HDMI 360 Pro's missing audio dongle?

[goji]

HDMI Xbox 360 Pro missing audio adapter, what to do?

If you or a loved one have been thinking of trading that glitchy Xbox 360 console for one of the newer HDMI-equipped models with the (thus far) more reliable Zephyr motherboard, you should be aware of what isn't included in this offering. While the premium experience of the Xbox 360 Elite nets you that 120GB hard drive and "elite" black casing, it also buys you an HDMI cable and an "audio adapter connector" that extracts either stereo or digital audio out of the box, if you're not into the whole HDMI audio thing.

There are two solutions for those of you with external stereo systems that don't support HDMI: 1) Buy the $50 HDMI cable with adapter or 2) switch your HDTV's audio setting to reroute audio from the internal speakers out to the stereo, as described by Joe Hutsko. If your setup requires the $50 adapter (with HDMI cable!), you can either consider the Elite and its massive hard drive for only $50 more or just hit eBay for someone else's leftovers. Just sayin'.

I thought the new HDMI Pro's came with the audio adapter? :(

[RGSPro]

No, but there is a $50 pack that has the audio dongle and the microsoft HDMI cable.

[morficus]

Xbox 360 Content

check out the video. Around 8:25, they show you the audio splitter (it seems to be included in the package)

[goji]

No, not the Elite Sku, the question is with the HDMI equipped Pro units that are rolling out now.

In an earlier thread Spartan had made mention that the dongle would be included with the updated console; this is the first that I've heard contrary to that info.

[Huleboeren]

No, but there is a $50 pack that has the audio dongle and the microsoft HDMI cable.

50$ !?

Are you kidding me? :huh:

[RGSPro]

Hey, some HDMI cables alone go to $100+

[OhMuffin]

Hey, some HDMI cables alone go to $100+

I got mine at momoprice.com

It cost me $2.58.

People who buy Digital cables such as DVI and HDMI for anything more than $15 should be shot.

[magik]

That's retarded! Then for $50 more, you might as well just go ahead and get the Elite. This is so stupid. :no:

[goji]

^ Exactly; thats what I'm thinking. For the extra 50 to go Elite you get the dongle, the bigger HD, and an HDMI cable plus a black matte finish. Either way IMHO, MS is going to get that extra 50 from us. Darn propriety hardware garrr :pinch:

[gigapixels Veteran]

The black is enough to go with the Elite :p

I :wub: my Elite.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

I think everything should just be simplified more.

White + Black elite and thats it.

Maybe still have a hdd size difference if you want a slightly cheaper model. Apart from that both consoles IDENTICAL.

Costs are low enough now it makes no sense to have the crippled core on sale anymore.

Edited September 2, 2007 by Audioboxer

[Spartan_X]

you don't need the dongle, the HD cable set that comes in the box has the optical audio out, so, you can have video going over HDMI and the audio going over the optical output. :happy: :yes:

[BajiRav]

The black is enough to go with the Elite :p

I :wub: my Elite.

+1

you don't need the dongle, the HD cable set that comes in the box has the optical audio out, so, you can have video going over HDMI and the audio going over the optical output. :happy: :yes:

I thought you couldn't connect both of them (HDMI + component dongle) at once ?

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

I thought you couldn't connect both of them (HDMI + component dongle) at once ?

Do not see any reason why you could not do this, as it is how I have my PS3 hooked up.

[magik]

You can't do that on the 360. You need the special, slimmer, dongle that apparently only comes with the Elite since the HDMI port is directly above the general A/V port.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

You can't do that on the 360. You need the special, slimmer, dongle that apparently only comes with the Elite since the HDMI port is directly above the general A/V port.

That is pretty beat. I figured since I did the same with Component on the 360 it would be the same deal.

[goji]

you don't need the dongle, the HD cable set that comes in the box has the optical audio out, so, you can have video going over HDMI and the audio going over the optical output. :happy: :yes:

You can't do that on the 360. You need the special, slimmer, dongle that apparently only comes with the Elite since the HDMI port is directly above the general A/V port.

So which is it? Conflicting info here guys. Happy Labor Day though.

[magik]

Here's the deal:

Both consoles come with the Xbox 360 Component HD Cables: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/viewer.asp...=1&shotId=0

and you can use an Optical cable for digital audio output on that.

However, if you want to use HDMI, you will need the slimmer Optical audio output dongle that apparently only the Elite comes with:

Notice how much slimmer it is:

Compared to the Component HD Cable:

If you use the Component HD Cable, you will not be able to use the HDMI port since the Component HD Cable will cover up the HDMI partially due to how close they are on the back of the console:

But, since HDMI does carry the audio signal, you can use the Optical Audio Pass-through that many receivers and HDTVs have, but if you need a separate Optical Audio connection then your only option is to buy the slimmer Optical Audio dongle... which, btw, I do not see for sale anywhere. Can anyone confirm that this is for sale separately? EDIT: Yea, I see it here now: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360hdmiavcable/ That's pretty ridiculous.

BTW, these are not my pictures, I'm way too lazy to disconnect my 360 from my Home Theater cabinet. :p

Edited September 3, 2007 by magik

[goji]

This is beginning to feel like a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation. :wacko:

[NoLiMiT06]

Ok my question is if the HDMI cable can carry the audio signal (digitally) then why the hell would you need an optical cord hooked up? Think about it, you run the HDMI from the 360 to your TV then run a optical cord from your TV to your sound receiver and OMG you have the digital sound, it's not very hard to figure that out since thats how I have my cable box and DVD player hooked up. I still have the regular premium console so it had its own optical cord.

BTW if you guys did not know the 360 hooked up w/optical lets you watch movies with DTS sound assuming you have a compatible receiver. :)

[spedanden]

HERE is what you need.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

Ok my question is if the HDMI cable can carry the audio signal (digitally) then why the hell would you need an optical cord hooked up? Think about it, you run the HDMI from the 360 to your TV then run a optical cord from your TV to your sound receiver and OMG you have the digital sound, it's not very hard to figure that out since thats how I have my cable box and DVD player hooked up. I still have the regular premium console so it had its own optical cord.

BTW if you guys did not know the 360 hooked up w/optical lets you watch movies with DTS sound assuming you have a compatible receiver. :)

No reason you cannot do what you said above.

The only possible downside is having a slight delay with the audio. Reason being is you are putting your audio through another source so to speak, the TV, and asking the TV to take that audio and then send it to the receiver. That is really only for audiophiles and all of that, and I do not know much about it at all as you can tell by my eloquent explanation of it all, although I can say I did noticed the delay with my DVD player when I hooked it up that way.

[NoLiMiT06]

No reason you cannot do what you said above.

The only possible downside is having a slight delay with the audio. Reason being is you are putting your audio through another source so to speak, the TV, and asking the TV to take that audio and then send it to the receiver. That is really only for audiophiles and all of that, and I do not know much about it at all as you can tell by my eloquent explanation of it all, although I can say I did noticed the delay with my DVD player when I hooked it up that way.

I have never noticed a delay.

[goji]

@ NoLiMiT06:

Simple, I would rather not have a middle man taking care of my audio when it can go directly to the pre/pro which doesn't have HDMI capabilities. I am not purchasing an HDMI equipped receiver or pre/pro anytime soon as in my opinion is redundant and am currently set with slight limitations with what I am running right now.

Besides, why would you route your audio to your TV only to be passed right out again? Seems like a half arse job and I'd rather not have any signal degradation.

[Justin03248]

Does the Optical out support the bunch of new high-def and Lossless Dolby sound formats that the HDMI 1.2 doesn't support when watching HD-DVDs?