Question regarding S-Video and Component inputs using an Xbox. (1 Viewer)

[kurt_fire]

OK, here's my dilemma.

I own an Xbox, and a new 36" Toshiba TV. The TV is NOT high definition, but it does have a Colorstream component input. It also has an s-video input. I want to connect my Xbox to this television and receive the best picture possible.

Xbox sells 2 types of wiring packages: Advanced AV Pack (s-video) and the HDTV pack (component)

What package would give me the best picture? Even though the TV isn't an HDTV, would the HDTV pack give me the best picture using component cables? The pack being title the HDTV pack is kind of throwing me off, just because it's called the HDTV pack. I also know the s-video (or advanced av pack) would give me a decent picture.

I guess what I'm asking is: would the HDTV pack still work better than the s-video even though my TV isn't a HDTV, but does offer a component input.

I hope this isn't too confusing, and I'd love to hear from someone who has gone through this and knows the answer, or just from someone who knows the answer.

A link to a site that could maybe clarify this would help too, I've tried xbox.com and many others but I can't seem to find the right information.

 

[RudyN]

I'd go with the HDTV pack. That's what I have and my tv isn't an HDTV either. Check out this site to show differences between S-video and component:

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~scdawson/video/

 

[kurt_fire]

Hey RudyN,

Have you hooked up both the s-video and HDTV packs and compared the pictures? B/c your TV isn't a HDTV, you didn't go under the options of your Xbox and turn on any of the HD functions? Overall, does the HDTV pack make the image more crisp and vibrant compared to the A/V ones?

 

[RudyN]

I actually used the regular a/v cable that came with the Xbox for 1 day because I forgot to pick up the HDTV pack when I bought everything. Going to the HDTV pack made a HUGE difference. I've never used s-video for any of my systems though. Everything is connected thru the component inputs.

b/c your TV isn't a HDTV, you didn't go under the options of your Xbox and turn on any of the HD functions?

That's right, just left everything normal.

 

[Bob McElfresh]

The HDTV pack gives you COMPONENT connections. But after you install the set, you have to go into the XBox and tell it to output PROGRESSIVE/HD video.

It's about twice the price, but Monster makes a single cable that is their version of the HDTV pack. No cheap/thin wires going to a plastic break-out box, just one continous/thick/heavy cable with RCA plugs at the ends. But I think this cable only offers L/R analog output and you have to buy the additional fiber-optic "plug in" cable to send DD5.1 to your receiver:

Monster XGL200-R10 (Component/HD cable): $35-$45
Monster XGL-LW100 (Fiber optic adaptor): $30

(Note: these are both 10 ft cables)

So you are into about $65-$75 for the Monster set.

Microsoft XBox High Def AV Pack: $20
AR (AP092) Pro2 Component video cable (12 ft): $40
AR (APO82) Pro2 Fiber Optic cable (12 ft): $30

And you are in about $90 for the Microsoft/Acoustic Research set.

Go with the Monster setup unless you already have some cables lying around.

Hope this helps.

 

[RudyN]

Since you do not have an HDTV and only want component hookups, get the Microsoft HDTV pack. You won't notice any significant improvement with the Monster Cables and you'll just end up spending $$ you didn't need to. Also, the packaged component cables work just fine, no need to replace them.

 

[Luke_Y]

If I read Bob's post correctly the Monster solution would be cheaper and better than the Msoft setup.

 

[RudyN]

Bob's setup includes buying new cables which are not necessary. The cables that come with the Microsoft box work fine.

 

[Bob McElfresh]

While not necessary, I'd still opt for the Monster cable over the Microsoft HD pack.

I dont like the Microsoft HD pack because:

- The wires included hardly look like shielded coax. More like cheap wires from a hardware store.

- The RCA plugs in the pack are cheap audio RCA plugs that cant come close to the 75 ohm impedence that video signals require.

- The extra break-out box is yet another break in the signal path and I doubt it helps with the 75 ohm issue.

I'm NOT a big fan of Monster (or expensive copper in general). I usually encourage people to shop other brands that are compariable/cheaper. But the simplicity, the construction and the pedagree for the Monster cables make it the best IMHO.

Some people will say the cable does not matter. But there is a BIG difference in the sensitivity of a 21" tube vs a 50" HDTV.

So Kirk has a 36" tube system which means he is not likely to notice the difference between the 2 setups. If he ignores the component cable for the Hi Def pack the two sets come out to be:

Monster: $35 + $30 = $65
Hi Def: $20 + $30 = $50

Thats a difference of $15.

This makes it a no-brainer. Go with the Monster cable. (Note: the prices are from Amazon and they offer free shipping on these).

 

[RudyN]

If he had an HDTV, he would probably be better off buying the Monster cables or buying better quality component cables for the Hi-def box, but he doesn't, so why spend more money when he won't notice the difference? Why spend the extra $15 when it isn't necessary?

 

[Jeremy Little]

I'm gonna go with Bob on this one. I'd say an extra $15 on a 36" tv is a no-brainer. The only high quality cable solutions are:

1. Buy the Microsoft pack with a high quality optical and component set.
2. Buy the Monster cable set.[/list=1]
   
   The Monster set has good quality RCA's and all in one construction going for it. The Microsoft pack needs good quality cables purchased to bring it up to speed. I don't think this is a brand debate at all. Would you hook up a component with those cheap patch cords that come free with equipment? The cables in the set aren't a whole lot better than that. I know you said that you can't see a difference, but how do you know? I mean, as Bob mentioned before, the cables really do not look like they can maintain a 75 ohm impedance. Isn't that a MINIMUM requirement given the task at hand?

 

[RudyN]

Well, I guess it all comes down to the following for me. Well I do enjoy all of my home theater equipment, I'm not a rich man. I'm not saying the rest of you are, so don't take it that way. The cables that come with the Microsoft box work fine for me. If they didn't work, Microsoft would not have included them in the package. Therefore, I do not see the need to spend extra $$ that I don't have on "better quality" cables since the ones I currently have work fine. The way you guys make it seem is that the cables that come with the Microsoft box are complete shit. Last time I checked(which was just 5 min ago during a game of WSB2K3), they output the video signal just fine, and all the colors were correct. I guess most people are in the mindset of "the more expensive something is, the better it is" which isn't always true. Kurt, I hope I was able to help you choose an option. If you prefer to go the Monster cable route, a user is selling both the audio&video cable at the following link http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...hreadid=129731. Good luck with your purchase.

 

[Bob McElfresh]

To put a little analogy into cables...

Cables are like the asphalt on the road in front of your house, and on the freeway.

You CAN drive on both, but while you can drive 55-60 on the freeway, you usually cannot do this in front of your house.

The 2 roads are built for different speeds.

Little Fact: Component video tops out at 4 Mhz signals but progressive video tops out at 13 Mhz.

The RCA plugs are like little 'speed bumps' to the video signal. Not usually a problem at low speed, but damaging at higher speeds. These 'bumps' can cause reflections in the cable (causing ghosting) and reduced signal at the higher frequencies (reduced focus). You really want the minimum number of plugs/breaks in the signal path.

And the nature of computer graphics are lots of sharp, straight lines, solid contrasting colors and sudden changes - more challenging to transmit and display than live video.

Look at the cables leading to the plugs on the included wires. If they are RG6/RG59 shielded coax, they should be as thick as your CATV coax. Are they? If not, they are un-shielded wires. Not a huge problem if you put your XBox on the floor and run wires to the FRONT of your TV to play games. But look at the mass of cables behind your rack - could there be any POWER wires or SPEAKER wires near your XBox cables that could/will induce noise into the cable?


So all of these lend support to suggestion that you buy the single, un-broken, shielded cable built for the more challenging demands of the XBox.

Of course I'm not suggesting you go out and re-buy. (And no, I'm actually a very poor man right now.) But since each XBox game is about $49 - $65 for a good cable setup is NOT outragious.

I guess most people are in the mindset of "the more expensive something is, the better it is" which isn't always true

I agree. And HT cables are part of a HUGE markup and even a scam in some cases. I routinely help steer people away from these in the "Tweeks and Connections" fourm.

But I am an electrical engineer who has been studying HT for many years, I build video cables, I can read/understand the technical jargon of coax specifications & shielding, and I understand many of the issues around video signal transmission. All of this experience is behind my recomendation that the Monster XBox cable is a greatly superior choice. Not because "more expensive is better", but because of the technology.

(Not to mention that the Monster cable is thick, has a molted green pattern like a snake and just looks cooler. )

 

[Brian Ruth]

Bob:

If I'm not mistaken, the 200 series monster cables are the COMPOSITE cables and not the component cables.

The component cables run closer to $70, I think.

EDIT: Component cables run $52.75 on sale from amazon. Looks like the price went down since I last checked.

 

[Bob McElfresh]

???? I could have sworn the price said $35. He's right, it now says $52. Very strange.

XGL400 - Left/Right/Component video - $53
XGL200 - Left/Right/composite Video - $30

Uhhhh so what DID I find for $35? (I wasnt that drunk this morning.. or was I?)

Yes, the XGL400 is pricy, but this is the cable that replaces the Microsoft HD pack. At $53 it's not nearly as good a deal as the $35 I thought it was priced at, but it really is a great addition and almost a must-have if you have a HDTV.