Original xbox HD AV pack?

[robodude00]

Just came across this before, it has component inputs and digital audio(not the one that had composite and S-Video). Any advantage over standard xbox component cables(which I have)? What was the main purpose of this device?

[HydrogLox]

There was some discussion around that here:

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... 4#p1107384

Microsoft sold two versions, the first one with the breakout box and the second one as a cable - both supported TOSLINK optical S/PIDF, while the Monster Xbox component cable and some others did not. Lots of sound systems support TOSLINK inputs for better sound quality (Microsoft decided not to support it in the Xbox 360 E).

[BazookaBen]

Actually, the Monster Component cable does support Toslink, it has a 2.5 mm connector on the underside to which you attach an optical adapter (the optical adapter they made for their Xbox 360 cables works too, and is slightly easier to find). Alternatively, you can just get analog spdif from the 2.5 mm connector. So, in a way, it's more versatile than the official Xbox cables.

But yeah, I just found the Xbox HD AV pack at goodwill (probably going to sell it here) and looks just as good as my Monster cable. Also made me realize the knockoff HD AV Pack I got the week before is faulty (gonna make a separate thread about that).

[bobrocks95]

From what I understand the HD AV pack is the only one Microsoft officially released, right? The advantage I'd say is that you can use whatever quality cables you want for the run to your display/switch, but cost probably averages out higher because of that.

[BazookaBen]

From what I understand the HD AV pack is the only one Microsoft officially released, right? The advantage I'd say is that you can use whatever quality cables you want for the run to your display/switch, but cost probably averages out higher because of that.

No, they also made a full-lenght cable that had the optical port on the cable like the first models of the 360 had. That's probably what the OP has, but I'm not sure if they were released before or after the AV pack.

As far as cost for standard cables goes, I have a good collection of Monster component and stereo RCA cables because I see them in goodwill all the time. Usually only $2 a pop.

[Ed Oscuro]

The original "box-style" cable was the original one (see the date of the all-in-one cables[/url]). There's no advantage to buying third party cables for the original box over running Microsoft's all-in-one cable release, of course, especially if you're like me and got some cables that were too stiff.
I think the TOSLINK connector on both should be the same.

[robodude00]

Ahhh I see. So I would have the second version which essentially functions the same, phew!

[BONKERS]

I had a fun issue with a 3rd party one for the longest time.

The image was somewhat green tinted (Or rather it changed the color from it's intended look?). Unless I plugged in an S-Video cable at the same time. I can't remember If I had to have it connected to the TV at the same time as well.

It was really irritating when playing Shenmue II.


I always thought the Component out was too soft in a lot of games because of my 3rd party box. But when I got the official one, the picture looked pretty much the same IIRC.

/shrug

[austin532]

Doesn't the first release with the breakout box have interference issues? I remember that being a discussion at one point.

[BazookaBen]

Doesn't the first release with the breakout box have interference issues? I remember that being a discussion at one point.

As mentioned above, I tested the official AV pack and a generic clone, and I noticed interference on the clone, but not on the official. Wasn't testing on the best TV though, will try to test on a 480i CRT this weekend. I didn't test against my Monster cables either.

May also try to mod the the clone to replace the optical connector with an Spdif connector and see if that helps.