xbox 360 audio question

[nickfil]

I just got a game as a late Christmas present, Dead Space. I hear that dead space is a game that really takes advantage of the 5.1 surround to immerse you, so i started to look at 5.1 set ups to see if anything was cheap. Thing is, i can't really understand the setup for 5.1 ON the xbox. My 360 is in microsoft's hands being repaired and i can't check out the ports on the back. It has an HDMI port on it, plus the thicker microsoft 360 port and it is about a year old. The way i see it is i have a couple options...

I thought that it would split the audio and video signals in the receiver itself. Kinda like this (forgive my shitty diagram)

xbox -HD cable-> HD receiver -HD cable for video-> hd set
..................................................... -speaker wire-> 5.1 speakers

but now after doing some research it seems like it splits the signals at the xbox itself via a "hd" cable
xbox -component video with dangling audio cables-> HD set
........ -optical audio-> audio receiver with no hdmi input -speaker wire-> 5.1 speakers

Am i going to get a drop in video quality by plugging in video without an HD cable and instead component?
Is there a better way to get optical audio out of the xbox? What would be the best case equipment for audio and video?

am i totally wrong about this whole thing?

[Xonticus]

I believe if you get a receiver with the hdmi input and output, you could just hook the 360 into the receiver, run a hdmi plug out to your tv, but have the sound on your receiver going to the 5.1 channels as well. You should really check the available options for the different receivers out there. As long as the hi-def video is getting to the tv and the hi def audio is being output to the speakers, you should be fine.

[Haruspex]

Problem with the XBOX 360 is that have the audio digital output in the cable and not in the console itself. Also i don't think you can get 5.1 sound on XBOX 360 with RCA jacks. I don't know though if third-party cables exists for that purpose.

You need the MS HDMI Cable which have the digital output on the cable (same goes with the MS Component and the MS VGA cable as well) to get 5.1.

Also i remembered this

Code: Select all

Though the newer 360s have an HDMI output for optimal video quality, they've built the ports in such a way that you can't have the standard component/composite video cable, with its crucial optical audio output, plugged in at the same time as HDMI. Instead, you're supposed to drop a frightening amount of money on the official HDMI cable with audio adapter. Balls to that. See the big plastic box at the end of the standard video cable that connects to the console? Wedge a knife or screwdriver into the join and twist to pop it off. The result looks messy, but is small enough to plug in alongside a standard, cheapo HDMI cable.

Although i recommend to just get the MS HDMI cable.

[nickfil]

I believe if you get a receiver with the hdmi input and output, you could just hook the 360 into the receiver, run a hdmi plug out to your tv, but have the sound on your receiver going to the 5.1 channels as well. You should really check the available options for the different receivers out there. As long as the hi-def video is getting to the tv and the hi def audio is being output to the speakers, you should be fine.

The problem with that is the price of the hdmi receiver is crazy. Plus none come packed with speakers. i know i know- I should get speakers separately, but honestly I'm not the biggest audio guy and a pack saves me a headache.

I think i'm going to look for that MS HDMI cable and optical receiver. Thanks guys, it has been a big help.

[gradualmeltdown]

I think that might be the easiest an best. Just use optical for sound and HDMI or Component for video. The difference between HDMI and Component video is very minimal. Each has it own benefits and drawbacks. In many cases the current consumer electronics work better with Component even though HDMI can technically be better if implemented properly. IMO Component video is fine unless you have a pile of money and a TV larger than 50".

[nickfil]

In many cases the current consumer electronics work better with Component even though HDMI can technically be better if implemented properly. IMO Component video is fine unless you have a pile of money and a TV larger than 50".

even though i lack the pile of money right now- i do have a set that is over 50".

I plugged in the cable box i have to the set in component and hdmi. I tried flipping between the two and couldn't really tell a difference so i think i'll roll with component and optical for the xbox.

[Niode]

Most people can't tell the difference between VGA and DVI anyway.

Just use the standard HD cable (the one with the optical out on it).

To answer you other question. You can do 5.1 over RCA, but you would need 1 cable for every channel and also a receiver that converts a digital 5.1 signal to it's separate analogue components and just plug speakers into that. In short, how 5.1 decoders work.

If what you are asking is if you can get 5.1 straight out of the console as separate RCA outputs. No. Because the 360 outputs 5.1 in digital format only.

Personally I'd get something like this. This will allow you to put all your consoles into it and switch between them. So if you have an original Xbox or PS2 you can get 5.1 out of that too. It will also output on HDMI and it can also decode the digital audio from the HDMI port too so you don't need to bother with additional cables.

[Ramatut4001]

You can use HDMI for video and optical audio at the same time. That's what I'm doing until I upgrade my receiver. If you're going for a cheap home theater in a box without HDMI switching, you can get an alright Yamaha or Onkyo setup for under $400. Remember you'll need something with HDMI inputs to decode the newer lossless audio formats on Blu-rays and HD-DVDs but if this is your first 5.1 setup you may as well start small.

You will definitely notice the effect of 5.1 sound in games, particularly first-person ones.