# Xbox 360 : is it HD or isn't it **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 19, 2005, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-360-is-it-hd-or-isnt-it/336284 "2005-12-19T11:53:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Scoundrel\_Swanswater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@Scoundrel\_Swanswater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scoundrel_Swanswater)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-360-is-it-hd-or-isnt-it/336284/1 "2005-12-19T11:53:57Z")
I just read on some sites that the Xbox 360 does not support HDMI or DVI connections? Does this mean that it doesn’t support HDTV? Apparently the HD-cable is a cable consisting of S-VHS and Component connectors. As far as I know my HD-ready television will only accept HDTV signals over the DVI connector. Doesn’t this automatically mean that the Xbox360 isn’t HD-capable at all? I really can’t get my head around this. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-360-is-it-hd-or-isnt-it/336284/2 "2005-12-19T13:59:25Z")
Component connections are perfectly capable of HD (720 or 1080) transmission. I have difficulty believing your HD TV has no component HD support. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-360-is-it-hd-or-isnt-it/336284/3 "2005-12-19T14:06:02Z")
See [here](http://interviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/1190/Xbox-360-Interview-Todd-Holmdahl/p1/) for some more info from one of MS’s xbox honchos: > [@Todd Holmdahl](#): > > Xbox 360 will support HD component video output, which is compatible with nearly every HD-ready TV on the market today. We’re poised to hit the sweet spot of the HD market at launch and as the market matures, and we will provide an HDMI for our customers when it makes sense. The reality is, you don’t need HDMI for HD gaming. So they don’t have an HDMI connector at launch, but may offer one later. And component works fine anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Scoundrel\_Swanswater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@Scoundrel\_Swanswater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scoundrel_Swanswater)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-360-is-it-hd-or-isnt-it/336284/4 "2005-12-19T18:23:14Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > I have difficulty believing your HD TV has no component HD support. Unfortunately this is the case on the whole new line of Philips flatscreens in Europe. I guess I will end up having to buy the Xbox360 VGA-cable, a VGA-to-DVI-adapter and a DVI switchbox. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-360-is-it-hd-or-isnt-it/336284/5 "2005-12-19T19:49:08Z")
> [@Scoundrel Swanswater](#): > > Unfortunately this is the case on the whole new line of Philips flatscreens in Europe. Meaning it has no component connector at _all_, or that the component input doesn’t support high bandwidth signals (which I would be skeptical of, but what do I know)? I agree, if there’s no component connector, you’re somewhat screwed, and would need to run at VGA rez (which still beats the heck out of 480i). ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-360-is-it-hd-or-isnt-it/336284/6 "2005-12-19T20:55:00Z")
Hmm I wish I could read Netherlandish (kidding – what language is spoken there?) and could make more out of Philip’s [spec sheet](http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/catalog/catalog.jsp?fhquery=fh_secondid%3D50pf7320_10_nl_consumer%26fh_location%3D%2F%2Fconsumer%2Fnl_NL%2Fcategories%3Ccatalog_nl_consumer%2Fcategories%3Ctv_gr_nl_consumer%2Fcategories%3Cflat_tv_ca_nl_consumer%26&productId=50PF7320_10_NL_CONSUMER&activeCategory=FLAT_TV_CA_NL_CONSUMER&fredhopperpage=detail.jsp&activeTab=specifications&language=nl&country=NL&catalogType=CONSUMER&proxybuster=JBJCAV15QY1A5J0RMRCSHQVHKFSESI5P) on one of their flat panels. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-360-is-it-hd-or-isnt-it/336284/7 "2005-12-19T21:30:17Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > (kidding – what language is spoken there?) Dutch. Under the connectivity section they mention DVI with HDCP, and that’s the only bit that sounds like it might be HD. Mind you, I don’t speak Dutch, so I could be missing something else less obvious… ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-360-is-it-hd-or-isnt-it/336284/8 "2005-12-19T22:41:28Z")
Thanks. I just can’t tell if it has analog component input, or only composite, s-video, and DVI. If there’s any sort of component input you’re golden – the monitor will (I’m really really sure) handle HD rez through that interface. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-360-is-it-hd-or-isnt-it/336284/9 "2005-12-19T22:42:53Z")
The one that looks suspicious to me is this line: “Extern 1 SCART : Audio L/R, CVBS in/uit, RGB” According to my googling, “CVBS” is composite… but then why specify “RGB”? That makes it sound like component. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-360-is-it-hd-or-isnt-it/336284/10 "2005-12-19T22:55:12Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > … Philip’s [spec sheet](http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/catalog/catalog.jsp?fhquery=fh_secondid%3D50pf7320_10_nl_consumer%26fh_location%3D%2F%2Fconsumer%2Fnl_NL%2Fcategories%3Ccatalog_nl_consumer%2Fcategories%3Ctv_gr_nl_consumer%2Fcategories%3Cflat_tv_ca_nl_consumer%26&productId=50PF7320_10_NL_CONSUMER&activeCategory=FLAT_TV_CA_NL_CONSUMER&fredhopperpage=detail.jsp&activeTab=specifications&language=nl&country=NL&catalogType=CONSUMER&proxybuster=JBJCAV15QY1A5J0RMRCSHQVHKFSESI5P) on one of their flat panels. Well, I assume it’s the same product as in the UK. If so, check out [this spec page](http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/catalog/catalog.jsp?fhquery=fh_secondid%3D50pf7320_10_gb_consumer%26fh_location%3D%2F%2Fconsumer%2Fen_GB%2Fcategories%3Ccatalog_gb_consumer%2Fcategories%3Ctv_gr_gb_consumer%2Fcategories%3Cflat_tv_ca_gb_consumer%26&productId=50PF7320_10_GB_CONSUMER&activeCategory=FLAT_TV_CA_GB_CONSUMER&fredhopperpage=detail.jsp&activeTab=specifications&language=en&country=GB&catalogType=CONSUMER&proxybuster=K104JO4SXUS23J0RMRCSHQVHKFSESI5P). > [@](#): > > **Connectivity** > AV 3 : DVI with HDCP, Audio-in mini jack 3.5mm > Front / Side connections : Audio left / right in, CVBS in, Headphone out, S-Video in > Ext 1 Scart : Audio L/R, CVBS in / out, RGB > Ext 2 Scart : Audio L/R, CVBS in / out, S video in What it means is that you have three different sets of connectors which in turn have multiple WAYS to connect. Each of the three sets accept CVBS in. My new flat panel Sony is the same way. I think that explains: > [@squeegee](#): > > “Extern 1 SCART : Audio L/R, CVBS in/uit, RGB” In other words, don’t worry **Scoundrel Swanswater** , you’re good to go. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-360-is-it-hd-or-isnt-it/336284/11 "2005-12-20T05:47:23Z")
> [@Ponder Stibbons](#): > > In other words, don’t worry **Scoundrel Swanswater** , you’re good to go. He is if “RGB” means “component analog”. I’m still unsure. ---
**Author:** ![Scoundrel\_Swanswater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@Scoundrel\_Swanswater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scoundrel_Swanswater)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-360-is-it-hd-or-isnt-it/336284/12 "2005-12-20T07:22:50Z")
Apparently the only input option I have that supports HD is the DVI connector. It should work on that though. I just think it sucks that a new Hi-Def screen comes without Component connectors (and HDMI connectors wouldn’t be a bad idea either). This means I have to invest at least another 400 USD. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-360-is-it-hd-or-isnt-it/336284/13 "2005-12-20T15:45:59Z")
> [@](#): > > This means I have to invest at least another 400 USD. More like [$229](http://www.digitalconnection.com/Products/Video/dcp261.ASP). One other thought – DVI does both analog AND digital. If your set implements DVI-A at high enough bandwidth, its possible that all you need is the right cable to go from component HD to DVI analog input. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2005, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-360-is-it-hd-or-isnt-it/336284/14 "2005-12-20T23:58:20Z")
[Perhaps something like this will do it](http://www.tvcables.co.uk/cgi-bin/tvcables/component-dvi.html?id=pdDxz9Zc). ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2005, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-360-is-it-hd-or-isnt-it/336284/15 "2005-12-21T00:38:39Z")
[If it’s not, then you can’t play King Kong.](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4525318.stm) > [@](#): > > The Ubisoft boss said the team who made the game used certain settings on high-definition TV screens. > > It did not occur to them that there would be a problem with standard televisions, which are what most people use to play console games.