Don't panic: NXE will stream Netflix HD via component cables

by Randy Nelson { Oct 30th 2008 at 4:16PM }

For those of us with HD displays, the revelation that the Netflix component of Xbox 360's New Xbox Experience would stream HD video via the intertubes was just spiffy. Then came various reports that said feature would only be available in situations where the 360 was connected to an HDCP-compliant display via HDMI. Even then, the scuttlebutt was that older 360s might not be up to snuff. Not true, as our pals at Engadget have found.

They've tested a 360 connected via component cables and confirmed that it displays the Netflix HD content just fine, as you can see in the above photo. It should be noted that those with older HD sets, which only have DVI inputs, may encounter problems using HDMI-to-DVI converters, since the 360 can't make the necessary HDCP "handshake" in that configuration. As Engadget points out, it's still possible to use the 360's optional VGA output in this case. For most HD display owners, though, insert a big sigh of relief here.

Tags: component, dvi, hdmi, hdtv, netflix, netflix-hd, new-xbox-experience, nxe

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Shagittarius @ Oct 30th 2008 4:20PM

1080i has always worked on the 360 over component. Why would this have been any different?

Dirty @ Oct 30th 2008 4:25PM

Come on shag... RTFA. Here is a hint "HDCP"

Courtney @ Oct 30th 2008 4:27PM

Because "various reports" can mean unfounded rumors that have no connection to reality?

It seems odd to think that it might not. If it can handle 1080i games, you wouldn't think 1080i video would be a problem.

Shagittarius @ Oct 30th 2008 4:29PM

I know but I'm questioning why we would believe those "reports" when we can already watch HD-DVDs in 1080i over component....

anonim1979 @ Oct 30th 2008 4:31PM

1080i for 24/25/30fps movies on HDTV with working deinterlacer (as in all except oldest shi*** cheap 1080p HDTVs)
will be practicaly identical to 1080p.

1080p over component works on PS3 and X360.
Pity that Hollywood studios limit it usage in movies.

Al2x @ Oct 30th 2008 4:32PM

HDCP usually only restricts from using HDMI, not restricting any other things. In other terms, if you're talking about HDCP, I'd assume that HDMI wouldn't work over the fact that it would.

Jimiisama @ Oct 30th 2008 4:41PM

It has to do with Copy Protection, not what the Xbox can handle.

SecretAgentHam @ Oct 30th 2008 4:23PM

glad i got an up to snuff sammy!

Neuromancer @ Oct 30th 2008 4:36PM

Haha nice avatar

SecretAgentHam @ Oct 31st 2008 1:01AM

haha yeah. makes me laugh every time i see it...

aristokrat @ Oct 30th 2008 4:27PM

Nice Olevia TV there, looks just like mine.

Tez @ Oct 30th 2008 4:43PM

I'm curious about the streaming quality. Can you start it right away and the stream will be able to keep up, or would you have to pause and let it buffer for like 20 minutes first?

Eric @ Oct 30th 2008 4:43PM

I want to know the internet speed needed to do the HD Stream.

Tez @ Oct 30th 2008 4:48PM

I think Netflix's server speeds are more important than our own. You should be able to do fine with a normal broadband connection.

Dirty @ Oct 30th 2008 4:48PM

Somewhere between "blazing fast" and "hey now that's pretty quick".

losttoys @ Oct 30th 2008 4:48PM

1080i just proves that the output signal is 1080i. That does not mean that it is playing back the source material at its native resolution.

So it is still possible that the source material is being converted to 480p (as per most analog copy protection specifications) then scaled by the Xbox 360 to the output resolution (in this case 1080i).

Shagittarius @ Oct 30th 2008 4:53PM

I dont know if thats what it will do with the Netflix stuff, but I know that wasn't the case with HD-DVD over component.

The thing about this netflix HD dl is that they are probably going to compress the shit outta the 1080 source anyways, so it will probably end up looking better than 480 but no where near as good as an HD-DVD.

Meanwhile were still waiting for our Bluray ad ons microsoft.