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[Xbox-Scene]

Microsoft: 'Xbox 360 Platform Flexible Enough to Support a Digital Connection' Posted by XanTium | October 5 17:42 EST

IGN.com updated their Xbox360 HDMI article because they finally got an answer from Microsoft about a possible digital signal for the Xbox360. Sadly it's still not very clear if this means the current Xbox360 could have a HDMI cable or if they mean they could easily make a new version of the 360 with a HDMI port (As we reported a while back, MS has been working on prototypes of an Xbox 360 with HDMI port): IGN: Can the X360 send out a digital signal now, or ever? Microsoft: Xbox 360 currently doesn't include a digital out connection for video. Our platform is flexible enough to allow support of a digital connection in the future should we choose to do so. When the Xbox 360 was being developed HDMI was nascent and with our current connections we support what the overwhelming majority of consumers have available to them. It's important to note that the market penetration of 1080p displays is in the single digits. Regardless, for those early adopters who have displays and projectors that support 1080p over VGA and component we have a solution and it is a free upgrade for them. We are watching the market closely and will continue to evaluate our solution in the face of consumer demand, but have no announcements regarding additional cables or connections. Read More: uk.gear.ign.com

[mlapaglia]

just watch M$ having built in digital connections from the very beginning, through the USB like the network adapter or something to that extent  

[proger]

QUOTE

We are watching the market closely

If I see that one more fucking time, I am going to rip off the nearest head to me...  

[leorimolo]

It awsome news, although Ive known this for months before the first articles about it  came out. I was really happy, also the hdmi cable will come included with the hd dvd player.

This post has been edited by leorimolo: Oct 5 2006, 10:51 PM

[kktz]

They'll probably update the current 360 with a newer version with built in hd-dvd and hdmi out.

[kics]

well, the guys at IGN ...... better check out their article ..


http://gear.ign.com/...5/735860p1.html

[rasstar]

Market penetration is in the single digits so why would they bother?

[Maverick-DBZ-]

QUOTE(leorimolo @ Oct 5 2006, 02:20 PM)

It awsome news, although Ive known this for months before the first articles about it  came out. I was really happy, also the hdmi cable will come included with the hd dvd player.

You are seriously misinformed my friend. The HD-DVD player MS is releasing won't come with a HDMI cable nor does it support it.  

Unless... your thinking about something TOTALLY different

[Foe-hammer]

I'm still curious as to how MS plans to do this on current 360's.  MS might just be planning on putting HDMI in future 360's, and have no option for current 360's.......which would piss a lot of people off.

[Zylyx]

It's called "Frantic Backpedalling", guys.

I'm not completely sure what's going on here, but Microsoft sure gives off an air of frantically trying to counter Sony right now-- it's like they're almost *desperate*. Kinda weird, since the PS3's position appears so weak at the moment.

I can only guess that the recent HDMI port change on Sony's part has Microsoft thoroughly spooked, but if the numbers are right there's really not much POINT to Microsoft being spooked over it yet..

[twistedsymphony]

it really depends on the encoder chip built into the 360...

if the I/O pins on that chip are multi purpose then they could probably just re-flash it with an update and volia... what was once a completely analog chip is now a misshapen HDMI port.

It's hard to say if that's the case though, the chip was developed in-house by MS's WebTV team, and AFAIK there aren't any datasheets on it.

IMO that would be what "flexible" means but I could be way off base.

[icedemon360]

MOre then likely there will be a new 360, with digital video output. That'd pi55 me off, they should have forcasted the market properly. New 360s with cooler cpu and digital video, with maybe a bigger harddrive.
Anyway, even if the encoder within was capable of a digital signal, wouldn't that be out the question because they'd have to get the signal out the box for it to be useable?

[89c4l98]

I difference between component and hdmi/dvi is minimal...


Yes hdmi/dvi is all digital so it gets converted to analog once so you can see it

With component it's digital to analog to digital to analog so you can see it...


It's not the cure all and the graphics will only be marginaly sharper....

They need to fix the crappy dvd playback in the 360.. I hope the hd dvd looks like a standalone hd dvd unit does...

[Pheidias]

I don't really understand the statement is MS saying that the x360 can do digital transmitions right now or that it will be able to if they add a digital connection. Is it for instance possible to do a usb--hdmi cable? becouse a vga or component---> hdmi would only fake a digital connection?

[APEXi350Z]

QUOTE(89c4l98 @ Oct 6 2006, 08:08 AM)

They need to fix the crappy dvd playback in the 360.. I hope the hd dvd looks like a standalone hd dvd unit does...

yes, I noticed the dvd playback sucks as well, with the component cables.. but as soon as I switched to vga cable, the dvd playback is the same as my standalone dvd player..  the cable makes the difference...