link the 360 to it as well so I can get surround sound when playing games or watching movies. Would I need 2 cables or just one? The guy at the store told me I would need to link the theater station to the TV, and link the 360 to the theater station as well.

I'm def returning the cables. Looks like I got rick-rolled at Best Buy.

[QUOTE="Mau-Justice"]

Also explain to me how a monster cable is 100$, yet you can buy the Playstation 3 brand 1080p HDMI cable for 24.99$...monster must know something about quality that sony doesn't...yea, or not.

Don't you think it's weird that a store like Best Buy only carries one brand of HDMI cable? Best Buy, the store that carries 4 different versions of the same CD, and they don't offer any competition to the cables? It's a sales tactic...and the fact that they pretty much force you to take one if you buy an HDTV there.

vashts85

So what cable would you recommend I get for my Xbox 360 (link?) I have a home theater system I also just bought and need to link the 360 to it as well so I can get surround sound when playing games or watching movies. Would I need 2 cables or just one? The guy at the store told me I would need to link the theater station to the TV, and link the 360 to the theater station as well.

I'm def returning the cables. Looks like I got rick-rolled at Best Buy.

Happens to the best of us, hell, it happened to me too. I think I bought a regular power surge for like 100$...He just starting making this pile of all the junk he said I would need, only to find out later I could have had the parts for 1/4 of the price I paid.

The home theatre system is tricky...I'm having issues with it myself. Is yours a standalone Sound System? Or does it have a DVD combo? It only has 1 HDMI right?

The problem is, most Systems only have one HDMI port, which is used to connect to your TV to get 1080p DVD's...that leaves no place to plug in any other HDMI sources. You would need like an HDMI switchbox to channel everything, or just use the Components to plug the Sound System into the TV (less DVD quality) but you get the 1080p Xbox. That's assuming you have the DVD/Sound System combo.

I'll go searching for some cables and try and get you a link. Mostly just type in "1080p HDMI" in the Amazon search and read user reviews and what they say about each cable.

I know you may not know off hand, but do you know if your home theatre system has optical (digital, TOSLINK) imputs? I am almost 100% sure you TV has the same output, and if your home theatre has an optical imput, it only takes one little cable to have pure digital sound.

Here is a picture example of the imputs. Its the imput on the right with the red light (thesignal is ran though fiber optic cables for pure digital sound). Your TV should also have the same type output.

If you have such a set up, all you need is this cable hooked up from the TV to the reciever. Then when you play the game via HDMI into the TV, it passes the digital audio signal though the TV, and out the optical output, then it goes into the reciever. Kinda like a bypass so to speak

CLICK HERE TO SEE AUDIO OPTICAL CABLE

Now if your reciever has an HDMI imput, and an HDMI out put, then all you need to do is get 2 cables, one HDMI cable from the Xbox to the reciever, then another from the reciever to the TV.

But this is ONLY if your reciever has an HDMI imput AND HDMI output.

I know you may not know off hand, but do you know if your home theatre system has optical (digital, TOSLINK) imputs? I am almost 100% sure you TV has the same output, and if your home theatre has an optical imput, it only takes one little cable to have pure digital sound.

Here is a picture example of the imputs. Its the imput on the right with the red light (thesignal is ran though fiber optic cables for pure digital sound). Your TV should also have the same type output.

If you have such a set up, all you need is this cable hooked up from the TV to the reciever. Then when you play the game via HDMI into the TV, it passes though the TV and goes into the reciever as well.

CLICK HERE TO SEE AUDIO OPTICAL CABLE

glesniak

I'm pretty sure this is what I have;

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8724286&type=product&id=1200703057676

[QUOTE="glesniak"]

I know you may not know off hand, but do you know if your home theatre system has optical (digital, TOSLINK) imputs? I am almost 100% sure you TV has the same output, and if your home theatre has an optical imput, it only takes one little cable to have pure digital sound.

Here is a picture example of the imputs. Its the imput on the right with the red light (thesignal is ran though fiber optic cables for pure digital sound). Your TV should also have the same type output.

If you have such a set up, all you need is this cable hooked up from the TV to the reciever. Then when you play the game via HDMI into the TV, it passes though the TV and goes into the reciever as well.

CLICK HERE TO SEE AUDIO OPTICAL CABLE

vashts85

I'm pretty sure this is what I have;

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8724286&type=product&id=1200703057676

Sons of beotches also just dropped the price on my TV and home theater! Look at that!

The home theater has these features:

- 1 HDMI OUTput
- No digital TOSLINK input

How would I go about setting it up then?

Ahh, your link helped a TON. You do have that optical imput, it is right next to the HDMI imput. (to the right)

Do you by chance have a link to your TV?

The home theater has these features:

- 1 HDMI OUTput
- No digital TOSLINK input

How would I go about setting it up then?

vashts85

It does have an optical imput, it is to the right of the HDMI. I am going by what I see on the pictures.

And in the description I found the following : Inputs: 1 optical digital audio, 1 audio

I should have probably made it more clear, TOSLINK is Optical imputs. My bad

[QUOTE="vashts85"]

The home theater has these features:

- 1 HDMI OUTput
- No digital TOSLINK input

How would I go about setting it up then?

glesniak

It does have an optical imput, it is to the right of the HDMI. I am going by what I see on the pictures.

OK I was curious because it said it didn't. Here is the TV:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=206153

The only things that I will be hooking up to the home theather will be the Xbox 360 and then my FIOS TV thing. The home theater already has its own DVD player so I figure I can watch movies on that.

Ok here is what you need to do. I have created pictures and color-coded the circles to where what goes where.

Green - Is where you hook up your Xbox (HDMI)

Yellow - Is where you hook up your home theatre video/DVD (HDMI)

Red - Is your Audio, surround sound (Optical)

Here are pictures the back of your Xbox and the back of your home theatre system.

the cable for REDyou can get here : CLICK HERE you only need ONE

The cable for GREENand YELLOW you can get here: CLICK HERE you will need TWO of these

Below are the pictures with the corresponding circles.

Green = Xbox hook up

RED = Audio hook up

Yellow = Home theatre DVD hook up

So get 2 HDMI cables (listed above) and one optical audio cable (listed above)

Just plug them into the correspoding plugs, and youre done!

When youre done, add Cherrie Poppins to your Xbox Live friends list if you have Xbox live :) (thats me)

Damn man, props to you. Nice work.

I can't even give you a thumbs up or anything, GS should make some kind of reward system. You'd be deserving of it.

Awesome!!! I will take care of all of this once I get home. Do you think I can get similar low priced cables at Best Buy when I go refund the rip off cables I bought? Are they good quality cables too (I know, I r teh noobzor)vashts85

Nah remember I told you it's a scam. At least the Best Buy around me, they don't sell anything other than Monster.

Monster must have some deal with Best Buy where they pay them to exclusively sell their cables or something. That, or they just give them a cut because people trust the Best Buy name.

I know it's a pain, I hate ordering stuff of the internet, I'd rather just go pick it up that day. The quicker you order though, the quicker it will be there :)

Awesome!!! I will take care of all of this once I get home. Do you think I can get similar low priced cables at Best Buy when I go refund the rip off cables I bought? Are they good quality cables too (I know, I r teh noobzor)vashts85

youre probably better going to like walmart and getting some pannasonic or phillips (i think those are the brands) cables. The HDMI is about 20 bucks and the opticals are 15 ish I think

[QUOTE="vashts85"]Awesome!!! I will take care of all of this once I get home. Do you think I can get similar low priced cables at Best Buy when I go refund the rip off cables I bought? Are they good quality cables too (I know, I r teh noobzor)glesniak

Cool I might try that. Then again I do remember the guy at Best Buy being like "Well we do have these 5 dollar cables". Maybe I will get something along those lines if it really doesn't make a difference.

I really wanted to tahnk you Glesniak. This was a tremendous help. I will def add you as a friend to my XBL. Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!

Damn man, props to you. Nice work.

I can't even give you a thumbs up or anything, GS should make some kind of reward system. You'd be deserving of it.

Mau-Justice

Thanks man, I had this problem too before, and somebody else helped me out. So I'd figure I'd pass on the information as well.

[QUOTE="shotputking"]yeah, there is no quality difference between a monster cable or any other cable. because it's digital, the picture is the exact same. the only difference might be insulation and protection, but just don't put the wire somewhere where you'll step on it and you'll be just fine.vashts85

How can you be certain there is no difference? I just got back from Best Buy and they gave me thorough explanations as to why the more expensive cables are better. I mean, there are pipeline capabilities and different cables process different amounts of information, so why wouldn't a more expensive/higher quality cable be better?

Stores like best uy don't make much money on the TVs, they make all their money on marked up cables, power bars, other tv accessories and lets not forget extended warranty. The fact is an HDMI cable is an HDMI cable and the quality is the same.

I actually just got home and realized that my 360 is an older generation and as such doesn't have a HDMI input. Is getting the MadCatz or whatever HDMI converter a good idea? I keep reading reviews that say it's pretty useless but I'd like to get the maximum quality out of my entire set up.

I know I already got a lot of help and I really appreciate it, but I was hoping someone could answer this too. Sorry :(

[QUOTE="vashts85"][QUOTE="glesniak"][QUOTE="vashts85"]

[QUOTE="shotputking"]yeah, there is no quality difference between a monster cable or any other cable. because it's digital, the picture is the exact same. the only difference might be insulation and protection, but just don't put the wire somewhere where you'll step on it and you'll be just fine.glesniak

How can you be certain there is no difference? I just got back from Best Buy and they gave me thorough explanations as to why the more expensive cables are better. I mean, there are pipeline capabilities and different cables process different amounts of information, so why wouldn't a more expensive/higher quality cable be better?

Because he is trying to sell you the expensive cables. The mark up on those cables is astonishing. Best Buy has got to be making a 1000% profit on those cables. No joke.

The monster cables are no different than a generic cable. Like the poster above said, go to monoprice.com and purchase a cable there. They are of the same quality and you can even get "high quality" cables for a fraction of the cost. Strait from the supplier without a middle man.

NEVER BUY CABLES FROM ELECTRONIC STORES

Moster's selling point is for people who think a bulky looking cable is a good one. Where in fact, they are all made in Tiwan, china, wherever by the same slave labor.

That still doesn't explain to me why one cable is $5, and the other is $90. If they are all the same quality why would the company even care to manufacture one that costs so much more?

Youre not listening to me. Retail stores such as best buy, circuit city, etc.. all have crazy mark ups on their cables. They make the most profit from their cables. Why do you think when you buy TV's or other devices they always try to sell you additional cables. They make slight profits off to tv's, but make a KILLING on the cables. HDMI, Audio, anything...

Thats why they say buy the expensive ones. Because the expensive ones are making the company more money, and the guy more money in some cases (if the salesman works for commission)

That and manufacturers dont sell the cables directly, and best buy isnt the manufacturer. Manufacturesers sell the cables to best buy for 3 bucks, then best buy sells them to you for 90. See what I am saying?

Online, the manufacturers sell them to online companies, in which sell them for a marginal profit. The average consumer does not understand online shopping, and therefore thinks the only place to buy "good" cables is at the store. Manufactureres sell the 3 dollar cable to online company, then the online company sells the cable for 15 bucks and makes a 12 dollar profit. See the difference?

What I am really doing here is trying to save you a lot of money. Money in which could be put towards another game, XBL, or gas even.

This is completely accurate. I worked at Best Buy for a year, and that was their huge lecture every single morning. If you sell a computer, TV, Stereo, etc...SELL CABLES!!!. Put it this way, you know those $30 USB cables they sell at Best Buy? Well they seld them to me with my employee discount (5% ABOVE cost) for $2. There's your proof.

Also, does anybody have a link to the monster cable vs a coat hanger comparison? That was funny, even a 'pro' thought the one was clearer than the other....and it was a coat hanger being used as a cable. Monster cable is crap. Digital is digital. 1's and 0's. You can't have a low quality 1 or 0. It works or it doesn't.

Ok, I sent you a private message, but just in case anyone else wants information I am posting it here as well.

Yeah, you can get the VGA adapter, it works the exact same way as the HDMI, but it just does not carry an Audio signal. The video properties, and quality is identical.

I would try to stick with getting a Xbox brand cable as they come with the optical port included. Therefore you could just plug in the optical cable I told you above into it, then strait into your receiver for digital sound.

But, I did read the description of the link of the VGA cable you posted, and indeed it says it DOES have the optical imput just like the OEM Xbox brand ones. I just did not see it in any of the pictures. That cable should be sufficient enough, and gives you the ability to order everything at once. I say go for it!

(It is not shaped the same way, therefore the actual plug may be in a different location)

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp

The VGA plug contains a little black port on it where you can plug in the optical cable to. Even the component cables have this plug as well. It is near the part that plugs into the Xbox itself, all you need to do to get full digital audio is plug the optical cable into that tiny port. Then plug it into the location I showed you on your receiver.

Here is a picture I have included with the red circle showing where you need to plug in that port and the corresponding port on your receiver (The post earlier I made with the pics)

Basically audio wise, instead of coming from the TV to the receiver, you are going from the XBOX to the receiver. VGA does not carry an audio signal, and you want to avoid using the red and white analog cables as they do not provide pure digital sound.

Hope this helps!

This is completely accurate. I worked at Best Buy for a year, and that was their huge lecture every single morning. If you sell a computer, TV, Stereo, etc...SELL CABLES!!!. Put it this way, you know those $30 USB cables they sell at Best Buy? Well they seld them to me with my employee discount (5% ABOVE cost) for $2. There's your proof.

Also, does anybody have a link to the monster cable vs a coat hanger comparison? That was funny, even a 'pro' thought the one was clearer than the other....and it was a coat hanger being used as a cable. Monster cable is crap. Digital is digital. 1's and 0's. You can't have a low quality 1 or 0. It works or it doesn't.

boostud

Monster Cables Vs. Coat Hangar

:)

And here...

And here is Monster rigging up HDTV displays to make their TV cables "look better"

I actually just got home and realized that my 360 is an older generation and as such doesn't have a HDMI input. Is getting the MadCatz or whatever HDMI converter a good idea? I keep reading reviews that say it's pretty useless but I'd like to get the maximum quality out of my entire set up.

I know I already got a lot of help and I really appreciate it, but I was hoping someone could answer this too. Sorry :(

vashts85

yes the md catz converter works very well i suggest getting it. also i dont know if anyone has said this yet but make sure when youre on the 360 dashboard go to display settings and set it to the hd setting.