[martian1]

My son has the x-box 360 we are getting him a hd telly for xmas i have tried it with a couple of games and resolution quality is much better but colours seem washed out. Is this just a issue with games or would a better hdmi to component [with stereo cables] cable improve this, monster do a one but its £50 don't want to pay that much. Is it worth it? is there a cheaper cable that would improve things.
Image otherwise is very good.

[Big]

Assuming you are attaching via HDMI I would suggest adjusting the reference settings in the display options first then have a play with the TV settings. You already have component cables and this should display HD on most TVs so no need to buy any cables - with HDMI over short distances (<3m) these will make no difference to picture quality.

[martian1]

So upgrading from the standard cable supplied isn't going to make a difference..might just be the games that don't have great colours [cod4] just doesn't seem to have any colour pop compared to on the pc.I have tried changing tv settings but it doesn't seem to make a lot of difference and if i crank colour right up tv picture [freeview] looks bad. Any game i could rent with excellent colour i could try...suggestions anyone

[AnthonyG]

With the Xbox360, HDMI gives the best picture.

Then arguably VGA, third Component.

If you get VGA get the official Microsoft one, not a third party one.

CEX sell them used for £10, but comes with a 12 month guarantee. Its only a cable so worth buying it used.

So I would say personally, if the Xbox360 has onboard HDMI, and your new TV has HDMI use this.

If your Xbox360 is a Xenon, and your new TV has VGA, then get the official MS cable and go to settings and use Extended Reference levels.

The picture would be superb, or at least it is on my Panasonic 32LXD70, much better than component.

[martian1]

Never even new about hdmi..yes it has hdmi so does tv, as i know very little about hdmi will sound be ok using this single cable? does it pass stereo through cable as well as image? i will have a look for a 2nd hand cable

[AnthonyG]

Originally Posted by martian1

Never even new about hdmi..yes it has hdmi so does tv, as i know very little about hdmi will sound be ok using this single cable? does it pass stereo through cable as well as image? i will have a look for a 2nd hand cable

From what I have been told, as I have a Xenon myself. HDMI passes the full 5.1 through the cable too. So you don't need the separate Optical connected.

Also just to confirm you don't need any special HDMI cable, any will do, even cheap ones from pound shops. Its a digital connection so any will be fine.

[Marky1973]

True! All my HDMI cables are cheapo ones....as long as they are built well, any should be fine - mine are generally under a fiver from Wilkinsons.....

The thing that annoys me the most about the XBOX that I have just got is the fact that if I want to use it on the projector, I can' play through HDMI as I need the optical output for the amp.....small niggle but quite annoying.....however, connected via component at 720p gives a pretty impressive picture even at 100" diagonal!