This question for Robert Heron, lead analyst, HDTVs, comes from reader, John:
If I add the HD DVD player to my Xbox 360, will the movies play in full resolution even though I only have component from the 360 to the TV, or will it downconvert to 480p? I've heard that can only get full resolution over HDMI but the 360 doesn't have that.
Robert's answer, after the jump.
Using the Xbox 360's component video output, you will get 720p or 1080i output when watching HD DVD movies. The resolution will be whatever you have it set to in the 360's Blade interface. This is assuming that your HDTV accepts a 720p/1080i signal through its component video input--most do.
The exception to this is if you are feeding a HDTV a 1080p signal from the Xbox 360 via component. In this case, the resulting video output from the 360 when watching HD DVDs would be 1080i. Depending on the quality of the TV's video processor, there may be no appreciable visual difference in picture quality between 1080i video and 1080p video when viewed on a 1080p resolution screen.
So in most cases, there is no need to worry about any downconverting with HD DVD and the Xbox 360.
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December 20, 2007 12:15 AM
Ok, but what about HDMI vs Component? Should I try to get the new HDMI adapter that MADCatz just announced to get the HDMI & 1080p from my 360? I'm dying to know.
December 20, 2007 11:33 AM
Another option you have, if your TV supports it, is to get the VGA cable for Xbox 360. If your TV supports 1080p input over VGA, you can watch movies in full 1080p.