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The Xbox 360 Elite will not output multi-channel PCM audio over HDMI, as with Core and Premium systems

New details of the recently announced Xbox 360 Elite bundle have unraveled on AVS Forum.  Microsoft previously unveiled the Xbox 360 Elite bundle, equipped with an HDMI video output last week. Amir Majidimehr, corporate vice president, Mobile and Embedded Devices Division, whose group worked on the HD DVD function of the Xbox 360, released details of the upcoming Xbox 360 Elite’s HDMI output capabilities in a forum post.

Microsoft’s upcoming Xbox 360 Elite supports the HDMI 1.2 specification, unlike Sony’s PS3, which is HDMI 1.3 compliant. When connected to an HDTV set with HDMI input, the Xbox 360 will automatically select the appropriate video output resolution up to 1080p. Users cannot manually force resolutions as the Xbox 360 relies on HDMI handshaking to select a suitable resolution.

HDMI audio output remains crippled with the Xbox 360 Elite. The Xbox 360 Elite, even when connected to HDMI will not output uncompressed multi-channel audio. Xbox 360 HD DVD users hoping to enjoy the full glory of lossless HD DVD audio formats via HDMI should 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,” said Majidimehr. When connected to an HDMI home theater receiver capable of processing audio over HDMI, the Xbox 360 will continue to output Dolby Digital, DTS or WMA-Pro to compatible receivers. Dolby Digital Plus and TrueHD audio tracks will continue to be down mixed and output no different from the Xbox 360 Core or Premium systems.

Nevertheless, the Xbox 360 Elite can output 2-channel PCM audio over HDMI. “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.”

Expect a spring HD DVD software update to introduce DTS audio output capabilities to existing Xbox 360 Core and Premium systems. Majidimehr also promises the spring update will address the HD DVD lip-synchronization issues.

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A quick reminder
By Aprime on 4/1/2007 9:58:16 PM , Rating: 2
It's still 04/01/07.




RE: A quick reminder
By Anh Huynh on 4/1/2007 9:58:58 PM , Rating: 2
The quoted post is from 3/31/2007


RE: A quick reminder
By Aprime on 4/1/2007 10:02:53 PM , Rating: 1
Depending on where you live.

God that forum's theme is awful.


RE: A quick reminder
By Anh Huynh on 4/1/2007 10:04:08 PM , Rating: 2
Amir is in the US if i recall and he posted at 3:42pm.


RE: A quick reminder
By alifbaa on 4/2/2007 12:35:22 AM , Rating: 2
It is awful, but they are a great source for expert information.


RE: A quick reminder
By deeznuts on 4/2/2007 12:54:13 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
God that forum's theme is awful.
yes it is, that's why everyone who knows (including me just recently lol) turns it to white.


Well...
By Locutus465 on 4/1/2007 10:00:38 PM , Rating: 3
Personally I've decided to make the plunge into the X-Box world with one of these bad boys. I've been putting it off in the hopes of a price drop... As this is not likely, I'm just going to pick one of these up as soon as one is avialable.




RE: Well...
By alifbaa on 4/2/2007 12:37:39 AM , Rating: 1
If you're going to do it, I'd get one of the core systems about a month after the new version appears. You'll get a great deal on an excellent console, and you'll save enough money to buy the accessories you actually need and still wind up cheaper than the premium.


RE: Well...
By Locutus465 on 4/2/2007 1:12:57 AM , Rating: 2
I've considered that... However I would require a hard drive (listed at $99) which brings me up to premium prices, and I want wireless controlers (busts premium prices). With the Elite I get the benifit of the bigger HD plus other improvements.

Still, it'd be nice if MS felt like they had insentive to drop the price....


RE: Well...
By OrSin on 4/2/2007 9:39:08 AM , Rating: 1
I got the premuim 360 now and rarely play games on it anymore. But I still us it every day as a media extended. I figure when this comes out the old core or premuin systems will be selling for 100-150 less. Then I can get one for my bedroom. :) $150 core systems is sounding very nice to me.


RE: Well...
By alifbaa on 4/2/2007 1:25:36 PM , Rating: 2
FYI there is a workaround to the HD issue that could save you some money. There is some sort of fix you can google for the 360 to take any HD and make the Xbox recognize it as a 20gb drive. I imagine that when the 120gb drive hits the street the fix will be updated too. Right now, you could get a 40gb drive for $40ish at Newegg and an enclosure for about $10, so you'll save $50. The 120s are maybe $5-10 more.

Another money saver if you don't have a wired network connection is to buy a cheapo wireless router and connect it to your xbox and your wireless router to your wireless network running as a client. Google DD-WRT and look at their list of compatible routers. It is really easy to upgrade your firmware; gives your router more features, control, and security; and it is actually more stable than stock firmware in my experience. I've been running two Linksys WRT54G's for over a year on DD-WRT absolutely trouble free. Linksys' firmware was crap.


RE: Well...
By Locutus465 on 4/2/2007 11:54:59 PM , Rating: 2
My Vonage broadband router is conviniantly located right on my entertainment center. It is not a wireless router, though I assume that the 360 still sports an eithernet port? I still want only wireless controllers for my 360 though, you can subtract one from the cost of the system with the premium packages. Then there's my full intention of upgrading to at least a 42" LCD as soon as possible, for which the HDMI will be quite handy :)

All good idea's, but for me I think the premium package is the way to go.


Reasons?
By ObscureCaucasian on 4/1/2007 9:43:26 PM , Rating: 2
I wonder if there are any reasons they opted to go w/ HDMI 1.2 as opposed to 1.3. I'm sure there is some technical or legal reasoning behind it.




RE: Reasons?
By i4mt3hwin on 4/1/2007 9:48:05 PM , Rating: 3
http://www.hdmi.org/resourcecenter/index.asp v1.3

http://www.hdmi.org/press/pr/pr_20050823.asp v1.2

Looks like 1.3 offers a lot over 1.2. No idea why they wouldn't go 1.3.


RE: Reasons?
By alifbaa on 4/2/2007 12:34:40 AM , Rating: 2
Cost, and they don't think you'll care/notice.


Optical output
By electriple9 on 4/1/2007 9:45:48 PM , Rating: 2
Where is no optical out on the elite to get 5.1 sound.
Thanks




RE: Optical output
By Anh Huynh on 4/1/2007 9:58:17 PM , Rating: 2
Optical output is still available via the HD output cable just like the current 360.


By Eug on 4/2/2007 1:18:46 AM , Rating: 3
Every single release version of HDMI, including even 1.0, can output full uncompressed multichannel PCM audio.

I don't know about the Xbox 360 Elite, but if there's a limitation there for multichannel PCM, it's not an issue with the form of HDMI being used.

What HDMI 1.2 cannot do is output stuff like NATIVE Dolby TrueHD, but that's irrelevant anyway, since it's already decoded in the player before final output.

P.S. SACD is fully supported by HDMI 1.2 (although the Xbox 360 itself doesn't support SACD).




Who cares?
By Mitch101 on 4/2/2007 11:40:04 AM , Rating: 3
You can always get the Audio through the optical connections. While not as convenient as the HDMI 1.3 solution its not a crisis.

Its like the reviews I read about the people complaining about how their speaker terminals are too close together and it took them an extra minute to connect them. Who cares its not like your disconnect and reconnect them every time you watch a movie.

As for true audio I find it paticularly interesting that more people like the surround created by AC3 over DTS. Audio is personal taste. I might even believe the Matrix is done better in AC3 than in DTS. Go ahead and compare audio equipment now. My receiver is a mere 800.00 and speakers 400.00 but I like the AC3 output of the Matrix better.

I think that most people who know the difference just choose DTS because they know the technical reasons behind it and not really for the sound as Audio is a very personal preference.

Hence a Bose argument here because Bose produces sound the way they feel people prefer it. Bose doesnt create sound the way it was truely produced. Bose does sound good but do you want to recreate the true sound or is that the way your like it to sound?

I should say that audio tracks are only as good as the people who created them as well. Some DTS tracks seem like they creators whipped them out in a hurry.

In the end No amount of Audio does anything for a lousy movie. Just like no amount of High Definition a movie is will do it any good if the movie is lame.

Besides havent your heard 7.1 is dead and that the next standard looks to be 13.1. Does that mean 7.1 is junk now?




not use in thailand
By speed99 on 4/6/2007 2:46:59 PM , Rating: 1
i think in thai not use hdmi
now 80 % thai peaple have televition 20-29 type old
30 % lcd tv very exp"
i think in thai use av port in out 100% in thailand




no 1.3 is cause there is no need.
By hunter01 on 4/1/07, Rating: -1
RE: no 1.3 is cause there is no need.
By Anh Huynh on 4/1/2007 10:32:31 PM , Rating: 2
The Xbox360 decodes the TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus tracks, and then reencodes it into Dolby Digital, or DTS with the spring update, and then outputs it over HDMI or Optical, instead of decoding the TrueHD and DD+ track and outputing it in its full lossless glory.