Anyone with PAL Soul Calibur 2 to test this theory?
If it's shown 4:3 screen in windscreen frame then it's in 720p.
If it's in widescreen then it's 480p only.

depends on the TV being used but at 720p it looks bl***y lovely on 42" panel.

Having US Soul Calibur 2 I cannot test it. :(

Other PAL titles to test are:
Dragons Lair 3D
Syberia - it it came out in PAL yet?

cheers

It's still a problem. The Palsonic also couldn't sync with Tony Hawk 4 @ 720p. I don't have any 1080i games. I have Enter The Matrix for PAL, but this refuses to run in NTSC mode.

Out of about 40 PAL games tested, Enter the Matrix is the only game that wouldn't run in NTSC mode. Out of those 40 or so games, only Kung Fu Chaos and Race Driver/V8 Supercars were limited to 480i.

Soul Calibre 2 works in 480p mode. Looks good, but not "breath taking" as I hear other people describe it in 720p mode.

I ran a patch to make the Microsoft dashboard run in 480p mode, and it's working well.

My temporary solution for the two non-HD games I have is to have both the HD AV pack and the Standard AV pack connected to the TV, and switch as neccessary on the XBOX side. The back of the Xbox is alot more accessible than the back of the TV, and it's a single plug instead of 5 RC connectors.

A longer-term solution would be this component video switcher that just so happens to have two outputs. It is then just a matter of pressing the remote's HDTV button to switch between SD and HD:

http://www.avtoolbox.com/avt-5842.htm

Hope this helps.

Paul

PaulInMelbourne, couple of quick questions I hope you can assist with...

To get HD games out of Xbox, can I just load a patch like pal2ntsc or do I need to also mod the box?
Where do I find the patch to run the dashboard in 480p mode? And does it work without the box being modded?

Thanks
blairy

Do a search. It's not that hard to find. :)

anyway to answer your question you NEED mod chip in order to run Video Selector which is unsigned by M$. After changed the video mode to NTSC you can remove the mod chip and use your PAL xbox in NTSC video mode.

for patching the dashboard to 480p again it's not hard to find. www.xbox-scene.com would be a good start... Whether you can run the modified dashboard without the modchip I'm not sure. maybe someone can help you on this one...

cheers

Doh, thanks mate.

I was really keen on this TV but not so sure if it can't do 720p from the Xbox.

I am not able to test this, but I am 99% sure that the video selector is unsigned and therefore would not work on an un-hacked Xbox.

Modifying the dashboard to run in 480p would not work on an un-hacked Xbox either, since the modification would invalidate the dashboard's signature.

Try www.xbins.org as a starting point for Xbox utilities.

The Xbox is region-locked, so even if you did manage to run the video selector, you might find that your un-hacked Xbox refuses to run PAL games while in NTSC mode. Sorry I can't test this either.

If you wanted to take your chances anyway, there is a way to run unsigned code on an un-modded Xbox. You need:
1. A copy of 007 Agent Under Fire, or Mech Assault.
2. An Xbox memory card.
3. A friend with a modded Xbox.
4. A bucket-load of time and patience.

Good luck.

Numbat had to use the Rank's XGA input to get 720p @ 50Hz to work:

http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtop...indpost&p=16392

The Rank and Palsonic are almost identical, both made by Xoceco. If the XGA input is more capable than the YPbPr input, then maybe 720p @ 60Hz might work through the Palsonic's XGA input.

BTW, the Palsonic can display the 720p @ 50Hz output by the DGTEC 5000i over YPbPr.

hI gUYS,

Just to clarify the issue for you as I have had a fair amount of experiance with getting HD outof the XBOX with displays such as the Palsonic and the Rank. Both TVs can only accept 720p @50Hz inputted via component video, and only the XGA input can accpt a 720p @60Hz signal which is what the XBOX outputs in HD mode.
This should not really turn you off these TVs, although I am fairly certain that with the SONY 86cm HDTV CRT this is not an issue, there are work arounds for the Palsonic/Rank Arena and they are much cheaper than the $5000+ price tag of the Sony. I don't know about you but I don't mind work arounds to save $3000+. Basically to get it to work at 720p you need to get some sort of adaptor. The one 'PaulinMelbourne' mentions is great if you already have the XBOX HD pack. Otherwise if you still don't have the XBOX HD pack, instead of having to try to find it (they are no longer available in Australia from general retailers) then find a suitable component to VGA adaptor, you can buy (which is what I did) an aftermarket XBOX HD VGA pack which is basically the HD pack for the xbox but instead of outputting from the XBOX in component video, it just goes straight to a VGA connector to plug straight into your XGA interface on your TV. 1080i/720p/480p all work great. Still the downfall is that these TVs via the HD inputs including the XGA input, do not accept 480i, also as mentioned by 'PaulinMelbourne'. I can also confirm that AFL2003 and I also think 2004 can both be added to the list of games that run in 480i only.
As there don't seem to be that many games that are affected, its not really that much of a hassle to me, but if I really want to play one of those games (which is rarely) I just have the standard AV pack plugged into the TV and just swap the connectors at the back of the XBOX, as explained by 'PaulinMelbourne', however with my XBOX HD VGA pack, I could not use the component splitter device he mentioned. The only device that may be of use in my type of setup would be an XBOX connector switch (if there is one available)
Overall I think its a small price to pay (changing cables on the rare occasions) to have such high quality game play from such affordable equipment.

I would also just like to confirm for people while I am at it as it seems to pop up on this topic quite a bit, yes you MUST have a modded XBOX if you have a PAL box, as you will need to change it into NTSC by using the Enigma NTSC<>PAL convertor software which you can download from the net with instructions. If you have an NTSC XBOX already then you will not need to mod the box or run any additional software. All you then have to do is connect your HD pack from the XBOX to the TV and you will find some new options in the XBOX dashboard for HD formats. Enable the formats your display can handle and put in a game that runs at the HD format you enabled. Presto, HD XBOX.

Hi MIchael.

I was wondering if you have tried progressive scan dvd using the xbox? I think you have to patch the ms dashboard or use dvdX2 patched as well? Is the picture quality of progressive scan dvd in 480P nice? Better than 576i? I am assuming using PAL dvds as the source. Will PAL dvds display 100% correct even when playing back in a XBOX in NTSC mode progressive scan?

Cheers.
Kenn.

OK.

I wouldnt recommend running PAL (50hz) DVD's on a XBox Via 480p or 480i NTSC video output. The XBox tends to run them a little jerky which really bothers me. NTSC movies are fine. That said the actual visual differance IMO is neglibable since our 576i image is awesome to begin with.. Thats for DVD movies only. As for games .. 480p is a world of hurt better than 576i (50 or 60hz).

Ok. Moving on. I have also been able to run my Xbox games in 480p on my PAL Xbox since a month after launch (18 months ago) here in Aus via a component cable (this was before xbox mod chips) and this was done by changing the jumper config inside the component cable end that plugs into the Xbox. Simple wiring mod that doesnt require any Xbox modification. But even though I still have this cable I no longer use it since if you do have a multi-region XBox then just changing your video epprom setting is a much easier option.

Anyway... .. have been playing Xbox progressive gaming since the US launch (have one of those units to) and I will never go back to interlaced console games

Plenty of inof in this thread, from myself and others, including a good progressive scan guide

Bringing up an old thread here.......

The HiDef packs are becoming hard to find. I have an order from Lik-Sang but they are on back order - no idea how long this will take. Ebay has lots of cheaps ones but I would prefer the original MS product.

Anyone seen or know where to get a MS HDTV AV pack at the moment ?

Cheers

I have the Xbox running in High Definition 720p or 1080i to my Hitachi Plasma. Games like FIFA & NBA Live look amazing...I only wish i had done this long ago.
To do this you need the component cables which are very easy to find..DSE or JB have them....They are not genuine Microsoft but they do the job perfectly. The cable has component, S-Video, Composite, Digital Coax Audio & Composite audio out.

Once connected to the Xbox use Enigmah video convert to convert your xbox to NTSC. Restart the Xbox, go to the MsDash settings & under video select 720p & 1080i.....also select widescreen....
Make sure your TV is capable of displaying these resolutions & enjoy because it looks awesome....

Ebay have them from time to time. I lost a few auctions they went for $40+

I just got back from holidays in QLD and got one up there from Domayne for $35 - the last one they had. Running component really cleans up the text in XBMC ive found.

No sure how to spell it either Joytek, Joytech or Joyteck make and excellent aftermarket HDAV Pack that has component as the Australian MS one only has S-Video.

The thing i don't know is if you need a moded xbox to do this....are you doing this on a moded xbox??

You will need a modded xbox ONLY if you want to run Xbox Media Centre.

If you only want to play games and play dvds you do not need it to be modded.

That makes sense, thanks for that....

Firstly you need the hidef Av pack u just can't go into a random store and find it because a).It wasnt released here and B ).The Australian version out of the box wont support Hd output in software.Secondly how do u get 1080i and 720p output from xbox?
I have had the enigmah program when i bought the xbox back in 2001 and i need to use the enigmah video switch (only once) program to convert it to ntsc so i can bring up the 480p option, but that is the only option the xbox has. How do u get 720p or 1080i out of it? U must have a special program that allows it because the original xbox didnt display/allow those resolutions and i have tried those cables on 3 different "modded" xbox's.
As for cables they r getting more and more rare, luckily i bought mine back then i got the hidef av pack with optical out, plus i bought an extra pair without optical which is just a direct cable to the tv(its actually better cables) i might have em lying around somewhere since i gave the xbox to my little brother he uses it on a standard tv.

I didn't say go to a random store....I mentioned DSE & JB.....it may be that not all there stores carry it, but they do have it because i just brought it 2 weeks ago from JB in highpoint.
What i mentioned before is exactly what you need to do.....I'm not using any special programs or anything other than what i had mentioned. Have you gone to the MS dashboard once you have converted the xbox to NTSC. Under the video setting there should be a selection for 720p & 1080i once the xbox is in NTSC mode....

Also what cables do you have??? try the ones i've mentioned...

I have the Xbox HD av pack which comes with component cables. what did u pick up 2 weeks ago? the HD av pack or just a set of component cables? The dashboard may have those options but i can guarantee that everything outputs @ 480p no matter what option u choose having the others doesnt make any difference and it doesnt even switch between modes for that matter! As long as u have 480p selected thats all that really counts because of the hardware limitations the xbox has it cannot output 720p or 1080i and it doesnt sport in an internal upscaler(like the 360) either.hence why i asked if u have a "special" program.

I brought the HD AV Pack....It does display 720p & 1080i because when i go through XBMC i can change settings between 720p & 1080i....The screen resolution changes accordingly...

I picked up the joytech HD av cable about 2 months ago from a HN - last one on the shelf
DSE still have it listed online here

The packaging had some sticker that said component output wasnt supported on Aus PAL xbox. but hooked it up and tried it on my unmodded xbox and it worked a treat. Component quality video and Dolby digital sound much better.

--

As far as I know Rokz0r that is not true, I agree with Shifta, Xbox1 will upscale and output to 1080i. I can set the res in XBMC and my Panny proj will recognise and id the signal as 720p or 1080i, the res is noticably better and consistent with the quality of a HD broadcast.

Thank you Tasty.....

sorry to bring up an old thread.

I have just got my hands on an Xbox HD Pack and want to do the NTSC convert, I have downloaded the file, but am having problems with running it on the xbox. I tried to burn the image to a dvd but it tells me that the disk type is not correct. Exactly what type of disk should i burn the downloaded iso to, cd or dvd, -r or -rw???

sorry to bring up an old thread.

I have just got my hands on an Xbox HD Pack and want to do the NTSC convert, I have downloaded the file, but am having problems with running it on the xbox. I tried to burn the image to a dvd but it tells me that the disk type is not correct. Exactly what type of disk should i burn the downloaded iso to, cd or dvd, -r or -rw???

and i presume you just put it in the drive and boot up the xbox???

doesnt matter, i managed to install it as an app and run it.

What are the optimum settings for xbox MC using the HD pack. I just watched a PAL disk and there seemed to be vertical lines in the picture, what do i need to fix that...cheers

Where did you buy your HD pack from?

In regards to the optimum picture, is your X-Box modded and are you using XBMC?

There are setting(s) in XBMC that might affect output of PAL material once the xbox is switched to NTSC - from memory one concerns frame rate conversion.

Try putting everything back to default settings, incluiding turning off anyhting that might affect the picture, e.g. post processing & filtering. Also make sure you've got the latest release of XBMC as they're improving it all the time.

Cheers,
BAC

Cheapest way to get one these days is Ebay (third party - original MS ones are almost impossible to find). Should be able to pick one up for under $30 including shipping.

I have the 'black box' version with component video, stereo RCA and optical audio out and it works fine.

Cheers,
BAC

I got the HD pack second hand

i found that the problem only occurs at 1080i, so am using 720p and is much better, but will upgrade XBMC soon