Microsoft Xbox Advanced AV Pack X Box Accessories Review

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5,
3 votes

Price Paid:  $55.00 from best buy

Summary:
(1) moster cables are the best "and no I dont work for or recieve gain from monster. just try them and see.
(2) rca hook up good, s-video hookup better, component video hookup best.
(3) you could spend more money than you would for monster cables, but why would you want and go do such a thing ? they are shielded just fine for no interference and they are high quaility.
(4) back to number one, go to a high quality video store in your area and ask them to show you the differance between regular cables and monster, they will if they deal in expensive items, and you will see for yourself. expect to be shocked at how much cables can cost, if this type of thing is new for you.

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Price Paid:  $20.00 from best buy

Summary:
My only complaint is the size and having to buy seperatly. It does work great though. I bought the Monster Pak before i bought this and It didn't activate the sound option on the Xbox. I can't take advantage of s-video because of my tv but the sound alone is worth it. this will sharpen the picture some over the original cables but not much. Great product overall!!!

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
2 votes

Summary:
Please note that there is a difference between the Advance AV Pack and the High Defintion Pack. They are not the same things. It seems some reviewers here have the two confused.

That being said, I think that an Advance AV pack with the S-video inputs is a great buy for any Xbox owner who
(1) has a decent TV with S-video inputs and
(2) does not have a TV with component inputs
The S-Video cables will provide a significant improvement over the regualr compostie cables that came with the Xbox.

The Advance AV pack also allows for Dolby Digital Surround Sound capabilties with connection to a Dolby Digital capable Receiver. Make note that the optical cables required for this are sold seperately. If you don't have a Dolby Digital capable system I would recommend that you go with cheaper S-Video cables made by third parties.

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Price Paid:  $20.00 from Electronics Boutique

Summary:
I've purchased the Advanced AV Pack hook-up for the X-Box since my Toshiba 27" TV has an input for component colours. I believe that the resolution that I am getting with this type of input on my TV is 480i. Since my TV is not an HDTV, I'm not able to view at 480p, 720p, or 1080i (which would definitely be a lot better). The standard RCA jacks that comes with the X-Box seems to be giving similar results in terms of resolution, but I feel as if the clarity is not as good as with the Advanced AV pack. However, I find it difficult to distinguish between the two as I haven't spent as much time playing when using the standard RCA connection. I did some research and found out that the component colour input should infact give a "cleaner" picture since each of the three component colours are separated instead of all mixed in one cable. This should reduce "cross-talk" or something like that. The Advanced AV Pack also allows the user to make use of the optical audio jack which I believe is the only way that you can get the true 5.1ch Dolby Digital Surround Sound. I don't think you can get this sound using the regular Left and Right inputs.

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Price Paid:  $8.00 from Electronic Boutique

Summary:
I bought this product used at Electronics Boutique. It was only $8.00, and it was worth every penny. The optical cable cost me $16.00, but again, it was well worth it. I will suggest this to any XBOx owner.