A few questions for 360/PS3 owners with an HD tv

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-- A few questions for 360/PS3 owners with an HD tv

Posted by DarkAngel on Jul-19-2007 22:43:

A few questions for 360/PS3 owners with an HD tv

I'm a total n00b when it comes to plasma/lcd tvs and HDMI so I have a few questions...

1. Is it normal for HDMI cables to be so expensive? I looked on gamestop.com and the PS3 HDMI cable is like $60 I was like wtffffff

2. For 360 owners: Is HD-DVD built into the system itself, like Blu-Ray is built into PS3? And if it is built in, do you still need the HDMI cable for 360 in order to view HD-DVD movies? (I've never touched a 360 so I have no idea what's it like, I've only seen demos at Target, GameStop/EB, you get the idea.)

3. And finally, which type of display in your opinion is better for gaming? Plasma or LCD?

Any info is appreciated.

Thank you.

DA

P.S. I didn't include wii in this topic because I'm not sure if it's HDMI capable, since it doesn't use Blu-Ray OR HD-DVD...

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Posted by TazZ-erT on Jul-19-2007 22:50:

I dont use HDMI for my 360 (mines dosnt have a HDMI port- only the Elite does) I use the HD AV cable that comes with the 360 and on the Hi Def side of things- The 360 does not come with a HD-DVD player.. The 360 is a gamers console not a movie watchers

I was thinking about buying a HD-DVD player for my 360 but normal dvd's are cheaper and more accessible so ill stick with those for the time being.

PS Ebay is your friend Click

Posted by SuspicionVandit on Jul-19-2007 23:16:

Re: A few questions for 360/PS3 owners with an HD tv

quote:
Originally posted by DarkAngel

1. Is it normal for HDMI cables to be so expensive? I looked on gamestop.com and the PS3 HDMI cable is like $60 I was like wtffffff

2. For 360 owners: Is HD-DVD built into the system itself, like Blu-Ray is built into PS3? And if it is built in, do you still need the HDMI cable for 360 in order to view HD-DVD movies? (I've never touched a 360 so I have no idea what's it like, I've only seen demos at Target, GameStop/EB, you get the idea.)

3. And finally, which type of display in your opinion is better for gaming? Plasma or LCD?

most people go with Monster cables from retail joints because it's the almost synonymous with home entertainment (iPod and mp3 players). I'm guessing the Playstation 3 uses the old tradition of requiring PS3 cables to output audio and video, forcing you to buy cables specifically to pit the PS3 output port. If not, you could go to Radioshack or Ebay and get some hella cheap Slovakian Orphanage HDMI cables that meet the bar for HDMI requirements. Or instead of paying $100-120 for over-rated Monster Douche cables, see if there one made by Sony themselves (better quality and usually a hair cheaper)
Or just go with Component

The HD-DVD drive doesn't come with the 360, but I believe there are a good number of promotions where you buy the drive and you get 5 free HD-DVDs (if it's sponsored by Toshiba, you'll be in for a treat because they will let you get ANY disc with an HD-DVD logo on it free, aka aregular movie, collectors set, or television series!)
LCD

Posted by TheDemon on Jul-20-2007 03:06:

Re: A few questions for 360/PS3 owners with an HD tv

quote:
Originally posted by DarkAngel
I'm a total n00b when it comes to plasma/lcd tvs and HDMI so I have a few questions...

1. Is it normal for HDMI cables to be so expensive? I looked on gamestop.com and the PS3 HDMI cable is like $60 I was like wtffffff

2. For 360 owners: Is HD-DVD built into the system itself, like Blu-Ray is built into PS3? And if it is built in, do you still need the HDMI cable for 360 in order to view HD-DVD movies? (I've never touched a 360 so I have no idea what's it like, I've only seen demos at Target, GameStop/EB, you get the idea.)

3. And finally, which type of display in your opinion is better for gaming? Plasma or LCD?

Any info is appreciated.

Thank you.

DA

P.S. I didn't include wii in this topic because I'm not sure if it's HDMI capable, since it doesn't use Blu-Ray OR HD-DVD...

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Yo DA,

first of all, in this very rare instance, the component cables that come with the 360 have the same picture qaulity as the the HDMI enabled 360, so wether you get the Elite or the Premium bundle, its no different, and this is a rare instance as HDMI is better than componenet,.

heres the proof: http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/26/...assic-the-test/

I have the elite and there's no difference in terms of the picture quality. HDMI cables cost a lot because they are better than component. I paid $150 for my monster cable. and trust me, they are very good.

I suggest LCD. I have 2. one sony and one sharp aquas,. If you get either, and have the money, get one thats 1080p enabled. here's a little secret, there is an option on the tv in terms of picture quality temperature, set it to warm, it makes a world of difference. if you need more info just hit me up.

Posted by Scottaculous on Jul-20-2007 03:09:

Re: A few questions for 360/PS3 owners with an HD tv

quote:
Originally posted by DarkAngel

1. Is it normal for HDMI cables to be so expensive? I looked on gamestop.com and the PS3 HDMI cable is like $60 I was like wtffffff

Brand name cables are usually a ripoff, especially Monster.

Here's what PC World says: http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,1...,1/article.html

For low prices on cable:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/s...CFRewOAod7hDJ-A

quote:

3. And finally, which type of display in your opinion is better for gaming? Plasma or LCD?

Only the newest plasma TVs will have 1080p and expect to pay a lot for it. LCD screens might have motion blur, though some better quality TVs have anti-blur technology, which is extra $.

Posted by KiNeTiC ENeRgY on Jul-20-2007 16:13:

yea stay away from Monster...biggest rip off. Theres the slightest difference that can only be seen on an O-scope measuring the frequencies and signal loss but the eyes wont see it. You only see picture/sound difference when u go to a better format such as standard RCA composite video to S-video and then S-video to Component. Component to HDMI is sorta negligible, and only when your up to HDMI 1080p which component doesn't support. One last thing about HDMI..its a completely digital signal so switchng from a cheaper HDMI cable to a Monster will yield no benefit at all...it either works or it doesn't.

Posted by TheDemon on Jul-24-2007 01:45:

quote:
Originally posted by KiNeTiC ENeRgY
yea stay away from Monster...biggest rip off. Theres the slightest difference that can only be seen on an O-scope measuring the frequencies and signal loss but the eyes wont see it. You only see picture/sound difference when u go to a better format such as standard RCA composite video to S-video and then S-video to Component. Component to HDMI is sorta negligible, and only when your up to HDMI 1080p which component doesn't support. One last thing about HDMI..its a completely digital signal so switchng from a cheaper HDMI cable to a Monster will yield no benefit at all...it either works or it doesn't.

But monster is more durable and longer lasting. And when you own a $4000+ dollar like me, you don't touch anything but high end and high quality.

Posted by VAR on Jul-24-2007 05:57:

Re: Re: A few questions for 360/PS3 owners with an HD tv

quote:
Originally posted by SuspicionVandit
most people go with Monster cables from retail joints because it's the almost synonymous with home entertainment (iPod and mp3 players). I'm guessing the Playstation 3 uses the old tradition of requiring PS3 cables to output audio and video, forcing you to buy cables specifically to pit the PS3 output port. If not, you could go to Radioshack or Ebay and get some hella cheap Slovakian Orphanage HDMI cables that meet the bar for HDMI requirements. Or instead of paying $100-120 for over-rated Monster Douche cables, see if there one made by Sony themselves (better quality and usually a hair cheaper)
Or just go with Component

HEY! don't be knockin' my sweat-shop! those kids don't even feel the solder burns after they've worked there long enough.
btw, i'll let you in on a little secret- we make those cables for monster cable also.

Posted by Mr Game+Watch on Jul-24-2007 21:13:

1. Is it normal for HDMI cables to be so expensive? I looked on gamestop.com and the PS3 HDMI cable is like $60 I was like wtffffff

-Supposedly, since HDMI is a digital technology, instead of analog (like component or composite), nearly all HDMI cables will be the same, whether they are $20 ones or $80+ Monster ones.

2. For 360 owners: Is HD-DVD built into the system itself, like Blu-Ray is built into PS3? And if it is built in, do you still need the HDMI cable for 360 in order to view HD-DVD movies? (I've never touched a 360 so I have no idea what's it like, I've only seen demos at Target, GameStop/EB, you get the idea.)

-A HD-DVD drive is sold separately for $200. The only version of the 360 that has support for HDMI is the Elite model, which retails for $480. HD-DVD should work through component (which is what the other 2 versions of the 360 support)

3. And finally, which type of display in your opinion is better for gaming? Plasma or LCD?

-For retro gaming, a quality plasma with a good scaler is your best bet... I have a Pioneer PDP-4271HD plasma, and the way it handles low-res content is really impressive. Even retro games look amazing on the thing, which is important to me, because I'm a big fan of the retro games. Some TVs, like cheaper LCDs, handle low res content really poorly... I'd definitely recommend either Panasonic (good), or Pioneer (better) plasmas for gaming related stuff.

Posted by KiNeTiC ENeRgY on Jul-25-2007 15:37:

quote:
Originally posted by TheDemon
But monster is more durable and longer lasting. And when you own a $4000+ dollar like me, you don't touch anything but high end and high quality.

How are they more durable?...if u yank on monster or any other cable, they will all fail, and who does that anyway? I spent $2800 on my Sony 50" so I must not be as a cool. BTW I used to waste extra cash on them, and I saw no improvement and had a few fail as well.

Posted by KiNeTiC ENeRgY on Jul-25-2007 15:46:

quote:
Originally posted by Mr Game+Watch
1. Is it normal for HDMI cables to be so expensive? I looked on gamestop.com and the PS3 HDMI cable is like $60 I was like wtffffff

-Supposedly, since HDMI is a digital technology, instead of analog (like component or composite), nearly all HDMI cables will be the same, whether they are $20 ones or $80+ Monster ones.

2. For 360 owners: Is HD-DVD built into the system itself, like Blu-Ray is built into PS3? And if it is built in, do you still need the HDMI cable for 360 in order to view HD-DVD movies? (I've never touched a 360 so I have no idea what's it like, I've only seen demos at Target, GameStop/EB, you get the idea.)

-A HD-DVD drive is sold separately for $200. The only version of the 360 that has support for HDMI is the Elite model, which retails for $480. HD-DVD should work through component (which is what the other 2 versions of the 360 support)

3. And finally, which type of display in your opinion is better for gaming? Plasma or LCD?

-For retro gaming, a quality plasma with a good scaler is your best bet... I have a Pioneer PDP-4271HD plasma, and the way it handles low-res content is really impressive. Even retro games look amazing on the thing, which is important to me, because I'm a big fan of the retro games. Some TVs, like cheaper LCDs, handle low res content really poorly... I'd definitely recommend either Panasonic (good), or Pioneer (better) plasmas for gaming related stuff.

Plasmas can suffer from screen burns, I would say LCD/Projection LCD is better for gaming. The 360's HD DVD drive is one of the worst HD drives there is...thats also why its so cheap. HDMI is the newest thing so all manufacturers are cashing in on selling "uber" cables with jacked up prices...just buy any ole cheapo HDMI from a known name and your good.

Posted by EarnYourKeep on Jul-25-2007 16:02:

guess i dont need to reiterate most of what people said already except....

LCD BABY all day every day

Posted by Orko on Jul-25-2007 16:21:

Posted by exstasie on Jul-25-2007 22:53:

WHATEVER YOU DON"T PAY MORE THAN $10 for HDMI cables.

Like everyone else since, since HDMI is a digital signal, you either have a connection or you don't (unlike component).

Therefore, there's no need to buy expensive cables, unless you want to the 'actual' cable to be better :P not the signal.

Go to Monoprice.com like someone else said! They have the great cables for an awesome price!

DOn't spend $100 on cables when a $10 cable w/ do the same.

Most people don't realize that quality doesn't matter for HDMI, while it does matter for component!

Posted by malek on Aug-02-2007 19:18:

i will confirm the last two posts, the good thing about digital technology like HDMI is that it either works or not. Unlike analog where there's a gradual degradation of signal if the quality of the material used in the cables suck.

I paid my hdmi cable 30$ 2 years ago, and that was uber cheap back then.