Platinum, wasn't that one of the release versions!? Get a new arcade version instead, you'll be much better off.

Caught me for a second. Then I read "non-HDMI" and "refurbished."

question - If it is non-HDMI does this mean that it is not capable of being 1080p or 720p?

Someone posted the following comment over at AnandTech's forum about this:

True 1080p requires a VGA connection, or HDMI/DVI.

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=79&threadid=2256310&enterthread=y

I had my XBox connected to my TV via VGA for 1080p. You just have to get that particular cable separately, I believe.

But my recommendation is to buy an Arcade + Hard Drive (not sure if there are still upgrade kits on the cheap for Arcade versions) or make sure to get an extended warranty from a place like SquareTrade...which would probably be only a little more than the Arcade + upgrade kit.

UPDATE: this is the upgrade kit I was referring to:
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/hddoffer/default.htm

You need to buy the VGA cable for 1080p if its non hdmi and then set your resolution. Im not sure about component cable being 1080p but there would be no real resolution loss... just the connivence of a single cable...

Component does 1080p (assuming component is the one with 5-6 cables).

this is cheap. but the extra 100 bucks may be worth it to have warranty coverage.

thanks for the info

I'm glad someone finally asked that question.

#8
Use the VGA cable. I get 720p on my monitor at 1680x1050. Not sure about 1080 though...

If the Xbox 360 game, DVD disc or HD-DVD Disc program content and your video display support it, the Xbox 360's component video connection can provide 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i or 1080p.

From http://store.a2zcable.com/hdcaba.html

http://www.amazon.com/bacon-VGA-HD-AV-Cable/dp/B000H96ZJE/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1232648195&sr=8-2

http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-Xbox360-HDTV-Chromatism-Cable/dp/B00112O0D4/ref=pd_bbs_sr_6?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1232648195&sr=8-6

Would both of these cables provide 1080 if my xbox came with non-hdmi? Or can I just use the cables that came with the xbox like cadaver said? thanks

chinaman..yes you can use component(red,green,blue cables), which supports up to the native resolution on your HDTV. If you HDTV does 1080p, component will support it. Xbox360 comes with one cable that can do component,TOS(audio), and composite.

This certainly is a great deal. But the high failure rate of 360 makes me think that this might not last long. I'd get warranty like #4 suggested. I'm just waiting for a valhala version of refurb

I just went with an Arcade and got the 20 gig HD upgrade from Microsoft. That way I made sure I got the Jasper. After a whole day of playing it was still cool to the touch. Microsoft also gives a 3 year warranty on any NEW 360, but not on a refurb. I hooked mine up via HDMI and get 1080p, however I have an older Sony 5.1 reciever and had to get the optional adapter from Microsoft to get the full surround sound. Porting it through the TV degrades the sound unless you have a TV with build in decoder. Even if I used optical from the TV out, I still only received two channels, so I opted for the adapter to go from the 360 to the received and the HDMI to the TV.

Since I run cables through the a wall plate, I could not go with a component connections, because the extra space required by them would not have worked. That is something else to keep in mind.

Such a tempting price, but the 30-50% failure rate of early models keeps me away.

refurbed early release 360...

you're getting someone else's RROD, basically. these are bound to be the returned units during that whole fiasco.

not sure i would trust it.. as the problem that caused the failure is still there.

With that said - i have a 20gb from the first run of releases, and it still runs fine.

knock on wood

Thanks for the info drman7

This is the original product with the 26A sucking adapter, instead of the greatly reduced 14.5A Arcade/HDMI versions. World of difference in power consumption and heat.

It's a refurb so it works. It'll be great fun for hacking and playing pirated copies of games. Why would you want it for anything else? A primary system? EL OH EL. Get one with full warranty.