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View Full Version : Odd Xbox 360/HD-DVD video issue

KnightFire
12-01-06, 03:51 PM
I have an odd problem when I use my Xbox 360/HD-DVD drive on my 57" rear projection Sony, Model Number KP-57HW40.

I can see some type of line (scan line? I have no idea what to call it) progress from left to right, it's lighter than the rest of the screen, however it is not accompanied by any other issues, such as bluriness, discoloration, etc.

This ONLY happens when I use the XBox 360, my DVDs, HD tuner and normal TV all look outstanding...so I don't believe it to be my setting or the the TV itself. I am using component cables for my system.

If anyone could point me in the direction of:

A. understanding just what the hell it is I'm seeing
B. resolving the issue I'm seeing

I'd be very appreciative!
KnightFire
12-01-06, 09:37 PM
Anyone? Lil' Help?
Dahlsim
12-01-06, 10:26 PM
On all hd-dvd movies? I'd try

a) Changing the cable on the 360

b) Changing the input I run the 360 thru.

c) Trying the 360/hd-dvd on another display

Just rule out some possible issues.
KnightFire
12-02-06, 04:36 AM
On all hd-dvd movies? I'd try

a) Changing the cable on the 360

b) Changing the input I run the 360 thru.

c) Trying the 360/hd-dvd on another display

Just rule out some possible issues.

Thanks for the tips, but:

a. Would a component cable cause a scan line to appear, if it were video fiber I'd agree with this, but it's analog component...???

b. Isn't the source in the 360/HD-DVD the input? This occurs with any media the 360 uses, be it a game or a HD-DVD.

c. I don't believe the TV is the issue, it displays all other sources of media in perfect form.

Also, it doesn't matter if the media (game or HD-DVD) is paused or playing, or if I'm using the system blades without actually playing any media, you can see this 'line' scan through ALL the time...

Thanks!
Dahlsim
12-02-06, 01:20 PM
does it happen w/o the addon attached? did you try connecting to another input on your TV, even if it's not HD, just to verify it's not on that input.

I'd still put my 360/addon on a different display, at a friends or anywhere so I can isolate for sure if it's a 360 problem or a combination of source and display.
Innerloop
12-02-06, 02:44 PM
This sounds like RF interference on your cable runs. Some 60Hz power RF signal is bleeding into your video run. Try moving your video cable(s) and make sure they are good-quality shielded cables. If moving the cables around causes the line to change in any way (more/less visible) then that's what it is.
KnightFire
12-02-06, 05:29 PM
I only purchase quality cables, with saying that, I was thinking the same thing, bought brand new high quality component cables today, replaced the microsoft HD cables I had originally purchased...no difference. The line continues to pass through the image...it makes sense this is some type of bleed, the line is on some cycle, it's even, steady, always moving left to right at a constant pace.

I changed the ports of my switching unit...no difference. I separated all the lines and directly plugged them into the TV, I changed the input source on the TV itself, no difference...nada.

Dahlsim: It happens anytime the 360 is in use, playing games or viewing HD-DVDs with the add on. The display shows all other HD sources with excellent clarity, I only see this line with the 360.
Dahlsim
12-02-06, 06:21 PM
So try it on another display. If you have a computer monitor for instance you could even try running via VGA (you can return the VGA cable after testing).

This should tell you if you have a defective 360 to return/exchange.
Forceflow
12-02-06, 07:02 PM
So try it on another display. If you have a computer monitor for instance you could even try running via VGA (you can return the VGA cable after testing).

This should tell you if you have a defective 360 to return/exchange.

yup, that sounds right.
KnightFire
12-02-06, 08:35 PM
So try it on another display. If you have a computer monitor for instance you could even try running via VGA (you can return the VGA cable after testing).

This should tell you if you have a defective 360 to return/exchange.

I guess that's my last option, I have a 32" CRT I can try it on upstairs...sadly neither support VGA.

I'll report my findings on the CRT, Thanks!
lastxbr960
12-03-06, 09:54 AM
What switching unit are you using? Could this be the culprit?
Try going directly to the tv with the Componenet cables if possible.
KnightFire
12-03-06, 10:33 AM
I pulled out the unit, wired it directly to a 32" CRT I have upstairs...no change...

Then I simply removed the Nyko Intercooler and re-tested....yup, that did the trick, somehow the Intercooler was introducing noise into the video signal, no clue how. I never correlated the signal with the introduction of the cooler before...so it must have crept up on me at some point...dunno if I'll buy another cooler or not...

Thanks for the help all!
Michael Mullis
12-03-06, 10:40 AM
Oh Knightfire. I wish you had said you had the Intercooler in your first post. I could have saved you a lot of trouble. That thing is a piece of junk.
KnightFire
12-03-06, 11:30 AM
Oh Knightfire. I wish you had said you had the Intercooler in your first post. I could have saved you a lot of trouble. That thing is a piece of junk.

LOL, me too...could have saved myself a lot of effort and time... :eek:
Ah well, at least I have a clean picture again!!!! :D
lastxbr960
12-04-06, 02:22 AM
So it was the intercoolers interfearence, good to know.
Are all the cooling units pieces of junk?
I heard some people use laptop coolers with the xbox horizontal.
drvais
12-11-06, 05:49 PM
I'm having this same issue, and I'm not using the Nyko Intercooler! I've tried switching inputs into my KD-34XBR2, but the roaming line still appears (and only on the 360 HD-DVD player). I'm using the Monster-brand 360 component cable, btw. Any ideas??
RyanHomsey
12-11-06, 08:17 PM
So it was the intercoolers interfearence, good to know.
Are all the cooling units pieces of junk?
I heard some people use laptop coolers with the xbox horizontal.

Apparently they pull too much power from the consoles power supply (put simply), which seems to cause numerous possible problems.
drvais
12-12-06, 01:11 AM
Does anyone think the 360 wifi add-on could cause such interference?
KnightFire
12-12-06, 04:00 AM
Well the line is back...and I'm not using the cooler anymore! :eek: :mad:
BioSehnsucht
12-12-06, 04:21 AM
Are all devices connected to the same outlet(s)? Are they properly grounded etc?
KnightFire
12-12-06, 05:34 AM
Are all devices connected to the same outlet(s)? Are they properly grounded etc?

Yes and Yes.

As I stated before, I moved the entire system to another room (different 110V circuit), to another TV (CRT), swapped in brand new cables, changed the routing of the cables, the problem ONLY occurs when using the 360...the problem remains.

I just don't understand how removing the Intercooler made the line go away for a few hours...and then return....even though the Intercooler is still not being used.

I honestly think it's a 360 hardware issue...sadly, I've had my system for well over a year now...doubtful any type of return policy is still in play. I should be able to buy a core system, slap my harddrive on...and be good to go, right? Going to call EB Games to see if my warranty is still in play...I'll keep ya'll updated.
mdc3000
12-12-06, 10:42 AM
Me too. It's a faint "whitening" line that runs horizontally across the top of the image (roughly where the upper info display line would end when watching an HD DVD). It's only really visible in some shots and it's not totally solid...just kind of a hazy horizontal line running across the top (mostly visible in "daytime" shots)... I'm using a 61" Sony RPT and can only see this when using the HD DVD add on... any ideas? I should also add the 360 and add on are brand new (just hooked them up yesterday)....
drvais
12-12-06, 12:41 PM
I tried plugging the HD-DVD player into a separate outlet (Monster HTS 2600 vs. HTPS 7000) and the problem remained (although I must admit that I left the 360 plugged into the 7000 the whole time). Also, my Monster AVS 2000 is indicating that my power input is properly grounded.
KnightFire
12-13-06, 10:26 AM
Update:

I started messing with the scan levels on the HD settings and I notice that I only see this ghost line when I set the 360 to 1080i, on 480p and 720p the scan line dissappears.

Seeing how this is the ony hardware I have that scans up to 1080i, could it be how the TV is reacting to this level of HD?

I retested the 360 on a 32" CRT using composite cable and the line is not there, I'm guessing the cooler was introducing it on the 32" the last time.

I guess the work around would be to leave it on 720p, but the 1080i just looks SO much better to me...I'm pretty much lost again.
drvais
12-14-06, 07:59 AM
Is there an easy way to report this problem to M$ on the xbox.com website?
drvais
01-02-07, 05:18 AM
I might have found a solution to this issue!

SOLUTION: The problem disappears when I attach my wifi add-on unit to the HD DVD player itself and connect the player's USB cable to the rear USB input of the 360.

Originally, I had the wifi unit connected directly to the 360 and the HD DVD player connected to one of the front USB ports of the 360.
KnightFire
01-02-07, 06:55 AM
I might have found a solution to this issue!

SOLUTION: The problem disappears when I attach my wifi add-on unit to the HD DVD player itself and connect the player's USB cable to the rear USB input of the 360.

Originally, I had the wifi unit connected directly to the 360 and the HD DVD player connected to one of the front USB ports of the 360.

Hrmm won't help me much, my HD-DVD add-on is connected to the USB port in the rear of the 360 and my system is hardwired to my router. The addition or subtraction of the HD-DVD add on makes no difference, it's a problem with the 360 itself, at least in my case...and the only time the line shows up, is in 1080i...