Where's the Xbox 360 HDMI cable?

There were two things that we thought would be a lock for Microsoft's Xbox 360 lineup last week at E3: their HD DVD drive (which they delivered on, insofar as a mockup can), and an accompanying HDMI cable for actually watching those movies without fear of the deadly image constraint token. We assumed the latter would actually make it to market first, being that there's already an obviously pent up demand for a 360 HDMI cable, but we thought wrong -- Microsoft announced no such thing. Then along comes Lik-Sang, claiming they've got the skinny on the "official" MS HDMI cable, which would also feature component HD, and Dolby 5.1. Now, what are the chances that this is actually the real deal and not just a product stub in anticipation of an accessory that may or may not yet actually exist? Probably pretty slim, but it is Lik-Sang, after all, and they've been known to raise a few eyebrows.

[Thanks, GhostDoggy]

[michas_pi @ May 15th 2006 12:30PM]

W00t for component video.

[Conrad Quilty-Harper @ May 15th 2006 12:34PM]

Maybe this is part of the unveiling of a secret anti-HDCP campaign headed by Microsoft... Yeah, that's about as likely as the MPAA deciding that all movies should be completely free. o_0

[paris @ May 15th 2006 12:36PM]

Weren't they the ones who predicted the DS lite announcment (before anyone ever knew if the redesigned DS existed) and just fell out by a week.

I think we can trust them.

[LA Dave @ May 15th 2006 12:39PM]

Product Features
# Official Microsoft Xbox 360 Component HDAV Cable
# High-definition gaming output
# Progressive-scan DVD playback
# Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound output
# Superior quality image output
# For NextGen Television sets offering HDMI input slots

-------------------------------------------------

This is from the product page on Lik-Sang.
It says "Official Microsoft Xbox 360 Component HDAV Cable" which would imply it is still using the Component out but with an HDMI adapter?
Similar to using a DVI->HDMI adapter.
If it is still using a component out signal, then it would still pose an issue with ICTs on HD DVD add-on.

Anyone else have thoughts?

[Vince @ May 15th 2006 12:43PM]

Gee, I don't see what the big deal is, I'm good with the HD cable adapter thing.

[Hoffer @ May 15th 2006 12:50PM]

When they say "component", they may mean it in a general term. Like an analog component cable sends out each color component of an image. Maybe they mean the HDMI cable is sending each component of the image.

People would be even more pissed if this HDMI cable just sent an image that was analog at one time.

[Steve @ May 15th 2006 12:51PM]

I have a Sony Tube HDTV and it dosn't have an HDMI. Only a DVI which is being used by my Oppo Digital DVD Player. I guess I get shafted regardless.

[JOHN @ Apr 13th 2007 3:39AM]

i have a (hdtv 52''(1080i) with hdmi input just bought it last year. its looks gr8 on my 360 now am using hd components . just wondering if the hdmi is for only for 1080p tv or would it make a difference that when u look at it u would tell the difference on 1080 i tv too .

[Chris @ May 15th 2006 12:52PM]

come on everyone knew they would release one eventualy.. as for component cable it probably has component as well just like the stock cables for the premium that comes with both.

[anon @ May 15th 2006 12:53PM]

"It says "Official Microsoft Xbox 360 Component HDAV Cable" which would imply it is still using the Component out but with an HDMI adapter?
Similar to using a DVI->HDMI adapter."

Not similiar. DVI and HDMI video signals are exactly the same. You only need an adapter for the plug variances. Component to HDMI/DVI requires an analog to digital conversion.

[Jon @ May 15th 2006 1:10PM]

A component to HDMI adapter is pointless. It is arguable if HDMI connection looks better than component. It usually has more to do with the individual TV and how it handles either signal rather than the cable itself.

I don't have HDMI on my 5 year old Sony KW-34HD1. Still a great TV with many years of life left in it. I won't be purchasing any HD-DVD or Blu-Ray disc that enforce the flag. I have every expectation that for the next 4-5 years the industry damn well better not enable that flag. There are way too many of us out here that have perfectly good TV's with only component input.

[Mike @ May 15th 2006 1:19PM]

When lik-sang says component in the features, the mean the cable being a component of HD, not the RGB component cables. The cable will not come with component hookup.

and if your Tv only has DVI, just buy a HDMI-DVI adapter along with the 360 cable. HDMI is the exact same as DVI except it carries the sound as well as the video.

I dont own an HDTV and probably wont for around 5-7 years, so I will probably never own one of these. All my 360 games look like polished current gen games on my standard TV :(

[Ed @ May 15th 2006 1:25PM]

The xbox360 does not have a digital video board so any HDMi cable will have to be converted from Component or VGA.

I dont know why everyone is getting so excited. A real HDMI cable will never happen unless MS change the design of the video board. Which could happen as Nintendo did this with the game cube (except the other way around)

[Jeff @ May 15th 2006 1:38PM]

"Then along comes Lik-Sang, claiming they've got the skinny on the "official" MS HDMI cable, which would also feature component HD, and Dolby 5.1."

Er, HDMI cables all carry Dolby Digital signals. Nothing new there.

DVI cables don't. DVI + audio - screw locks = HDMI.

[JeffNLA @ May 15th 2006 1:48PM]

Peter Moore said himself it would require a hardware change for the xbox 360 to output DIGITAL video. It is ANALOG only now.

It?s the same thing with your PC video card. 15-pin analog output VS DVI output. One is analog and one is digital. You cannot make an analog only card digital. You need a new card.

Maybe the HD drive will have it?s own HDMI output, but I doubt it.

[Scotty @ May 15th 2006 1:55PM]

Could they generate the output required for HDMI over USB?
I've got a USB to Optical 5.1 sound card that works really well, is it possible with video too?

I remember some people were expecting the HDMI socket on the HD DVD box,
Or maybe a seperate usb > hdmi cable would be possible?

[EatingPie @ May 15th 2006 2:04PM]

>> It usually has more to do with the individual TV
>> and how it handles either signal rather than the
>> cable itself.

Dead on correct!! Any analog TV (CRT) requires that the HDMI be converted TO component video inside the TV before the signal reaches the CRTs. This is potentially worse than using a component video cable, sending the TV its "native" format from the DVD/HD-DVD/BD/XBOX/PS3/PS2/PS1/PS0/etc.etc.etc.

OTOH, any digital format TV... LCOS, DLP, Plasma, LCD (the majority really), are digital paths all the way to the light engine. HDMI *should* be better for these TVs, since you never really need to go analog ... ever (unless you count light shining through an LCD chip and hitting your TV screen "analog conversion").

Other factors come into play, such as how well the HDMI is handled, D->A or A->D converters, etc. etc. etc. but disregarding these issues...

...You want HDMI for digital TVs, and Component Video for Analog TVs!

-Pie

[Fortune cookie @ May 15th 2006 2:17PM]

What's this Lik-Sang y'all keep talking about? Is it some kind of tea that fortune tellers drink?

[james @ May 15th 2006 2:20PM]

why does this need to be an 'xbox' HDMI cable, why cant you use any normal HDMI cable?

[Alex @ May 15th 2006 2:27PM]

>unless you count light shining through an LCD chip and
>hitting your TV screen "analog conversion"

I am pretty sure the path between my retina and visual cortex could be considered analog as well :)

If the HD DVD drive doesn't display full resolution movies, why would any informed customer actually by it?

[Scott @ May 15th 2006 2:35PM]

I think JeffNLA hit it on the head ... without a hardware upgrade, you won't be able to use HDMI.

If the HD DVD peripheral would come with a HDMI output, why would you even need an Xbox360? If that's the case, then consumers would have one cheap HD DVD player (estimated

[Joe from Cincy @ May 15th 2006 2:35PM]

James... you can't use a normal HDMI cable because there is no HDMI port on your computer.

It's just like when you had to buy the component cable add-on for your original xbox... there was just no where to plug component cables in without it

[Joe from Cincy @ May 15th 2006 2:37PM]

er... there is no HDMI port on your "360".. is what I meant to say

[Joe from Cincy @ May 15th 2006 2:40PM]

#20.... to add on to your statement.... there is talk that the HDDVD drive for your 360 will also be able to be connected to your computer (which makes sense with the release of live anywhere, so I wouldn't be surprised).

[rip @ May 15th 2006 4:25PM]

component? Well, hello 1999. pfft. That's the HD equivalent of an rf adapter.

[pbase @ May 15th 2006 4:51PM]

I suppose this is as good a place as any to ask.

Anyone have a good solution for splitting a 360 signal to both
component and VGA devices?

[Yem @ May 15th 2006 4:58PM]

Gee, where's the rage?

Apparently Sony are COMMITTING FINANCIAL SUICIDE and/or KILLING KITTENS by not including an HDMI cable with the low end kit, but the 360 is INCAPABLE of outputting ANY kind of DIGITAL video signal even with the outboard HD-DVD player and that's cool? Heh.

(happy to be corrected ^^)

[Bloody Rids @ May 15th 2006 5:04PM]

If you go to Xbox's press website.

http://www.xbox.com/en-us/press

And click on the "E3 2006" link:

And then click on "XBOX 360 Accessories" link:

You'll be taken to a list of screen shots. Click on the HD-DVD drive link and you'll be prompted to download a .zip file with the screenshots included.

You'll find a rear shot of the drive which includes 2usb ports a power port and what appears to be an HDMI port.

If I'm wrong I'm sorry.

[PJ @ May 15th 2006 5:09PM]

#15 (JeffNLA):
Show me one link where Peter Moore (or anyone official at MS) says that the 360 would require a hardware change in order to output in digital (HDMI). With a little deeper research you'll find that this issue is indeed a mystery. Probably nobody outside of a few engineers at MS (and ATI) can tell you if HDMI is possible on the 360. A good place to start your research is at Chris Lanier's blog (http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/default.aspx). Do a search for the 360 on that blog and read some of his comments. There are many more places to research after that....

...so I'll wait for your link showing us all where Peter Moore said HDMI is not possible on the 360.

[George Krumins @ May 15th 2006 5:14PM]

In the wake of the 2006 E3 announcement by Microsoft of the HD DVD drive, there has been much speculation on how or if there will actually be HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface for digital video along with digital audio) output for the HD DVD drive accessory for the XBox 360. Here are my thoughts.

On this page of pictures of new 360 accessories (http://media.gear.ign.com/articles/706/706937/imgs_1.html) is an intriguing shot of the back of the HD DVD drive. Along with the two USB ports and the power port is another port. I believe this is where the the HDMI cable is going to connect. I'm guessing that since you need the 360 to use the HD DVD drive, a USB connection between the two will be used to verify that you actually have a 360, and also so the 360 remote can be used to operate the HD DVD menus. So I think the digital video and audio output (HDMI) from the HD DVD drive will use this port. This is, as far as I know, because the 360 only has analog RGB video output through its AV port.

Since day one of the Xbox 360, many have bemoaned the fact the there was no HDMI output for games. I believe that for those who buy the HD DVD drive, games will be able to use the HDMI output through the HD DVD box. So the digital video (and audio) output from the 360 goes out through the USB connection to the HD DVD box, and then the video is output from the HDMI port for display.

These comments are also posted at http://www.widescreennet.net/Xbox360/HD-DVD.htm

[PJ @ May 15th 2006 5:16PM]

Unfortunately Bloody Rids, you are incorrect. That is a small (don't know the official name) USB connector that hooks the HD DVD player to the 360....

...Anyway, the HDMI needs to go to the TV, not the the 360. It is USB to the 360, and the question is, will the 360 be able to go to the TV via HDMI...

Hopefully MS will clear up the confusion on this issue.

[JeffNLA @ May 15th 2006 5:37PM]

#15 During the G4 Xbox 360 show back in November, they asked Peter Moore that question directly. That was his answer. Analog is analog, digital is digital - DIFFERENT SIGNALS even though they are both video signals.

I have two xbox 360s and two 1080p samsung TV's (A 76" and 61")- trust me I want HDMI too.

[PJ @ May 15th 2006 6:29PM]

JiffNLA, it is not that I don't want to trust you. It is just that you are writing this in a comments section on a blog and have not been able to link to anything definitive.

Hmmm...I guess we'll have to wait to find out. If anyone has a link to a official comment by anyone at MS or ATI, I would love to see it.

[JeffNLA @ May 15th 2006 7:17PM]

34 - Like I said - I hope I'm totally wrong here. If you can get the xbox 360 launch show of bittorrent or something - you can see the interview.

I would really like to have HDMI for the 360.

Here is a pic to my x360 setup
http://www.shagnow.com/pics/Photos/x360/Cabinet.jpg

[LongshotX @ May 15th 2006 8:21PM]

31. Anybody who knows anything about computers knows that that port that you're claiming might be HDMI, is actually a Mini-USB port.

[George Krumins @ May 15th 2006 8:57PM]

Even if the picture shows a mini usb connector there, the drive is just a mockup; Microsoft could easily replace it in in the shipping product with an HDMI port. They may have put a USB port there simply to throw us off. In any case MS is likely to require a proprietary connector anyway so you have to buy their product.

As far as the basic way I think it might work, it is the only way that it makes any sense, to me, at least. Can you describe an alternative that make sense?

[Cody Jackson @ May 15th 2006 9:10PM]

Despite being somewhat rude, #32 / PJ is correct. That small, less familiar port is a mini-B USB port, which will be used to connect to the 360's large A USB port.
The other two USB A ports are most likely being used as a hub, although they could be for accessories for your HD-DVD accessory, if it has a "host" controller - but we don't even need to go there.

[LongshotX @ May 15th 2006 9:23PM]

It isn't like Microsoft to throw off Xbox 360 owners. They never said anything about the 360 having something, ie port or something that it does not have now. You must be confusing Microsoft with Sony. I think they threw everyone off with "one HDMI connection" on the $600 sku when everyone was expecting two. And when they removed the HDMI completely on the $500 sku.

Anyways, I don't see why everyone here is obsessed with HDMI. Microsoft clearly stated they would only release one when the time is right. Obviously since 1080p televisions are rare and still extremely expensive there is no need for the HDMI. When the HD-DVD drives for the 360 come out Microsoft will provide the right cables. Til then stop worrying about it and focus on getting some pussy.

[deal @ May 15th 2006 9:31PM]

Alternative? Simple - a new xbox 360 with HDMI port down the road. MS is relying on the fact that the encryption flag will not be turn on for a few years. By then, you will have a new config of xbox 360. After a few years when the flag is on and IF you want those HD video, you will buy a new xbox 360 with HDMI port. If you don't, why bother with HDMI? You can still play the 360 games as before.

[Phenix 05 @ May 15th 2006 10:16PM]

I know that even if the dvd hd drive for the 360 only does a max of 1080i, I am still going to buy it because honestly the vast majority of people with hdtv don't have a tv that can support 1080p anyways last time I checked.

[Joe from Cincy @ May 15th 2006 11:01PM]

The mini-USB port is no surprise. This is what will carry the signal from the HDDVD to the 360. A USB cable will be able to carry the encrypted high def signal with no problems. At that time, it will output via component cable at 1080p (analog cables, such as componenet, can carry 1080p signals). The sound will not travel via this cable, though, as it will instead travel via the audio cable that you have running into your tv or a/v receiver. Hopefully, you are taking advantage of the optical audio port available on the 360.

The only way you would not be able to get a 1080p signal via component is if the movie studio, who produced that particular movie, decided to implement the ICT (image constraint token) which forces the video quality to down-scale if traveling over an analog cable (component included).

It's really up to the movie studios, and most movie studio's are not currently planning on implementing this.

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060327-6473.html

Blu-ray can be another story, though. From what I understand, Blu-ray will send up to 1080i via analog cables, however in order to achieve 1080p there needs to be an HDMI cable available, at which time it will up-scale the signal to 1080p for the HDMI. The truth is, we don't know a lot about Blu-Ray, other than the company that's creating it , Sony, who has a nasty history of putting too much proprietary security on it's media formats. Remember XCP?

[Jon Messi @ May 16th 2006 12:17PM]

I'm intrigued by this, as I'm UK based and looking to buy both a new LCD (HD Ready) TV and a next gen console.

I have a thing about HDMI and having a proper digital picture, but at launch the PS3 doesn't have the games I want to play.

In Europe, many new TV sets are flying off the shelves
prior to the World Cup, and most of them have HDMI as standard. This could well be why it looks like Sony may NOT be releasing the so called "tard" pack PS3 with no HDMI.

Apparently, and from comments here, HDMI is not a vital issue yet in the US, though naturally AV enthusiasts would know about it. Would that be fair?

[The Dude @ May 16th 2006 2:59PM]

I went through a lot of comments and never saw the REAL "skinny" people should be talking about - Sony PS3 uses an HDMI that is supported for HDMI 3.0, not 2.0. Many people with high-end televisions may never even get to use HDMI because technology has already surpassed them. What type of version(s) for HDMI is the XBox360 going to support? You may be excited because there is a cable coming but many HDMI folks may be left out in the dark because they do not support 2.0 or less.....

[ryan @ Aug 1st 2006 12:33PM]

"component? Well, hello 1999. pfft. That's the HD equivalent of an rf adapter."

now that's about the dumbest thing i've ever heard. I read EVERY electronics magazine on the market. Every review I've read says that there is barely a slightly noticeable difference between Component & HDMI. Actually in one article, the authors hooked up one system with hdmi and one with component. They said there was "no noticeable difference", and that even experts would be "hard pressed to find a difference".

If HDMI was WAAAAY better than component, then I would probably sell my TV & get one with HDMI. However the difference is so small that I could care less.

[Bill @ Aug 16th 2006 2:06PM]

@ LA Dave

Either Lik Sang has changed the page or you got the wrong one.

http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=319&products_id=8540&

# Official Microsoft Xbox 360 HDMI Cable
# High-definition gaming output
# Progressive-scan DVD playback
# Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound output
# Superior quality image output
# For NextGen Television sets offering HDMI input slots

[Mac @ Nov 1st 2006 6:43AM]

Hi all,

read this thread with great interest, as I have just purchased a 42" LCD TV, with 2 HDMI slots and is capable of 1920x1080 resolution (native).

During my search for an XBox 360 HDMI cable, I came across the following link:

http://xe360.com/article/Xbox_360_Accessories/3768.html

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Mac.

[chris @ Dec 3rd 2006 9:05PM]

Why does the 360 have a hdmi port on the side of the console under the removable plate?

[Rick_Ashby @ Dec 12th 2006 11:35PM]

The X-box360 comes out of the box with component RGB cables that transmit 1080i from day one.

It would be very difficult to tell the difference between 1080i component and 1080p HDMI and it would definitely depend on the equipment you used. For consumer electronics it would be hit and miss to tell in advance which would be better.

My point is - 1080i component is very good video and exceeds the games resolution already. Why bother with HDMI?

[leon @ Jan 11th 2007 3:00PM]

HDMI will be introduced in a new version of the xbox360 that has the connection built right in. I have a native 1080p hdtv with hdmi. for those who think the talk about hdmi is pointless because analog is just as good need not post. Wanting all digital hd video natively is reasonable, its what alot of high end hardware is being designed for. Component RGB cables are great, but analog will eventually phase out and we should not miss them. until the hdmi version comes out, feel good about your component cables which can also output 1080p through analog upconversion without copyright restrictions. my samsung 40 lcd displays 1080p through component just fine until hdmi replaces them with all digital/native 1080p.

here is the link to the new version of xbox 360 w/hdmi

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2007/01/05/MS_2nd_gen_xbox_360_hdmi_65nm/

hope this answers alot of doubts

[Chad @ Jan 26th 2007 2:08PM]

I think I may have solved this issue for some of you. Check out this product if you want to convert RGB to HDMI to get 1080p on your nice new sets. This should also include the Xbox 360 HD DVD player. Slightly costly though.

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=3569#buy