Is it worth getting a 360 if you dont have a HDTV?

Post by **CantStrafeRight** » Sat May 03, 2008 2:52 pm

I was thinking about treating my self to a xbox 360 as there are games I want for it but I dont have a hdtv.

Is having a 360 without a hdtv a waste of money?

Post by **Mozgus** » Sat May 03, 2008 2:54 pm

I dunno, I wouldn't. I'm the kind of person that would be bothered knowing that I'm not fully experiencing what my machine is putting out. Last time I checked, the vast majority of 360 owners are still on SDTVs, so it clearly doesn't bother them.

Post by **Niode** » Sat May 03, 2008 3:20 pm

I don't have any problems playing most of my games on my SDTV at university. There's only a few games that bother me at SD; Amped 3 and Dead Rising are impossible to read the text on.

If cost is a problem just get a VGA cable and a decent TFT monitor. Just as good as a HDTV if you're planning on viewing at close range.

Post by **Doctor Fugue** » Sat May 03, 2008 3:32 pm

It's not a waste of money, but the games were made for HDTV and I like to see them as they were meant to be seen. As mentioned above, the only unplayable bits are when the text is too small in SD. Also, I haven't tried it, but I imagine something like C&C3 would be really difficult to play in SD because of all the tiny units.

Post by **peace4myheart** » Sat May 03, 2008 3:36 pm

I think if you don't care how a game looks and just want to play the game, then it's okay. However, if you want the best experience out of that 300 dollars investment and have the money, then an HDTV is a must. You'll never go back to SD TV again once you do. Besides, once the switch over in 2009, HDTV will be cheap as hell. Just buy the 360 now. Why deny yourself of the pleasure???

Post by **Niode** » Sat May 03, 2008 3:58 pm

The games are just as enjoyable in SD, at £150 for a core system it's hardly expensive. That's cheaper than a Wii in this country, and the Wii is SD as well.

Apart from a few that have stupidly small text, GTA suffers from this as well, it's really hard to read the text on the phone or see the map icons properly. (well on a PS3 in SD, but im assuming the games are exactly the same anyway)

Post by **CantStrafeRight** » Sat May 03, 2008 5:10 pm

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Im probably going to get one and if I feel I need a higher resolution I can use a computer monitor.

Post by **Gamerforlife** » Sat May 03, 2008 5:34 pm

I've yet to play a 360 game that was MADE for HD no matter what anyone says(except for Dead Rising). A great looking game is a great looking game no matter what kind of tv you're using. If you play games primarily for the gameplay, you'll find the experience is the same either way.

Post by **Ramatut4001** » Sat May 03, 2008 5:36 pm

I survived playing it on SD for a few months. My wife and I were planning on getting a new TV after we got married so I knew it was only a matter of time. It was fine but I could never go back. I now keep my older consoles in my office with an SD set and the current-gen with the HDTV.

Post by **peace4myheart** » Sat May 03, 2008 5:48 pm

Gamerforlife wrote:A great looking game is a great looking game no matter what kind of tv you're using.

The beauty is in the details. Not gonna get it with a SD TV.