360 newbie question

pdw8 · 20 Apr 2006 at 23:14

I will soon be getting a free 360 with a new mobile phone deal. I am a total console newbie (except for a PSP) so am confused with the cabling options. I have searched the forum but am not totally convinced.

I have a pretty high spec PC (Fx55,2Gb Mushkin,2 x 7800GT in SLi,Creative X-Fi with 5.1 speakers) and my question surrounds the audio. I have a Dell 2405 which ocbiously has no standalone audio. I can connect the xbox to the 2405 fine but how do I get audio from it? Can I somehow use my existing speakers in parelell to my PC as I don't want to get a 2nd set of speakers.

Thanks.

Jet · 20 Apr 2006 at 23:21

What speakers are they? I use my Logitech Z5500 or whatever they're called with both the PC and X360. I use an optical cable from the X360 to the back of the Logitech control panel.

Do you have an optical port on the speakers? I would use that.

Congratulations on the new console too.

da_mic_1530 · 20 Apr 2006 at 23:28

pdw8 said:
I will soon be getting a free 360 with a new mobile phone deal. Thanks.

where you will be paying a huge tariff to cover the cost of the 360, these deals never change, the link is giving away "free PSPs"

anyway the sound experts will be here sort you out soon, i know you will need an optical cable, with speakers that accept and optical signal

pdw8 · 20 Apr 2006 at 23:40

My speakers are old Creative Inspire 5100's with no optical input. Looks like a new set of speakers is required.

NokkonWud · 20 Apr 2006 at 23:52

Which X-Fi are you using?

I have the Audigy2 ZS Platinum Pro which cost me £200 a couple of years ago, that has a set-top box to which I plug in my Optical cable (from VGA Cable > Set-Top box) and that allows me it over the speakers.

You could buy a Creative box which would allow you the same freedom for around £50-£70 at a guess, that would allow you to use your PC and your Xbox360 at the same time, the only problem is, audio transmits from both sources at the same time, which isn't a problem if you bought Logitech Z-5500 speakers, where there are several connection methods.

I am going to sell my Creative 7.1 speakers in the near future as they are weak and I will almost certainly purchase the Logitech Z-5500 speakers instead.

pdw8 · 20 Apr 2006 at 23:59

I have the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Music - Retail (SC-034-CL) in my PC. Its the pci card without the front module.

The free XBOX deal is not that bad TBH and it's the only way I can get the XBOX as the wife won't let me get one outright :rolleyes:

My company also pay £20pm towards the line rental anyway.

NokkonWud · 21 Apr 2006 at 00:22

pdw8 said:
I have the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Music - Retail (SC-034-CL) in my PC. Its the pci card without the front module.

The free XBOX deal is not that bad TBH and it's the only way I can get the XBOX as the wife won't let me get one outright
My company also pay £20pm towards the line rental anyway.

I would seriously recommend the Logitech Z5500 speakers then, they are the best quality you will get for that price.

dannyjo22 · 21 Apr 2006 at 09:22

I have the logi 5450's and they are awesome too and £60 cheaper. Perfectly good enough for a computer room with a 360 rigged up to a dell 2405.