I've been playing with the XBox 360's HD-DVD player this week. I think it's a great, relatively affordable option to provide gaming, media streaming, SD DVD upscaling, and HD-DVD. I'm using the VGA cable at 1080P (which still has some separate issues).

However, instead of 1080P, I think most of the users here will want 1080i from the VGA cable.

1080i is currently not a resolution option when using the XBox 360's VGA cable.

Even if you plan on using a transcoder to get 1080i from the XBox 360, you could still benefit since standard DVDs are upscaled only when using the VGA cable (not when using component).

I submitted this enhancement request for 1080i from the VGA cable:

My sons and I have enjoyed our XBox 360 for several months. This week, I also purchased the HD-DVD drive and VGA cable. It works well, but it would work even better if 1080i was available as a resolution option.

1080i from the VGA cable would be an ideal resolution for those of us with CRT projectors. All CRT projectors (and CRT monitors) accept VGA connections, very few include component inputs.

As stated in your article:
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/accessories/20061003-hddvd.htm
"the 1080i input resolution is one you find on all HDTVs, and it is the most common HD broadcast format".

Since 1080i is the most common HD input format, I propose it would be a significant competitive enhancement if the XBox 360 could provide 1080i as an output on the VGA cable.

Probably 99% of your customers (and potential customers) have a display (even if it's just a computer monitor) that can accept 1080i VGA, even if they don't yet have an HDTV. A smaller percentage have a display device that can accept the current 1080i component or 1080P VGA outputs.

ENHANCEMENT REQUEST: Please add 1080i to the XBox 360 output choices when using the VGA accessory cable.

Please help by submitting a similar request:

http://support.xbox.com/eform.aspx?productKey=xboxhw&page=support_home_options_form_byemail&ct=eformts&locale=en-us
ENHANCEMENT REQUEST: Please add 1080i to the XBox 360 output choices when using the VGA accessory cable.
Thanks!

Done!

SC

Request submitted. Call me a follower but if Clarence is on board then so am I! :D

Done!

awesome, i requested that a few weeks ago but didn't realize any other people than me felt that way. i would love to get 1080i rocking on my xg 110. thx for starting this thread clarence.

It's my understanding that many if not most crt monitors won't sync at 1080i on vga. None of mine do, though of course all my crt pj's will.
That would be a very valid reason not to have offered it in the first place.

Am I wrong? I don't know about flat panels and most of my monitors are several years old.

Troy

I asked for 1080i59.94 and 1080i95.904 Hz.

My Iiyama CRT monitor has no problems with any interlaced resolutions.

I'm in. I would love to compare Xbox scaling verse my Extron DDS-402 scaling the Xbox 1080i to 1080p.

Andre

It's my understanding that many if not most crt monitors won't sync at 1080i on vga. None of mine do, though of course all my crt pj's will.
That would be a very valid reason not to have offered it in the first place.

Am I wrong? I don't know about flat panels and most of my monitors are several years old.

TroyI just tried it on 3 monitors here... a small flat panel and my boys' old 15" and 17" CRT monitors. They all displayed 1080i fine.

And I set the X360 to 1080i component and ran it through a cheap vdigi transcoder to get 1080i VGA... again they worked 3 for 3.

They're not widescreen devices so the AR was off, but they sync'ed and otherwise looked fine.


But I think you're right... 1080i on any computer monitor is probably not as assured as I'd thought...Can the X2VGA 2 work with LCD monitors?
Due to 480p, 720p, and 1080i display modes are not the common working modes for computers, whether LCD monitors can function normally, really depend on their circuits, and the supports they provide to these modes. According to the testing results, we conclude that almost all LCD monitors can function normally in 480p and 720p modes; also, the newer or larger LCD monitors have a higher possibility to work in 1080i mode correctly-should attribute to their better drive circuits. The possibility to work in 1080i mode reaches 85% among the 17" or above LCD monitors, especially for those manufactured in recent two years.Microsoft might've decided to avoid any incompatibility problems with the HD-DVD player release, and especially so close to the PS3 release date, by not offering 1080i. But it still won't hurt to ask for it for the next update.

Does anyone know if the PS3 will have VGA out or just HDMI?

Clarence, I don't think there is VGA on the PS3. This is from the specifications:

AV Output
Screen size: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
HDMI: HDMI out x 2
Analog: AV MULTI OUT x 1
Digital audio: DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL) x 1

I assume that "AV Multi OUT x 1" is just a composite connection but I'm not sure.

Edit: From the looks of this picture it looks like it will accept a dongle of some sorts which whill probably have the option for a component, composite, S-video and maybe VGA cord set.

http://www.ps3land.com/images/ps3galleryleipzig06/Img3750.jpg

PS3 does not support a VGA output.

Great idea re group request. If this request ends up being granted then we should ask for 71.928Hz!

I assume that "AV Multi OUT x 1" is just a composite connection but I'm not sure.


http://www.us.playstation.com/PS2/Accessories/SCPH-10100U
Should be compatible with PS3.

Step 2 of the long run-around...
Thank you for writing Xbox Customer Support!

This e-mail acknowledges our receipt of your message to Xbox Customer Care. We appreciate you taking the time to write us with your concerns and value you as an Xbox customer.

It is advised that you call the Xbox Customer Support number

United States and Canada 1-800-4MY-XBOX (1-800-469-9269).
International direct dial to US: 425-635-7180

For further assistance, please don't hesitate to write back or call Xbox Phone Support at 1-800-4MYXBOX (1-800-469-9269) at your earliest convenience, and we will be happy to help you. We are open everyday from 9am to 1am EST/ 6am to 10pm PST.

Sincerely,
Dirk
Xbox Customer Care TeamI'll call tonight after I put my kids to bed.

Request submitted.

- Tim

"Thank you for calling XBox. We are currently experiencing longer than normal wait times..."

"Joe" is surprised that the VGA cable doesn't offer 1080i...

He's checking to see if there is a process for submitting enhancement requests.

I'm disappointed in the process so far...

They seemed primarily concerned with collecting my console serial number and personal information... name, address, phone number, email, SSN, blood type, shoe size...

Then they gave me a reference number.

And they told me to sign up on the xbox forum at http://majornelson.com and Joe says "I've never been to that site, but maybe there's some way to submit the 1080i request there" :rolleyes:

It was interesting listening to the 6 other support reps in the background... universal remote, 1080p problems, "that's expected to be addressed in the next update"...

Looks like the xbox 360 drive will install on a pc, if it is powerful enough

Major Nelson is pretty much a direct line in to bypass the usual porcesses *if* you can get him to notice the post. So if everyone here posts there is a fair chance of getting it noticed.
He also attends major xbox events so if he comes your way slip him a note.

I submitted also and mentioned 24/48/72hz playback as well..

did it also.

Major Nelson is pretty much a direct line in to bypass the usual porcesses *if* you can get him to notice the post. So if everyone here posts there is a fair chance of getting it noticed.
He also attends major xbox events so if he comes your way slip him a note.

huh..... so it seems...



About Xbox Live's Major Nelson

Major Nelson is the Xbox Live gamertag of Larry Hryb. I work at Microsoft under the title of ‘Xbox Live Director of Programming’ in the Xbox Live product group and use this blog as a method to communicate to anyone interested in Xbox and Xbox Live.

Did it also
Don

Got a e-mail back talking about the HDMI instead of HD DVD VGA. Said it does HD component already for gaming.

Thank you for writing Xbox Customer Support!

I do apologize for the inconvenience. I understand that you have some question on how the Xbox 360 console does not support an HDMI high-definition AV connector.

The Xbox 360 supports HD component video output. HD component video is compatible with most HD-ready TVs that are available today. The Xbox 360 console is designed for the HD market that exists when Xbox 360 is released. We will include HDMI high definition AV connector if and when it makes sense. You do not need HDMI for HD gaming.

For further assistance, please don't hesitate to write back or call Xbox Phone Support at 1-800-4MYXBOX (1-800-469-9269) at your earliest convenience, and we will be happy to help you. We are open everyday from 9am to 1am EST/ 6am to 10pm PST.

Not a thing about what I asked about HD DVD VGA 1080I and requested this plainly. Doug

Posted on majornelson.com: Dunno what it does as yet...

_____________________________________________________
If you have an Xbox 360 HD DVD player, you’ll be prompted for an auto update the next time you watch an HD DVD movie. This update has no new features in it, but contains title specific movie playback improvements and few fixes to some localized text (and I’d imagine a few more lines of code )

If you don’t have access to Xbox Live, you can download the free update from Xbox.com.

thanks to a sig I signed away :D

Done, including other options like SD and HD on RGB cable with separate H and V sync including 24/48/72HZ for HD and 576i, 576p at 50/60Hz for SD so people with older SD only projectors can use the RGB inputs (like my mate who has a VPH-600QM and an Xbox 360) and I specified that it is not for HDMI output as that is for LCD/DLP and we want it for CRT projectors.

Done. MS should be embarrassed we had to ask for this.

Thank you for writing Xbox Customer Support!
I do apologize for the inconvenience. I understand that you have some question on how the Xbox 360 console does not support an HDMI high-definition AV connector. Here Doug, let me sum it all up for you
[I]we're sorry but our web-site does not support anyone with a Brain. If you are a mindless consumer we will be more than happy to provide you with endless canned answers directly from the instruction manual :D
I have a question, a friend of mine told me last night that you have to pay an additional $300. to watch HD-DVD movies on X-box? Is this true, sorry if this has been covered/old news for veteran X-boxers. :o

I have a question, a friend of mine told me last night that you have to pay an additional $300. to watch HD-DVD movies on X-box? Is this true, sorry if this has been covered/old news for veteran X-boxers. :oIt isn't available with the standard XBox, but for the XBox 360 the HDDVD add-on is $199 (available for as low as $150 using the CC coupon, etc). That $199 MSRP list price includes the King Kong HDDVD and the remote.

I'm not sure why your friend would say $300, unless he's paying list price plus over $100 for shipping.

Guys!

We had no problem coming out 1080i component, have you tried that?

http://i17.tinypic.com/34zy3di.jpg

Tim,

1080i component has always worked fine.
But it doesn't display upscaled SD DVDs.

Plus, most CRT users could use 1080i from VGA (analog) directly, whereas the component cables require a transcoder or video processor.

I would be surprised as hell if toshiba actually addressed this. The market is aimed at gamers, have you guys looked at any of those forums. Most of those kids are running S-video. There was a thread dedicated to which s-video cable was better ? :rolleyes:
I once e-mailed ATI about adding 1440 x 960 as standard rez. to their Radeon drivers. Oddly enough, they released it with the next patch but they were in a war with Nvidia at the time. since PS3 doesn't even have a VGA port the incentive here is not that high. :(

Personally I am happy as hell that I now have 1080p from the VGA. I would rather have 1080p than 1080i from the VGA but what the hell if you don't ask you may not receive.

It is alot easier(and cheaper) to transcode from the Component output to go 1080i to VGA than it is to try to upscale DVD's to 1080p not to mention the whole video streaming thing which I haven't yet got into.

I do understand though that it would probably be easy as hell for MS write a little code so that the machine will output 1080i.

For anyone on 1080i having DVDs upscaled is handy, and there is no real reason for them not to support 1080i via the VGA cable.

I'm assuming there has been no change about this topic?

I have the xbox 360 + HD-DVD; was using the VGA cable to feed my ECP3500 but the colours looked washed out - really bad. Apparently the voltage vs video level is different (squashed) with VGA. Instead I bought Petr's transcoder and switched to the Component video out... Way Better. Just traded the ECP in on a NEC 135 XG LC so will for sure be checking the VGA again , seeing as how this is the only way to get 1080p out of the 360 :-) . cheers, ..Dave

I have the xbox 360 + HD-DVD; was using the VGA cable to feed my ECP3500 but the colours looked washed out - really bad. Apparently the voltage vs video level is different (squashed) with VGA. Instead I bought Petr's transcoder and switched to the Component video out... Way Better. Just traded the ECP in on a NEC 135 XG LC so will for sure be checking the VGA again , seeing as how this is the only way to get 1080p out of the 360 :-) . cheers, ..Dave

Did you try lowering the brightness? That will often fix the "washed out" colors. The spring update, which is due in a few days, may allow you to output standard PC levels anyway.

Has this problem been corrected with any of the updates yet?

I just ordered the HD DVD addon for 360 from amazon and plan to hook it up though VGA. I have a 27" lcd Norcent that is fairly decent. Anyone still experiencing "washed" out colors?