Running Xbox 360 on a VGA/DVI monitor?

I've googled that you can pair the Xbox 360 up with a VGA/DVI monitor. However, I haven't got an Xbox yet so reading what people say really confuses me.

I've currently got a BenQ G2420HDBL monitor which runs at the native resolution of 1920*1080. It only has DVI and VGA input. However, due to the release of FFXIII, I wanna get an Xbox 360 and run it with my monitor as opposed to buying a tv.

Now the question is, what type of adapter/cable do I need?

I see most tutorials mention using a cable, however taking off the cable on the back of the monitor each time is quite a hassle so I was wondering will an adapter work? If so, do a I need a DVI to HDMI or HDMI to DVI?

I see two cheap ones on eBay, which one is the right one?
First one and second one.

Now I've only got the usual 3.5mm jack speakers, will I be able to use this with an Xbox 360? If so, how can I do this? What will I need to buy?

Final question, FFXIII is the only game I wanna play, will a standard Core console with like no hard drive be enough or do I need to get a console with the HD?

Thanks!

hi i have mine connected to my computer monitor trough vga and just use an xbox vga cable from ebay (5pounds) or you can buy the official microsoft onewhich comes with a few accesories for u to use depending on your monitor
for the audio you will need one of these
http://www.efilliate.com/images/prod_images/P4196a.jpg
RCA to 3.5mm

If you get an XBox with HDMI (or a PS3 if you want to play FFXIII with uncompressed AV), then either of the adapters you linked will work, the first one would plug into the monitor and use a HDMI cable, the second would plug into the console and use a DVI cable.....I'd prefer the first option as it leaves less weight hanging out the back of the console.

If you get an XBox without HDMI, then you will need the cable that richy is talking about: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/JOYTECH-XBOX-3...item2ea927e6f2

just get a HDMI>DVI cable ?

Edit: Going the HDMI route will cost more as you'll have to buy the adapter which offers optical and 3.5mm sound out.

Well I just want to play FFXII at the cheapest option really, I've got a preorder of Xbox 360 version of the game already and a friend may sell me his half broken xbox 360 for dirt cheap if he manages to fix it (apparently it overheats so all he needs is to put some thermal paste on)

Will I notice any difference in quality going the VGA route? My monitor runs at 1920*1080 atm, does that mean it's 1080i? I'm really confused with all these things :( Will it be running at 1080i no matter if I use HDMI or VGA?

Hope someone can clear this up for me! Thanks!

You got the BenQ one right ? If so it supports 1080p over both HDMI/VGA - I know because i tried both modes to see if i noticed a different between cables and TBH i couldn't really tell any difference :)

Ah ok, that's good then. :)

One last question, will I need a hard drive with the console? AFAIK, Xbox Arcades don't come with a hard drive?

You dont 'need' one but in reality you do. I think a 'live' package can be picked up for around £60 with a 60GB hard drive, 3 months Xbox live and a mic!

Could you expand? My friend said that without a HDD you can't even save games - is this true?

I doubt I'll 3 months of Xbox live + a mic just to play FFXIII though.

The Arcades now come with 512MB of onboard flash storage which is enough to save games etc. So are you only buying the 360 for FF13 ?

Ah I see, how about the older versions though?

I am only buying the 360 for FF13, hence trying to go for the cheapest option possible.

The older versions come with a memory card - or not as the case may be. Maybe you should think about getting an Elite - there are some really good games on 360 currently and coming up !

Quote:

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Originally Posted by richy19

hi i have mine connected to my computer monitor trough vga and just use an xbox vga cable from ebay (5pounds) or you can buy the official microsoft onewhich comes with a few accesories for u to use depending on your monitor
for the audio you will need one of these
http://www.efilliate.com/images/prod_images/P4196a.jpg
RCA to 3.5mm

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+1 for this solution.

this is the setup that's used when friends bring xbox's over to play.

I just thought of a really good idea, have my XBox 360 linked up via VGA and pc linked via DVI, then I should be able to switch between the two right? :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ulti

I just thought of a really good idea, have my XBox 360 linked up via VGA and pc linked via DVI, then I should be able to switch between the two right? :D

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It works fine.
Edit: When your bring the OSD up it lets you switch between D-Sub and DVI.

I used one of the cheap vga cables, with a 3.5mm stereo plug to 2 x RCA socket and a 3.5mm coupler for audio.