Xbox magazine reviewed the new mad catz add on that is coming out in a couple months that gives you HDMI on the original xbox 360 (non-elite). Wow, they gave it HIGH marks. Got a 9 out of 10. Only negative being the $60 price. They said it actually improved picture quality. From what I have read on here people are claiming the opposite that it is a waste, could over heat, etc. I wonder if the one coming out has changed any from what was out before. Ebgames doesn't have it coming out until like May sometime. Hmmmm.

The only way it can improve the picture is if the tv it's being hooked up to has crappy component inputs.

HDMI on 360 is only about convenience. The built-in connection adds minimal PQ improvement, and absolutely no difference in audio (compared to optical). I have a hard time imagining that a $60 dongle can do any kind of useful video or audio processing, so it's probably even less of an improvement (if any) than the built-in HDMI connection.

Giving a 9/10 to this thing is like giving a 9/10 to cleaner for soap. It doesn't do anything.

Just because someone works for a magazine or newspaper doesn't mean they have a trustworthy opinion. I'd consider a review of a component to HDMI converter from this magazine to be on par with a video game review from maxim. I know I've read stuff even in major newspapers where it's obvious that the person writing the story doesn't have the background to offer a valid opinion on something (I mainly notice this with video game and articles). Now if Widescreen Review or some other home theater magazine actually ran test patterns through it and came to the same conclusion then I'd be more apt to believe it.

Giving a 9/10 to this thing is like giving a 9/10 to cleaner for soap. It doesn't do anything.

Best. Quote. Ever.

April Fools!

I also noticed there was a sampler in the magazine for this hot new cologne: Snake Oil.

April Fools!

No, real article in the magazine. Oh well. I had thought about it, but unless I can try one for free to see if it does anything, I am not spending my money on it. I keep hearing how it can overheat the Xbox because it blocks a vent (not sure if this new model was changed or not).

No, real article in the magazine. Oh well. I had thought about it, but unless I can try one for free to see if it does anything, I am not spending my money on it. I keep hearing how it can overheat the Xbox because it blocks a vent (not sure if this new model was changed or not).

Well, if there is one thing the 360 needs, it's blocked vents. :eek:

The only thing this thing would be good for is if you needed to free up a component connection on your TV. This would allow you to connect your 360 to your HDMI port on your TV. You will not get any better PQ then you would with component. A friend of mine bought one and I just laughed. I thought it looked worse then component on his TV. Needless to say he took it back.

I read the article, and it really talks about how it can upconvert SDDVD's. If you don't have a television with a VGA port this is another option for 1080P.

Wouldn't be the first time snake oil got high marks.

I read the article, and it really talks about how it can upconvert SDDVD's. If you don't have a television with a VGA port this is another option for 1080P.

If they are claiming that it will allow you to upconvert SD DVDs, then they obviously never even tried the product. It's been confirmed by atleast one owner here that it will not upconvert comercial DVDs. If the device converted the VGA output instead of component then it would have allowed for upconversion.

I read the article, and it really talks about how it can upconvert SDDVD's. If you don't have a television with a VGA port this is another option for 1080P.Doubtful. If it's just using the existing optical and component connections, it won't change the fact that those connections don't (legally) allow SD-DVD upconversion. I doubt that "converting" those connections to HDMI will magically enable that feature. As far as the 360 is concerned, it's still using the optical/component outputs.

This device should be nothing more than a transcoder. Cheap, poor quality transcoders usually cost at least $300 or more. That thing probably just ruins the PQ with a price of just $30. It was designed for the uninformed consumer that wants a simple adapter to plug their 360 into the HDMI port on their set hoping to get better quality by using a "digital" connection.

I also noticed there was a sampler in the magazine for this hot new cologne: Snake Oil.

60% of the time, it works every time!

I also noticed there was a sampler in the magazine for this hot new cologne: Snake Oil.

60% of the time, it works every time!
**Results may vary.

60% of the time, it works every time!
LMAO! nice one...