VGA? HDMI? Component?

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So I am looking at LCD tv's tonight at bb since my 27 incher CRT tv is about to blow and I look at what's out there.

Right now I have my 360 hooked up to my 22 inch gateway lcd monitor via VGA and the games look amazing.

Seems that some of these LCD's have VGA, HDMI and Component built in. My 360 does NOT have HDMI output , but between all three , which actually looks better?
HDMI, VGA, or Component?

Can VGA do 1080i/p? or is that only HDMI?
 
HDMI will look the best because it sends an uncompressed signal to the TV, but you will have a hard time telling the difference.

VGA can do 1080p if your TV supports 1080p over VGA.

Same for component.

In the end, it doesn't really matter because it will all look fantastic.
 
I have a 28in. viewsonic 1080p monitor w/the 360 hooked up via VGA. It's been a while since I've done it in Component but I have a feeling VGA is better since I haven't had any reason to go to component. My 360 doesn't have HDMI.
 
You won't tell any difference between any of them. They are all essentially the same.

HDMI and VGA can do up to 1080p on everything (games, DVDs, HD DVDs).

Component can do 1080p on games, 1080i on HD DVDs, and is standard TV resolution for DVD. So if you want your DVDs upscaled, go with VGA or HDMI. Otherwise just go with whatever matches a free input you have on your TV.
 
[quote name='KaneRobot']You won't tell any difference between any of them. They are all essentially the same.

HDMI and VGA can do up to 1080p on everything (games, DVDs, HD DVDs).

Component can do 1080p on games, 1080i on HD DVDs, and is standard TV resolution for DVD. So if you want your DVDs upscaled, go with VGA or HDMI. Otherwise just go with whatever matches a free input you have on your TV.[/quote]
I totally agree. I picked up a VGA cable a month or so ago and my 360 pulls double duty as my DVD player thanks to upscaling. Some people say it makes little difference, but on my 37" LCD, it made a world of difference. Still not true HD quality, but comparable to Composite vs. S-video.
 
component looks fine for most things. The 360 isn't really good for upscaling from what I've seen, heard, read, and done on my 360. PS3 does that right at least. I have my 360 through component and PS3 through HDMI. I remember reading that PS3 did something funky with component support because people were finding ways to use the analogue loop hole or something like that. Man, that system has way too many issues with it.
 
[quote name='KaneRobot']You won't tell any difference between any of them. They are all essentially the same.[/QUOTE]

You're a fucking liar.

While all cables can do 1080p as long as the source and TV support it, there's definitely a difference. For example, component cables on my Xbox 360, while it does look great, there's some obvious analog artifacts that results in scanning horizontal bands and what seems to be drop shadows on every object. It's weird and it sucks, but I put up with it because I'm one of those early adopters who bought a 360 within 6 months of launch, and apparently that's something to be punished for by Microsoft releasing HDMI a year and a half later.

*calms down*

VGA sucks for the 360 because, while it may not have those weird component artifacts, the color reproduction is way, way off. Yes, I've calibrated my set, before anyone tries to defend VGA.

You also forgot that HDCP prevents (or will prevent, when it's turned on for HD DVD... it's already on Blu-ray) the display of 1080p content (or ANY HD content) on a cable that isn't HDMI.

ALSO: DVD is 480p, not 1080i. Christ, don't post in someone's "help me" topic if you don't know what you're talking about.

Don't skimp on your TV, dude. You're looking at paying a big chunk of cash already. Pay a bit more and make it worth it so you're not kicking yourself a couple years down the road when you realized you made a stupid decision.

Pick a 1080p LCD with HDMI. I recommend the Samsung LNT-4661F. Fantastic TV, I don't regret purchasing it one bit.
 
I use HDMI for both, since I have the HD-DVD addon, though I was perfectly content with my component connection for games.. I thought VGA looked a little washed out (not as bad as before the update) on my TV... it's purely my TV or my eyes...... HDMI looks crisp and has more contrast to it than I was able to get on VGA. But judging from other folks' posts, I think VGA is a fine connection... but one you'd have to test for preference.
 
[quote name='zewone']If your 360 doesn't have HDMI than how do you know there is a difference?[/QUOTE]

Gee whiz, maybe I saw it on a friend's setup? Besides, I've got a PS3 hooked up via HDMI and it's flawless.

Also, one more thing: if you plan on making use of lossless 7.1 audio from Blu-ray or HD DVD, you'll need HDMI. Optical doesn't have the bandwidth to support it and will force you to use compressed bitstream audio. This is less of an issue unless you're an audiophile.
 
Gee whiz, I have the same setup.

I went from VGA, to component, to HDMI.

There is almost no difference (especially after the VGA update) to be noticed.

Maybe it was because of your "friend's" TV different setup that you noticed a difference?
 
I think w/r/t games, component with quality cables will give a good picture... granted, future-proofing your setup is going to require you ride on the HDMI bandwagon (thanks to the lovely HDCP) but it also makes for a simpler setup with cheaper cables (monoprice rules...)

And TV size is relative as well... depends on distance from the set, size of the set, and how much money you're willing to blow on the largest part of your gaming setup. :)
 
[quote name='zewone']Gee whiz, I have the same setup.

I went from VGA, to component, to HDMI.

There is almost no difference (especially after the VGA update) to be noticed.

Maybe it was because of your "friend's" TV different setup that you noticed a difference?[/QUOTE]

I've seen a difference going from component to VGA in terms of sharpness, however there was a significant loss of color reproduction so I went back to component.

He's got the same TV. GTFO.
 
[quote name='zewone']Gee whiz, I have the same setup.

I went from VGA, to component, to HDMI.

There is almost no difference (especially after the VGA update) to be noticed.

Maybe it was because of your "friend's" TV different setup that you noticed a difference?[/QUOTE]

I went component/VGA/HDMI and the only difference I've noticed (regardless of support for different resolutions and all) is the crisper contrast... it doesn't _look_ any sharper, because well, it's the same TV. ;) But the depth of color over HDMI is very much like component... and with all the "additional" features of HDMI, I simply stuck with that, rather than go back to my component switchbox. :) I've got enough crap hooked up to that connection on my TV than I care to realize. :)
 
'k.

If that's what you want to believe I'm not going to convince you.

I just notice that there are more people in agreement with me, rather than you.

[quote name='Mechafenris']I went component/VGA/HDMI and the only difference I've noticed (regardless of support for different resolutions and all) is the crisper contrast... it doesn't _look_ any sharper, because well, it's the same TV. ;) But the depth of color over HDMI is very much like component... and with all the "additional" features of HDMI, I simply stuck with that, rather than go back to my component switchbox. :) I've got enough crap hooked up to that connection on my TV than I care to realize. :)[/QUOTE]
Yeah, HDMI will give you the best picture, but the point is that there isn't enough of a difference to get a new 360 with HDMI or to even give it a second thought.
 
[quote name='zewone']'k.

If that's what you want to believe I'm not going to convince you.

I just notice that there are more people in agreement with me, rather than you.[/QUOTE]

Excuse me, but I've seen the difference with my own fucking eyes. Perhaps you're going blind.
 
[quote name='zewone']Yeah, HDMI will give you the best picture, but the point is that there isn't enough of a difference to get a new 360 with HDMI or to even give it a second thought.[/QUOTE]

Now, this is finally a point I will agree with you on. I should add that if you're going to look at HD DVD, get a player that supports HDMI otherwise HDCP may bite you in the ass in the future.
 
61" DLP 1080p DLP TV here... Tried Component first, was OK... Tried VGA, as my TV accepts a perfect 1080p VGA connection, and everything looked MUCH MUCH better. Sharped, cleaner,ect... I had 4 other Videophiles check it out, and all agreed, it was a better looking picture. I havent tried HDMI as my xbox doesnt have it, but with VGA looking as good as it does, I dont miss it. I already have my PS3, HDDVD player, and HD DVR connected too all my HDMI connections, so I am glad... Dont let anyone bash your VGA connection... Some TVs dont accept a full VGA connection. My friends Sony LCD RP has a VGA, but it down Res's a VGA to some odd resolution and doesnt help any. To each there own
 
geez, you guys really need to calm down.

When I first got the HD-DVD player for the 360, I thought about all that talk about the monitor had to have the HDCP in order to watch the video and would be bummed out if the monitor did not support it. Thankfully my gateway 22 DOES support HDCP, so no problems there.

So basically from what I can understand from you guys that as long as the TV/LCD supports HDCP and at least 720p, I should be ok. I have seen my cousin run his 360 on COMPOSITE cables because that's the only input he can get on his old tv and the 360 looked amazing.

Right now I do NOT have 7.1 surround sound for my 360. Remember I am using my gateway 22 inch LCD monitor for both my PC (via DVI) and the 360 (via VGA). Unfortunately my creative labs p7800 7.1 WILL NOT give me 7.1 on the 360 only 2.1 :( (yet I get 7.1 via the Xifi card :p ) so no surround sound in baseball games :(

thanks guys.
 
I ordered a 360, and it'll be in next week, and I was contemplating how to hook it to the HDTV. Currently, both Components ports are in use (by DVD and Wii). There is a DVI port, which means I could get a VGA cord+DVI/VGA adapter, and that would work, yes? Should I go with DVI/VGA, or pick up an A/V switch and go Composite?
 
[quote name='Phoenix Audubon']I ordered a 360, and it'll be in next week, and I was contemplating how to hook it to the HDTV. Currently, both Components ports are in use (by DVD and Wii). There is a DVI port, which means I could get a VGA cord+DVI/VGA adapter, and that would work, yes? Should I go with DVI/VGA, or pick up an A/V switch and go Composite?[/QUOTE]
Well, since you'll be getting a new 360, it's likely going to have an HDMI port. You'll want to get an HDMI-DVI cable. http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10231&cs_id=1023104&p_id=2404&seq=1&format=2

Going VGA to DVI is just a recipe for headaches and I'm pretty sure you won't be able to pass an HD signal that way.
 
[quote name='Ugamer_X']Well, since you'll be getting a new 360, it's likely going to have an HDMI port. You'll want to get an HDMI-DVI cable. http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10231&cs_id=1023104&p_id=2404&seq=1&format=2

Going VGA to DVI is just a recipe for headaches and I'm pretty sure you won't be able to pass an HD signal that way.[/quote]

Oh, I was not aware of such a cable. I'd just need a red/white audio cable for...well, audio, and then I'd be set, yes? After some research, it looks I'd still need to buy the HDMI cable for the audio jack thing. Thanks for the tip!

(EDIT #3: Other questions don't apply to this topic; will ask elsewhere.)
 
[quote name='redgopher']Also, one more thing: if you plan on making use of lossless 7.1 audio from Blu-ray or HD DVD, you'll need HDMI. Optical doesn't have the bandwidth to support it and will force you to use compressed bitstream audio. This is less of an issue unless you're an audiophile.[/QUOTE]

I thought even with HDMI the 360 still will not support the new HD DVD audio? Was there an update I missed? My 360 won't even play the DTS sound track off of HD DVDs. (Yes I have a DTS receiver). I was planning on upgrading to a receiver that would decode all the new formats, but if the 360 won't do if via HDMI then why upgrade? Guess I'll just have to get a stand alone player at some point.
 
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