T
thebigkung
Guest
Hi all,
There seems to be a lot of threads/articles covering this topic but as none have been made sticky or are easy to read I decided to write a guide summarising the things, ifs and buts to setting up Hi def from an XBOX from my own experience and others on the forum. I hope you find it useful.
The Xbox is built to cater for the different TV and video requirements that are used in different regions of the world.
In the UK we use PAL (Phase Alternating Line). In the USA/Japan they use NTSC (National Television System Committee)
In its USA/Japan configuration the Xbox can take advantage of the HDTV (High Definition TeleVision) options that were becoming available to TV broadcasters in the USA at the time of its manufacture. As Europe had no agreed standards for HDTV, Microsoft only catered for the current PAL low res standard.
As more and more manufactures are building in global compatibility into their VDUs (TVs, plasmas etc) we are no-longer restricted to using the PAL output of the Xbox. We can switch it to the USA/Japan configuration to get at the Hi Definition options.
Here are the requirements:
1.
A European/UK (PAL) Xbox that has been Hardware modded.
This means an Xbox that has been sourced in the UK that has then had a hardware modification (usually by way of a micro chip being added to the circuit board) to enable Xbox games from other sources, e.g., USA and Japan (and others!) to run on the system.
or
A European/UK (PAL) Xbox that has had a Software hack applied to it.
This means an Xbox that has been sourced in the UK that has then gone through a few steps that lets you exploit a loophole in the Xbox programming to allow you to bypass the region checking part of the code and also allow you to run and install non certified software.
[Instructions can be found here http://www.sbeyer.netfirms.com/gouki/part1.html
or
A USA/(JAP) (NTSC) Xbox that has had the power supply adapted to run at UK voltage. This Xbox will run USA/(JAP) Xbox games only.
2.
A CD/software that will change the video output from PAL to NTSC (Enigma video switcher). This is sourced from the web.
3.
A set of Xbox Hi Def component leads
Usually Microsofts own Hi def Pack available from
www.lik-sang.com
www.dvdboxoffice.com
www.mx2.co.uk
This lead connects to the Xbox and gives you component out connections, Stereo Phono audio out or, with an additional lead full optical Audio out enabling signals to 5.1surrond sound.
Although I have head others use the Gamester hi-def pack, but have heard that the picture quality is not as good (ghosting) when using the component output at the higher resolutions.
NOTE: the is not a UK Hi Def pack from Microsoft. You have to get e US or JAP sourced product.
4.
A VDU that will sync to the different output signals.
(I do not cover the compatibility of different monitors, plasmas, projectors and TVs as it is out of scope of this document.
Here is what you have to do.
a. Switch your Xbox signal output from PAL to NTSC (if needed)
b. Power on the Xbox without a cd/dvd (this will get you to the Dashboard, the green screens!)
c. Enter the date and time if needed, go to settings and video. Choose the type of screen you have, eg 4:3 or letterbox or widescreen and set the resolution 480p, 720p, 1080i to the desired settings. NOTE: unless you have a High Def lead attached, you will not get the resolution options.
Please let me know if you think anything needs to be adding or amending that will enhance this document. Thank you.
Small print!
This information is supplied without malice or warranty and I or others mentioned takes no responsibility for any actions resulting. There is no guarantee of accuracy of this information. Use at own risk.
Regards,
thebigkung
There seems to be a lot of threads/articles covering this topic but as none have been made sticky or are easy to read I decided to write a guide summarising the things, ifs and buts to setting up Hi def from an XBOX from my own experience and others on the forum. I hope you find it useful.
The Xbox is built to cater for the different TV and video requirements that are used in different regions of the world.
In the UK we use PAL (Phase Alternating Line). In the USA/Japan they use NTSC (National Television System Committee)
In its USA/Japan configuration the Xbox can take advantage of the HDTV (High Definition TeleVision) options that were becoming available to TV broadcasters in the USA at the time of its manufacture. As Europe had no agreed standards for HDTV, Microsoft only catered for the current PAL low res standard.
As more and more manufactures are building in global compatibility into their VDUs (TVs, plasmas etc) we are no-longer restricted to using the PAL output of the Xbox. We can switch it to the USA/Japan configuration to get at the Hi Definition options.
Here are the requirements:
1.
A European/UK (PAL) Xbox that has been Hardware modded.
This means an Xbox that has been sourced in the UK that has then had a hardware modification (usually by way of a micro chip being added to the circuit board) to enable Xbox games from other sources, e.g., USA and Japan (and others!) to run on the system.
or
A European/UK (PAL) Xbox that has had a Software hack applied to it.
This means an Xbox that has been sourced in the UK that has then gone through a few steps that lets you exploit a loophole in the Xbox programming to allow you to bypass the region checking part of the code and also allow you to run and install non certified software.
[Instructions can be found here http://www.sbeyer.netfirms.com/gouki/part1.html
or
A USA/(JAP) (NTSC) Xbox that has had the power supply adapted to run at UK voltage. This Xbox will run USA/(JAP) Xbox games only.
2.
A CD/software that will change the video output from PAL to NTSC (Enigma video switcher). This is sourced from the web.
3.
A set of Xbox Hi Def component leads
Usually Microsofts own Hi def Pack available from
www.lik-sang.com
www.dvdboxoffice.com
www.mx2.co.uk
This lead connects to the Xbox and gives you component out connections, Stereo Phono audio out or, with an additional lead full optical Audio out enabling signals to 5.1surrond sound.
Although I have head others use the Gamester hi-def pack, but have heard that the picture quality is not as good (ghosting) when using the component output at the higher resolutions.
NOTE: the is not a UK Hi Def pack from Microsoft. You have to get e US or JAP sourced product.
4.
A VDU that will sync to the different output signals.
(I do not cover the compatibility of different monitors, plasmas, projectors and TVs as it is out of scope of this document.
Here is what you have to do.
a. Switch your Xbox signal output from PAL to NTSC (if needed)
b. Power on the Xbox without a cd/dvd (this will get you to the Dashboard, the green screens!)
c. Enter the date and time if needed, go to settings and video. Choose the type of screen you have, eg 4:3 or letterbox or widescreen and set the resolution 480p, 720p, 1080i to the desired settings. NOTE: unless you have a High Def lead attached, you will not get the resolution options.
Please let me know if you think anything needs to be adding or amending that will enhance this document. Thank you.
Small print!
This information is supplied without malice or warranty and I or others mentioned takes no responsibility for any actions resulting. There is no guarantee of accuracy of this information. Use at own risk.
Regards,
thebigkung