Best way to hook 360 up to 40" HDTV?

[lePobz]

A lot of people argue about the best way to do this... there's three options:

1. An elite console, with HDMI (obviously the best choice)
2. Using the HD Component cables
3. Using a VGA cable

Since the first option is out of the question, i'm torn between using the cables I have now (the standard premium pack HD cables) and buying a VGA lead (my TV has a D-sub) ... Some people say the VGA option is far better than using component leads, some people say the opposite.

Which option is best?

Also, is there no way of getting a HDMI / DVI output from my 360? (without forking out for an elite) ... all I want is a digital signal to the TV!

 

[Gargantou]

There's no way to get a REAL HDMI signal to your TV without a Elite afaik, so if you really want it, you have to ask yourself, do you really wanna pay money for the new Elite if you already have a 360?

 

[Cole]

Sell ur current 360 and pick up an elite.

 

[Warbie]

Use component, it's fine.

I've connected my 360 to my projector via component and vga - to my eyes component has better colours, deeper blacks and a more 3d effect. VGA was a touch sharper, but not a keeper due to looking a little washed out. It's definately not worth buying an elite simply for hdmi as the benefits over component are negligible at best - a ps3 connected via hdmi doesn't look any better, and this is on a 100" screen.

 

[Iced_Eagle]

Warbie: Have you tried out VGA using the latest update and also change the display mode to "Extended"?

As of the latest update, they fixed the washed-out color problems and such and VGA appears to be the best choice.

HDMI > VGA > Component

That's what I've heard from people.

 

[Warbie]

I haven't, but seeing as I don't notice a difference between HDMi and component I doubt it'd make much difference. Games are going to look cracking with any of these - just go for what's easiest for your system.

 

[lePobz]

I know what you mean, Warbie ... I would love a digital signal from my 360 to my TV though, it's like when you go from D-Sub to DVI ... you never go back.

 

[Gorgon]

There's no way to get a REAL HDMI signal to your TV without a Elite afaik, so if you really want it, you have to ask yourself, do you really wanna pay money for the new Elite if you already have a 360?

well i don't have 360, so yeh i m gettin elite :E:thumbs:

 

[VirusType2]

Just buy the cable and see for yourself. Maybe you can buy it at a store that would let you return it.

"oh, I accidentally got the wrong cable"

Or you could trade it in to a game store if you don't like it.


VGA is probably the greatest analog signal there is. Isn't it?

 

[Warbie]

It might be worth saving for a scaler or av receiver. My receiver up converts everything to HDMI - which means the 360, Wii, PC, PS2, HDDVD player etc all connect to the pj via one HDMI cable. Keeps things simple and tidy.

 

[Iced_Eagle]

I haven't, but seeing as I don't notice a difference between HDMi and component I doubt it'd make much difference. Games are going to look cracking with any of these - just go for what's easiest for your system.

That's a comparison with how it is now with the new options. The first image is how it's looked every since launch, and is why VGA was given a "meh" reputation. The last option has awesome contrast and is how it should be. It's images from the movie King Kong by the way. There definitely is a noticeable difference and VGA looks 10000x better!

For more comparisons / article read here.

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=7216&commentid=138261&threshhold=1&red=2342

 

[3ssence]

In light of this i hooked up my 360 via my vga cable, that i barely used, swapping over from component, configured the 360 with the expanded settings etc.. and i have to say, what a difference, so much sharper and cleaner than the component, but with the same colour saturation and contrast, it's beautiful. And the Forza2 demo which previously looked like it was very poorly anti-aliased in game, is now virtually free of any aliased edges. It's incredible.

 

[IchI]

hmmmm, I'm getting a 1080p 40 inch Samsung, the new model thingy. The one with the weird advert with fish. Anyway, will the standard component cables push out 1080p? I hope they do :*( I won't be buying a blueray/hd dvd home theature system for a long time as the technology sucks atm.

 

[Gargantou]

I really don't get people who buy 1080p 40"s.. No offense meant..
It's just, I've seen a ton of'em(I worked for one of Swedens most popular electronic stores earlier this year), and I find the difference between 1080p and 720p at 40" negligble, though it ofcourse depends on how close you sit to it. If you use it as a computer monitor and sit like less than a meter away from it, you can definitely tell the difference, but if used as a TV-system, barely imo.

And besides, HDTVs are dropping so incredibly fast in price these days, I myself am holding out/saving up for a 46" 1080p, seeing as I myself can't note any major difference until that size(And I state yet again, this is a matter of personal eyesight etc too I'd guess)

 

[VirusType2]

I have heard others say the same. You should get at least a 42".

 

[Warbie]

There have been a few tests in which audiences couldn't sppot the difference with 80" screens and certain movies. However, there's more reasons than res to get a 1080p model - newer technology tends to bring a better image in all regards. 1080p is just a bonus.

 

[VirusType2]

A 40" HDTV is never a bad thing, it's just if you aren't going to go big, you might as well go with a flat screen CRT and have none of the bad side effects that big screens have. Like: ghosting, burn in, short life span, not viewable from certain angles, low brightness... etc.

Either way though, usually the small TV's look awesome. SUX doesn't it? That's why I haven't bought one yet.

Actually, I used to have a big screen. I got it 'very' used. It was a piece of shit. It was so awesome just because it was gigantic though, but it looked like shit.

 

[Warbie]

I don't understand why anyone with a largish patch of wall and who can sit 3+ meters away doesn't consider a projector.

Motion is handled much better than a flat panel lcd or plasma screen and with a slight twist of the lens you can adjust the picture from 40" up to 120"+. The only downsides being you need pitch black to get the best image (not daytime friendly if your room isn't completely light controlled)), a certain amount of space, and you have to buy a new bulb every 2 or 3 years. There's also some hassle involved in setting everything up - you can't just plug and play. However, all these negatives vanish the second the lights go off and your wall becomes a HD window into what ever game or movie you're watching - better than the cinema

 

[mastag]

HDMI or Component for teh winzors. My 360 is hooked up to my 30" via HDMI. Even in the non-gaming 1080i, everything plays and looks fantastic.

 

[VirusType2]

consider a projector.

I've been thinking about buying one of those for so many years. How much are the bulbs?

 

[Warbie]

They vary from model to model, but you're looking at between ?150 to ?300 ish. How often you have to replace them depends on the pj in question and how bright you like your image. I'd be happy with 2 years out of a bulb.


I can't stress how cool it is being able to change your screen size on a whim. The Wii looks pretty crappy at 100", but at 50" it looks the nuts. Don't fancy the full cinema, sound cranked up sensory overload, watch a movie at 70". Want your eyes and ears to bleed and an erection big enough to pole vault across the street - whack the image up to 120" and watch the Matrix lobby scene in hd

As for a screen, I prefer to project straight onto a wall (light cream at the moment). Your wall literally becoming a image is very cool in a 'Minority Report' future kind of way. It's so neat infact I actually just sold my rather expensive screen - the image, if anything, is better now. The next plan is to paint a screen on (http://www.goosystems.com/ ) and devise some sort of masking system for when changing screen ratio - maybe something with black velvet.

I better stop now as I could go on all day and this is going way off topic.

 

[IchI]

A 40" HDTV is never a bad thing, it's just if you aren't going to go big, you might as well go with a flat screen CRT and have none of the bad side effects that big screens have. Like: ghosting, burn in, short life span, not viewable from certain angles, low brightness... etc.

Either way though, usually the small TV's look awesome. SUX doesn't it? That's why I haven't bought one yet.

Actually, I used to have a big screen. I got it 'very' used. It was a piece of shit. It was so awesome just because it was gigantic though, but it looked like shit.

Hmmmm, only 1080i 720i have ghosting effects. Mainly because of the way they produce the image.

LCD screens don't have burn in, also there life span is HUGE! Litrally. I think I remember reading somewhere that if looked after properly a LCD screen can outlast a human. They simply don't break unless you throw a Wii Remote at them. Also, been viewable at certain angels was only happening like 3 years ago, things have come a long way since then. Any good HDTV can be viewed at the full 179 angle

LCD generally don't have the highest brightness and contrast compared to plasma but the new samsung does better than some of the best plasmas, basiclly making it the best LCD in that area.

Also people commenting on people not been able to tell the difference. Thats mainly down to hardware, this generation of Blueray and HD players honestly... completely suck ass. The way they process the information is completely retarded. Give it another year and you will clearly be able to tell the difference between 1080 and 720. Basiclly, you have a 1080p LCD TV but to date most things struggle to edit and record at that level, meaning a lot of things released don't fully take advantage of the technology inside your TV. I would suggest comparing Planet Earth HD on a 720p to 1080p. I think you will see the difference.

 

[IchI]

To backup what I'm saying as some people might not believe me:

http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/lcdtv/lcdtv-lifetime.shtml

This basiclly states that you can leave your LCD TV on for over 7years CONSTANTLY! without damage. Even if you watch your TV 12hours a day every day that extends the time to around 14years. Realisticly your looking at a TV life of a around 30years.

If you really really really wanna get into all the fine details and I mean fine about how black and how bright and how high quality a 1080p is I suggest reading this review

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/Samsung-LE40M86BD/

Its for the old model of the Samsung 1080p. They have just brought out a new one.

When we move on to High Definition (HD) sources, the sharpness and level of detail are stunning. The full 1080p standard really does make a difference on the LE40M87, especially when you get close up. Never before has Sky HD material looked so stunning and realistic - as close as we have got yet to that 'looking through a window' effect.

EDIT: This is the M87 series I'm talking about. Undouhtably one of the best TV's out there. Definatly in the top 5

http://www.samsung.com/uk/products/television/tftlcd/le37m87bdxxeu.asp

 

[Warbie]

I've still yet to find an lcd panel that doesn't suffer from smearing to some extent. I'm talking ghosting here, but a slight loss in focus during pans. Plasma's also sufer from this, but to a lesser degree - they are the better at handling motion.

For movies i'd pick a decent plasma any day, but lcds get the edge for gaming due to being nice and bright.

 

[burnzie]

The new samsung m8 series also has a contrast ratio of 15,000:1 and I've never seen colors come through richer. Still waiting on a new X series bravia from sony though they were my favorite last season.

 

[VirusType2]

Word on the streets is that LCD is the way to go these days, of course projection screens weren't in the face-off, so you will have to compare this on your owns.

The expert at Wal-Mart told me so. lol

It sounds funny, but I was talking to him for like 30 minutes, and it seemed like he really did know what he was talking about.

I was looking for an HDTV for games.

I think I'm going to wait untill 2009.5 and then get the most ultimate TV ever made. That should last until I die.

 

[IchI]

The new samsung m8 series also has a contrast ratio of 15,000:1 and I've never seen colors come through richer. Still waiting on a new X series bravia from sony though they were my favorite last season.

The m8 series contrast is actually around 2000:1, well thats the normal value anyway. Samsung add the whole dynamic thingy to make it sound better. But you are right about the colour and black contrasts. The m8 series aparantly had amazing colour but its sometimes slightly unrealistic. Thats the biggest comment I have heard anyway. Also in the m8 series that is an ever so slight darkness to shadow detail, not giving out as much. These are very very nit picky comments to make and most people wouldn't even notice them or even care about them as its more a style or art than something thats wrong... if that makes sense.

In my opinion waiting for the biggest and best thing is kind of pointless. 1080p is as good as its going to get for a very long time. They can't even record or edit at anything higher. You need a pritty dam beast of a machine to edit video which is 1900x1000 resolution. Not to mention viewing the dam thing. Basiclly, LCD and Plasma technology is around 3-4years ahead of the methods of producing something which can be viewed on them. Meaning as HD and Bluray players get better what you see on your 1080p TV will also get better and better.

In my opinion the m8 series is like the end of a generation that has been fairly polished of, still some problems obviously but its not at a point where the next version will have any major difference to the next. There won't be a bigger upgrade in TV's for a fair old time if you ask me.

 

[Warbie]

I dunno - we're still in the first few generations of 1080p models. In a year or two we'll be able to pick up something significantly cheaper than looks noticeably better. Of course, you could wait then too and never end up with something to watch. There's also new technology around the corner - lcds and plasma screens won't last forever, soon we'll have whole new panels that do everything better.

My 1080p pj has already been beaten, and next year it'll be 1/2 the price. Still, it provides the best image i've ever seen in the flesh and every night I can't wait for the sun to go down to get some serious movie watching/gaming on.

If you're after something a watch then buy the best you can afford and enjoy it - just avoid av forums and you'll never know that new super panel x even exists

 

[burnzie]

I sell em so I always have to know whats the next big thing. And yeah your correct on the actual screen contrast ratio compared to dynamic does differ greatly... but all company's seem to measure dynamic (because the larger figure def looks better on paper) Was playing round with the 46" i got in today and i should get the 52" next week. Give it time, all panels will be 1080p in a year. And not a day goes by that i get some knob in asking if we have a laser tv then laughs and says he/she isn't touching anything till a laser one comes along because its gonna be the second coming of christ as far as tv's go. lousy current affair shows warped peoples minds saying retailers were ripping you off if they weren't telling you to wait for this "laser" tv.

 

[VirusType2]

I sell em so I always have to know whats the next big thing. And yeah your correct on the actual screen contrast ratio compared to dynamic does differ greatly... but all company's seem to measure dynamic (because the larger figure def looks better on paper) Was playing round with the 46" i got in today and i should get the 52" next week. Give it time, all panels will be 1080p in a year. And not a day goes by that i get some knob in asking if we have a laser tv then laughs and says he/she isn't touching anything till a laser one comes along because its gonna be the second coming of christ as far as tv's go. lousy current affair shows warped peoples minds saying retailers were ripping you off if they weren't telling you to wait for this "laser" tv.

I don't know much about the laser, except from what I read here

But this sounds promising. It doesn't mention cost though, other than saying, quote, "Easy manufacturing integration", of course, new technology is usually expensive, but if it's better, and similarly priced, then it will win everytime.

 

[IchI]

I dunno - we're still in the first few generations of 1080p models. In a year or two we'll be able to pick up something significantly cheaper than looks noticeably better. Of course, you could wait then too and never end up with something to watch. There's also new technology around the corner - lcds and plasma screens won't last forever, soon we'll have whole new panels that do everything better.

My 1080p pj has already been beaten, and next year it'll be 1/2 the price. Still, it provides the best image i've ever seen in the flesh and every night I can't wait for the sun to go down to get some serious movie watching/gaming on.

If you're after something a watch then buy the best you can afford and enjoy it - just avoid av forums and you'll never know that new super panel x even exists

Hmmm, I wouldn't be to trusting in them getting a whole lot better. If I'm correct Samsung are on there 4th 1080p model now. They have been around for a year or so already. They will obviously get better. But I would say they are currently around 85-90% of what they will achieve in the future. But who knows... I don't know the future.

 

[VirusType2]

Hmmm, I wouldn't be to trusting in them getting a whole lot better. If I'm correct Samsung are on there 4th 1080p model now. They have been around for a year or so already. They will obviously get better. But I would say they are currently around 85-90% of what they will achieve in the future. But who knows... I don't know the future.

I don't think any of us pretend to know the future, but I think many people, including me, are waiting for the lazer TV. LOL.

No really, we are waiting for the nails in the coffin for one of the types of TV's. All it takes is a good majority of the problems knocked out, and there is a clear standard. There was a reason CRT monitors and TV's reigned for ages. Reason being that there was no good alternative.

Now we have CRT, LCD, Plasma, Projector, Projection, and other new hot technologies on the horizon if you've been reading up.

LCD, Plasma, and Projection have come a long way and who knows what breakthrough might develop for any one of these, making the rest almost obsolete.

The fact is - when I go to buy a TV, none of them sell me. There is at least one problem that I am not willing to overlook in each of them.

The fact that a TV is 2" thick doesn't mean dick to me if the bigger, wider (projection) TV looks way better. It's nice to hang the TV on the wall, but come on. I just want to go home and not have to call the wrecking crew to install it. My father is interested in this, because of the way his home is laid out.

But for me, the gigantic monolith TV is the main component, and everything else is secondary and must fit around it.

...but I would also put a fridge, microwave, and other commodities within reach of my PC chair, so I may be a bit of an eccentric.

I'm just saying, I don't think it's a bad time to get a TV, but here, the 720p TV's could be priced lower, and some of them still have a broadcast HD tuner (air-waves).

I wait. Calculating, like watching my prey, I am ready to buy when the time is right, not only in the TV market, but as I prepare my finances and get ready to move on to more appropriate housing.

Not sure why I said all that, but there it is.

 

[lePobz]

This is how it looks on the HD component cables only ... ill take more pics when I get VGA cable

 

[IchI]

Is that 720p or 1080p?

 

[VirusType2]

The 360 Operating System might run in 720p regardless (I don't know), but I was wondering the same thing. It sort of looks like 720 to me, but that may just be because it's freakin huge.

 

[lePobz]

Yeah, 720p. I could run at 1080p but the TV would downscale it to the max TV res (more than 720p but less than 1080p) - doesn't warrant the extra horsepower for a slight increase (maybe even a decrease depending on the quality of the downscaling ... although i hear samsung have a good one).