Is there a way to mod the 360 component cables so I can use only the optical out?

viivo

Diamond Member
May 4, 2002
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32
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I tore the case off my official component cables so I could use the optical out and HDMI at the same time, but as everybody who has done this knows, it causes the 360 to reset as soon as the source is changed. I'm not shelling out ~50 bucks for the official kit, or any money for a knock-off, so is there a way to mod these cables so the console doesn't restart?
 

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
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I did this to my friend's 360 and it works fine. Tore open the case. Use HDMI for video and optical for audio. Doesn't give us any problems.
 

viivo

Diamond Member
May 4, 2002
3,345
32
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Since I use my TV as my computer monitor I like to switch between "HDMI 2" and "PC" while playing, however using this method, when I switch back to "HDMI 2" the console resets. There must be something that's causing this since it doesn't do it with the official HDMI kit.
 

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
126
Since I use my TV as my computer monitor I like to switch between "HDMI 2" and "PC" while playing, however using this method, when I switch back to "HDMI 2" the console resets. There must be something that's causing this since it doesn't do it with the official HDMI kit.

Well I know when you pull out or plug in the HDMI cable or audio/video cable to the 360 when is on it'll reset so maybe it has something to do with that.
 

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
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Does the TV have component inputs that you could use instead of HDMI? I've only noticed that it resets when using HDMI cables, I don't think it happens with component.
 

pennylane

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2002
6,077
1
0
It's an HDMI handshake thing.

You have to clip a wire within the 360 component cable to avoid the reset issue that happens when you switch HDMI sources. It's a black looping wire

Some blurry pictures:
http://www.genmay.com/showthread.php?t=803048
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12269528#post12269528

Pinout:
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2006/11/wiring3_engadget_howto.jpg

I can't find which exact wire (on the pinout) it is at the moment but you can do some looking around. The avsforum thread has a lot of information. It does work. I've done it. If you're feeling nervous about using the official component cables, you can buy the much cheaper monoprice.com 360 component cables to cut up. I've successfully done that but after you crack open the monoprice cable dongle, it's more fragile than the official dongle so you have to be more careful if you remove the component dongle a lot.
 

viivo

Diamond Member
May 4, 2002
3,345
32
91
It's an HDMI handshake thing.

You have to clip a wire within the 360 component cable to avoid the reset issue that happens when you switch HDMI sources. It's a black looping wire

Some blurry pictures:
http://www.genmay.com/showthread.php?t=803048
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12269528#post12269528

Pinout:
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2006/11/wiring3_engadget_howto.jpg

I can't find which exact wire (on the pinout) it is at the moment but you can do some looking around. The avsforum thread has a lot of information. It does work. I've done it. If you're feeling nervous about using the official component cables, you can buy the much cheaper monoprice.com 360 component cables to cut up. I've successfully done that but after you crack open the monoprice cable dongle, it's more fragile than the official dongle so you have to be more careful if you remove the component dongle a lot.

Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for.

On a semi-related note, is there a difference among optical cables quality-wise or are they pretty much all the same?
 

happy medium

Lifer
Jun 8, 2003
14,387
480
126
I tore the case off my official component cables so I could use the optical out and HDMI at the same time, but as everybody who has done this knows, it causes the 360 to reset as soon as the source is changed. I'm not shelling out ~50 bucks for the official kit, or any money for a knock-off, so is there a way to mod these cables so the console doesn't restart?

When you say official kit ,you mean this?
This is a official microsoft hdmi with optical audio kit for 10$ shipped.

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Optical-Aud...tZVideo_Games_Accessories?hash=item27acad0a9b
 
Last edited:

pmark

Senior member
Oct 11, 1999
921
1
81

happy medium

Lifer
Jun 8, 2003
14,387
480
126
If there not worth 10 cents why have Iv'e been playing with a hdmi connection with 5.1 optical audio for months while your ripping your wires apart?

lets see 10$ for plug and play or mod my wires? Easy chioce!