What do I need to enable HDTV on my XBOX?

[buh_buh]

Besides obviously a HD compatible TV... Just a set of cables? Or do I need some other stuff as well?

[Chris Ng]

cables and games that are hd compatible.. if you're gonna get a tv for this, make sure you get one that can accept 720p , since 90% of the HD xbox games display in 720p, not 1080i

[buh_buh]

I already have a TV, and I *think* it accepts 720p, just want to make sure all I need are the cables. I don't want to buy the cables, then find out I need to buy this and that in order for it to work.

[rage2]

Just need the hd breakout box and component cables dude. I used my xbox on that TV when it was mine.

[buh_buh]

ok... so if I got these

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/c0/7a/79984310fca081f4d28f4010.L.jpg and http://i1.ebayimg.com/03/i/04/92/73/01_1_b.JPG

How in the hell does it hook up to the TV? That single fat end on the cables doesn't really look like it goes into the TV.... plz excuse my n00bness.

[7thgenvic]

yep! its really as easy as that!

[buh_buh]

huh?? But which end goes into the TV?
The black box goes into the xbox, then the 5 cables goes into the box, then the flat end goes into the TV?

[/////AMG]

Someone help him out, quick, I feel sorry for him, it seems like hes in Edmonton!

[sputnik]

The black XBOX branded cable plugs into the XBOX. A set of component cables go from the black box to the TV (or stereo receiver).

It cant tell what the green (monster?) cable is. What is the end on the "single" end? It doesnt look right.

Check this out...

http://www.monstercable.com/monstergame/xbox/
Gamelink 400 X - Component Video (this will work perfectly)

If you want to use the black XBOX cable you will need a set of these (component video) for video
http://www.monstercable.com/productPage.asp?pin=241

And a set of these (RCA audio) for sound
http://www.monstercable.com/productPage.asp?pin=129

[Zoom_Zoom]

Maybe it's an S-Video thing?

[CivicDXR]

looks like that end might go directly into the xbox without the black box... or its a DVI/HDMI plug :dunno:

[soupey]

Originally posted by buh_buh

How in the hell does it hook up to the TV? That single fat end on the cables doesn't really look like it goes into the TV.... plz excuse my n00bness.

the first wire thing u have looks like it'll b easier, all u need to do is plug the flat end into your Xbox, then on the back of your tv, u should have component inputs (red, green blue), the other 2 wires are ur audio wires (right (red), and left(white)), so plug em all in and make sure they're all under the same section on the back of ur tv (video 1, video 2, etc...)



ok, the box looks like it has all the outputs that need to go the the RGB inputs on your tv, the other (single) end of that thing looks like it should be what plugs into the back of your xbox
http://www.gamesfirst.com/previews/xbox/xbox_images/xbox_back.jpg
basically the box gives u component outputs (Red Green Blue) and stereo audio output (Left and Right), same as b4, that means u'll have 5 things to hook up from the box to the tv, with this second thing u bought, u'll need to buy RGB coax cables and stereo audio cables to go from the box to the tv....i hope that helps

[89coupe]

How about reading your manual.:dunno:

[rage2]

buy this:

http://i1.ebayimg.com/03/i/04/92/73/01_1_b.JPG

Then buy a set of component cables. Or if you're cheap, use the Red/White/Yellow set of A/V cables.

Plug the fat cable end of the black box to the xbox, and plug the 3 component cables to the box on one end and the TV on the other end. Plug in audio cables. Done!

Stop smoking weed, it's pretty easy to hook it up! :rofl:

[buh_buh]

Originally posted by /////AMG
Someone help him out, quick, I feel sorry for him, it seems like hes in Edmonton! Yes. Yes I am. Thanks for your sympathy. :D



Originally posted by sputnik

It cant tell what the green (monster?) cable is. What is the end on the "single" end? It doesnt look right.

Check this out...

http://www.monstercable.com/monstergame/xbox/
Gamelink 400 X - Component Video (this will work perfectly)

I think the green monster cable is the same thing thats in the link


Originally posted by 89coupe
How about reading your manual.:dunno:
You don't think I would've done that already if I had one? Thanks for pointing out the obvious though.


Thanks for all your help guys.
Alright, so I think either all I need are those green monster cables without the black box, or get the black box and some nice component cables. Does anyone know if either one will give better picture quality? Or will it be pretty much the same?

[Celica TVS3]

I don't know what that green cable is but all you need is:

The black Box with component & audio out.
A component cable.
Regular Left / Right audio cable.

Thats it.

[hedge]

Jus so you're not confused, the new MS HD kits do not have the 'breakout' box, the cable just plugs into the xbox and the other end has built-in component cables.

If you wnat to connect to a receiver, then connect a digital optical cable to your receiver and don't connect the red/white stereo audio cables.

[soupey]

Originally posted by buh_buh
Yes. Yes I am. Thanks for your sympathy. :D



I think the green monster cable is the same thing thats in the link


You don't think I would've done that already if I had one? Thanks for pointing out the obvious though.


Thanks for all your help guys.
Alright, so I think either all I need are those green monster cables without the black box, or get the black box and some nice component cables. Does anyone know if either one will give better picture quality? Or will it be pretty much the same?

prettymuch the same.

[TurboMedic]

I just bought the MS HD cables, got them at FS for $40 a while back.....its way easier than that box thing, buy the simple green cable from monster or whatever, and just plug them in....that way theres no confusion...I don't find games in HD that stunning anyhow....

[sputnik]

If you have no cables whatsoever... just get the monster cable

futureshop always has them in stock

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10013379&catid=2

[buh_buh]

Originally posted by TurboMedic
I don't find games in HD that stunning anyhow.... Oh really? From what I've read it makes a world of a difference... but I guess we'll see.

Got a set off Beyond! Thanks for everyone's input

[interlude]

Originally posted by rage2
buy this:

http://i1.ebayimg.com/03/i/04/92/73/01_1_b.JPG

Then buy a set of component cables. Or if you're cheap, use the Red/White/Yellow set of A/V cables.

Plug the fat cable end of the black box to the xbox, and plug the 3 component cables to the box on one end and the TV on the other end. Plug in audio cables. Done!

Stop smoking weed, it's pretty easy to hook it up! :rofl:

Where can I buy this box? I already have the component cables.


I have these cables:

http://cgi.ebay.com/HDTV-HIGH-DEFINITION-AV-PACK-MADE-BY-MICROSOFT-FOR-XBOX_W0QQitemZ8227728863QQcategoryZ41015QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

and on the box it says high def cables.. etc.. etc.. maybe these are the newer ones???? both cost the same

[MerfBall]

Originally posted by interlude


Where can I buy this box? I already have the component cables.


I have these cables:

http://cgi.ebay.com/HDTV-HIGH-DEFINITION-AV-PACK-MADE-BY-MICROSOFT-FOR-XBOX_W0QQitemZ8227728863QQcategoryZ41015QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

and on the box it says high def cables.. etc.. etc.. maybe these are the newer ones???? both cost the same

Future Shop/Best Buy, Superstore, EB, Toys R Us, pretty much anywhere they sell xboxes ;)

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10052666&catid=

[interlude]

Ok.. this might be a noob question.. i have the right cables.. i went into the setup and on each setting (420p, 720p, 1080p) sorry if i got the numbers wrong.. i clicked yes on each one because my tv supports it..

does this mean.. for example halo2.. on the back of the box.. it says 420p.. does it mean it will automatically use the 420p hdtv feature of the game?

Thanks in advance! :thumbsup:

[rage2]

^^^ yes.

[googe]

only get the monster set if you are a moron. otherwise get a madcatz set. :thumbsup:

[buh_buh]

So can xbox play dvds in HD?

[Impreza]

Originally posted by buh_buh
So can xbox play dvds in HD?

Well, I'm not totally sure, so correct me if I'm wrong, but it will probably upconvert it to 480p if the xbox does upconversion. It won't, however, display in 1080i.

[googe]

DVDs are not HD. they are 480i. also, xbox wont do progressive scan.

[buh_buh]

meaning.,...

[hedge]

An Xbox can do 480p (progressive) if it's modded and you do the necessary hex edits.

[rage2]

buh_buh, I think you're looking to get HD for the wrong reasons.

The HD box will allow the xbox to output HD resolutions, meaning 720p (1280x720) and 1080i (1920x1080).

DVD's only have 480i (720x480) resolution. Even if you get the HD pack, it only outputs 480 lines of resolution. There are software for modded XBOXs that allow you to upscale DVD's to 720p or 1080i, BUT the DVDs itself only has 480 lines of data, it can't magically make up the additional 240-600 lines of resolution out of thin air. Meaning even if it's outputted to high res, it still will NOT look sharp like a true HD video with full 720 or 1080 lines.

So, in order to utilize the xbox HD pack, you need games that support HD resolutions such as Crash Nitro Kart or Dragon's Lair, or you can look at still images in high res using XBOX media center which supports HD output. You can NOT use XBOX media center to play HD video because the XBOX processor is not fast enough to decode and play them in real time.

Long story short, you'll only get a few games in better quality by using the HD adapter for xbox.