Hahahah... OK, so get this, guys. I was at Walmart, just grooving around the electronics section, when all of a sudden I ran into some decently cheap HDMI cables. Then I remembered that my TV crops the video from my 360, and that I had heard that the 360's picture can be set to detect the best resolution for the TV with an HDMI cable. Naturally, I bought one.
So I hurried home with hopes of playing Reach and finally being able to see my compass. I pull into the yard, bolt into my room, grab my 360, then BAM! I notice that the HDMI port is not in plain sight. In fact, it isn't anywhere! A little worried, I jump online to look up where it might be located, and I see that is ought to be right next to my A/V port. Confused, I delve deeper, only to realize my worst fears: the HDMI port is only included in newer 360s, and in order to use and HDMI cable on an old console, you'd have to buy an adapter.
Well, I've had this console for a long time (it was made in 2006, to give you a point of reference) and it's seen its fair share of use and abuse. It works great still (I had RRoD once, sent it to MS, got it fixed and shipped for free because of warranty). Should I consider buying a new 360, or just buying an adapter?
I didn't buy the HDMI cable for a better picture, as I use the component cables and they work good enough; I bought it because I thought it would fix my screen cropping issue. I was able to fix it by changing to SD, but then the image got all blocky and choppy, and I guess it made me realize that I really enjoy HD. So I guess I do care about the picture, but I don't want better, I just want it to fit without sacrificing quality.
My main concern is money. I don't want to spend money on something I don't need. If I were to buy an adapter, would the 360 still gain the option to detect the best resolution? If not, then I need a new 360. But I don't want to replace the 360 if it will work the way I need it to for a lesser price. So what should I do? You guys are experts, and you don't work for MS, so I can think of nobody better to ask.
(Um, also, I already opened the package. Anybody know if Walmart will take it back? Prolly not, huh? ... ...)