The Xbox 360 turns a profit ... again

I went with the pro. It suits my needs, but I may be running out of space soon. If you think you'll be needing more than 20GB, go with the Elite.


(Do they still sell Elites?)

Honestly get the elite and check the UPC lable on the box to make sure it is the lower wattage model to ensure you have the falcon chip and lower wat power supply. The elite comes with the HDMI cable, two games (which are actually awesome games), a wireless black controller and matching headset. Just don't buy the arcade. Pro would be fine if you don't plan on downloading anything.

Yes the elite turned out to be a standard console and not a limited time deal like originally intended. Go with the Elite if you have the cash, two free games and you'll want that storage. Otherwise you are gonna end up forking over nearly 200 bucks for 120gb hard drive. The value is better.

I meant just under 200.

I've got my PS3 set to 1080p via HDMI and my 360 set to 1080p over component. As far as signal quality goes, there's no noticeable difference. I did have a non-HDMI Pro system that I later sold and replaced with an Elite. The problem was that I'm out of HDMI inputs without using a switch box. So I just kept the Elite on component even though it has HDMI output... that's how little of a difference it makes. IMO, the only real advantage is less cable clutter since HDMI cables are smaller and carry both audio and video.

In short, if you have a free HDMI input, I'd buy a cheap $10 HDMI cable from Monoprice and use that. If not, just go with component... you won't be missing anything.

well Vidikron is on top of it. i was just going to suggest Monoprice.com. i actually just bought some cables off of there a couple hours ago (Zune sync and AV cables all for $7 shipped!). there were having a special on 1.3 HDMI cables, they were like $10. if you already have the component cables though, youll probably be fine because you really have to know what your looking for to notice the difference between component and HDMI.

as for the brands, just look for the specs and price you like. Samsung, Toshiba, and Westinghouse are all good brands so you cant really go wrong there.

oh and congratulations on the soon to be bundle of joy. definitely go with the best price cause that little guy is going to be expensive!

There's very little quality difference between component and hdmi. The actual data being produced by the xbox 360 is the same. The only real difference is the cord which is used to trasmit it. One is a digital signal, the other is an analogue signal.

A cheap component cable may result in slightly small wavy lines going through the screen. A good component cable won't have this. Good component cables can be bought online for around $20.00. Good component cables in stores are a rip off and they try to charge you $100-$200.00 aka 'Monster'.

A cheap hdmi cable may result in small white-dots on black-areas or dark-areas. A good hdmi cable won't have this. Good hdmi cables can be bought online for around $20.00. Good hdmi cables in stores are a rip off and they try to charge you $100-$200.00 aka 'Monster'.

Picture quality, there is not much of a difference. The biggest advantage of hdmi probably has to do with it is one cord that can carry both analogue and video.

As a result, with hdmi you may need only one-cable versus component where you need three cables for video + 2 cables for audio left/right cable. HDMI can also carry up to 7.1 surround sound audio to your receiver if you have a nice home theatre setup.

So hdmi = one cord for video+audio, easier setup and can carry up to 7.1 surround sound where supported to your receiver but in most cases 5.1 is only available.

Component = same video quality, requires 5 cords for video+audio, harder to setup and only has 2.0 surround sound. You could include an optical cord(a 8th cord to get 5.1 surround sound and have 2.0 sound hooked up to yout tv but who wants eight cords when they could use 1 hdmi cord?

For most sets you'll need HDMI for 1080p, thanks to the MPAA they will only show 720p/1080i with component. It's the HDCP BS but truth be told your eyes probably won't notice the difference... check engadget (engadget HD) or gizmodo for some really in depth reviews and such... more info than you want to know.

You have a 360? I thought you were NDF, anyway if you dont plan on buying anything above 50" then I suggest any Samsung 720P. You dont really get anything out of a 1080p set if its not over 50" and if you dont have Bluray or HDDVD. HDCable and DishHD is only broadcast in 720P anyway. That will be your best looking picture for 360. I have a Samsung 50" 720P for 360 and a Sharp 52" 1080P for my PS3 and they look great.

Thanks everybody, your comments were very helpful.

OK, I can opine on cables/etc, but one guy working in retail summarized that better and in more consumer-friendly words.

The main difference between component and HDMI - as consumers are concerned - is that HDMI also supports sound.

So with HDMI it is just less clutter, but some first HDTV sets (which you can find real cheap) do support only component.

The component cable for the xbox 360 can show a maxium of 1080i ... thats why there's a difference

Thats not true. It can do 1080p via component. Its not often a TV will support it, but the Xbox does from its end.

They spin us right round baby,
Right round like a record, baby
Right round, round, round.

This is when the angry mob comes storming in with pitchforks and shit, right?

Anyone who asks for someone else to be banned should be banned themselves. Just flag their comments if you think they are a disruption. Don't cry to mommy.

Milkman...agreed many times over. He's one of the few that's even worse then El Serpiente, Colinbell, Killjebus, you know, the comrades at the SDF.

Tranado is a piece of trash, but I think most here know it and ignore him. He floats over from PS3 fanboy and makes one lame comment with no basis each day. Hes pathetic.

Hell, he still uses a name to bust on Fernando when its gotten long past old.

Tranando is pretty much Joystiq's version of HD4IDOL or whatever his name was on engadget HD.

Complete waste of space on the spaceless internet.