Ok, I just purchased the Sharp LC-32D62U to replace my 20 inch widescreen viewsonic monitor. For a while, I was really upset with the VGA image (obviously because MS had not released the update to correct the black levels for VGA) on the viewsonic. When I switched to component for the new Sharp, the image for 360 games was incredible. However, when I launched Halo 2, I was dissapointed to see a "washed out" and overly bright image, similar to that of the VGA cables prior to the update.

I have set the black level to extended with the component cables, but this should only affect 480p playback and dvd playback, and thus, has had no effect on the image for halo 2. I was astonished to find that when I plugged in my original xbox via component and played halo 2, the black levels were far better than the 360's.

What gives? Halo 2 was supposed to be optimized for 360. So why does the original xbox have better black levels for halo 2? Is the problem with the component cables for the 360? Could this be fixed in another update, or should I upgrade to the elite and hope that hdmi corrects the problem?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Did anyone else get similar results?

anyone?

I'm playing Halo 2 on my 360 with Component cables. I don't notice any washed out effect. I don't have a regular Xbox to compare to though.

I had the same problem as you. Back when I was using component cables everytime I played an original Xbox game on my 360 the colours were indeed washed out. It was the same thing whenever I watched a DVD. I simply used two different picture settings for Xbox 360 games and Xbox ones (with the brightness set much lower for Xbox games). Now that I'm using a VGA cable however, it is no longer an issue.

I experienced the "washed out" look thru component as well; it looked as if the contrast had been set way up. If your TV has a "Vivid" setting that sometimes mitigates the effect. It is a known issue though oddly enough, it disappeared for me when I switched over to VGA. Several people who have an Elite and are using HDMI also say that that setup corrects the wash-out problem.