HDMI Cables

[MrJan]

Are they worth it?

I use the 5 (or 6?) point componant connection that came with my xBox and was wondering if there is a noticeable difference which would make it worth buying HDMI. Also is there a vast difference between Microsoft ones or generic?

[Mark]

You should notice a difference between component and HDMI, yes. But the HDMI cable itself doesn't matter so much, as long as there is one :p

[Dave B]

As Mark says. Don't take any notice of companies offering gold-plated oxygen-free super-dooper HDMI cables; it's a digital signal which is either there or not. So long as the cable is reasonably well made, you won't notice any difference between a £10 one or a £200 one.

It does make me laugh when certain reviewers reckon they can achieve richer colours or better contrast with expensive cables. I wonder if they get better quality printouts by using a £200 USB cable? :s

[L5->R5/CR]

As Mark says. Don't take any notice of companies offering gold-plated oxygen-free super-dooper HDMI cables; it's a digital signal which is either there or not. So long as the cable is reasonably well made, you won't notice any difference between a £10 one or a £200 one.

It does make me laugh when certain reviewers reckon they can achieve richer colours or better contrast with expensive cables. I wonder if they get better quality printouts by using a £200 USB cable? :s


Well, some of the higher priced cables to have better shielding which can increase the signal to noise ratio. It really depends however on your set up as to whether or not you are in a position to need cables with more shielding or not.

The Gold contacts or oxygen free stuff are largely gimmicks to justify a higher price, but that doesn't make them better. Thicker and higher quality shielding however can make a cable better...

[Daniel]

Well, some of the higher priced cables to have better shielding which can increase the signal to noise ratio. It really depends however on your set up as to whether or not you are in a position to need cables with more shielding or not.

The Gold contacts or oxygen free stuff are largely gimmicks to justify a higher price, but that doesn't make them better. Thicker and higher quality shielding however can make a cable better...
Yes and no. With a HDMI cable it either works or it doesn't :) Kind of like our satellite TV. Either works flawlessly or when it rains hard and is windy it just doesn't work.

What sort of TV do you have Jan Yeo?

[MrJan]

It's an LG 32" jobby. Not a top spec HDTV by any stretch of the imagination but I really noticed the difference when I switched the xBox from the old fashioned telly I had before.

[Daniel]

It's an LG 32" jobby. Not a top spec HDTV by any stretch of the imagination but I really noticed the difference when I switched the xBox from the old fashioned telly I had before.
In that case yes I'd buy a HDMI cable. Buy the cheapst nastiest one you can find. If it works (which it will do) it's as good as it will ever be.

Digital signals don't care about the quality of the signal above and beyond the bare minimum they need. So it'll either work 100% or it won't work at all :)

[schmenke]

It's an LG 32" jobby. Not a top spec HDTV by any stretch of the imagination but I really noticed the difference when I switched the xBox from the old fashioned telly I had before.

If you don't have a HD telly, then I wouldn't bother with HDMI cables :mark:

[MrJan]

If you don't have a HD telly, then I wouldn't bother with HDMI cables :mark:

I said not a top spec HDTV (as in it's HD but not the best money can buy).

I've now found out that the xBox doesn't have the HDMI port that I thought it did so it renders everything a bit pointless. Now every time that I change the input the little bit that says 'HDMI' will laugh at me as I select 'Component' :D

[schmenke]

I think it's only the Xbox Deluxe(?) version that is equipped with HDMI ports.
I have a regular Xbox with component cables and I see the bad guys just fine :p :

[ChrisS]

I think it's only the Xbox Deluxe(?) version that is equipped with HDMI ports.
I have a regular Xbox with component cables and I see the bad guys just fine :p :

All versions sold now come with HDMI ports.

Mine is the regular 360 (wireless controler, 20GB HDD, commonly called the Premium version) but I got it just as it came out so it does not have HDMI ports, a friend of mine has the same version but with HDMI ports

[MrJan]

All versions sold now come with HDMI ports.

Mine is the regular 360 (wireless controler, 20GB HDD, commonly called the Premium version) but I got it just as it came out so it does not have HDMI ports, a friend of mine has the same version but with HDMI ports

:up: That's right. I've got the same version as you and is fantastic (apart from a tendency to say the discs are unreadable). THe graphics on games like COD4 are crazy considering what I grew up playing. Also I got Tiger Woods and you can use a photo to make yourself in the game. It's such a good feature that it still scares me to see myself walking down the fairway.

[schmenke]

...it still scares me to see myself walking down the fairway.

I would imagine that we would all be scared... :p :










:uhoh:

[MrJan]

OI!!! That's a personal attack :p : :laugh:




Left myself open for that one really :laugh:

[ChrisS]

:up: That's right. I've got the same version as you and is fantastic (apart from a tendency to say the discs are unreadable). THe graphics on games like COD4 are crazy considering what I grew up playing. Also I got Tiger Woods and you can use a photo to make yourself in the game. It's such a good feature that it still scares me to see myself walking down the fairway.

I've been playing GTA IV for the past 2 weeks and the game is awesome. Graphics are great and gameplay is fantastic but a friend of mine that owns a PS3 told me that the game was limited by the Xbox using standard DVDs and that it would have much more content if it was a PS3 exclusive because of blue ray disks.

I dont know if thats a fact or his own theory.

[MrJan]

I've been playing GTA IV for the past 2 weeks and the game is awesome. Graphics are great and gameplay is fantastic but a friend of mine that owns a PS3 told me that the game was limited by the Xbox using standard DVDs and that it would have much more content if it was a PS3 exclusive because of blue ray disks.

I dont know if thats a fact or his own theory.

Have played games on both and they each seem fairly similar. I did hear some rumour about the xBox having some kind of special treatment as far as GTA is concerned. Don't know what though.

I've got GTA but strangely find myself not playing it that often, Call of Duty and FIFA take up far more of my time.

[schmenke]

Just finished COD 3 and looking forward to COD4 Modern Warfare :D

[MrJan]

Aaah Schmenke, you're in for a treat. I haven't played any of the other games in the series but Modern Warfare is possibly the best game I've ever played. Graphics are nuts and you get a proper feeling of being in a warzone. Online is fantastic as well, I spent about a month playing online before I even started the single player game (And that was only because my connection was down :D )

Don't blame me if you don't like it though :p :

[schmenke]

Well, I've enjoyed the previous games in the series... :D

[ChrisS]

Have played games on both and they each seem fairly similar. I did hear some rumour about the xBox having some kind of special treatment as far as GTA is concerned. Don't know what though.

XBox 360 will have an exclusive 2 episode expansion pack or through xbox live, not sure when it will come out. Microsoft paid Rockstar $50mil to get it as 360 exclusive.

I find that differences on 360 and PS3 games are only details. My friends argument is that Blue Ray has 5 times the capacity of a DVD therefore developers could make their games 5 times bigger if they didnt have to make them to go on a DVD