Xbox 360 - how do I get 5.1 for DVDs using an HDMI lead?

[orac]

On a CRT I was using an RGB scart lead which had an optical out... Now just getting an LCD today I plugged in the 360 using an HMDI lead, but I have no optical out now - the LCD TV has an optical out - but it only does 2 channel (Samsung).

The official microsoft HDMI lead has optical out but it costs £35.

I tried this method using the RGB lead, but it doesn't work for the DVD playback:

http://www.chadledford.com/?p=50

Anyone help please.. I want 5.1 back for games and DVDs (the upscaling on the 360 for SD DVDs is rather good, so want to use it for that).

[splobber]

It may be an obvious, but you don't mention it, but are you actually hooking it up to an amplifier with 5 speakers?

HDMI carries digital sound and does away with the need for an optical lead. Just a £2 lead will do.

[orac]

yep I wasn't clear!

360 > LCD Samsung using HDMI

I want to get an optical signal to my 5.1/DTS Sony amp - the amp has no HDMI input.

The LCD TV has an optical out - but it only outputs 2 channels (and this is correct from the manual).

The 360 has no optical out - it only comes with leads.

[splobber]

Do you not have a dongle adaptor thingy for the 360? I have HDMI on mine going into the amp and a dongle thingy in the av port which has an optical connection and 2 x RCA's. I don't recall buying it so assume it came with the console.

That way you run an optical lead from the adapter plugged into the console and then into your amp and you get 5.1.

[orac]

thats the lead that doesn't come with the arcade console - do don't have it... microsoft want £35 for that lead!

I will probably have to do that...

Just heard a friend used an HDMI cable and also a VGA lead and leaves it unplugged - just uses the optical out dongle on it..

[splobber]

I've taken a picture to explain it better.

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/3203/p1000860cn6.jpg

[orac]

thanks - yep that would it - problem is - don't think you can buy that on its own

[rwniel]

You could try eBay (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=44).

Robert

[splobber]

I was going to suggest that, but they go for silly money (there are two auctions that are already at 20 quid). Orac is better off buying a sub £10 VGA lead and doing it that way.

[AKPiggott]

I was going to suggest that, but they go for silly money (there are two auctions that are already at 20 quid). Orac is better off buying a sub £10 VGA lead and doing it that way.

Yeah, that's all you can do I think (without paying ridiculous money for a silly adaptor). Only problem is you'll have a bloody VGA lead in the way, unlress you sacrifice HDMI for VGA (which looks better to my eyes on all three tellies I've tried it on anyway).

[tizza]

I bought an elite and dont think I got that cable with it. I have a similair problem, if I want to watch the xbox on the projector thru component I have to unplug the hdmi used for the tv as the component lead is too bulky to fit when the hdmi is in. Pain the butt pulling it all out everytime.

Have a google - there are workarounds for hdmi with optical sound, which involves pulling the component lead apart and snipping some pins so the picture or sound isnt compromised by having both of them in all the time, but I havent had the bottle to do it yet.

[splobber]

You should have as I have an Elite and must have got it from there, although I have had a few 360's so it may be a remnant from another one.

[wen]

Defo got that lead with my Elite.

[orac]

Thanks everyone -

Taking apart the housing on a RGB scart lead and using it for the 5.1 output didn't work, the TV got confused!

Had to go for the official HDMI cable with the 5.1 out dongle £29.99 from Comet

So sorted - very impressed with the upscaling that the 360 does for SD DVDs.

[rwniel]

I was going to suggest that, but they go for silly money (there are two auctions that are already at 20 quid). Orac is better off buying a sub £10 VGA lead and doing it that way.I hadn't realised that, Microsoft should just sell them on their own and be done with it. :)

Robert

[simion_levi]

Thanks everyone -

Taking apart the housing on a RGB scart lead and using it for the 5.1 output didn't work, the TV got confused!

Had to go for the official HDMI cable with the 5.1 out dongle £29.99 from Comet

So sorted - very impressed with the upscaling that the 360 does for SD DVDs.

It does work if you do a bit more taking apart (and in my case the odd bit of soldering). I won't link to any particular how-to because the spare component cable I butchered was a bit different to everything Google told me about just needing to cut one wire - but was still easy enough to figure out when it was in front of me. Ended up making it into an optical dongle so I don't have umpteen feet of cable hanging around, but this wasn't essential.