General 360 question - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

EM3 · 09-28-2007, 02:51 PM

I am thinking seriously about getting a 360 to go with the Wii. The Wii is great for the wife and myself when we want to play something together and they have a few upcoming titles I am interested in. I have looked at the PS3 and their upcoming games list just isn't impressing me a great deal (but that's me). Now my XBox 360 question I want to use HDMI when I buy it and I know some have HDMI and some don't so which model do I need to look for because I also need to have an optical out option for the receiver for sound (duh)! Online gaming is something I have never tried so it's not a high priority.

Help me I am confused

Thanks

MooglePorn · 09-28-2007, 03:44 PM

The Elite and Pro both have HDMI now, but only the Elite comes with the optical/analog audio doo-hickey. You can send in for one though if you get the Pro, I think it costs like $30 plus shipping... this is all second hand from a poster on my other forum.

So really it depends on how much HDD space you need. I use a lot more than the 13 you get with the Pro, but then I download a lot of stuff... depends on what you will use.

As for PS3 and games, did you look past this year? I think Sony owns the announced 2008 releases so far, but maybe that's me. MS needs to release some info on games further out. Personally it's the Wii that has no games as far as I'm concerned.

EM3 · 09-28-2007, 07:48 PM

The Wii isn't bad for short gaming sessions with the wife. She really isn't a die hard gamer. She likes the tennis and bowling and a couple of other games. It gives us something to do together. To be honest I didn't look real hard at Sony's lineup for 2008 I was looking at their current releases. The sad part is I keep looking at the PS3 because it has the Wi Fi built in and that may actually get me into online gaming. I know the Elite has it built in. Right now the big drawback is the price of the PS3.

billnye97 · 09-28-2007, 09:25 PM

The Elite doesn't have wifi built in. You still have to buy the adapter for it or any wirless bridge, or you can plug in an ethernet cord if it's close to your router. By far Microsoft has the easiest interface for online gaming with Xbox Live. They also have Xbox Live Arcade games which probably your wife would be interested in as a casual gamer. The only bad thing is that it will cost you $50 for a year subscription to Live (well worth it in my opinion). However you do get a month free when you intially sign up for your silver account so you can try and see if you like it.
I personally would go with the Elite. It has HDMI and the bigger hard drive space is worth it (if you use it). If not you can still pick up the Halo 3 Special Edition which comes with HDMI and the smaller hard drive for a little price break.

MooglePorn · 09-29-2007, 03:21 AM

Well the $350 version has HDMI now, so you're paying $50 just for the Halo design on that edition. He's right though, neither one comes with Wifi.

I think you're safe with the Pro EM... if you need more HDD space a year or two down the road you can always upgrade then to the larger HDD.

EM3 · 09-29-2007, 06:30 PM

Ok the Pro isn't too badly priced. There is a crazy thread over at AVS about a rumored $399 PS3 (nothing confirmed). Is there a third part adapter that lets me use HDMI and optical out?

MooglePorn · 09-30-2007, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EM3

Ok the Pro isn't too badly priced. There is a crazy thread over at AVS about a rumored $399 PS3 (nothing confirmed). Is there a third part adapter that lets me use HDMI and optical out?

$399 PS3 for Xmas is pretty much confirmed since they applied for all the required patents and shit for it... If you'd rather have a PS3 I would say wait and you'll see it for that price soon.

And no, I don't think the optical dongle is sold in stores at all.

187ontheVHS · 09-30-2007, 05:01 AM

Pretty sure I saw one at EB Games last week

Yep, right here:

http://www.ebgames.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=802758

MooglePorn · 09-30-2007, 06:19 AM

Ah, so it's just not sold seperately then... Lame.

187ontheVHS · 09-30-2007, 07:21 AM

Of course not, it's a great opportunity for Microsoft to add more "value"!

Ruined · 09-30-2007, 01:21 PM

If you need the optical out for HDMI, check the back of your TV. Most TV sets with HDMI pass the digital audio stream out of an optical port on the back of the TV. It's rare if your TV does not have this, hence the dongle is not mandatory.

The 360 is definitely the smart choice. By far the best value with the best games.

MooglePorn · 09-30-2007, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruined

It's rare if your TV does not have this, hence the dongle is not mandatory.

Then why do they pack one in with every Elite and every HDMI cable?

Quote:

The 360 is definitely the smart choice. By far the best value with the best games.

I agree right now it has the best games, but we need some more 2008 announcements, right now they're getting their asses kicked in that department... As for best value, I guess that depends on the game franchises you love and whether you would use the BD functions... it's not as clear cut as you make it seem.

EM3 · 09-30-2007, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruined

If you need the optical out for HDMI, check the back of your TV. Most TV sets with HDMI pass the digital audio stream out of an optical port on the back of the TV. It's rare if your TV does not have this, hence the dongle is not mandatory.

The 360 is definitely the smart choice. By far the best value with the best games.

Hmmm never thought of doing that. I am 99% sure my tv has an optical out. I agree right now that the XBox 360 has the better selection of games at least based on what I like to play.

Ok now this brings up another question. Bear with me guys. I know Microsoft has a wireless internet adapter for the 360 and it is $99. Can a different one work with the XBox 360 since my tv is downstairs and the internet is upstairs. I mean $99 is a little much. I was just wondering in case I wanted to try online gaming.

Astrakan · 10-01-2007, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EM3

I know Microsoft has a wireless internet adapter for the 360 and it is $99. Can a different one work with the XBox 360 since my tv is downstairs and the internet is upstairs.

Yeah, another internet adapter will work fine. As long as it's an ethernet adapter and not a USB adapter.

KM

EM3 · 10-01-2007, 01:47 PM

Well I tried the optical out on my tv and compared it to the optical out on the cable box. I had to crank the volume up twice as high on the receiver when using the optical out on the tv.

MooglePorn · 10-01-2007, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EM3

Well I tried the optical out on my tv and compared it to the optical out on the cable box. I had to crank the volume up twice as high on the receiver when using the optical out on the tv.

Wouldn't it limit the wattage going through the TV? I don't use optical but I know that's true for analog.

EM3 · 10-01-2007, 06:36 PM

Based on my experience from yesterday I would say yes. I am also going to check the menu on the tv to see if I need to change a setting in there.

sub780lime · 10-01-2007, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EM3

Based on my experience from yesterday I would say yes. I am also going to check the menu on the tv to see if I need to change a setting in there.

See if your TV has a setting to specifically activate that out. It could be pushing a little sound, but its not fully active so its coming out real faint.

EM3 · 10-02-2007, 02:51 AM

Well I looked in the manual and no luck. I tried using the internal mute feature but no change. Looks like I may need an optial switcher. Bet those aren't cheap.

09-28-2007, 02:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
EM3 "Suspended" Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Southern WV	General 360 question I am thinking seriously about getting a 360 to go with the Wii. The Wii is great for the wife and myself when we want to play something together and they have a few upcoming titles I am interested in. I have looked at the PS3 and their upcoming games list just isn't impressing me a great deal (but that's me). Now my XBox 360 question I want to use HDMI when I buy it and I know some have HDMI and some don't so which model do I need to look for because I also need to have an optical out option for the receiver for sound (duh)! Online gaming is something I have never tried so it's not a high priority. Help me I am confused Thanks __________________ The beatings will continue until morale improves!

09-28-2007, 07:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
EM3 "Suspended" Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Southern WV	The Wii isn't bad for short gaming sessions with the wife. She really isn't a die hard gamer. She likes the tennis and bowling and a couple of other games. It gives us something to do together. To be honest I didn't look real hard at Sony's lineup for 2008 I was looking at their current releases. The sad part is I keep looking at the PS3 because it has the Wi Fi built in and that may actually get me into online gaming. I know the Elite has it built in. Right now the big drawback is the price of the PS3. __________________ The beatings will continue until morale improves!

09-28-2007, 09:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
billnye97 Actor Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: In a van down by the river	The Elite doesn't have wifi built in. You still have to buy the adapter for it or any wirless bridge, or you can plug in an ethernet cord if it's close to your router. By far Microsoft has the easiest interface for online gaming with Xbox Live. They also have Xbox Live Arcade games which probably your wife would be interested in as a casual gamer. The only bad thing is that it will cost you $50 for a year subscription to Live (well worth it in my opinion). However you do get a month free when you intially sign up for your silver account so you can try and see if you like it. I personally would go with the Elite. It has HDMI and the bigger hard drive space is worth it (if you use it). If not you can still pick up the Halo 3 Special Edition which comes with HDMI and the smaller hard drive for a little price break. __________________ "I don't drink coffee, sir. I don't drink hot liquids of any kind. That's the devil's temperature." ~ Kenneth the Page. 30 Rock

09-29-2007, 06:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
EM3 "Suspended" Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Southern WV	Ok the Pro isn't too badly priced. There is a crazy thread over at AVS about a rumored $399 PS3 (nothing confirmed). Is there a third part adapter that lets me use HDMI and optical out? __________________ The beatings will continue until morale improves!

09-30-2007, 05:01 AM	#8 (permalink)
187ontheVHS Actor Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ottawa, ON	Pretty sure I saw one at EB Games last week Yep, right here: http://www.ebgames.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=802758 __________________ * I reserve the right to contradict myself. Last edited by 187ontheVHS : 09-30-2007 at 05:10 AM.

09-28-2007, 03:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
MooglePorn Actor Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA	The Elite and Pro both have HDMI now, but only the Elite comes with the optical/analog audio doo-hickey. You can send in for one though if you get the Pro, I think it costs like $30 plus shipping... this is all second hand from a poster on my other forum. So really it depends on how much HDD space you need. I use a lot more than the 13 you get with the Pro, but then I download a lot of stuff... depends on what you will use. As for PS3 and games, did you look past this year? I think Sony owns the announced 2008 releases so far, but maybe that's me. MS needs to release some info on games further out. Personally it's the Wii that has no games as far as I'm concerned.

09-29-2007, 03:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
MooglePorn Actor Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA	Well the $350 version has HDMI now, so you're paying $50 just for the Halo design on that edition. He's right though, neither one comes with Wifi. I think you're safe with the Pro EM... if you need more HDD space a year or two down the road you can always upgrade then to the larger HDD.

09-30-2007, 06:19 AM	#9 (permalink)
MooglePorn Actor Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA	Ah, so it's just not sold seperately then... Lame.

09-30-2007, 07:21 AM	#10 (permalink)
187ontheVHS Actor Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ottawa, ON	Of course not, it's a great opportunity for Microsoft to add more "value"! __________________ * I reserve the right to contradict myself.

09-30-2007, 01:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
Ruined It's Good to Play Together Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: NJ, USA	If you need the optical out for HDMI, check the back of your TV. Most TV sets with HDMI pass the digital audio stream out of an optical port on the back of the TV. It's rare if your TV does not have this, hence the dongle is not mandatory. The 360 is definitely the smart choice. By far the best value with the best games. __________________ For every shadow, no matter how deep, is threatened by morning light.

10-01-2007, 01:47 PM	#15 (permalink)
EM3 "Suspended" Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Southern WV	Well I tried the optical out on my tv and compared it to the optical out on the cable box. I had to crank the volume up twice as high on the receiver when using the optical out on the tv. __________________ The beatings will continue until morale improves!

10-01-2007, 06:36 PM	#17 (permalink)
EM3 "Suspended" Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Southern WV	Based on my experience from yesterday I would say yes. I am also going to check the menu on the tv to see if I need to change a setting in there. __________________ The beatings will continue until morale improves!

10-02-2007, 02:51 AM	#19 (permalink)
EM3 "Suspended" Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Southern WV	Well I looked in the manual and no luck. I tried using the internal mute feature but no change. Looks like I may need an optial switcher. Bet those aren't cheap. __________________ The beatings will continue until morale improves!

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