ight, i need help deciding on which hi-def av pack ima get, cuz there are four major types....
1:Intec pack....looks exactly like the M$ pack-$20
2:M$ pack-$20
3:Madcatz Ultra AV kit......composite, s-vid, and RGB, and digital out and stereo out, bnd all cables included-$30
4:Monster Gamelink 400X-$45 in town....not getting it off the 'net.
I also wanna know which one has best w/e, and which is the best deal.
I also need info on a component switch....heard of a JVC-$100 and a madcatz-$30.
thanks

no one?
at least say if u have a certain type and if u like it, etc.....

The MS one is a GREAT deal because of the included component cables. If you goto buy some cables seperately, they are atleast 30 dollars for CHEAP ones.

I really like my MS pack because of the optical out and the included cables.

If you have some phyco 1080i HDTV setup, then I would go with the monster since you would be recieving a crazy signal.

Get the MS set, you cant get any better than the original stuff.

$20 is cheaper than any set of component video cables I've ever seen. For $20 from MS, you get the cables and the A/V adapter; plus, you can't go wrong with the people who make the system.

I actually say Monster Cable. M$ doesn't make a/v cables, they make computers and xboxes. Go with the guys that have been making cables for years..

i appreciate everyone's opinions, but is there a true winner....by stats, and that one is better than the others?
I have a 36 Sony FD Trinitron TV(not a true HDTV, but has component-in)

Get the M$ pack. The monster cables are technically better but you won't notice the difference on your tv.

i had purchased the M$ s-vid pack and it wasnt as good as the later-bought monster s-video cables of mine, so are you sure that the monster's wouldnt be better???
u know what, im not gonna buy the monsters anyways, cuz i aint payin anothwer 30 for freakin 5.1 surround!!!!!!
ill trade my s-vid's for the component pack straight-up in town, would that be a good deal, cuz i bought the monster 300x's for 22 on ebay shipped, so after tax, ertc. its about the same!
now for a component switch......

My recommendation is do NOT get the Mad Catz one. It looks like a good deal since you get component, composite and optical cables with it. Here in Canada, it's actually cheaper than the MS one ($35 vs $40 CDN).

BUT - the image quality over component on the Mad Catz box absolutely BITES. There are very strong ghost lines about an inch to the right of the main image, making everything look like crap. This is not just from me, other people have reported similar problems.

I ended up returning the Mad Catz and getting the MS one (the only other one I saw here). The MS one works flawlessly and has good image quality so I'm happy with it.

get whichever one's the cheapest

the m$ ones are as good as it gets though

otherwise wire your own up!

QUOTE (smeghead @ Nov 12 2003, 04:17 AM)

My recommendation is do NOT get the Mad Catz one. It looks like a good deal since you get component, composite and optical cables with it. Here in Canada, it's actually cheaper than the MS one ($35 vs $40 CDN). BUT - the image quality over component on the Mad Catz box absolutely BITES. There are very strong ghost lines about an inch to the right of the main image, making everything look like crap. This is not just from me, other people have reported similar problems. I ended up returning the Mad Catz and getting the MS one (the only other one I saw here). The MS one works flawlessly and has good image quality so I'm happy with it.

I agree entirely with smeghead. I purchased the MadCatz HDTV pack because it was $5 less than the M$ one, however it turned out to be a piece of shit. I have a rear projection HDTV, and games didn't look any better with the MadCatz than they did with the OEM standard RCA adapter. And then I tried Soul Calibur II at 720p and what a mess! RGB was out of sync and it looked like I was looking at a 3D picture without the 3D glasses! I returned the MadCatz POS product for the M$ one and was very impressed! What a difference $5 (Canadian!) can make!!!

Haven't tried Monster so can't comment on that, however I do know that Monster Cables are very good but generally overpriced. If UltraLink or Acoustic Research made XBox cables, I'd definitely buy those; cheaper than Monster Cables and just as good, if not better.

I've spoken and heard from a lot of sources on this one:

MS HD Pack: Decent - significant improvment if you upgrade the cables it comes with (that right there should tell you their cables are not top of the line - obviously the connector box is not the weak link in the original package but how much it holds you back with better cables I don't know). The optical out is standard so a basic cable is all you need for 5.1

Monster Pack: Noticably higher quality build all around and tighter fittings. Those who have tried both this and the M$ pack generally believe this allows for a cleaner signal and have returned the M$ opting to keep the Monster (haven't seen a comparison between the Monster and an M$ with upgraded cables though). Proprietary optical cable will cost you for 5.1 sound. No ability to replace cables with your own.

Keep in mind that people with 32" Sony XBRs couldn't tell any difference between these packs or upgrading the M$ cables. The majority of people able to notice distinct differences between these 2 packs are using 50"-100" screens. That being said, those owning large high quality setups definitely reported a difference in upgrading the M$ cables. If you don't have a large screen - go with M$ as it's cheaper. If you do, maybe you buy both and a set of better cables for the M$ - try it all out and see what you feel like keeping.

Personally, I wasn't going to pay to upgrade the M$ cables making it a wash in price against the Monster. I sat both of them down side by side and it was instantly apparent which had the heavier and more solid build quality. I opted for the Monster ($35 at Gamestop) without auditioning the M$ cables.

Note: I am not endorsing Monster products and I do not believe they make top of the line products accross the board. However, in this case where you are limited to two quality offerings M$ and Monster, I believe the Monster pack to be supperior - at least out of the box.

I'm telling ya you will be more than pleased with the M$ pack. As mentioned before by myself and others you won't be able to tell the difference on your 32" non HDTV. Most people who can tell the difference between cables are people with 50" or larger HDTVs where signal is of utmost importance. Even if you could tell the difference between the monster and M$ cables it would not be enough to warrent the price difference. Any differences in quality will not be detectable by the human eye at normal veiwing distances. Also steer clear from the madcatz cables I have heard nothing but bad things about them. They aren't just cheap cables they are defective.

I have both the Monster and the M$ pack (because I like to waste money that way.. ), and my suggestion is to get the M$ one. Buying the Monster Cable + The Lightlink (for 5.1) runs almost 70 bucks, compared to 20 for the M$ one, and the difference is not too noticeable.

If price is the main issue.....why not just buy them off ebay?
I got the monster component cables for $13(shipped) and the MS advanced audio pack(Scable) for $10(shipped) and both of them worrk 100% perfectly.......

ok, i am gonna get the M$ pack....now, which component switch should i get.....cuz there is a $30 madcatz one that i was considering, and havent heard of anyone having it....and also could i get a cheapo fiber optic cable or should i invest in a good one?

QUOTE (Big HDD @ Nov 13 2003, 12:30 AM)

ok, i am gonna get the M$ pack....now, which component switch should i get.....cuz there is a $30 madcatz one that i was considering, and havent heard of anyone having it....and also could i get a cheapo fiber optic cable or should i invest in a good one?

I don't know about the switch but don't spend too much on the optical cable because unlike the component the optical cable is digital. Aslong as you can get the dolby or dts signal through to your reciever it won't matter much what quality cable is used.

ight, cuz they have cheap 5-6 ft optical cables at meijer for like......$3 or so.
Anyone know WHAT SWITCH SHOULD I GET???????
here is what i am into.....
Madactz component switch for $12 buy it now on ebay
JVC component switch for around 80-90 on ebay......
WHICH ONE???????/
or is there a better one/any other ones?

QUOTE (Big HDD @ Nov 13 2003, 09:21 PM)

ight, cuz they have cheap 5-6 ft optical cables at meijer for like......$3 or so. Anyone know WHAT SWITCH SHOULD I GET??????? here is what i am into..... Madactz component switch for $12 buy it now on ebay JVC component switch for around 80-90 on ebay...... WHICH ONE???????/ or is there a better one/any other ones?

I don't know anything about component switches as I have plenty of inputs. I am sure you will get complete information on the forums at either:

www.avsforum.com
www.hometheaterspot.com

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread....threadid=321272

Here's a perfect link for your component video switch question - 3 pages of info - I didn't read it though but it was still being posted on as of today.

ok, that thread on avs forums.....i am in it and got info on it, but am sad to say that my Sony KV-36FV26 TV is only capable of 480i, and i can see the interlaced lines and it sux, and i cant do a damn thing about it!
so i am gonna stick with my monster 300x s-video cables, since the only thing component will do for me is make it brighter, but that aint worth 100+ dollars for brighter picture, and possibly worse dvd picture......thanks anyways(very depressed )

Yeah - I was under the impression you had an HDTV. If you already have the Monster pack with S video don't waste your money.

i got a new idea(since i am determined to have high-def!!)
i can buy a 19" samsung flat screen crt monitor, and hook up hdtv through that.
but what is the best way to do so, also the most efficient with all games and that is cheap(minus the price of the samsung monitor!)
thanks in advance!