How Much Am I Losing Without HDMI?

Hey all-

I apologize upfront for sounding uninformed:

I have the core 360 system - I bought it initially without an idea of how into gaming I'd get, so I've sinced added a harddrive and a wireless.

My model is also sans HDMI input. I have a pretty solid TV and love how MLB The Show looks on the PS3, and have since been wondering what I'm missing out on with the 360.

Is it worth trying to trade/sell my system? Or should I just suck it up and continue to enjoy without the HDMI function?

Thanks-

Hey all-

I apologize upfront for sounding uninformed:

I have the core 360 system - I bought it initially without an idea of how into gaming I'd get, so I've sinced added a harddrive and a wireless.

My model is also sans HDMI input. I have a pretty solid TV and love how MLB The Show looks on the PS3, and have since been wondering what I'm missing out on with the 360.

Is it worth trying to trade/sell my system? Or should I just suck it up and continue to enjoy without the HDMI function?

Thanks-

UrsaStephan

I assume you are using components cables so you are at least playing in HD. The only difference I noticed between those cables and a HDMI is that the colors and corners seemed a tad more crisp. I wouldn't bother selling unless you can get a good price.Sins-of-Mosin

Yeah, pretty much.

I started out with a VGA cable even though I got a HDMI cable (I regret to say I had no idea what it was :P) with my 360 until I finally copped on and tried out the HDMI. And I have to say: I was a little underwhelmed, considering what I was expecting and what I'd heard..

While there IS a slight difference, 99% of people wouldn't give a toss and rightly so because its only marginally better..

I use it purely for the convenience of having a single wire rather than multiple ones...

See, I sort of know what the potential is.. I've seen what my PS3 games look with and without the HDMI cable.

But to be realistic, I guess nobody's gonna want to buy an Arcade system for any price I'd be satisifed with. I'd probably have to make up over 200 bucks to cover the difference.

See, I sort of know what the potential is.. I've seen what my PS3 games look with and without the HDMI cable.

But to be realistic, I guess nobody's gonna want to buy an Arcade system for any price I'd be satisifed with. I'd probably have to make up over 200 bucks to cover the difference.

UrsaStephan

Well are you playing your 360 on a HD capable television and with HD wires and not a plain old Standrad definition scart cable?

If so, the difference between HD and SD is pretty large but you don't need a HDMI to get a HD picture..The VGA cable that with the 360 will do pretty much the same job..

You could also buy a HDMI cable and try it out yourself, they're not that expensive, as long as you don't get the Microsoft version. Around here it's €4,- for a decent HDMI cable.

Yeah, my box doesn't even have the HDMI port though. Stupid Arcade system.

It sounds like you guys aren't raving about a significant improvement, so I'll probably keep plugging away with what I have.

Yeah, my box doesn't even have the HDMI port though. Stupid Arcade system.

It sounds like you guys aren't raving about a significant improvement, so I'll probably keep plugging away with what I have.

UrsaStephan

Uh huh, I'm using the HDMI component cables.

Uh huh, I'm using the HDMI component cables.

UrsaStephan

Do the cables you use look like this?? Or This:

First set of cables bafle.

Sorry for being retarded. I'm using the input cables that came factory sealed with the system, I haven't purchased anything else

Would something like this make a difference for me?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Rocketfish%26%23153%3B+-+HD+Component+Video/Stereo+Audio+Gaming+Cable+for+Xbox+360/8362595.p?id=1177717628274&skuId=8362595

First set of cables bafle.

Sorry for being retarded. I'm using the input cables that came factory sealed with the system, I haven't purchased anything else

UrsaStephan

Would something like this make a difference for me?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Rocketfish%26%23153%3B+-+HD+Component+Video/Stereo+Audio+Gaming+Cable+for+Xbox+360/8362595.p?id=1177717628274&skuId=8362595

UrsaStephan

Yeah DJ, those are the cables I'm currently using. So I could pick up those cables I posted before, and could see a tangible difference?

Yeah DJ, those are the cables I'm currently using. So I could pick up those cables I posted before, and could see a tangible difference?

UrsaStephan

Yeah DJ, those are the cables I'm currently using. So I could pick up those cables I posted before, and could see a tangible difference?

UrsaStephan

The difference between SD and HD is massive, you won't believe that you've settled for SD all this time...It sounds stupid but once you go HD, you won't wanna go back...And just to verify -- you do have a HD ready television?!

Oh and by the by, if you are going to purchase component cables, I'd shop around cos I think $30 is a little steep and its third party...

I haven't got a hdmi port at the back of my xbox so i have to use component cables.

Ha, yeah I have an HD capable TV. I'm not FULL-on retarded, just mostly.

I thought 30 bucks seemed pretty square considering it's new, but I'll def. look around. Thanks guys.

[QUOTE="UrsaStephan"]

Yeah DJ, those are the cables I'm currently using. So I could pick up those cables I posted before, and could see a tangible difference?

balfe1990

The difference between SD and HD is massive, you won't believe that you've settled for SD all this time...It sounds stupid but once you go HD, you won't wanna go back...And just to verify -- you do have a HD ready television?!

Oh and by the by, if you are going to purchase component cables, I'd shop around cos I think $30 is a little steep and its third party...

Ha, yeah I have an HD capable TV. I'm not FULL-on retarded, just mostly.

I thought 30 bucks seemed pretty square considering it's new, but I'll def. look around. Thanks guys.

UrsaStephan

Ha, yeah I have an HD capable TV. I'm not FULL-on retarded, just mostly.

I thought 30 bucks seemed pretty square considering it's new, but I'll def. look around. Thanks guys.

UrsaStephan

Yeah man, just making sure :P

Good luck anyway pal....

I have a somewhat dumb question as well. I've used composite cables my entire ownership of my 360. If I ever decide to upgrade to component, would I use all six cables ([red/green/blue] plus [yellow/white/red]) or just the [red/green/blue] cables into my hypothetical HD TV?

All this help is great BUUUUT, TV DOES MAKE A DIFFERANCE! I bought a Vizio, hooked up HDMI (MONSTER CABLE HDMI AT THAT!), crap. Bought my Samsung with the HDMI and BAM, it was better. Just take that into play too. :)

I have a somewhat dumb question as well. I've used composite cables my entire ownership of my 360. If I ever decide to upgrade to component, would I use all six cables ([red/green/blue] plus [yellow/white/red]) or just the [red/green/blue] cables into my hypothetical HD TV?

pilotdude232

you would use the red green and blue plugs for picture and the red and white for sound so 5 plugs. Also for the people who have 360s without HDMI look into VGA cables. Id say it provides just as good of a picture as HDMI and both are better than component cables. Of course you need to make sure that your tv can support VGA though and you might need some adapters.

I've used all 3 different types of cords(SD,AV cors that come with the system(component)). I have had trouble reading some text in some games like this. I've also been using a composite cable lately which makes things look close to just as good as with hdmi. The only big difference is less wires IMO. I'm letting someone borrow my elite right now and I'm using my older system for now and the HD looks the same to me. All of the different cables can be found very cheap on amazon(shipping will probably cost more than the cables), it would for sure be less than $30.

[QUOTE="pilotdude232"]

I have a somewhat dumb question as well. I've used composite cables my entire ownership of my 360. If I ever decide to upgrade to component, would I use all six cables ([red/green/blue] plus [yellow/white/red]) or just the [red/green/blue] cables into my hypothetical HD TV?

Gen007

you would use the red green and blue plugs for picture and the red and white for sound so 5 plugs. Also for the people who have 360s without HDMI look into VGA cables. Id say it provides just as good of a picture as HDMI and both are better than component cables. Of course you need to make sure that your tv can support VGA though and you might need some adapters.

Thank you for your answer. :)

Comparing to the component cables, you are not losing much if anything.

I just got a new set of gold plated monster component cables for my 360 as I didnt have any more HDMI ports available on my TV since my PS3 and DirectTV box are each using a port and some contol freak analog extenders for my PS3 controller on Amazon.com this morning shipped for free all for $26.