You want to use HDMI with your Premium 360? Not so fast...

[heybtbm]

I thought I would clue people in on a little Microsoft scam going on with the new Premium 360's that have HDMI. If you use the HDMI cable and have a separate audio hookup (surround sound or optical audio) you will need this...



http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-HDMI-...9692984&sr=1-1

And it costs $50.

If not, you will only be able to use the audio from your TV when using HDMI. Essentially, when you use your HDMI cable you override the normal A/V jack in the back of the 360. It is "shut off" when the HDMI cable is active. You need the audio adapter included in the $50 set to use an outside audio source.

By comparison, the PS3 allows you to use the standard A/V cables for sound, while using an HDMI cable for video. Obviously, Microsoft is trying (again) to nickle and dime the uninformed consumer.

If you buy an Elite (as I did this past weekend), the HDMI cable and precious audio adapter are both included. So I guess this is one more reason to buy an Elite if you care about such things.

[geneshifter]

Good to point this out. The elite is the only way to go if you are buying one for the first time. Simple as that. I wish MS, and Nintendo for that matter, would stop this kind of milking but they won't.

I'm not buying a 360 again until the new ones come out. I do not want a time bomb in my house

[Ikari Warrior]

That audio only cable is really important, the HDMI on the 360 passes Linear PCM audio for games, rather than DD 5.1. So if you plan on using anything other than TV speakers, you need that audio only dongle.

[agbulls]

Wow. Talk about absolutely bogus. How many people actually have an HDMI equipped receiver?

I use the HDMI signal for video on my PS3 but use an optical cable for DD. I really appreciate the heads up. I think this needs to be spread around so more people are aware.

[s1lence]

Meh, big deal. I recall that that PS3 doesn't have an HDMI cable included with any of their systems. I also don't see a problem when you dump 300 bucks plus on a system and have to pay a little be more to have it optimized for your setup. I've had to do that with all my modern systems since I like to run optical out.

[geneshifter]

Meh, big deal. I recall that that PS3 doesn't have an HDMI cable included with any of their systems. I also don't see a problem when you dump 300 bucks plus on a system and have to pay a little be more to have it optimized for your setup. I've had to do that with all my modern systems since I like to run optical out.

Ummm, can I have $100?

[heybtbm]

I recall that that PS3 doesn't have an HDMI cable included with any of their systems.

Yeah, Sony's not off the hook either. They're the ones who decided it was a good idea to only include composite cables with their $600 HD machine.

My main point though is that it's currently asinine to buy a HDMI Premium 360 for $349.99 (+ $49.99 for the HDMI/Audio cables) when you can buy an Elite for just $50 more. If someone doesn't care about HDMI, then fine. For people that do, I think its worthy to note.

[roushimsx]

Meh, big deal. I recall that that PS3 doesn't have an HDMI cable included with any of their systems.

Well yea, but an HDMI cable doesn't cost $50 unless you're shelling out for like 50ft of 22AWG action.

[vegi-saurus]

If not, you will only be able to use the audio from your TV when using HDMI.

But what if i have an optical out from the TV to my stereo, i will still get sound from my stereo...no?