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89.99 Gets your 360 HDMI enabled (Thank You Mad Catz!)
Bamelin
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PRESS RELEASE:
Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider announced today the release of the Xbox 360 HDMI Conversion Kit, a revolutionary new accessory designed to allow owners of the Xbox 360 console to connect directly to any standard HDMI input on their TV’s or displays and enjoy true High-Definition (HD) digital video and audio for gaming and movie playback.
The HDMI Conversion Kit connects easily and safely to the ‘AV Output’ located on the rear of the console and utilizing advanced microprocessor technology, converts the analogue signal to a digital HDMI stream, outputting all popular HD resolutions up to and including 1080p and compatible with the HDMI 1.3 standard.
Furthermore, the HDMI Conversion Kit has been engineered to carry full multi-channel Digital Audio (Dolby® Digital, DTS®) through the HDMI cable directly to compatible TV’s, eliminating the need for multiple video and audio connections. Should users wish to output digital audio to an alternative source, a separate Digital Audio Output has been built in to the device and using the Digital Optical Cable provided, offers users flexibility to connect however they choose. With all necessary cables needed supplied in the box, the HDMI Conversion Kit is a true ‘one-stop solution’ to an all digital experience.
Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz commented, “HDMI is widely recognized as the connection standard for the High-Definition age in which we live, delivering unsurpassed visual and audio quality. However, millions of Xbox 360 consoles are not equipped with an HDMI output and owners are unable to take advantage of the benefits an all digital connection provides. Mad Catz’ Xbox 360 HDMI Conversion Kit provides gamers with a digital video and audio solution that we believe will be embraced by owners of HD-TV’s and those who demand the best from their entertainment. With breakthrough, innovate products such as this, Mad Catz continues to demonstrate its commitment to enhancing all areas of gaming and we look forward to introducing Xbox 360 owners everywhere to the all digital revolution.”
Compatible with all Xbox 360 consoles not equipped with HDMI connectors; the HDMI Conversion Kit is expected to be available across United States in late January 2008 for an SRP of $89.99.
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This is very good news. I've balked at buying an Elite, but with my new 1080p set, I've been considering it. For those with the HD DVD Add On this is a really good option.
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If it's true, I'll have to get my roommate to pick this up for his TV, since he was thinking of doing some shady stuff with Best Buy's return policy.
It's the same idea with the 120GB hard drive. Why pay $179.99 when you can just buy an elite at $100 more than the pro MSRP and then sell your pro for MSRP - $79.99?
Who would buy your used xbox premium for $320?
have you tried to sell a 360 for msrp lately?
not many people want to pay full price for something used when they could just buy it new.
edit: beat'd
So this would only be useful to people without VGA in on their TV.
Are there not component-to-HDMI adaptors already around?
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Because if you do that then you get to deal with the headache that is DRM.
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I was waiting for someone to say that. :P
Right now, I have the 360 on one component input, and then I swap the Wii/PS2 back and forth on the other component input as needed. So I've been toying around with selling my 360 and getting an Elite just so I can move it over to the unused HDMI input and that I no longer have to swap the Wii/PS2 around.
So getting this adapter would allow me to do that. But, at first reaction, I don't think it's worth 90 bucks just so I don't have to occasionally swap cables. Sure I'd have to spend more if I went to an Elite, but i'd also get the added benefits of the bigger HD and the Falcon..etc.
What are these DRM issues I keep hearing about? can someone send me a link?
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Um, thats what I'm waiting/hoping for. I was hoping beating Mass Effect 3 times would do it. Then I hoped, still do, that the long Rock Band sessions would do it in. Maybe a combo of Lost Odessey and Rock Band will finally spell its doom and I can get a HDMI equiped replacement.
There would have to be some signal degradation issues even if it was made by a reputable company. Adding in Mad Catz to the mix make me think this will be garbage. I had a Component cable from them that was horrible, it was a 3 in one cable xbox/ps2 combo deal that couldn't have had any shielding at all on it. I wouldn't buy anything they make personally.
DRM issue is only with the hd-dvd add on. Some HD-DVD's & I think all Bluray disk require all the components in the play back of high def content to do a handshake before they'll play in full res. So, some HD-DVD movies end up only playing in 480 when connected over component cables. Also the 360 only upscales dvd's through vga and hdmi.
Isn't it only HDMI that has this problem (due to this whole HDCP compliance nonsense)?
The HDCP compliance is the reason component cables can't display protected HD-DVD's and Blurays in full resoultion. All the parts in the play back line have to be HDCP certified from the player to the TV and only HDMI and DVI (digital signals) can do it.
Don't all the newer 360s come with an HDMI port?
While HDMI is nice from a purely technological standpoint in that it's all digital, when it's carrying the same resolution signal as your analog connection, the only practical difference is that the analog connection could possibly suffer some signal loss.
If you are having signal loss, I suggest replacing that $7.95 Chi-Mei import cable set with the Microsoft first party one and saving $50.
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It's obviously for older 360's. I'd be tempted if it wasn't so expensive and I didn't feel that the quality of the conversion from VGA to HDMI is questionable from a company like Mad Catz. I'm looking forward to some reviews.
Yeah, well, I don't have a newer 360.
I'm one of the lucky few whose unit has lasted over two years. It doesn't seem to be showing any signs of dying, either. An adapter like this, or something similar, would be great, because it would free up a component slot. My DVR box takes up one already. If I ever want to play the Wii, I have to unplug the 360 one. It would be nice to be able to have all three systems connected at the same time without me having to get up and unplug things for a different unit. That is, if the adapter works and doesn't have a loss in quality, but it is Mad Catz, after all...
Buying something like this to free up a component input on the tv is a pretty dumb idea
Hey, nice. That sounds like a plan. Is there any loss in quality with the switcher? I had this one little box for last-gen that let you plug in all the different consoles, and you'd just hit a button on the box to choose your system. There was a noticeable loss in quality.
facepalm
This only happens if they enable the image constraint malarkey, which they haven't yet and probably never will (for HDDVDs, at least).
I own essentially the same thing. I haven't noticed a loss in quality.
Generally the switchboxes that you need to actually plug into the wall cause less signal degredation. Not always, but usually.
I know several people with this exact thing and I cannot detect a loss in quality even on an XBR-2
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-PH61150-Switcher-S-Video-Component/dp/B000WS5I7U/ref=tag_stp_st_edpp_url
For example I have a Samsung OTA tuner with HDMI out... only.... when I use the HDMI connection the image fades to black and white after a short while because it apparently thinks I'm trying to steal TV.
It's a little-known product but over at AVS several Sony tv owners have reported it with no resolution in sight.
IMO HDMI is more trouble than it's worth.
All I could think of is "It's gots electrolytes. They're what plants crave."
Don't all the models come with HDMI now, or does the Arcade not have it? What I hate is that the HDMI cable can't use the standard plug for the optical out...
Yeah, this is what I have. Works perfectly. I have every port full. Sometimes I wish there was a remote control, but that's not really needed unless you have more than one thing on at once.
Damn thing sure is bulky, though.
In the post I made above the one you directly quote I say some hd-dvd's as I thought there were a few out that had it enabled. If not my mistake. You're right hd-dvd probably won't ever enable that feature fully since its already on deaths door with Netflix dropping them in the near future and the recent studio losses.
If it ever happens, it will be on dedicated digital distribution systems.
EDIT: And to clarify, I really only see HDMI as a necessity if HDCP is enabled, which it's currently not. Thus, why pay $90 for an HDMI cable when you can buy a VGA cable for $10 now a days?
I was thinking of it more as a benefit for those that already have the HD DVD Add on ... I sold my Add on months ago, but at the time I might have been interested in something like this.
You can already do 1080p over component. Same for VGA.