Post by: XanTium on August 24, 2005, 11:48:00 AM
A pre-production Xbox 360 hooked-up to a Samsung DLP rear projection TV has shown as part of the MS Media Center demonstration. The Xbox 360 was streaming 720p HD video content from the MCE PC, but MS assured 1080i would be possible too.
The Xbox 360 was connected via component video to the HDTV, but what's more surprizing is that MS told TrustedReviews the Xbox 360 can ouput over HDMI, but that the cable isn't available yet.
That's news for me ... so far MS has never announced HDMI (or any digital video output for that matter). Will it work on the 1st version of the retail Xbox360 or will this need a new Xbox 360 with modified video-encoder? A digital video output certainly would put an Xbox360 version with HD-DVD (or Blu-Ray) much closer, as the next-gen DVD formats require digital outputs as part of their copyright protection. This HDMI-news is not confirmed for now. We'll report back when we have more about this.
Post by: LowProfileWurm on August 24, 2005, 12:05:00 PM
Post by: mirx999 on August 24, 2005, 12:51:00 PM
Post by: LowProfileWurm on August 24, 2005, 12:23:00 PM
Post by: nj12nets on August 24, 2005, 12:31:00 PM
Post by: thax on August 24, 2005, 01:12:00 PM
It may be possible that they made changes to the webtv chip at the last moment to enable some sort of digital output, and with the assistance of some additional logic in the cable allow for HDMI compliance.
The cable pricing and size should reveal how they accomplished all of this.
Post by: LowProfileWurm on August 24, 2005, 01:13:00 PM
QUOTE(nj12nets @ Aug 24 2005, 03:42 PM)
or just dont buy the grill
There are some Sony exclusives that I'm looking forward to. Specifically, if Wipeout and Twisted Metal come to it, I'm buying it. I'm also looking forward to WarHawk and Devil May Cry. I won't buy it at launch, but if the price comes down a few bucks, I'll pick up a cheap BluRay player.
Post by: mirx999 on August 24, 2005, 01:30:00 PM
Post by: twistedsymphony on August 24, 2005, 01:55:00 PM
QUOTE(LowProfileWurm @ Aug 24 2005, 02:16 PM)
I was under the impression that HDMI was impossible for 360 due to the nature of its analog output converter. Am I incorrect?
Well no one ever said that that it wasn't capable of outputting in digital... just that it does it's scaling in an analog fashion so even if it does output digital it would essentially be an analog->digital conversion.
This is great news Xan!
Also another dotted line towards HD-DVD seeing as there are rumors that HD-DVD players will only output in HD by way of DVI or HDMI for their signal encryption abilities.
Post by: LowProfileWurm on August 24, 2005, 02:21:00 PM
QUOTE(twistedsymphony @ Aug 24 2005, 04:30 PM)
Well no one ever said that that it wasn't capable of outputting in digital... just that it does it's scaling in an analog fashion so even if it does output digital it would essentially be an analog->digital conversion.
Ah, I thought it was a limitation of the WebTV silicon they were using. Got my wires crossed I guess. In that case, HORRAH! :D :D
Post by: strobbe on August 24, 2005, 02:16:00 PM
Post by: schizzlefuzz on August 24, 2005, 02:28:00 PM
Post by: Aristotle16 on August 24, 2005, 04:16:00 PM
Post by: darth_jarret on August 24, 2005, 04:30:00 PM
QUOTE(Aristotle16 @ Aug 24 2005, 04:51 PM)
just a quick question...did an MS rep ever OFFICIALLY confirm the WebTV analog chip in the 360?
Thats a great point, I dont remember seeing an announcement stating that it will be the WebTV chip, just a bunch of speculaton circleing these forums. i could be wrong of course.
if there using the web tv chip to make the 360 compatable with analog TVs, i assume its a digital signal nativly thus it wouldn't be too hard for teh firmware in the cable to tell the webtv chiip to turn off, or something like that.
Post by: stevox on August 24, 2005, 04:27:00 PM
Post by: LowProfileWurm on August 24, 2005, 04:43:00 PM
Post by: kl0wn on August 24, 2005, 05:29:00 PM
I don't really care for HDMI/DVI at this point, my new tv does not support it ;p
Post by: twistedsymphony on August 24, 2005, 08:34:00 PM
QUOTE(Aristotle16 @ Aug 24 2005, 05:51 PM)
just a quick question...did an MS rep ever OFFICIALLY confirm the WebTV analog chip in the 360?
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Title: Xbox 360 Spotted At Idf - Xbox 360 To Have Hdmi?
Post by: incognegro on August 31, 2005, 06:14:00 AM
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words of a true gamer
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Title: Xbox 360 Spotted At Idf - Xbox 360 To Have Hdmi?
Post by: twistedsymphony on August 31, 2005, 08:15:00 AM
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Post by: incognegro on August 31, 2005, 06:14:00 AM
QUOTE
As far as HDMI the next cousoul should have it.. PS3 or 360. if it doesnt i probably wont see myself get one
words of a true gamer
Post by: twistedsymphony on August 31, 2005, 08:15:00 AM
QUOTE(incognegro @ Aug 31 2005, 08:25 AM)
words of a true gamer
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Title: Xbox 360 Spotted At Idf - Xbox 360 To Have Hdmi?
Post by: twistedsymphony on August 31, 2005, 10:27:00 AM
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Post by: twistedsymphony on August 31, 2005, 10:27:00 AM
QUOTE(X36 @ Aug 31 2005, 11:32 AM)
I'm very serious about Home Theater. If the 360 doesn't have a digital connection it will be very disappointing, still will get one, but disappointing. As far as HDMI is concerned there are many Pre\Pro's and receiver that strip out the audio and sends on the video. When you can compare analog video todigital, digital wins hands down. The only other digital audio connection is Toslink, which is the worst of the digital connections. I believe it goes XLR, RCA\SPDIF, Toslink. I don't know where Hdmi fall's into that list but it is better than toslink.
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Title: Xbox 360 Spotted At Idf - Xbox 360 To Have Hdmi?
Post by: mbaez99 on August 31, 2005, 10:48:00 AM
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Post by: mbaez99 on August 31, 2005, 10:48:00 AM
QUOTE(X36 @ Aug 31 2005, 05:32 PM)
I'm very serious about Home Theater. If the 360 doesn't have a digital connection it will be very disappointing, still will get one, but disappointing. As far as HDMI is concerned there are many Pre\Pro's and receiver that strip out the audio and sends on the video. When you can compare analog video todigital, digital wins hands down. The only other digital audio connection is Toslink, which is the worst of the digital connections. I believe it goes XLR, RCA\SPDIF, Toslink. I don't know where Hdmi fall's into that list but it is better than toslink.
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Title: Xbox 360 Spotted At Idf - Xbox 360 To Have Hdmi?
Post by: twistedsymphony on August 31, 2005, 01:39:00 PM
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Plagiarizing is illegal
http://www.harmonict....asp?keyword=62
Also they're basing their claims of optical's inferiority on assumptions that the equipment is made with "cheap plastic" and that it's being used to transmit an analog signal digitally.
What they failed to mention is that A to D conversion is the conversion from an Analog source into the S/PDif format... so your Coax is going through the same conversion (provided you're using an Analog source). Last I checked most source material for home theaters is digital to begin with. Also so long as quality LEDs are being used the "conversion" to light as they put it offers no signal loss. Again basing toslink's inferiority on an assumption that it's accomplished with cheap parts. As I said in my previous post: "the signal quality would be completely dependent on the Quality of the cable" the same goes for the source device providing the signal to said cable.
Besides the discussion in on HDMI... even if there are devices that will break out the signal into their separate components, the last thing I want to do is add another device in the chain between my sources and my outputs.
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Title: Xbox 360 Spotted At Idf - Xbox 360 To Have Hdmi?
Post by: LowProfileWurm on August 31, 2005, 01:56:00 PM
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Post by: twistedsymphony on August 31, 2005, 01:39:00 PM
http://www.harmonict....asp?keyword=62
Also they're basing their claims of optical's inferiority on assumptions that the equipment is made with "cheap plastic" and that it's being used to transmit an analog signal digitally.
What they failed to mention is that A to D conversion is the conversion from an Analog source into the S/PDif format... so your Coax is going through the same conversion (provided you're using an Analog source). Last I checked most source material for home theaters is digital to begin with. Also so long as quality LEDs are being used the "conversion" to light as they put it offers no signal loss. Again basing toslink's inferiority on an assumption that it's accomplished with cheap parts. As I said in my previous post: "the signal quality would be completely dependent on the Quality of the cable" the same goes for the source device providing the signal to said cable.
Besides the discussion in on HDMI... even if there are devices that will break out the signal into their separate components, the last thing I want to do is add another device in the chain between my sources and my outputs.
Post by: LowProfileWurm on August 31, 2005, 01:56:00 PM
QUOTE(twistedsymphony @ Aug 31 2005, 04:50 PM)
Plagiarizing is illegal
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Title: Xbox 360 Spotted At Idf - Xbox 360 To Have Hdmi?
Post by: twistedsymphony on August 31, 2005, 02:38:00 PM
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I wasn't attacking you, no worries. There is enough confusion going around on these format that I like to keep people's information straight when I can.
I agree that a cheap coax will offer superior sound to a cheap toslink as a high quality toslink will be more expensive than a similar quality coax, it goes back to convience... I personally have a lot of interference in my area and the difference from coax to toslink for me was dramatic. For most the difference between toslink and coax today is indistinguishable. Your hardcore AV-philes will typically go with AES/EBU balanced input as it does offer the best quality, however I've never seen a receiver or source device with support for it that I could come close to affording.
You mention a 1/8" jack for optical. The only time I've ever seen that used is with Monster's AV cables for the Xbox, Though honestly with the Xbox as the source device and a conversion to an 1/8" jack it's pretty much a crap-shoot in terms of quality regardless of whether or not your using toslink or coax.
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Title: Xbox 360 Spotted At Idf - Xbox 360 To Have Hdmi?
Post by: X36 on September 01, 2005, 03:31:00 AM
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Interference sucks and is the main reason that 5/7 of my digital connection are made with toslink. Audio is my main love, so the more EMI/RFI I can rid out of my system the better. I was thinking that if you have one connection point with HDMI you will be less of an antenna, not to mention that it should cut down on the chances of a ground loop. but until someone comes with a better solution it will be toslink. Or if you have large amounts of money laying around , Harmonic Tech CyberLight. That should knock out all interference
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Title: Xbox 360 Spotted At Idf - Xbox 360 To Have Hdmi?
Post by: nickman on September 28, 2005, 12:23:00 AM
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I'm looking at buying a HDTV ready TV. But here in sweden komponent IN is not that usual on cheap LCD/Plasma TV's. But DVI/HDMI/VGA is.
I guess the only option for the 360 is to use VGA. Atleast on all the TV's i have looked at. There are very few CRT HDTV ready tv's here. But atleast they have komponent IN.
I guess that because we are late in the HDTV race we skipped the komponent stage and went strait for the nexgen input ?
Feels strange that the nexgen console doesn't support more output though.
Post by: twistedsymphony on August 31, 2005, 02:38:00 PM
I agree that a cheap coax will offer superior sound to a cheap toslink as a high quality toslink will be more expensive than a similar quality coax, it goes back to convience... I personally have a lot of interference in my area and the difference from coax to toslink for me was dramatic. For most the difference between toslink and coax today is indistinguishable. Your hardcore AV-philes will typically go with AES/EBU balanced input as it does offer the best quality, however I've never seen a receiver or source device with support for it that I could come close to affording.
You mention a 1/8" jack for optical. The only time I've ever seen that used is with Monster's AV cables for the Xbox, Though honestly with the Xbox as the source device and a conversion to an 1/8" jack it's pretty much a crap-shoot in terms of quality regardless of whether or not your using toslink or coax.
Post by: X36 on September 01, 2005, 03:31:00 AM
Post by: nickman on September 28, 2005, 12:23:00 AM
QUOTE(twistedsymphony @ Aug 31 2005, 04:26 PM)
My sentiments exactly... I'm on my 3rd HD capable display and I'm pricing out my 4th and 5th... you know what NONE of them support HDMI... yeah it's THAT important to HD
I'm looking at buying a HDTV ready TV. But here in sweden komponent IN is not that usual on cheap LCD/Plasma TV's. But DVI/HDMI/VGA is.
I guess the only option for the 360 is to use VGA. Atleast on all the TV's i have looked at. There are very few CRT HDTV ready tv's here. But atleast they have komponent IN.
I guess that because we are late in the HDTV race we skipped the komponent stage and went strait for the nexgen input ?
Feels strange that the nexgen console doesn't support more output though.