Here’s a new gadget to “fake” your 360 into being an 3133t. The XCM HDMI 1080i cable for Xbox 360 lets you connect a non-HDMI Xbox 360 to your HDTV’s input via HDMI. Straight from the XCM product page:
This cable converts the analog signal to a digital one and acts as a HDMI digital signal solution for HDMI-less Xbox 360′s, while also sporting an extra RCA socket and optical socket for connection to speakers. The cable is also come with a HDMI to DVI adapter so it can be used on a PC as well as a HD TV.
Easy connection; simplifies sound and picture connection procedures into a Turn Key solution, plug and play
Can change the analog signal into digital signal input, effectively decreasing signal loss rate, upgrade the picture quality and the hardware performance
Auto identify the console signal, no need for manual setting
Built in optical and analog sound output, adaptable to various multimedia devices
High quality cable materials used. Uses golden plate plugs for superior contact, guaranteed picture quality and stability
Does not require external electrical power supply
While I’m sure the product works as advertised, I have to question the point of getting such a device. If I recall, all versions of the 360 can do 1080i over component. So unless your HDTV lacks the necessary inputs for that, I can’t see the need to do an unnecessary analog to digital conversion (your HDTV does that anyway). The whole point (and advantage) of video over HDMI is that it is a straight digital to digital connection. In my experience, it ends up being more a mental thing. The 360′s component OUT piped into an HDTV built with good component IN A/D processing should net you image quality that is hard to differentiate between the equivalent HDMI resolution. Then again, not all HDTVs are made the same.
Anyway, the video above showcases the simple installation and 360 setup involved. This device should start showing up at retailers soon.
Via XCMLiVE
12 Comments to HDMI for Your 1st-Gen 360
by: Rollett
On October 15, 2007 at 4:00 am
Im not sure this would even let you play movies.. is it HDCP (or what ever it is…) that protects movies and such from playing on Non true HDMI…
by: Norbit
On October 15, 2007 at 6:58 am
On older TV sets there was no noticeable difference in quality between component and HDMI connections. In fact component was sometimes better. Now however a good HDMI enabled set will always have a better quality picture through HDMI. This setup obviously wont wont make any difference to quality though because starting off with component means you will only have component quality.
by: Th3Nudg3
On October 15, 2007 at 8:02 am
this is stupid.. the MAIN PURPOSE of HDMI is to get 1080p not 1080i
by: SpiralGray
On October 15, 2007 at 8:46 am
What people continue to fail to understand is that blindly setting your 360 (or any other device for that matter) to output 1080i or 1080p does not guarantee you a better picture. HDTVs with fixed-pixel displays (i.e. DLP and LCD) have an immutable number of lines of resolution. Sets that were built as recently as a couple of years ago only have 720 lines built into them. You should always match the output resolution of the device to the actual resolution of the television. If your device is pumping out a 1080i signal and the TV has to downscale that to 720p (because that’s all the lines of resolution it has) you’ll actually get a worse picture.
by: wtfpr
On October 15, 2007 at 8:51 am
useless!
by: esse
On October 15, 2007 at 7:33 pm
Th3Nudg3 – Really?! Why do 720p hdtv come with hdmi ports? It’s because digital to digital does give you better image quality. It’s a small increase in quality but it’s noticeable and I am speaking from experience. I have a 720p toshiba in my room and a 1080p samsung in the living room and there is a difference between component and hdmi connections on both hdtv sets.
by: esse
On October 15, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Whatever you do though choose either 720p or 1080p. The progressive scan will be noticeable in fast action games. Sometimes certain movements just don’t register in 1080i. I don’t know why, I’m not an expert but I am observant.
by: weclock
On October 15, 2007 at 7:45 pm
I’m surprised this wasn’t engineered earlier.. what with the strong hacking community.
by: Dave Tomesch
On October 29, 2007 at 8:34 pm
We bought our new XCM HDMI cable from Divineo.com and for $79
we are just IMPRESSED! First we are using a Special Samsung LCD 26 inch TV with (Game Mode!) 3 HDMI Inputs, component, PC, Svideo ETC, ETC Loaded with Firmware features as well! Our old Component cable only provided 720P but with the new Cable we have 1080i in Game Mode making stunning crisp display in the newer games, Halo 3, Ace Combat and FlatOut all in HDMI Display! The game picture is crisper,
shinier, detailed especially in Explosions, characters and guns from the newer Games(Lost Planet). Even Arcade games like FX Pinball have clearer table graphics display. We are using Widescreen format built into the Xbox 360 Display features also Intermediate Blackscreen! And this looks better than anything shown in the Gamestores LCDs!
by: Dave Tomesch
On October 29, 2007 at 10:42 pm
Update: Game Mode in the Samsung LCD has special features like best possible display,refresh rates etc. Halo3 looked good in 720P but in 1080i with Game mode you could see the Explosion pieces is crisp detail. Buy the CABLE NOW, if you have any hdmi connector on your LCD. The Update is it SUPPORTS Fiber Optics via my Sony Sound Receiver( PS I don’t Think ELITE supports it!) It Connects at the back of the XBOX 360 Supplied connector and if OPTICAL sound isn’t enough they also provide Multimedia speaker systems outputs left and right!
We DONT WANT AN ELITE system anmore. OURS IS FAR FAR BETTER NOW! In Ace Combat we can see the Shimmering waves on the Ocean and far better graphics than 720P so don’t be fooled by the NaySayers out there!
by: Norbit
On October 30, 2007 at 5:19 am
Whats the betting Dave Tomesch sells this crap?
by: Dave Tomesch
On October 31, 2007 at 1:25 am
No selling. No Commission, No Discount!
JUST Impressed someone other than Microsoft knows what they are doing!
My Son owns the 360 but I was impressed with Zuma Graphics and Defender
and even other arcade games came out cyrstal clear, clean and crisp!
HDMI is the way to go and if you are jealous just save a few bucks because the
cable that Microsoft sells is 59.95 at Future shop and it doesn’t include
the Hdmi converter! Microsoft just sells the HDMI to HDMI Cable??