output quality from xbox conexant pal
Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2004 10:25 am
Hi,
Just a question to see if my understanding of the output limitations on the xbox are right! I've read through any and all faqs and threads on this, but there seems a degree of conflict between peoples opinions.
Basically, I've got what I believe to be a 1.3 xbox running Gentoox. I'm using a VGA monitor with this via an XGA converter kit, and as I'm sure you've all guessed, the output quality isn't very impressive!
So, what can be done to improve this? I gather than MS has kindly limited the output quality by disabling a few sync signals on the o/p so that whilst it looks ok on tv or projector, it looks poor on a VGA setup. It also seems that people with US/NTSC versions of the box don't have this trouble as the sync signals are still there and with the X2VGA kit they kit crystal output.
I've noticed that if I use vnc to the box then I get a crystal clear picture, so clearly the internal signals are all fine, its just massacred at the o/p stage, or my VGA/XGA converter setup is wrong/poor. I've seen a couple of HOWTO's about this, some even go so far as to guide how to do some internal soldering to the board to access the sync signals. I'm not too keen to have to do this, but if its the only way...
I've played around with resolution and timings settings, but none of that makes any difference, as I guess what I've read about the output stage being reduced in quality is true..
So, any suggestions? I looked at a piece of software that was said to convert the box from PAL to NTSC but I don't see how this can improve things if there is a physical cut down in quality, though I suppose it could be software controlled.
Thanks for any ideas.
Just a question to see if my understanding of the output limitations on the xbox are right! I've read through any and all faqs and threads on this, but there seems a degree of conflict between peoples opinions.
Basically, I've got what I believe to be a 1.3 xbox running Gentoox. I'm using a VGA monitor with this via an XGA converter kit, and as I'm sure you've all guessed, the output quality isn't very impressive!
So, what can be done to improve this? I gather than MS has kindly limited the output quality by disabling a few sync signals on the o/p so that whilst it looks ok on tv or projector, it looks poor on a VGA setup. It also seems that people with US/NTSC versions of the box don't have this trouble as the sync signals are still there and with the X2VGA kit they kit crystal output.
I've noticed that if I use vnc to the box then I get a crystal clear picture, so clearly the internal signals are all fine, its just massacred at the o/p stage, or my VGA/XGA converter setup is wrong/poor. I've seen a couple of HOWTO's about this, some even go so far as to guide how to do some internal soldering to the board to access the sync signals. I'm not too keen to have to do this, but if its the only way...
I've played around with resolution and timings settings, but none of that makes any difference, as I guess what I've read about the output stage being reduced in quality is true..
So, any suggestions? I looked at a piece of software that was said to convert the box from PAL to NTSC but I don't see how this can improve things if there is a physical cut down in quality, though I suppose it could be software controlled.
Thanks for any ideas.