A Number of Different Questions

ClarkParker · 04-01-2008, 04:31 PM

Hello, My name is Clark, I've been playing the 360 since '06 and I love it... Blah blah blah, nice to meet you all.

Ok, onto business...

First of all, I was using an intercooler, have been for about a year, I always thought it was the best investment I had made... Then I read some threads here today and found that most of you see it as a monster set out to destroy the 360... Is there a better system or cooling my box, that does NOT involve me modding the hell out of it?

But that was more of a side note... This is why I am really here... As I mentioned, I've had my 360 since late '06 (No RROD ever!) and this past weekend, I just purchased a Samsung 40inch LCD 1080p HDTV, with a Game Mode, as well as a New Digital Surround Sound System. (Yes... Yes I did do this because of GTAIV, thank you for asking

) Now, my 360 does NOT have an HDMI port, due to it's age and I have already sunk a couple grand into my new TV and Stereo... So I was wondering if I would notice a big difference by getting a system with the HDMI as opposed to sticking with the Component cables. It should be noted that my previous tv was 27 inch with picture tube, I used the old RCA composite cables so no matter what I do, when the TV is delivered later this week, my Jaw will drop... I should also mention that the dude that sold me the TV also sold me a Optical Digital Sound Cable, which as I understand it, plugs into that little socket in my Component Cable, giving me better sound... If I DO upgrade to the HDMI... That nifty but expensive little cord just became totally moot... Didn't it? Is that alone motivation to stick with the Component, can I still get the most of of my HD experience?

So that's the first question... Is there a big difference between the Component and the HDMI?

If there is, that leads to my second question... What is the Deal with the Arcade system? Is it limited in some way beyond not having it's own Hardrive? Because I was thinking that I might trade in my current Xbox but keep the Hardrive, pick up an Arcade version for real cheap and just plug in my Hardrive to it.... Would that essentionally be a brand new Premium 360, with the new Falcon thingy everyone is so excited about and an HDMI port? Because if that's the case, then if I trade in the system and a few games I am bored with, I could get the whole thing, including HDMI cable for no more then 100 bucks or so...

BUT... If it's NOT the same and if Microsoft has put some kind of cap on what it's capable of, then I am back at square one... Using my Old as Hell 360 with component cables and wondering just how long before the dang thing gives out...

So that's my second Question, if I slap my hardrive into the Acrade system, am I getting a brand spanking new 360 for next to nothing after trade in? Or am I getting a system that has some serious drawbacks?

Next... My New Home Theater required us to rearange the living room and I'm now out of Reach of the Router... It's in another room but I use a wire that goes through a small hole in the wall. Again, I have already dropped a couple grand and I'm looking to save some cash here... Is the 360 wireless adapter really up to snuff? Even across a Living room and through a wall? Am I going to get DC'd while playing GTAIV online if I go that route? Because I was also thinking of picking up 50 feet of ethernet cable and running it along the edge of the room until it gets to the system... But I really don't know much about that stuff, is 50 too long? Will I start to lose Packets?

So Third Question: 100 bucks on a Wireless Adapter or 30 to 40 some odd bucks on an ungodly length of Cable?

I think that is everything... I feel like I am missing something here but oh well, I am registered now, I can also come back for more.

Thanks in advance for the patience it will take to answer even one of these questions.

CalcProgrammer1 · 04-01-2008, 04:46 PM

I'm not sure how well HDMI looks compared to Component (as I have the original console w/o HDMI as well and normally play using composite to my cheap TV, but sometimes I use component on our big TV). However, you'll want to keep the optical audio cord. The HDMI model has 2 ports, an HDMI port and the normal video port. You leave your component cord plugged in so that you can use its optical output to go to your sound system. You use the HDMI between the console and the TV. IF your TV has an Optical Audio Output (our Samsung plasma does), you can bypass keeping the component cord in and just hook the HDMI from 360 to TV, then the optical from TV to sound system. You want to use optical because it's digital and has full surround sound. HDMI carries both audio and video signals, so the audio gets taken out of the HDMI cord and output again as optical in the TV.

ClarkParker · 04-01-2008, 04:56 PM

Ok, so if I understand you... You are saying that even if I DO upgrade my system to one with HDMI, the Optical Audio Cable will still be of use and will still produce better sound?

Ok... That's good to hear. Thank You.

Hopefully I can get to the bottom of the rest now.

mabeytyler · 04-01-2008, 07:07 PM

get the ethernet cable if you can. its cheaper and faster then wireless.

Ix KillahNG5 xI · 04-02-2008, 05:58 PM

Just buy an elite lol, much bette cooling system, mine has, never over heats... well at least mine doesnt? lol

ClarkParker · 04-03-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mabeytyler

get the ethernet cable if you can. its cheaper and faster then wireless.

Ok. So Ethernet it is... Thanks.

I guess this other Cat missed the part where I said I was trying to Avoid spending 500 bucks on an Elite, after having purchased the TV already.

So can anyone else tell me if there is going to be a big difference between the component and HDMI?

And does anyone know the deal with the Arcade Console? Is it a perfectly Normal 360 without a Harddrive or does it have other limitations built in?

MrSchmo · 04-03-2008, 04:13 PM

Yes Clark there is a big differance, to a point.
If you can see those small defects in HD progaming or you can acualy see the difference between 720 and 1080, then HDMI will be a huge up grade for you . I have and Elite going to my 1080p SXRD Sony and the picture is sweet.

Go to Xbox.com for the arcade details.

ClarkParker · 04-03-2008, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrSchmo

Yes Clark there is a big differance, to a point.
If you can see those small defects in HD progaming or you can acualy see the difference between 720 and 1080, then HDMI will be a huge up grade for you . I have and Elite going to my 1080p SXRD Sony and the picture is sweet.

Go to Xbox.com for the arcade details.

Ok, so I'll push forward with the idea of getting a system with the HDMI ports.

I elaborated on my Acade question in another thread, I'll do so here as well because I have been to Xbox.com and it's ambiguous about the question I am actually asking.

I want a 360 with the HDMI port and I was thinking about keeping my current hardrive and trading the system in for an Arcade console then plugging my hardrive into it, essentially giving me a Pro 360, for the price of an Arcade version.... But the Salseman at EB Games told me the system was limited in way the others were not, such as not being backwards compatible with original xbox games... I have not read that anywhere else and I think there is a chance that HE was confused about it, thinking that not being able to play older games was part of the system, rather then just because you don't have a Harddrive to save the Patches and updates onto.... Either that or he was trying to upsell me into getting another pro or an Elite.

So what's the deal? Is it true? Did Microsoft put some limits INTO the Arcade Version that a simple Hardrive plug in can't fix?

Or do I have a Zealous/Stupid salesman on my hands?

MonotoneAssasin · 04-03-2008, 05:00 PM

at 40" u will not see 1080p

blazedbishop · 04-03-2008, 05:52 PM

In answer to your question about the Arcade 360 it does NOT have hdmi! Only the newer pros and elites have HDMI. so getting an arcade would be a no go for ya buddy! It would have to be at least a pro. One thing you could do though is buy a Pro and just sell the extra harddrive on ebay. That should make up the difference between the arcade edition price and the pro price.