Hi,

Does anyone know where I can get one of these in Sydney?

I've read they were withdrawn shortly after the XBOX came on to the market. Anyone know why?

I'd have thought with the increased sales of HDTV, these would be available again.

Could mail order one from outside Oz but would like to get one locally if I can.

enigmatic,

The reason why these were pulled off the Australian market is because the XBOX is not able to display HD formats while in PAL mode, for whatever reason. Although we know that a modded box can be converted to NTSC with a simple easy to find program, it is not a Microsoft supported method, ie. modded XBOX, therefore it can't be done according to Microsoft. This means that theoretically there is no reason to sell them here.
For this reason I don't think you will find them in any store here. Best bet is the net, maybe Ebay.

Microsoft disabled HD in PAL Xboxes because PAL HD wasn't standardised in time for the Xbox release. In an oversight, Microsoft sold the HD packs anyway, and then later offered to exchange the HD packs for a game or somesuch.

I also just bought a HDTV and will soon be buying one from www.lik-sang.com in Hong Kong.

www.burn.com.au also stocks these (I think)

Thanks for the replies. I think I will give www.burn.com.au a try. I found it at Blade (www.blade.cc) but they do COD.

According to the burn web site, the PAL XBOX will only do 480.

Cheers,

Chris

Yea M$ screwed up on it, but PAL boxes still can output YPbPr so I question why they withdrew it. They don't even officially distribute the RGB SCART cable, supposedly EB can import them (says M$) but EB have denied it.

Yes Burn sell them, but they have huge markups and they have had their problems. Either try your favourite American store, otherwise grab one from Hong Kong. LikSang & YesAsia are the bigger stores, otherwise try LanKwei, GameChoice, AI Trading, Divineo, HK Toys etc etc. if you want it as cheap as possible - you can still get it within a week.

However if you don't need the optical output and just the component video <annoying plug>we have a few 3rd party cables that could do the job at a much cheaper price</annoying plug>.

I bought one from Burn.com.au a month or so ago for $95ish. Pretty pricey compared to the internationalists, but shipping was quick.

pick up the HD pack for <AUD$50 inc air mail from -

dvdboxoffice.com

about 10 days.

Spoilt for choice now

Out of interest, how does the cable work with the XBOX? Does the XBOX recognise the cable and change the menu? I've seen screen shots on web site showing additional options within the video settings where you can set 480 etc.

In the PAL M$ dash nothing changes, but on the NTSC dash you'll get to enable & disable 480p, 720p & 1080i. Haven't tried this on the most recent dash, their may be more changes.

Similar to the DC, the Xbox video output uses a set of jumpers for a variable output on certain wires, hence why you can't get RGB & YPbPr & Y/C & CVBS all at once.

Sorry if I'm being dense on this, but does that mean I'll never be able to get 1080 (say with Enter The Matrix) with a PAL XBOX and the HDTV cable?

Correct, the PAL Xbox BIOS will only ever output an SD signal, but you can get a picture through a component cable, it's not 'incompatible'. Physically the console has no problems in outputting HD, it is simply the software. Even with the new ver2/xbox live dash, nothing has changed. I had been hoping that maybe they'd be able to upgrade it online, but chances are there's only a few of us who have PAL boxes wanting HD output.

If you have a modded PAL Xbox which is switched to NTSC (I only know the one modification well, so can't give specific instructions on how to switch it) then you'll be fine. So you either have to import a Xbox (unless you're a collector, it's not really worth it) or get your PAL box 'upgraded'. If you want more information about modding it, contact me privately since it's getting OT for this forum.

BTW, I'm not sure if PAL software is still coded to output HD on a NTSC machine, the only real HD game I own is Soul Calibur... since I'm no big fan of western games. Someone else can probably answer that.

So what I'd really need to do would be import an NTSC XBOX and get all NTSC games. Can't see the wife going for that one

The joy of tech

You don't need an NTSC Xbox since you can quite easily use the PAL version. Heres how:

1) Get a PAL Xbox

2) Get Xbox HDTV pack

3) Download a program called "Pal2NTSC". You can find this from megagames.com

3) Mod your Xbox

4) Using the Pal2NTSC program, change your Xbox over to NTSC

5) Go into Xbox dashboard display settings and make sure you mark 480p, 720p and 1080i (this will only come up if the Xbox HDTV pack is connected to it)

6) Voila!!! You can now play games in all formats (480p, 720p, and 1080i, provided the software supports it)

Hi Guys.

Just want to ask, what if we want to play PAL dvd's, will after switching to ntsc mode using the video switcher patch be progressive? Will it then be 480P? I am mainly interested in its dvd playback capability for progressive scan. As i understand its only 576i at the moment without its patched and in PAL mode for dvd's.

Cheers.
Kenn.

Guys,

I can speak from experiance here as I am running my Aus XBOX in HD right now.
Cyberpogo is absolutly correct. If you follow his instructions you will be able to play HD games in HD with the HD pack, as an NTSC XBOX.

I have quite a few different games and for whatever reason most of them all seem to work no matter whether the box is in NTSC or Pal mode. I have only come across maybe 2-3 games total out of about 80 that require the box to be in either PAL or NTSC but they were not HD games so it doesn't matter anyway.

I have pretty much all HD enabled games and I can confirm that it does work, it will output HD res to a HDTV once the box is converted and HD pack plugged in and configured.
I can also confirm though that if you are looking at this to play DVDs you will be disapointed. Once the XBOX is converted to NTSC, it will only play DVDs in 480i not 480p. The only way to get it to run in 480p, and I havn't tried this myself yet so I can't confirm if it works or looks any better, is to use DVD Region X 2. It is a dongle free, region free Xbox DVD player utility which will play all region DVDs without buying the Dongle, but controls can be via the control pad only. I am currently using this and it works well, but only at 480i, 480p is a little trickier. You can download a progressive patch for the DVD player software that will make the software play all DVDs at 480p instead. As I said I havn't tried it myself, but I have read that it works.
But that is the best you can get out of the XBOX in terms of watching movies, so your probably better just having it in PAL mode so you can watch movies at 576i.
I am not sure why they don't enable HD DVD playing. It must be some sort of licencing issue because technically I can't see why it couldn't.
Anyway, maybe in XBOX2, we hope...

Hope this all helps!!

Hi.

Thanks for the info. Hmm has anyone tried the dvd progressive scan playback part? If yes, i would like to kno wexactly how. I have dvdx2 but would like ot confirm with someone if it works:P Also does this mean i have to turn to NTSC first before i load dvdx2.

Cheers.
Kenn.

Cyberpogo,

I seem to be having a problem locating this PAL2NTSC utility. Can you post a link?

Thanks

Matt

Thanks for everyone's input. I've just spoken with friends in Canada and they are looking into getting the cable and posting it to me.

Cheers.

Chris

Hi Guys.

I have this particular TV:
http://www.panasonic.com.au/catalogue/deta...=CTVDIG&cat=1_1

Does my TV support the NTSC 480P standard?It says 576P for using a DVB set top box. I will try and playback dvds in progressive scan when i get that USA HDTV Pack. What res will my PAL dvds playback in? Will it be progressive? I am confused in this sense.

Cheers.
Kenn.

http://www.megagames.com/xbox/xbox_utils_files.shtml

It's called the Enigmah Video Mode Select.

So what you're saying is:

* If you're watching an NTSC dvd, then with Dvd Region X 2 with progressive hack, all is good, so long as you're happy using the joypad.

* If you're watching a PAL dvd, then you're best off not using the HD AV Kit.

Option 2 is no good for me, because I need Dolby Digital. I don't have the Advanced AV Kit and don't wanna pay for it! I guess that means I will have to watch PAL movies in 480p when I get my projector? This is still better than 576i isn't it? I don't have enough experience in this area as you can tell...

You guys might like to look at this:

http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/paulgun/xbox/video/

It's a game, not dvd, but shows how cool moving from composite to component 1080i can be.

I have a modded pal xbox with a 120GB Hard Drive and use the 'enigmah Videomode switch disc' program to change to NTSC.

I adjusted the hex values in the DVD program to output in HD (followed a tutorial, it was very simple). Simply put... it did not look even nearly as good as the normal output. Infact watching DVD's through S-Video looks much better than with the homegrown software in HD. I'm not sure why, and a little dissapointed about it.

There is a great program called xbox media player that i run on my modded box and the newest version supports American HD standards. My tv can handle this but it is very buggy at the moment.... a new release of the program (currently using Vs 2.4) will hopefully make it better.

So don't hold your breath when it comes to DVD in HD from your Xbox. Games look great and i agree with previous posts saying most games support HD, even the PAL versions; But remember they only support it in American Standards... so dont expect to mod your box, change it to NTSC to make it HD and then get a PAL HD output. IT WILL NOT WORK ON AUS STANDARDS. Most AUS tvs support 480p but look carefully at your specs in relation to 720p and 1080i, only NTSC is output from the xbox.

As a side note... i bought my HD pack from www.lik-sang.com and it works perfectly. It was also very promptly delivered and much cheaper than places like www.Burn.com.

That really sucks.

I finally got to look into the Xbox a bit more today, which I've put off for a while.

Basically the Xbox has 3 Regional Settings and 3 Video Settings ie. NTSC/PAL. So in theory you can have a NTSC box running PAL games wo/ a chip but we found some incompatibility trying this. There are several SD resolutions that the Xbox runs internally. On top of this when system is set to either of the two NTSC settings, HD options are giving in the public MSDASH program. I have considered looking into what the program actually edits, in theory we can switch it back to PAL and restore the HD settings. I'll post more later. There's some interesting little oddities I think I might be able to have a go at reprogramming. Of course it will still probably be 720p/1080i @ 60Hz so don't expect too much increased compatibility.


k3nnis, Pana TV's don't seem to support any HD resolution @ 60Hz, however since it supports VGA I can't be sure. Try emailing Pana support, and ask if it would support 480p @ 60Hz input via component, last time they were able to give me a straight answer which was similar. Now to everyone wanting prog.scan & HD DVD playback, I'm not too sure but my answer is always... "buy the proper equipment" when it comes to these things. :ph34r:

Hi.

Thanks i will give panasonic an email.

Cheers.
Kenn.

Finally got the cable today. I've plugged it in and have yet to play with it properly but from the 5 minutes I've used it so far, I'd say money well spent ;-)

Details details!

Well if you don't own one you can guess what you're missing. The main advantage I find with using component cables in general is it saves me switching the display to wide screen.

Slightly relevant I noticed when ordering spare parts recently that Nintendo Australia has reduced the GameCube's component cable by ~$10... must be the exchange rate. Of course PAL users get stuck with 576i on that console too... I dread to think what that's like

I bought one from these guys, and it took 3 weeks to arrive. So if you're in a hurry buy it elsewhere.

I heard some TVs can only do the 480p in NTSC mode. On my Palsonic, the difference between 576i50 and 480p60 is tremendous. The $50 is well worth it even if your TV can only do 480p.

One problem tho, is that with my Palsonic, it doesn't accept 480i on the HD inputs, and a few games only run in 480i/576i. So a bit of cable shuffling is required. Also, my TV wasn't able to display one game (Soul Calibre 2) in 720p60. Haven't tested any other games at 720p. I imagine these problems would apply to all Xoceco-made TVs, including the Rank and DEC units.

Sorry for the slow response - I've been offline as I changed ISP.

OK, I'm still playing with the cable and comparing before/after. For now I'll say I'm very impressed.

With the new cable, I would probably go back and play Halo and Splinter Cell from the start (both finished) as they look so much better. Other games look good - Colin McRae 3. Jury is still out on Star Wars KOTOR as this looks 'jaggy' and there seem to be a lot of white spaces creeping in but I've not spent a lot of time on it.

Can't comment on Matrix as the game won't play when set to NTSC mode. Will only play in PAL setting and doesn't look any better (perhaps worse?). Will post more at a later date.

FYI, I'm using a Sony KVHR36M31.

Xbox coming for Xmas.

Keen to connect this to HD component inputs on a Palsonic 76WSHD. Not overly concerned with DVD movies, PQ is great as is (and I don't have a PAL progressive DVD anyway). Interested in PQ for Xbox games.

To connect Xbox to HD component, understand I need to download pal2ntsc file...once downloaded on my PC, I guess I burn this to a CD and place disc in the Xbox? Presumably it does whatever it does automatically without input/intervention? Once this has updated the Xbox system can it be uninstalled and might it ever need to be? (Presumably I can 'clean up' the Xbox HDD and reinstall in need.)

Then I belive I need the Xbox HDTV pack? Is this necessary or can I simply use an Xbox to component connection? I note Monster are selling these (in DSE Powerhouse) for nearly $150...sticker on packaging highlights this as working for HDTV.

In summary, how do I load the pal2ntsc patch to teh XBOX and do I need the HD Pack or simply a component cable?

Thanks in advance
blairy

All you have to do is copy to the pal2ntsc utility to a cd-rw (xbox can't read cd-r).

The high definition pack is not necessary since any component cable will do. I'll be hesistant with the monster cable one though since it seems pretty expensive. a good alternative is this one here.

http://www.gizbiz.com.au/index3.asp?d=2&loc=

Hope you it helps

Cheers

Thanks cyberpogo

blairy

so do u need a mod chip to enable HD on your xbox or just the file on the CDRW

Yes a modchip is needed...I think. Actually that's a good question, a modchip is needed to play import games, but does anyone know whether or not it is possible to use the pal2ntsc utility on an unmodded xbox and then play PAL games (since they run in 480p)???

Dam heard from another person that yeah a mod chip is needed for that too

Based on the above seems like no mod chip should be necessary.

In standard form PAL xbox only does 480i thru the YPbPr. Of course this still gives you very nice picture but no where as good as 480p or even 720p/1080i from NTSC xbox.

One solution I was told is get one of non-solder mod chip in order to run Video Selector to change from PAL to NTSC of your PAL xbox and remove the mod chip. According to UK forum people were successfully using PAL Xbox with NTSC HDTV output on XLIVE without any problem since there's no mod chip to detect.

I will do this when I get the PAL xbox eventually - am using US xbox and had to buy the titles from US unless it's RE0 like Rainbow Six.

cheers

Hi Cyberpogo,

Have you tried using this cable? Do you know if they are any good?

Thanks,
Blend43

From the reading I have done, you must have a mod chip or a reflashed bios/TSOP in order to run software that isn't signed by Microsoft.

That means you cannot run the Video Select software to change to NTSC without it present. Whether you leave your Modchip/reflashed TSOP in place after you change to NTSC is up to you.. ie If you want to use Xbox Live.

And about that "any component cable will do" comment.. May I ask how you intend to connect this cable to your Xbox? It needs the proper proprietary Xbox connector, unless you plan to go composite out, then convert that to component.. That would defeat the purpose of trying to get component in the first place in terms of signal quality, and you'd also need some device to make the conversion for you.. Unless I'm missing something?

-Auldar

I agree with auldar on this one.
Without knowing what you are talking about and giving others false advise is really not nice.

Simple matter of fact is unless M$ authorize video selector you cannot run it whether you burn it into CD-RW or CD-R. Your standard xbox will refuse to run it.

also xbox use its own video connector to cater various type of video output. One you get with xbox is simple composite and you can get the Advance AV pack which gives S-Video with Dolby Digital. To use YPrPb you need M$ HD AV to get the component output. Sure you can use other brands but why do want to waste your money when M$ unit does its job.

cheers

Blend43, no I haven't tried using this cable, but I have used a cheaper version which I picked up for around $10 and it works, for 480p, 720p, and 1080i. I have read good things about this cable on the old dba forum.

Auldar: Any component cable for the Xbox will do the job. It does not have to be the microsoft certified one, although that will probably be better since it is specifically made for it. No conversion needs to take place, just plug the component cable in and off you go (provided that the PAL Xbox is modded, or you are using an NTSC Xbox). The video selector works on a modded PAL Xbox. I don't know if it works on an unmodded one hence my previous post.

Dj898: It is not nice to come on with a couple of posts and accuse someone of talking shite when you haven't got your facts right.

Any luck resolving this problem? I'm looking at one of these TV's but those points mentioned would make it a real pain in the backside

Does SC2 work in 480p mode?

Tried any other 720p or 1080i games? (Tony Hawks 4 is 720p I believe)

been on the forum from last year it's just that i forgot the password since I haven't accessed the forum - the old one - since July and just noticed it's moved to thew new one.

anyway I was referring to your below comment.

... The high definition pack is not necessary since any component cable will do. I'll be hesitant with the monster cable one though since it seems pretty expensive. a good alternative is this one here...

If you are referring to the component cable itself that came with M$ HD AV pack then yes you can use which ever you fancy but you still need the square module that plug into the back of xbox. This module has YPrPb sockets as well as the Dolby digital output.

i know you can get the component cable from other brands like Monster but why would you when the cheaper M$ HD AV pack works just as well. Maybe down the track get the high quality component cable to replace the cheap one M$ throw in the HD AV pack.

Original poster asked where to get HD AV pack so your comment above could be interpreted as bit vague since it doesn't say you need the HD AV pack module in first place.

Ionos:
This is common problem. For all its wisdom(?) M$ decided to lock xbox dashboard at 480i - probably since its DVD output is limited at 480i as well maybe not - so if your HDTV has separate component inputs for 480i and 480p/720p/1080i you are out of luck unfortunately. There is a hack that patch the dashboard to run it at 480p but obviously this is risky when you are running XLIVE.

SC2 at least in NTSC format supports 480p/720p and at 720p it looks gorgeous. There are other 720p titles coming to the market - Terminator 3 being one of 720p titles. Syberia, Matrix and Dragon's Lair 3D are three 1080i titles that I'm aware - in NTSC since I don't have PAL versions.

cheers

Thanks for clarifying on my behalf dj:



This is the point I was trying to make.. You get this connector in the HD AV pack unless I am mistaken.. How are you going to connect your Component cable to the Xbox without the module?

-Auldar

Is it possible to play PAL XBox games on a PAL XBox that has been modded to output NTSC? Or do you *have* to use NTSC games if you want to have the nice high def NTSC output?

Once again I can only go by what I have read - I have read that about 95% of games will work in either NTSC or PAL mode. This goes for both NTSC and PAL discs.

The other 5% must be run in it's native mode.

I think one thing to note though is that none of the PAL games support high res/HD output since they expected people playing PAL games to be limited to 480 anyway.. I hope I'm wrong on this though

Hope this helps,

-Auldar

As I understand it, most PAL games will run on a PAL Xbox modded to NTSC (exactly the same as a NTSC box, there's no difference), and will be able to use HD resolutions aswell if the game supports it. All Xbox games except for a handful of early release games support at a minimum 480p.