HDMI

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GTI07

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Guys, my Xbox uses either a RCA connection or a HDMI connection to connect to my TV. I have a Full HD LCD. I currently use the RCA connection. Will i notice any difference in pic quality if i change to the HDMI, will be using the same games etc so the media is not changing.
 
That depends on whether those RCA's are delivering component video or plain old composite video.

If there is a single (typically) yellow RCA connector for video, then you are using composite and the upgrade to HDMI will be massive.
If there are three green, blue and red RCA connectors for video, then this is analogue component video which is pretty good, but not as quite as good as the digital HDMI connection would be. The Xbox specifically does not upscale DVDs then they are played over component video due to some licensing restriction placed on them by the MPAA and DVD standards people. Games and other video will play at Hi-Def over component up to 1080p.

Some reading for you:
http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/122868.html
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360componenthdcable/
 
Oh, and if you do go HDMI consider the following:
- if you are planning on playing the audio through a receiver / amp you need to make sure that your TV supports either HDMI passthrough if you amp supports HDMI, or some other (preferably digital) audio passthrough that your receiver can connect to. This is because HDMI plays audio and video over a single cable.
- Don't pay a premium for an HDMI cable. On short (< 3m) runs, you can pretty much use the cheapest cable you can find. Digital is 1's and 0's: either it works or it doesn't.
 
Cool, thanks guys. I use the Red, White and Yellow cables. Still trying to understand how the quality of the image will change as the X-box isn't a bluray player. So i assume if i had to buy a normal DVD player that has input for these Y-W-R rca's and HDMI, if i where to use HDMI with the same DVD(movie), the HDMI cable will yield a better pic quality.
Sorry, i'm a noob at all this.
 
Hydrofire said:
Oh, and if you do go HDMI consider the following:
- if you are planning on playing the audio through a receiver / amp you need to make sure that your TV supports either HDMI passthrough if you amp supports HDMI, or some other (preferably digital) audio passthrough that your receiver can connect to. This is because HDMI plays audio and video over a single cable.
- Don't pay a premium for an HDMI cable. On short (< 3m) runs, you can pretty much use the cheapest cable you can find. Digital is 1's and 0's: either it works or it doesn't.
Click to expand...

The Cheap-a$$ HDMI cable that came with my HD PVR didn't work on my 42" HD TV, Dodgy colours, ghosting etc. Changed to Ellies R100 HDMI Cable and works like a bomb, so don't always trust the cheap stuff!
 
Okay, R100 is still on the cheap side. I was trying to warn him off paying > R600 for some gold-plated Monster Cable that was rolled on the inner thigh of a Swedish virgin in a zero-gravity environment.
 
Cool, thanks guys. I use the Red, White and Yellow cables.
Click to expand...

That's composite, easily the worst audio and video you can get out of anything.

Still trying to understand how the quality of the image will change as the X-box isn't a bluray player.
Click to expand...

Blu-Ray isn't the only hi-def source out there. Xbox games render in HD (some up to 1080p), and video playback is upscaled to hi-def (except DVDs on component cables, see previous comment on this). Just try it, you will be amazed.

So i assume if i had to buy a normal DVD player that has input for these Y-W-R rca's and HDMI, if i where to use HDMI with the same DVD(movie), the HDMI cable will yield a better pic quality.
Click to expand...

Yes, it probably would, even though standard DVD output is only 480p. Audio will be the major improvement over HDMI, because full 5.1 surround will be supported (assuming your amp can handle this). If you have a DVD player that upscales to HD, you will notice a more dramatic improvement in picture quality. Rather leave the DVD player out of this and play the DVD on the Xbox using an HDMI cable. That will be the best you can get out of your DVDs (unless your DVD player is some super-fancy model that does better upscaling than the Xbox.) Best is to try both the Xbox and the DVD player and see what you like best.
 
Thanks, gonna get the cable. Any reccomended places i should buy from?
 
To echo the others, resolution isn't the only variable that makes a picture look good or bad.

So while the HDMI may not change the resolution of certain sources, it will help the picture with deeper blacks, vibrants colours and less bleed between colours
 
Why didnt you just try it and see for yourself?
 
JK8 said:
Why didnt you just try it and see for yourself?
Click to expand...

coz i did not want to fork out for a cable that would make no difference in pic quality. Now that i know it does, i will go and buy the cable.
 
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