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X-Box- HDpack & Dolby D. ?

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X-Box- HDpack & Dolby D. ?

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Old 11-04-02 | 02:32 PM
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X-Box- HDpack & Dolby D. ?

I am wondering how much better each connection is than the other... Composit, S-vid, Componet.

First off, I have a non-HD TV (JVC 32D201), & a nice Denon surround receiver w/ great speakers.
Right now I have my DVD player hooked straight to the TV, useing its only Componet connection. So if I went Componet w/ X-Box I would have to run both through my Denon to the TV. (Not sure if that degrades the DVD picture at all)

Right now Pro Logic II seems to be pretty cool and I'm satisfied, but would the Dolby D be a huge sound difference?

My answer is probably to go w/ the Componet because it's the best signal. But how different is it than S-Video? (I could run a S-vid straight to my TV, which might be better) Or since my TV is not HD should I just stick w/ what I've got and put the $$$ towards another game?

Thanks for any suggestions,
B.
Old 11-04-02 | 02:43 PM
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You'll definitely notice the difference between Component and S-video. Component is a lot sharper and the colors are more crisp. That being said, the difference is more pronounced on better TVs. I have a HD monitor TV and it's a vast improvement with component, you may not see it as much on your set. Test it out, that's always the best indicator.

Personally, I find the S-video/Composite difference slight at best.

Good luck!
Old 11-04-02 | 02:46 PM
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With a non HD TV, the difference between S-Video, and Component is very little, if any. Acutally, if your TV has a good line filter built in, then S-Video may actually look a little better because a component connection does not pass through it. With a HD set, you're then talking about a progressive scan which is a whole other ball game. For audio, hands down DD 5.1 is the only way to go. The difference is HUGE, even if it is just for video games. I did an AB comparisson with my XBOX and could clearly tell the difference. Hope this helps.
Old 11-04-02 | 03:19 PM
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I have my XBox hooked up via component cables to my TV (Sony KP53HS10), but I am not "blown away" by the difference from composite. Is there anything I need to change in the XBox settings?

If not, I'll still keep the HD pack, because I LOVE the DD.51!
Old 11-04-02 | 03:29 PM
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I think I remember reading this over at HTF:

Going from Composite to S-video = 60% improvement
Going from S-video to Component = 5% improvement (more accurate color)
Old 11-04-02 | 03:52 PM
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Thanks guys! DD is what I thought would be the big boost. What is it about it? Thicker, richer sound, or what? Because the Pro Logic II does a pretty decent job of simulating 5.1.

dgc- Does that pertain to the X-Box? Because I had always heard that opposite.
Composite to S-Vid - there is not much difference
S-video to Component - there is dramatic difference.
I had the understanding that the lines of resolution were (not exactly sure of the #s) Compsite-300, S-video-350, & Componet- 500. Or something like that.

I'm not sure if running the Componet through my receiver to the TV degrades the signal at all and might be just best to go straight to the TV w/ a S-video. But as Noonan pointed out, my TV might just be best w/ a S-Video anyway.

B.
Old 11-04-02 | 04:13 PM
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If I were you go I would go S-Video and DD....... NOW!!!

Composite is terrible.

Don't bother with component right now because of your switching problems. All you will get is better color saturation until you get an HD set.

S-Video is WAY better than composite. Dolby Digital is great for gaming.
Old 11-04-02 | 04:51 PM
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I have a 27" Panasonic Tau and I connected my Xbox to the Component thingy. I didn't even bother with S-video, since I am planning to get a big HDTV soon, I figured I may as well go with component now so I'll be ready. I also use my xbox as my dvd player too so this is all I need (it even works better than my sony dvd player, which I gave away to mom ). DD is great for games, especially Halo. You hear monsters taunting behind you and to the left for instance, and friendly gunfire ahead and to the right. They did a great job with the 5.1 sound in this game, but I hear mixed reviews on it... I think that's prolly cuz some people just don't have a good enough sound system or don't have it calibrated right, etc.
Old 11-04-02 | 05:45 PM
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Sweet!
"Switching Problems"... So I take it that running a S-video straight to the TV is better for my situation than running 2 componets through my reciever to the TV. The Reciever does degrade the signal?? because it's not so much a problem.... in fact I've read many times that people run all their video componets through the Receiver to the TV so they can do all their switching w/ one remote.
Sounds lazy to me... I'd rather have the best performance.

Anyway, I'll probably go S-video because I have no plans for a new HDTV. My JVC has a great picture and prices will come way down on HDs in a few years.

So now to find the best deal on the S-box connector and optical cable...........

B.
Old 11-04-02 | 06:43 PM
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I finally got my DD 5.1 setup worked out for XBOX.....for the games that feature it it's the ONLY way to go.
Old 11-04-02 | 06:44 PM
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Originally posted by necros
I ...DD is great for games, especially Halo. You hear monsters taunting behind you and to the left for instance, and friendly gunfire ahead and to the right. They did a great job with the 5.1 sound in this game, but I hear mixed reviews on it... I think that's prolly cuz some people just don't have a good enough sound system or don't have it calibrated right, etc.
I agree.

Hearing the Marines yelling and shooting BEHIND you...then to the left or right of you when you turn is very cool.

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