360 HD-DVD - Component or VGA Hook Up?

VXR8

G'day all,

Just wondering, for the 360 HD-DVD, which is the better connection type, for playback of HD-DVDs? I have both, going to a Fujitsu 1080i compatible plasma screen. I also have tried both and notice minor differences:

1. With VGA, as we have to suffer black lines top and bottom with the new HD formats, they don't appear as black, as they do with component.

2. PQ appears a bit better with VGA.

Just want your thoughts and the consensus on what the majority believe is the ideal connection.

Thanks in advance.

mutelight

If you are having problems with the black levels using the VGA connection there is an option in the system settings where you can change the "reference level" which will help with the blacks since VGA typically uses a different color space.

VXR8

mutelight wrote: »

If you are having problems with the black levels using the VGA connection there is an option in the system settings where you can change the "reference level" which will help with the blacks since VGA typically uses a different color space.

Thanks mutelight - which setting would you recommend? I have it currently set at "Expanded". Would "Standard" or "Intermediate" be better?

mutelight

Well expanded should give you the deepest blacks out of the options. Are you still not achieving desired black levels?

I use component on my display since VGA isn't really an option as my display only supports 1024x768 max (don't ask me why) but I am very happy with the image quality.

VXR8

The actual black levels are fine in the actual movies, but component doesn't appear to light up the black bars top and bottom, whereas VGA appears to illuminate those bars, like an LCD display's back light - like you mentioned above, maybe it has to do with VGAs different colour space?

My screen resolution will go to 1366 x 768, for which I have set the 360 to that resolution for VGA (1360 x 768 actually), or 1080i for component.

mutelight

Ah OK, well then you might just want to go with component then since the trade off seems to be only slightly better image quality for better blacks with VGA. I know I would rather have deeper blacks. There is no definitive answer on which is better, it is more of a personal preference.

engtaz

VGA is my choice. Black are better for me with VGA.

krabby5

I think that is another question where the answer is "it depends on your display"

My Bravia LCD has a VGA input, but for some reason it doesn't work with the 360. So the decision was easy for me:D

RaysR6

I would think that component is more widespread than VGA though.