Can both the digital and analog output on the Xbox 360 be used at once?

Question

I just bought an xbox 360 slim and plan to use it on a monitor. I know I can use a HDMI to DVI adapter for getting video on my screen, but can I at the same time use an adapter on the analog output to get sound?

To sum up, I'm wondering if both the digital and analog output on the back of the xbox 360 slim can be used at the same time, one for video and the other one for audio

Thanks for any answers

Asked by Codemonkey

Answer

I found a forum thread that suggests that you can do this: use the HDMI XBox cable to carry the picture through an HDMI-to-DVI converter, and then use the other XBox cable to carry sound (red and white wires).

However you may need to remove part of the connector base of one of the XBox cables so that both will fit in the XBox at the same time; apparently the 2 cables may not fit together at the same time.

Here is another thread discussing a similar idea. To research this, I Googled "hdmi to dvi adapter sound"

Answered by Wikwocket

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Xbox 360 slim with HDMI and Audio adapter - No display

Question

Basically I have a new Slim 360 and because I'm connecting to my monitor (which has no speakers or sound output), I need to use the hdmi for video and a RCA audio adapter for sound.

Here's the audio adapter I have: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Audio-Cable-Adapter-XBOX-Slim/dp/B005EDAFFS/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

As far as I can tell this should work just fine right? Well for some reason as soon as I plug in the audio cable, the picture on the screen turns black. Does anyone know why this might happen? This is the only way I can get sound so I really need to figure this out.

Asked by HatInACat

Answer

The 'easiest' solution would be here. All in one solution to convert the audio to 3.5mm jack and a VGA (which your monitor should support - otherwise convert from there to DVI).

Answered by Foxtrot

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How can I turn off my TV without turning off my PS3?

Question

I've got it set up so the PS3 and TV communicate via HDMI and turning one or the other on/off turns them both on/off. If I'm in the middle of a video game (and paused) I can turn off the tv w/ out the console shutting down. However if I'm just at the downloads management I can't. Is there a way to temporarily disable the HDMI communication? I'd rather not have to go into the settings for something so simple, but that's probably easier than then RL hack I've been using of pulling the HDMI cable out while I power off the TV.

Asked by aslum

Answer

According to the online user guide, there is an apparent way to circumvent the PS3's shutdown:

Even when [On] is selected, this feature (HDMI Control) may not be available in the following cases:

• When using certain features of the PS3™ system, such as gameplay or video playback.
• When the PS3™ system is not selected as the input source for the TV.

So it would seem that changing the TV's input before shutting it down should leave your Playstation running.

Answered by Aubergine

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How to use a headphone with TRS connector (3.5MM audio jack) with a TV that doesn't have an output for the TRS Connector/audio jack

Question

I connected my PS3 to my TV through HDMI. I have a headphone and an external speaker, both with a TRS connector (3.5MM audio jack) that I would like to use with the PS3 .

My TV however, doesn't have an output port for the TRS connector/audio jack, so I am forced to use the TV's speakers. Is there a cable or adapter I can buy that could allow me to use my headphones or the external speakers with the PS3?

My TV's audio/video ports (scanned from the TV manual):

Answer

I see two possible (although awkward) options:

1) connect the PS3 AV Multi Out -> Y-Adapter -> female2female TRS -> your headphones. See details here: http://www.portfolioofpb.com/blog/connect-ps3-xbox-to-ps-computer-speakers-with-surround-sound

2) connect the TV Coaxial audio out -> Coaxial2Analog Converter -> Y-Adapter -> ... (I found a converter here: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.44345 )

If you are looking for a better (and more expensive) arrangement, you can buy an AV receiver.

Have fun!

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Does the Xbox 360 support 3D though Component Cables?

Question

I've read in various places that the Xbox 360 only supports 3D through 2D-to-3D conversion technologies such as LG's 2D-to-3D conversion (not meant to be an advertisement, I swear).

I notice the back of the Gears of War 3 box says that it supports 3D. Does this mean it supports 3D through 2D-to-3D conversion using component cables (broadcasting a special signal optimized for conversion to 3D) or should I upgrade my Xbox 360 to one of the new ones that supports HDMI at the same time I pick up my new TV tomorrow?

Answer

You can use component cables to play Gears 3 in 3D. I just did on my own HDMI-less console. You might get a better image quality with the HDMI, but the 3D affect does work with component cables.

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Is HDTV expected to lag when hooked to a computer's DVI?

Question

I just hooked up my computer to a Sony Google TV via a DVI-to-HDMI cable and at the same time my monitor is still hooked up, so I'm on dual-display now. The video, the graphics, and the resolution all look great and crystal clear on the HDTV. The problem I have though is that its responsiveness is slow.

I don't know how that's possible, but any mouse or keyboard interaction I do, I can feel at least a half-a-second delay until the HDTV displays my input. For example, if I click on an icon, I can visually see it selected after at least half a second.

So I wanted to see how much that would affect gaming, I fire up WoW and it is so difficult to play with that lag. Moving around, casting spells, and clicking buttons are all on that same 500ms delay.

Make no mistake though, I don't see a lag in graphics -- I get the normal 60-75 fps just fine, but it feels like it takes a while for the display to display. And the weirdest thing is that if I move over the mouse to the normal monitor, the responsiveness is absolutely normal. Move it back to the TV, and it's on that lag again.

So the question is, who is the culprit?

• The DVI-to-HDMI converter cable?
• The graphics card?
• The Sony Google TV itself? Any special settings I don't know about?
• Is it just HDTV being HDTV and this whole thing is expected? (I don't like this answer).

Answer

Nearly every TV nowadays (really any "HDTV") has lag, because it does a lot of post-processing on the video signal. Chiefly, any "motion smoothing" technology can create this lag, or worse. The 95% resolution is on of two things:

Find some kind of a mode like "Game Mode" and turn it ON.
Optionally, find any video enhancing modes (like the aforementioned motion smoothing) and turn them all OFF.

You want as close to a pass-through signal as you can possibly get. This isn't usually a problem on VGA/DVI interfaces, but since it's going into the TV HDMI, you've crossed into the world of enhancing typical consumer devices like DVD/BD players, game consoles, or even plain 'ole TV via a cable/satellite box.

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How do you capture video of your PS3 gameplay?

Question

I'd like to be able to capture video of me playing games on my PS3, especially when earning difficult trophies, or getting past tricky levels so I can share my techniques/tricks with others. Obviously, I could just point a camera at the screen, but the quality of the capture is extremely poor and would take up physical space in the area where I normally sit to play.

What's the best way to capture that so I can post it to YouTube, Vimeo, etc? Can I use Mac OS X? Windows? What hardware do I need? Software?

Answer

I'm not certain whether Sony activates HDCP on their HDMI during gameplay. There are HDMI capture cards, but HDCP would throw a brick in your ability to capture HDMI. A much more sure way to capture HD would be to use a component cable and a Hauppauge HDPVR hooked to your PC.

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