Help a n00b - Xbox 360 Questions

danza

danza

danza

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Hey all,

Just got an Xbox 360 for my birthday, and I have a few queries.

My first issue is with video settings. I have updated via XBL, and have chosen the correct res for my Samsung SM223BW (1680x1050). The monitor is connected via HDMI to its DVI socket. The first issue is that it outputs at 50Hz (not supported by my monotor) - is there a way to change this to 60Hz, as it makes games look terribly stuttery as it is?

Also (and this is quite annoying) - As I'm connected via HDMI to my monitor I can't wire up the 360 via RCA to my headphone amp. This is because the 360 component lead won't fit the console when the HDMI lead is connected. I can't use component video with the monitor as there are no inputs to facilitate this. What can I do to sort this out (i.e. what can I buy)? Is there something that I can buy that will adapt the HDMI audio to RCA (or component to DVI/VGA) and allow DVI connection to the monitor? Gaming with no sound isn't much fun!

Cheers!
 
Last edited:
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17501761
CO-071-MS_400.jpg



You are using the Xbox 360 VGA HD AV Cable like the above pic ?

I thought hdmi was for lcd/plasma tv screens only as I think they are 50hz But I'm not certain ? pretty sure you need 1920-1080 res for real HD ?

I am not sure xbox even supports 1680-1050

I am about to get an xbox too that 50hz thing you have mentioned has concerned me

From the official help thread above

So the types of HDTV are: 480i, 480p, 720i, 720p, 1080i and 1080p.

480 usually is of 640x480 pixels, a 4:3 ratio. 480i is classed as a standard definition television signal. 480p is known as an enhanced definition television signal.

720i and 720p both use a 16:9 widescreen resolution of 1280x720 pixels and 1080 is a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels.

The Xbox 360 supports output in resolutions of 480p, 720p, 1080i and 1080p. 1080p can be output by both the VGA and component cables, but you can only watch HD-DVD movies in 1080p via the VGA cable. Component you'll still get 1080p upscaled games, but will not allow you to watch HD-DVD movies in it.
Click to expand...
: What resolutions does the Xbox 360 output via the VGA lead?

A: It appears the Xbox 360 outputs the following 4:3 and 16:9 resolutions:

* 640x480 (4:3)
* 848x480 (16:9)
* 1024x768 (4:3)
* 1280x720 (16:9)
* 1280x768 (16:10)
* 1280x1024 (5:4)
* 1360x768 (16:9)
* 1920x1080 (16:9)
Click to expand...



So from my understanding the most you can use is 1360x768 on a tft only capable of 1680-1050

from elsewhere on the net is the following guide
Standard definition TVs
If you connect your Xbox 360 console to a standard definition TV, follow these steps to set the Xbox 360 display settings to PAL 60 Hz:

1. Turn on the Xbox 360 console.
2. In the Xbox Dashboard, select System, and then press the A button.
3. Select Console Settings, and then press the A button.
4. Select Display, and then press the A button.
5. Select PAL settings, and then press the A button.
6. Select PAL-60, and then press the A button.
7. When you are prompted to keep these new settings, confirm the settings, and then press the A button.

Note Some older TVs do not support PAL 60 Hz. If you do not know whether your TV supports PAL 60 Hz, contact the manufacturer of your TV or see the owner's manual.
Back to the top
High definition TVs
If you connect you Xbox 360 console to a high definition TV set, follow these steps to set the Xbox 360 display settings to PAL 60 Hz:

1. Turn off the Xbox 360 console.
2. Find the HDTV switch on the AV Connector, and then set the switch to TV.
3. Turn on the Xbox 360 console.
4. In the Xbox Dashboard, select System, and then press the A button.
5. Select Console Settings, and then press the A button.
6. Select Display, and then press the A button.
7. Select PAL settings, and then press the A button.
8. Select PAL-60, and then press the A button.
9. When you are prompted to keep these new settings, confirm the settings, and then press the A button.
10. Turn off the Xbox 360 console.
11. Set the HDTV switch on the AV Connector to HDTV.

Note TVs must support PAL 60 Hz to support high definition gaming with the Xbox 360.
Back to the top
VGA cables
If you use VGA cables to connect your TV to your Xbox 360 console, you must use an Xbox 360 Composite AV Cable or an Xbox 360 Component HD AV Cable to make the display setting change to PAL 60 Hz. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Switch from the VGA cable to an Xbox 360 Composite AV Cable or an Xbox 360 Component HD AV Cable. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Turn off the Xbox 360 console.
2. Remove the VGA cable that connects the TV and the Xbox 360 console.
3. Reconnect the TV to the Xbox 360 console by using the Xbox 360 Composite AV Cable or the Xbox 360 Component HD AV Cable that came with your Xbox 360 system.
4. If you use the Xbox 360 Component HD AV Cable, make sure that you set the HDTV switch on the AV connector to TV.
2. Configure the console to use PAL 60 Hz. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Turn on the Xbox 360 console.
2. In the Xbox Dashboard, select System, and then press the A button.
3. Select Console Settings, and then press the A button.
4. Select Display, and then press the A button.
5. Select PAL settings, and then press the A button.
6. Select PAL-60, and then press the A button.
7. When you are prompted to keep these new settings, confirm the settings, and then press the A button.
3. Connect the VGA cable again to play the game. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Turn off the Xbox 360 console.
2. Reconnect the TV to the Xbox 360 console by using the VGA cable.
3. Turn on the Xbox 360 console.

Here are some games that support PAL 60 Hz:

* The Outfit
* Elder Scrolls Oblivion
* NBA 2K6
* NHL 2K6
* Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter
* Top Spin 2
* Dead or Alive 4 (DOA4)
Click to expand...

Sorry to confuse things even further but hopefully someone can weigh in here and clear this up !
 
Last edited:
danza said:
Hey all,

Just got an Xbox 360 for my birthday, and I have a few queries.

My first issue is with video settings. I have updated via XBL, and have chosen the correct res for my Samsung SM223BW (1680x1050). The monitor is connected via HDMI to its DVI socket. The first issue is that it outputs at 50Hz (not supported by my monotor) - is there a way to change this to 60Hz, as it makes games look terribly stuttery as it is?

Also (and this is quite annoying) - As I'm connected via HDMI to my monitor I can't wire up the 360 via RCA to my headphone amp. This is because the 360 component lead won't fit the console when the HDMI lead is connected. I can't use component video with the monitor as there are no inputs to facilitate this. What can I do to sort this out (i.e. what can I buy)? Is there something that I can buy that will adapt the HDMI audio to RCA (or component to DVI/VGA) and allow DVI connection to the monitor? Gaming with no sound isn't much fun!

Cheers!
Click to expand...

Did it come with a component/composite cable? If so plug it into the TV and you can change from 50hz -> 60hz there.

The best bet for using the 360 with the monitor is the Official Microsoft VGA Cable. Will plug straight into your monitor and provide phono sound (red/white plugs).

Failing that (and if you enjoy your bodge solution :p) you can buy a connector pack that has a slimmer component plug with audio output options on. Or you could break your existing cables shell off ;)
 
Psymonkee said:
Did it come with a component/composite cable? If so plug it into the TV and you can change from 50hz -> 60hz there.

The best bet for using the 360 with the monitor is the Official Microsoft VGA Cable. Will plug straight into your monitor and provide phono sound (red/white plugs).

Failing that (and if you enjoy your bodge solution :p) you can buy a connector pack that has a slimmer component plug with audio output options on. Or you could break your existing cables shell off ;)
Click to expand...

Yup, just bought one of those VGA lead beasties this afternoon. I'll give it a go now and hopefully that's me sorted.:)
 
HDMI to DVI is fine I use this myself and looks bit better then vga also for audio you can do two things

1. buy the audio dongle
2. the component lead that came with your 360 has a chunky end you can separate the plastic on that so hdmi and that will fit
 
danza said:
Hey all,

Also (and this is quite annoying) - As I'm connected via HDMI to my monitor I can't wire up the 360 via RCA to my headphone amp. This is because the 360 component lead won't fit the console when the HDMI lead is connected. I can't use component video with the monitor as there are no inputs to facilitate this. What can I do to sort this out (i.e. what can I buy)? Is there something that I can buy that will adapt the HDMI audio to RCA (or component to DVI/VGA) and allow DVI connection to the monitor? Gaming with no sound isn't much fun!

Cheers!
Click to expand...

Not sure what's included in the 360 packages at recent, but I know when I got my Elite I got a Audio dongle that allows you to run Optical or RCA, to an external source, for when you are using HDMI. This plugs in to the port where the Component cable would usually go. Fits no problem along with the HDMI cable.
 
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