Let the hive mind of Engadget get that for you.
"I've found myself using my PC for a lot of conversations lately, and I'm also considering recording a podcast to share with anyone who will listen. There are tons of USB headset / microphones out there, and I'm hoping someone has some solid recommendations based on experience. I'll consider both headsets and standalone mics, by the way, but I'd like to keep the bill under $100 if possible. Help!"
I've read from several sources that HDMI is really no improvement over component on the 360, picture-wise.
This is not true, HDMI is crisper picture over the smoothed out (a tiny tiny bit fuzzy to some) Component picture. I owned a pre-HDMI 360 & an Elite and I tested them out more than once with others around to give me input and all agree it was as I saw it.