[Serious] How to connect xbox360 to HD-Ready tv?

[NickThissen]

Hey,

Dunno if this is the correct place to put this, but I couldn't find a section on console hardware, so here goes


A couple of friends and me had organised a FIFA10 tournament last night at one of my friend's house. Since I'm the only one with an Xbox360, I brought mine. At home, I only have an old crappy CRT TV, and I connect the xbox via a SCART cable. That works for me although the image is kinda bad, but I can't do any better with my current TV.
Anyway, my friend had a HD-Ready LCD tv available, so we wanted to use that to see what its like. I just didn't really know how to connect the xbox to it...

We've tried two methods, which both worked, but not optimally...



In method (1), I've connected (what I think is) a HDMI cable from xbox to TV. The cable had the same connection on both ends, kinda looked like an USB cable except flatter.
But, with only this cable, we did NOT get any picture. It turns out I had to put the Red/White/Yellow cables in the side of the TV as well, even though those are now NOT connected to the xbox in any way! The other end of those cables ends in a large connector (where you can choose HD or standard TV with a switch), but it is impossible to connect both that and the HDMI cable into the xbox (no room). So, basically, I had a bunch of cables plugged in which weren't plugged into the xbox.

Magically (it seems), that seemed to help. We now had picture.


In method (2), I noticed that the back of the TV also has the Red/White connections (but no yellow), as well as Red/Green/Blue connections. I connected all of them, except the yellow one, and then connected the other end (the one with the HD/Standard switch) into the xbox. No HDMI cable used this time.

This also worked.



Now, the problem is as follows:

With method (1), we had a beautiful and clearly HD picture. But, in the middle of a game, it seemed as if the xbox couldn't handle playing on such high resolution or something, and it started lagging really badly. It was as if you're trying to play a game on a PC that isn't fast enough. Pretty annoying!

With method (2), there was no lag whatsoever, the game even seemed to run a lot faster*. However, the screen was definitely NOT HD quality this time. The resolution seemed at least half of before, and it was also stretched horizontally.


So basically, both methods worked, but none of them worked really well. There must be some way to connect it correctly so that you get HD picture without lag?
I almost bought a HD-tv for my xbox a few days ago, and after seeing this I'm glad I didn't. If I buy a HD-tv I want to play in HD and definitely without lag, but it seems that isn't possible?


Am I doing something wrong?
Thanks!


* This was really noticeable when running with your character from left to right (or vice versa), so I'm thinking that maybe it only seemed faster because the screen was stretched (more distance to cover in the same amount of time). Not sure though...

[TheBigB]

I think the TV is acting funky.
In method 1 the HDMI only should do.

Method 2 is fine.

In both cases you might want to check the video configuration in the dashboard.
You might be able to change the resolution.
But I'm not sure (I don't have an xbox).

[Hack]

Here is better than Chit Chat - Moved

[NickThissen]

I think the TV is acting funky.
In method 1 the HDMI only should do.

Method 2 is fine.

In both cases you might want to check the video configuration in the dashboard.
You might be able to change the resolution.
But I'm not sure (I don't have an xbox).

I justed tested it with our TV downstairs, which is a similar TV. Also HD-Ready (not Full-HD) and had the same connections. This time I didn't notice any lag playing with HDMI...

And you were right, I could adjust the video settings in the dashboard, that helps a LOT. Didn't know that, cool.

Here is better than Chit Chat - Moved

Ok, thanks.

[Atheist]

Im using composite cables (your option #2), because I own an older 360 which simply doesn't have a HDMI port. I can not see any difference in picture quality when I compare it to my brother who happens to own an identical tv, and uses a HDMI cable to his Xbox.

Im with TheBigB though...the TV must be acting strange.

[InvisibleDuncan]

At the risk of asking a silly question, I take it you switched the TV to the channel that equates to the HDMI input? It won't be the same as the one where you get your RGB picture...

[NickThissen]

At the risk of asking a silly question, I take it you switched the TV to the channel that equates to the HDMI input? It won't be the same as the one where you get your RGB picture...

Of course, how else would I have gotten picture in the first place lol.

[DeanMc]

You have to switch the little switch on the composite cable to HD and then go to the dashboard and change the quality settings from 720 to either 1080i or p

[NickThissen]

Well I guess this is resolved I had to change the settings in the dashboard indeed. BUT, when I did that, the game STILL lagged! Turns out it was some 'post processing' settings on the TV itself that caused it. Had a look around in the menu, turned off some stuff that sounded like it might be heavy (post-processing wise), and after that it worked like a charm

Thanks!