Xbox Sound hook up (1 Viewer)

[Chad Ferguson]

What was the advantage of the Xbox only accepting Optical in their A/V hook ups? I just find it weird that they wouldn't support both hook ups. Anyone know?

 

[Dean Cooper]

Great question Chad. I wish I could figure out the answer. There really is no good answer though, maybe they thought it had a better "cool" factor or didn't want confused customers trying to hook up a coax digital out to an analog audio input.

Dean

 

[Camp]

I think coax digital would just confuse a lot of people. To the uninitiated it looks just like any other RCA out. Optical has the advantage of using a totally different plug.

 

[BertFalasco]

Exactly, damnit!! What category should I put the optical cable into, I have CD, TV, and CD-R, and a friggin coax. input for DVD, and a digital out.. I'm screwed..
Any suggestions?

 

[Sean M]

Buy an Optical to Coax converter. I think that Audio Authority makes one and www.copperbox.com should sell it. It's a pretty pricey item in the world on game consoles, but it's probably cheaper than buying a new system/receiver.
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"Experience is the one thing you can't get for nothing." - Oscar Wilde

 

[BertFalasco]

Sean, I appreciate it but where would I connect thecoax into? The dvd input? I have a coax. input for DVD, then optical input for CD, CD-r, and TV, and an output for Dolby Digital (probobly for if I wanna connect another reciever..). What do I do?
-Bert

 

[Sean M]

So, your real problem is a lack of inputs. That's even better. Audio Authority makes a neat little video/digital audio switch with both optical and coaxial digital inputs. It's $149 from www.copperbox.com. It even autosenses a signal input and switches automatically. It's a really cool device. I almost wish I needed one. Sure beats upgrading the receiver.
Edit - Oops. I forgot to give the model number. It's the Audio Authority 1155 (AA1155 at copperbox).
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"Experience is the one thing you can't get for nothing." - Oscar Wilde
[Edited last by Sean M on November 07, 2001 at 09:38 PM]

 

[BertFalasco]

Thanks alot Sean! I appreciate it
-Bert

 

[JeffreyH]

So if you want digital sound from the Xbox you need an optical input? My buddy has pre-ordered the Xbox and has an older Kenwood with only a coaxial input for digital sound.
Is he screwed?

 

[BertFalasco]

No, he's ok, as long as the Kenwood ahs an optical input because the XBOX has an optical out. You're all good..
-Bert

 

[JeffreyH]

Optical output! That's what I meant to write. No he doens't have anywhere to put a optical cable into his Kenwood.
So he's stuck with the analog cables.

 

[Wolf Jenkins]

Hmm - i think some older AC3 RF demodulators may do this function (some had optical inputs and a choice of coax or optical outputs...) I'll have to look, but I thought my kenwood did...

 

[Chad Ferguson]

Can't they get rid of the problem of people mixing the two and go the route that Creative Labs has gone and many followed. What I'm talking about is color cordinating everything. Blue for Optical, White and red for audio, etc...? That why you have more support for hardware and easier install for newbies. Would the Xbox have to change any Hardware at all in the system for it to support coaxil?

 

[Massimo N]

Bert,
On my Yamaha RX-V995 I can choose a video output first, the select an audio output, while still keeping the video.
For example, if I choose VCR2 on the receiver, I'll get picture & sound from that source, VCR&Analog sound. If I then switch (using remote) to CD, I'll keep the VCR picture, but now have the sound hooked up to the CD optical.
BTW, I'm hooking my XBOX via component straight to the tv, and the optical to any free optical connection on the receiver...probably MINI DISK. This eliminates the need to free-up a video+digital audio slot.
Cheers!
Mass

 

[Michael Hudson]

My biggest gripe is the lack of regular connections on the back of game systems Xbox, Gamecube, DC and PS2. I hate the fact that you have to buy special cables to work with game systems. Oh well

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Michael
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[Chad Ferguson]

michael, I'm not quite sure what your refering too by that but if your wondering if Xbox comes with a regular hook up it does. It will come with composite video and l/r audio hook up.

 

[Michael Hudson]

What I am saying is for example my first PS from 95 has normal audio video outs on the back red white and yellow. It came with cords but you could use any. The new PS2 has a toshlink out that you can use any toshlink instead of one made just for the XBOX. I understand the units all come with video and audio outs I just with the back looked like a normal piece of AV gear not needing special items that cost more.
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Michael
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[Camp]

Which is exactly why they use "special" cables. It's a source of revenue.

 

[Graeme Clark]

Of course if it came with every connection available built right into the machine, we'd have to hear certain people complaining about paying for things they won't use.
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[Camp]