MadCatz's Xbox 360 HDMI Conversion Kit up for pre-order
Well, what have we here? No, seriously, what is this thing? Considering the absolute dearth of information given on GameStop's pre-order page, we're left to surmise that the Xbox 360 HDMI Conversion Kit exists (er, will exist) simply to allow those who purchased their Xbox 360 before the days of built-in HDMI to utilize one of the dusty HDMI sockets on their TV / receiver. Granted, we're sure hoping there's more to this thing than that, or else we're left wondering who's desperate enough to drop $89.99 to free up a single component input.Update: Turns out this thing does indeed support 1080p, and it'll come with "free" HDMI and optical audio cables, too. Check out the PDF here. Thanks,
[Thanks, David]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Peter @ Dec 19th 2007 5:42PM
Umm, doesn't the VGA cable allow 1080p? Also, component has been working perfectly fine on my 46" 1080p Samsung with component, so why would you really need this?
MAC @ Dec 19th 2007 6:26PM
Yeah it does, but now you can get the HD DVD add-on for $129 and have your old DVD's upconvert. You will never be able to view 1080p over component cables if you get the HD DVD player. In other words, if you want to experience Full HDTV and your TV supports 1920X1080 resolutions, and you have an original xbox, this is the port for you.....bring it on baby!!!!!!
Galicki @ Dec 19th 2007 5:56PM
I guess the only advantage is sound and video over the same cable.
Cellulose @ Dec 19th 2007 6:12PM
I believe it's main advantage is to allow the Xbox to send a 1080p signal to your TV when playing an HD-DVD... or for those who are utterly convinced that 1080p is superior to 1080i or that HDMI has better signal than component (I'm not say that it is or isn't--I don't care enough to "notice" either way).
I've run into a few TV's that won't accept a VGA input. Also, some haven't figured out how to use the Video Level setting so they still think VGA produces washed-out pictures and won't use it even if its available.
jozh @ Dec 19th 2007 6:17PM
Pretty silly. Everything I have read is that there is no real benefit in pic quality with the HDMI output on this... But I know when I tried the VGA cable, picture was a little too soft so I went back to component.
Mike Botros @ Dec 20th 2007 11:08AM
you guys sound like morons... VGA isn't over-glorified analog.. but it is analog... VGA was never digital and has never claimed to be digital. the VGA cable was meant for those who want to be able to play their xbox360 on their already high resolution computer monitors which will support 1920x1080 (as well as lower standard computer monitor resolutions) if they have a 1920x1200 (or lower) monitor. And most 1080p TVs that do have VGA inputs will support the 1080p from the xbox360 over VGA. The reason it upscales everything when using the VGA is because computers don't change their output resolution everytime the media resolution changes, and computer resolutions are all p there is no i in the monitor world (they can play back i stuff and have to run deinterlacing to remove the interlace artifacts, but comps don't output in i ever over VGA). I wonder if that even made sense...
Peter @ Dec 19th 2007 6:39PM
I have the HD DVD player. This will not make a difference to the video being 1080p for movies. All that it does is convert the component video from the Xbox 360 into HDMI. Unless it tricks the 360 into thinking it is actually HDMI, then it won't make a difference with HDCP. And FYI, the Xbox 360 VGA cable can output 1080p HD DVD HDCP content through old 360s because it is not covered in the HDCP restriction set.
Cornelius @ Dec 19th 2007 6:43PM
VGA does support 1080p. And no, the HD-DVD will not upconvert DVD's, because the 360 already upconverts natively, but you need either output as VGA or HDMI (not component).
Noel @ Dec 19th 2007 10:03PM
Only if your TV VGA port supports 1080p. Most do not so it will make a difference. Besides, VGA is over glorified analog, not true digital.
Noel @ Dec 19th 2007 10:09PM
True, but not all TV's can support 1080p via VGA. $90 seems adequate instead of forking out $1500 for an HD set that will give Full HD via VGA!
drdobsg @ Dec 19th 2007 7:41PM
Here is the product sheet, says it will do full 1080p. I wonder if it is just converting from XBOX to VGA to HDMI all in adapter. In my opinion still not worth $90.
http://images.madcatz.com/sales_sheets/4744MCB-SS.pdf
Mike Botros @ Dec 20th 2007 11:14AM
well the xbox already does the output in VGA. the pin-out of the xbox360 already has all the outputs for composite, component, and VGA, as well as stereo analog audio and s/pdif. the cable just picks which pin it wants to use. so the adaptor is doing the conversion from VGA to HDMI. it's like using a VGA to DVI to HDMI converter, except that's only for the video. this adaptor also routes the audio pins to the hdmi also.
EEL @ Dec 19th 2007 8:32PM
$30 should be its real price.
$50 would be reasonable enough to consider buying it.
But at $90(WTF!!!?), 1080i is fine through component cables.
Ryan J. @ Dec 20th 2007 6:41AM
This is perfect for my newer 60" 1080P Sony HDTV. My HDTV does not take 1080P over component, nor does it fill the screen with any VGA signal. The best I have been able to do is 1080i over component. With this, I can do 1080P over HDMI. Probably not a huge improvement, but absolutely an improvement.
Dan in DCVA @ Dec 20th 2007 12:54PM
Even if this is perfect for your set up...
MadCatz is the worst hardware manufacturer there is!
Everything they make will break during normal usage.
If MadCatz handed me a bag of cash, I would wonder how long it would take for it to spontaneously combust or turn into dust or attract lightning strikes.
Dont let anything branded MadCatz near your HDTV.
!
Ryan J. @ Dec 20th 2007 1:09PM
It looks like you won't be able to fit this HDMI adapter AND the Nyko Intercooler at the same time. On the back of the console. Is there some sort of video cable extension that could be used and then you could put this HDMI adapter at the end of that?
Thomas Crymes @ Dec 20th 2007 10:33PM
Everyone seems to misunderstand the purpose of this device.
Currently, If you output HDMI from the 360, you must also use the sound via HDMI since you cannot attach the component connector (which has optical audio output) and the HDMI cable at the same time.
This device allows you to output HDMI to your TV while using a separate audio stream to your receiver. Obviously this is only for people that have receivers that do not have HDMI inputs.
Thomas Crymes @ Dec 20th 2007 10:46PM
Actually, I'm completely wrong. Disregard and go about your business. Move along.
Kyle @ Dec 23rd 2007 4:06PM
$90 is way overpriced--this should be at most $39.99!