Increase video quality of XBOX

[Vancouver]

Anyone know any tricks to increase the video quality of my XBOX video games? I currently have the High Deff pack that alows me to hook it up via RCA component video to my tv. Would it make any difference to use high end cables? or go to my monitor via some type of video processor?

[Mr.T]

Are you getting a poor picture with component video hook up? What kind of TV are you using with your XBox? HD Component video should give you a better video than composite video cables.

Mr.T

[Vancouver]

Next week I will be using a new generation HD 42" panasonic Plasma. Right now I am using a regular flat screen Toshiba...not HD. I just notice on the tv I am using now that when the background of the games I am playing move it looks a little blury...almost like very small tracers. Something you would see if you were on LSD.

[BMXTRIX]

Ask again in a week.

The XBox will output HD on many games, especially Halo I understand. This is not something your current TV can handle and you likely aren't getting the most bang out of the Box yet. ;)

Make sure, when you get your new TV, that you setup your XBox for it. Go back to the user manuals to ensure that it is set for HD output and 16:9 ratio like the new tv.

[nick_danger]

Steps to take for your Xbox when you get an HDTV (assuming 16:9):

Go into the video settings

Set the aspect ratio to 16:9

Turn on each format your TV is compatible with (480p, 720p, 1080i).

Now, one final step which many people don't know is how to change the Xbox Dashboard (the menu system) to progressive. Trust me, it looks way better, but you have to have Xbox Live in order to do it. If you have Xbox Live, the automatic update has more than likely already been installed on your Xbox. The way to test it and to also activate the 480p mode is as follows:

Hold both the L and R triggers, then click both the L and R thumbsticks down. The screen will flicker and voila! 480p widescreen Dashboard. Clean lines, solid progressive image, much better color.

Also, Monster cable is usually fluff, but can see the difference between the Microsoft brand HD pack and the Monster HD pack - I have tested the two side-by-side on the same TV and the image does appear sharper using the Monster set.

[Vancouver]

Great...thanks for the great information. Is it possible the Monster HD could be better then the XBOX HD pack? Does the monster claim to use different materials, and are those mterials known to be better?

[nick_danger]

I should add that I tested the two on a standard TV with component inputs. I'm not sure whether you'd see a different on an HDTV as the signal is inherently different to an analog VS digital set...