Help with HD - Xbox360

[Bambi On Toast]

Ok, so I've just bought a new 32" TV for my room. It's 1080p, and has all the usual things you'd expect from a TV.

I bought it mainly to use with my Xbox360. I don't play actual games on it too often since I haven't bought a proper game since Dead Space 1. I use it everyday for playing my media, though.

So I used to think that Xbox360s could support no higher than 720p content. This isn't my first HD TV, I was using a tiny 720p set for about 4 years. So now I have a 1080p TV, and I'm curious whether it will make a noticeable difference. I'm trying desperately to get to the point here. I'll try my best to summarize:

1. I set my Xbox360 display resolution to 1080p, and it seems to work (I'm using component input btw). When I play X360 games, is it actually displaying 1080p? Or 720p? Because I didn't think the Xbox could play content at that resolution.

2. Say I have a collection of Blu-ray 1080p rips on my Computer. I play them on my 1080p TV through my Xbox. Will it actually display them in full 1080p? I heard somewhere that you can't achieve this by using component input due to some legal issues.

3. If the above is true, should I be able to view them in full HD using HDMI? I don't have a HDMI cable, but I'd be willing to buy one if it allows me to watch my media in 1080p. Extra question: Is HDMI generally better than Component? I've never used it before but component seems fine to me. If anyone could explain the advantages of HDMI I'd be very grateful.

4. Ok now say I'm playing a normal DVD rip in 1080p through my Xbox (using component). The quality seems great to me, but I read somewhere that the quality is much better with VGA/HDMI. Something to do with upscaling, but I don't really understand. Again, if someone could explain I would appreciate it.

I think that's just about it. I've never made a topic here before and I don't ask for help often, but I would appreciate any help or advice you guys can give me. I know it doesn't really matter, I can hardly tell the difference between 720 and 1080. But since I spent pretty much all my money (Student) on this TV, I want to try get it looking as good as possible.

Thanks!

 

[thejdcole]

1.

Yes the Xbox 360 is able to support 1080p

The Xbox 360 Core was an entry level Xbox 360 which was later replaced with the "Arcade". Although available at launch in other regions, it was not available in Japan until November 2, 2006.[49] The Core system came bundled with composite video cables, capable of only SDTV resolutions. It was however capable of the same HDTV resolutions (up to 1080i) as the other models when connected to a separately sold component cable. In October 2006, 1080p support was added for all models in a system update,[50] including the "Core" using either the component cable, or the new VGA cable (although 1080p via component was not widely supported by televisions).

2.

I am not entirely sure about this, i think it depends on the method of playing them, (i.e. if you have them burned onto a DVD or if you have them on a memory stick etc.). I think that there is a possibility of this working if you connect your PC to your Xbox via your home network (through a wireless router or other method), and then stream from the file onto your TV. However I am not entirely sure. You should test it, and hey, if it plays and you can't tell that it's bad quality, why does it even matter if its 1080 or not right?

3.

HDMI does allow for high definition media playback. It's in the name, hdmi stands for high definition multimedia interface. So as long as question 2 is correct (that you can stream HD rips through your xbox), then it should be fine displaying through HDMI.

Component vs. HDMI is not really that important. I doubt you would notice the difference in those if you don't notice the difference between 1080 and 720. If you do want to know the facts, and my opinion however, then read on. In short, HDMI uses digital signals and component uses analogue. Digital signals have a lower bandwidth than analogue, hence why component uses 5? cables and hdmi is just one cable. However, analogue is arguably of better quality, and the cables are cheaper to purchase and are arguably more robust. However, hdmi is small and hassle free, and can be easily consealed under carpets etc. In my opinion it doesn't really matter, its up to personal preference and what you find to be most convenient.

(More info here -> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/hdmi-vs-component,review-29615.html )

4.

Ok here is my basic attempt to explain up-scaling :

Normal DVDs have lower resolutions than HD TVs and blue ray discs, (normally 480p, rather than 1080p). To accommodate the lower resolution DVD on a 1080p TV, the television or DVD player (xbox in this case), can 'up-scale' the quality of the DVD to fit 1080p, although the quality won't be as good as a blueray, you will notice the difference between an up-scaled DVD and one which hasn't been up-scaled. So essentially all it is, is boosting the quality of the DVD.

The problem is that up-scaling can only occur through an HDMI or VGA cable and not through component in regards to the xbox 360. So through component, the DVDs will have no upscaling and will look just like they would on a dvd player. But through HDMI or VGA they would be upscaled.

I hope this helps!

-JD

 

[Bambi On Toast]

1.

Yes the Xbox 360 is able to support 1080p

The Xbox 360 Core was an entry level Xbox 360 which was later replaced with the "Arcade". Although available at launch in other regions, it was not available in Japan until November 2, 2006.[49] The Core system came bundled with composite video cables, capable of only SDTV resolutions. It was however capable of the same HDTV resolutions (up to 1080i) as the other models when connected to a separately sold component cable. In October 2006, 1080p support was added for all models in a system update,[50] including the "Core" using either the component cable, or the new VGA cable (although 1080p via component was not widely supported by televisions).

2.

I am not entirely sure about this, i think it depends on the method of playing them, (i.e. if you have them burned onto a DVD or if you have them on a memory stick etc.). I think that there is a possibility of this working if you connect your PC to your Xbox via your home network (through a wireless router or other method), and then stream from the file onto your TV. However I am not entirely sure. You should test it, and hey, if it plays and you can't tell that it's bad quality, why does it even matter if its 1080 or not right?

3.

HDMI does allow for high definition media playback. It's in the name, hdmi stands for high definition multimedia interface. So as long as question 2 is correct (that you can stream HD rips through your xbox), then it should be fine displaying through HDMI.

Component vs. HDMI is not really that important. I doubt you would notice the difference in those if you don't notice the difference between 1080 and 720. If you do want to know the facts, and my opinion however, then read on. In short, HDMI uses digital signals and component uses analogue. Digital signals have a lower bandwidth than analogue, hence why component uses 5? cables and hdmi is just one cable. However, analogue is arguably of better quality, and the cables are cheaper to purchase and are arguably more robust. However, hdmi is small and hassle free, and can be easily consealed under carpets etc. In my opinion it doesn't really matter, its up to personal preference and what you find to be most convenient.

(More info here -> http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/hdmi-vs-component,review-29615.html )

4.

Ok here is my basic attempt to explain up-scaling :

Normal DVDs have lower resolutions than HD TVs and blue ray discs, (normally 480p, rather than 1080p). To accommodate the lower resolution DVD on a 1080p TV, the television or DVD player (xbox in this case), can 'up-scale' the quality of the DVD to fit 1080p, although the quality won't be as good as a blueray, you will notice the difference between an up-scaled DVD and one which hasn't been up-scaled. So essentially all it is, is boosting the quality of the DVD.

The problem is that up-scaling can only occur through an HDMI or VGA cable and not through component in regards to the xbox 360. So through component, the DVDs will have no upscaling and will look just like they would on a dvd player. But through HDMI or VGA they would be upscaled.

I hope this helps!

-JD

Thanks a lot for replying, this information is very useful! Cheers.