Michael Corvin

Thanks for the tips guys.

Gave that a whirl and even with the old machine off, the 360 still sees it.

This did the trick, mostly. The 360 sees the Vista machine and can now play media through the Music tab in NXE and Media Center. However I was getting an error message when trying to listen to music as a custom soundtrack via the guide button. I'm not sure what that's about. Not a deal breaker since we were mostly just wanting to get this working for media sharing, custom soundtracks would just be a nice bonus.

After rereading the tips it looks like I could hop on the old machine and kill file sharing in Windows Media Player to get rid of the old machine that the 360 still sees. I'll give that a try tomorrow.

BravesMG

Kind of odd question here. My 360 Elite just went RROD. I setup the repair and accidentally closed the page that had my shipping label. Anybody know how I can get that page back without having to submit a new repair? I've looked everywhere on the site and can't find it.

kms_md

IIRC you will have a link to the page where you can print it off in the email MS will send you and you should be able to access it from the "repair console" location on the support page.

BravesMG

I completely forgot about that email, thanks very much.

DJ_Longfellow

I just got another 360 and I'm using HDMI, but I also need the optical out. I know there are tricks about cracking open the component cable case so both the HDMI and proprietary XBOX cable fit in at the same time. My big question, does anyone consider that to be a FIRE HAZARD? I know MS sells a HDMI adapter for $50 (which I realize EBAY is much cheaper), but if I can get away for free with the mod, I would rather do that. I just don't want to burn anything down....

opinions?

pinata242

There's no hazard. You're simply removing the cosmetic, plastic shell. There are no exposed wires, let alone any that generate heat.

DJ_Longfellow

Thanks...that is what I assumed. Basically, it was MS making more money on accessories by making the cable bigger.

pinata242

Well, the form factor of that cable came out long before the addition of the HDMI port.

Could they have moved the HDMI port to avoid the issue? Yes, absolutely.

But they figured if you were using HDMI, you didn't need to Video portion of the old A/V cable. You'll recall that that has a switch on it to toggle between SD and HD, so there's some electronics in there. This is why it's so big. Getting rid of the Video selector allowed the break-out box for just audio to be properly sized.

I don't think it was quite as sinister as you're making it out, but rather they didn't consider all the configurations people might attempt.

fujishig

I don't think many people use both video options, however, their optical out is on the same connector, and many people using HDMI to their TVs don't have HDMI-enabled receivers. Otherwise, why not just package the "improved" connector with their new units?

I wouldn't exactly call it sinister, but it is an easy way to sell an accessory.

DJ_Longfellow

I think it was somewhat sinister. I mean unless they truly could NOT move the HDMI port slightly (I never opened up a 360 to look inside). This is something that average engineering and testing shouldv'e discovered. I'm not really upset...just amazes me. Although, the HDMI port was almost an afterthought anyways, just trying to get it out to industry.

Side note: Any deals on a 360 Wireless Adapter? This 360 is for the bedroom, and I do not have network cables ran. I Was looking at getting the old XBOX adapter. IS there any range difference in the new adapter and the old adapter?

pinata242

I think that's a lot of planning to make sure the HDMI port is just too close to the A/V port so the old A/V break-out boxes won't work, but the brand new one will.

I imagine the design round-table went something like this:

SmackDaddy

Ok, I'm looking to get either an Xbox 360 or PS3. This being the the 360 thread I've got a few 360 questions.

Having owned a 360 about midway through it's launch year, I know how well live works. But, after suffering 3 RROD's in less than 1 year I chucked it. Although it seems to still be a problem it seems to of tailed off quite a bit.

1. What I want to know is how is the new interface (I've read good and bad things)?
2. Do either of the SKU's include an HDMI cable (and is it a standard cable or another "Microsoft Special")?
3. Are there any new revisions on the way to further help stability (RROD)?
4. I don't plan on dowloading games or movies so is the Elite cost worth it?

I currently own a Wii (which I enjoy quite a bit) and a PS2 (catching up on older games as I never owned a PS1 or 2 before) and the 360/PS3 would be picking up the slack on FPS's with online play and the occasional RPG.

RichC2

1. I honestly have no real problems with NXE. It takes a little getting used to and the My Games tab could be better placed but in general, it is visually pleasing and works well (and the Xbox Button menu is much better now.)

2. Elite only. Just get a cable from Monoprice or somewhere similarly cheap.

3. Jasper (pictured) seems to have the issue largely under control, though getting one isn't a sure thing.

4. No, get an Arcade and a 20gb hdd off eBay

Trevor

2. - Yeah, HDMI cables can be found for like $3.

I'd get it at Costco. Lifetime warranty and price protection. Mine broke after 4 years. Took it back, got a new and improved Pro model, and $100 cash back.

SmackDaddy

Is it just a standard HDMI cable though? I've got plenty laying around the house (from monoprice).

One question I forgot, I read that to use the optical out (with HDMI) you need some sort of adaptor, is this correct?

RichC2

Forgot all about that, man what a rip off ($40 for an hdmi cable and that audio-out dongle).

If you can find a cheap component cable for the system you can just prop off the casing.

fujishig

So do the new units come with the newer A/V cables?

Gooter

FYI

If you use the Turtle Beach X series headsets (at the least the X3 which I have), you need to use the official MS HDMI cable because the X3 requires use of the dual RCA jacks to supply audio to the headset.

pinata242

Just the elites. The new units come with HDMI ports because the manufacturing process was changed to have a single motherboard and form factor.

The Elite board (the one the new audio box was designed for) was grandfathered into the other SKUs which still have the original cable.

Everything is included in every box to have HD gaming.

It's only if you want HDMI out of an Arcade/Pro do you run into this issue without paying Microsoft for what they put in the Elite box.

pinata242

Can't you just couple the RCA cables on the X3 to the RCA cables from the old A/V break-out box?

+ + =

Spicollidriver1

I agree the elite might not be worth it too if you are not dling games and movies, but when you buy the elite you get Halo3 and FAble 2 still so that drops the cost of the elite, and I have the 20gb and do not download games or movies and I have no space on my hard drive, also the extra hdd gives you the ablility to play games off the drive which is better so I would go with the elite.

xmiyux

Are you wanting to play Rock Band? If so, you will want a larger HDD for DLC and getting the songs from RB1 into RB2.

Are you intending to play the big FPS franchises online? If so you will want the larger HDD (60 or 120 gig) for the map packs they all invariably release.

SmackDaddy

No rock band or gh or anything like that. Not really worried about hd space for map packs (don't recall H3 or GoW map packs taking up much space). Besides I wasn't really considering the arcade version, only the pro/elite.

xmiyux

Oh, a 60 gig HDD will more than suffice then (that is what the Pro comes with now, correct?).

Gooter

Ahh, didn't know that. I thought when you use a non MS HDMI cable it blocks the audio out on the back of the XB. I'm not very technical when it comes to this stuff. I just followed the directions on Turtle Beach's website.

http://turtlebeach.com/support/index...ryID=609220155

Oh well, thanks!