Playback Of HD Recordings via 360 on SDTV

[orrelljet]

I think I already know the answer to this question, but thought I'd ask it anyway, especially as there might be a second 360 in it for me ;-)

I record quite a bit in HD now, especially as it looks great on my (720p) Panny plasma. I currently also have 2 x original xboxes, runing XBMC, which serve as games/avi playback machines. I've just found out that I may be able to playback avi (divx/xvid) via the 360 dash (a good thing) but wanted to know what would happen in the following scenario...

HD recording -> 360 (extender) -> Grundig SDTV (connected via scart)...

I tried it with the XBMC xbox and it wasn't happy but it's an old box, running a 733MHz cpu...plus it's not supposed to handle HD video. I know my 2nd tv is only SD but I suppose I'm hoping the 360, as I've told it it's connected to a standard def tv, will make the HD work anyway...that's what I'm hoping anyway...

If I can get this working, then I'll have at least one chipped xbox for sale...another wife pleaser...although I'd have to sneak the new 360 in somehow I will eventually be replacing the SD Grundig but I was hoping it wouldn't have to be too soon.

Justin.

[logifuse]

Yep, you can play back HD recordings/watch HD TV channels @ SD resolutions on the Xbox 360 extender.

BTW, you might want to look at one of the new extenders (Linksys DMA2100/DMA2200) as an alternative to an extra X360.

Justin

[tan_nar]

You can set whatever resolution you want to output from xbox360, so for the Grundig you can set it to 480i and connect using the supplied scart xbox cable.

Whereas with the plasma you want to connect it using a HDMI cable (if you have/will be buying xbox360 premium or above) in order to get higher quality output.

[orrelljet]

Thanks for the quick replies guys - can't believe it will actually work!

Tested the 360 this evening, with xvid via the dashboard, and it worked like a treat!! I've had a quick look at the new extenders but, for the price, the 360 still takes some beating. The arcade kit can be had for $399 (includes hdmi output, surprisingly) and I'm pretty sure that's favourable to the DMA2100, plus you can play games on it - I know it's not that quiet but the noise hasn't ever bothered me too much...unless, of course, I'm playing a game

[simbot82]

thats pretty much it really. if you game a little the arcade is perfect wihtout HDD but if you game alot you need pro and if you dont game at all pick up LinkSys

[logifuse]

Originally Posted by orrelljet

I've had a quick look at the new extenders but, for the price, the 360 still takes some beating. The arcade kit can be had for $399 (includes hdmi output, surprisingly) and I'm pretty sure that's favourable to the DMA2100, plus you can play games on it - I know it's not that quiet but the noise hasn't ever bothered me too much...unless, of course, I'm playing a game

The DMA2100 can be found for about $280 delivered. Plus it can play back AVIs within MC extender (although some Divx files seem to be a problem at this stage, but that's expected to be fixed pretty quickly).

Justin

[tan_nar]

Can DMA2100 playback .mkv and .mov?

[orrelljet]

I've read through almost all of the posts regarding the dma2100 on greebutton - does seem like a very nice and capable device, especially for aus$280. Tandy have the 360 Arcade now fro $388, with 2 games - one of which I have and the other I wouldn't wish to have - so I might have $60 of trade-in value there, bringing the total down to $330-ish...

Will have a think...