XBOX 360 Elite HD-DVD add on question

[GlocksRock]

Since the current xbox 360 doesn't have HDMI output, and the add on HD-DVD drive doesn't have 5.1/7.1 analog outputs, it can't pass the new Dolby True-HD or DTS-HD audio, but since the new XBOX 360 elite coming out has HDMI out, if you use the add on drive, will you now be able to take advantage of the new audio formats?

 

[jonnythan]

No.

The 360 Elite has HDMI 1.2, which does not support TrueHD output. The 360 also does not do TrueHD decoding, either, so you will not get any sort of TrueHD output from the 360 or the 360 Elite.

I have heard that a firmware update will enable the 360 to do 1.5Mbps DTS output, but currently all sound coming out of the 360 is 640kbps Dolby Digital. This update is predicted to be released sometime in the spring.

 

[GlocksRock]

But LPCM can be passed from HDMI 1.1 and up, I'm wanting to know if maybe there will be a setting that will allow that, or if a firmware update could add TrueHD support. If MS doesn't support the new audio formats, I think they dropped the ball on the add on drive, as the reviews I've seen on the drive aren't too favorable.

And why wouldn't they use HDMI 1.3 if it's available... it doesn't seem to make that much sense to me. Also, with the new version having HDMI, do you think it will output 1080p over HDMI in addtion to VGA.

 

[jonnythan]

The 360 will not pass uncompressed multichannel audio.

 

[mjhamre]

I came across this:

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2007/04/02/xbox_360_elite_is_not_hdmi_1.3_compliant/

Amir Majidimehr, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft's Mobile and Embedded Devices Division has revealed that the recently announced Xbox 360 Elite console will not be HDMI 1.3 compliant, unlike Sony's PlayStation 3. Instead the X360 Elite will be complaint with the HDMI 1.2 specification.

This will mean that Xbox 360 Elite owners will miss out on lossless multi-channel HD DVD audio formats like Dolby Digital Plus and TrueHD if they're using the HD DVD add-on drive. Instead, lossless audio tracks will be down mixed in the same way that they already are on the Core and Premium versions of Xbox 360.

Majidimehr admitted that if you want to experience lossless audio formats in HD DVD movies, you're going to have to look elsewhere. "If you are keen on having 5.1 PCM output, I recommend purchasing the Toshiba A2 player which after the price drop, will be much cheaper than Elite."

However, he did say that the X360 Elite's HDMI port will support 2-channel PCM audio. "Our goal was to provide a digital connection for video which people wanted for some of their TVs. And of course, single cable A/V connection. So if having analog video bothered you before, you can now use digital. If you lacked component/VGA on your TV, you are in business with Xbox 360 Elite."

He also revealed that you won't be able to select the output video format yourself with the console connected via HDMI. This is because the connection relies on a handshake with your TV in order to select what it deems the appropriate RGB/YUV settings.

From other reading the 360 (in any version) does not seem to support uncompressed PCM output. DD, DTS and WMA Pro are the only output options. There is a thread on another forum with one of the Microsoft guys where he was taking a bit of flack for not supporting LPCM, but said that the audio bridge to the output (which is now HDMI) would not support LPCM data rates in the current (and Elite) designs. They felt that the three output options above would be more than enough choices for most of the buying public.

--Matt

 

[GlocksRock]

well that sucks... now there is definietly no chance of me getting the add on drive, or even bothering to get the elite version.

Thanks for the info

 

[MACCA350]

AAARRRGGHH....CR@P....I was waiting for the elite version for that very reason, now I won't bother with the 360. That really SUCKS! This was going to be my step into the HD formats, now thats taking a back seat again.

cheers

 

[Pell]

I am curious to see if the DECEMBER 2007 update will add better audio options. Is it possible to make the HDMI 1.3 compliant with a firmware update?

 

[gus6464]

I am curious to see if the DECEMBER 2007 update will add better audio options. Is it possible to make the HDMI 1.3 compliant with a firmware update?

The hdmi chip in the console is what determines what version it is. Only way to get hdmi 1.3 on the xbox is to replace the internal chip with an hdmi 1.3 one. It has nothing to do with software at this point.