Xbox: Progressive Scan & Dolby Digital

[Pikman]

After years of resistance I've finally buckled to desire and bought a s/h chipped Japanese Xbox.

I'd like to take full advantage of the hardware and set it up to output both progressive scan and dolby digital. I've heard the Microsoft Hi-Definition pack is the best way to achieve this, but since it requires seperate cables be plugged into the unit it must degrade signal quality.

Are there any high-quality all in one cables that handle Progressive scan and digital audio or is the Microsoft Hi-Def Pack the best route?

[Hitcher]

You could try getting Monster cables or M$ have released a newer Hi-Def cable themselves that's all-in-one.



From Xbox-Scene Forums - New Hdtv Pack From Ms

[Super Monkey Balls]

Monster component lead and toslink kit
Only worth the extra if you have a big screen.

[Hitcher]

Yeah, I'd try and get hold of that new M$ one myself.

[fuzzybee]

but since it requires seperate cables be plugged into the unit it must degrade signal quality.

It doesn't degrade the signal whatsoever, the Hi Def pack is just an extension of the AV output on the xbox.
I must admit to not using the component cables provided with the pack but thats only because i'm a bit of a snob in the cable department, i also use my xbox on a 42inch plasma screen.

[Pikman]

Thanks for the info, where's the best (cheapest) place to get the lastest M$ Hi-Def cable?

[Hitcher]

I got the original one from Lik-Sang.

[yashiro]

Can anyone recommend a good site to pick up the Monster cables from?

[Salsa Party Animal]

More information about Monster cable please

[Hitcher]

There's some links in this thread - http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=142959

[Pikman]

Lik-Sang are out of the new M$ Hi-Def cable and Play Asia don't seem to it stock it.

Does the Xbox console have a seperate digital audio out? If so I'm thinking of using the IXOS component cable and a seperate toslink cable for digital audio..

I imagine the IXOS cable will provide a superior image over the M$ Hi-Def cable, can someone with experience of both cables confirm this?

[Hitcher]

No seperate audio out I'm afraid, it's got to come in the cable.

[Pikman]

I should of known really, heaven forbid a console manufacturer would give people the option of using a cable not manufactured or licensed by them. Greedy buggers.

[Londonner]

I purchased the IXOS component cable and it's currenly sitting in the post office. I'll be collecting it tomorrow morning. It got good feedback on this forum, and a kind fellow PM'd me to let me know it was ?10 cheaper here:

http://www.tvcables.co.uk/cgi-bin/tvcables/XPX04.html

than the place I was looking to get it. Anyway, will post impressions. Though, I have wondered whether I should have gone for the official MS AV pack as I am very anal about having the best possible visual output.

So I would love to know if anyone has tried both the IXOS and the new MS AV pack and what they think. Even better, if you have any experience of the X2VGA .... (I just recall progressive scan on my Gamecube was much better played through my PC via VGA monitor than it was through my TV ...).

Cheers

[007]

I've got the IXOS cable, and the picture quality definately improved over my old M$ Hi Def pack. But i'd be interested in this new one, for the fact it has Optical out. WHere as I didn't fancy modding my Smokey Xbox with a Co-axial out on the back.