Xbox Audio/Video Technical FAQ, Helpful information. Options

[brahm2]

New dedicated section for questions about how to get sound in, sound out, video in, video out!

Here are a bunch of "starter" links.

Adding coaxial digital AND Toslink (fiber optic) outputs to Xbox
Zip File Download

Adding a digital output to your Xbox
http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/digital-output.php

Xbox VGA-cable tutorial - play Xbox on a computer monitor.
http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/vga-cable.php

Guide to Modding your XBOX for advanced A/V
http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/advanced-av.php

Adding SPDIF Audio Output to the Xbox
http://wrongcrowd.com/xboxspdif/

Comlete Guide to Cables (thanks sparkac)
http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?act...60&t=116389

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Q: Can I make a DVI cable for my xbox?
A: No. The xbox's video encoder chip does not give the correct outputs needed for the DVI standard. However you can make a VGA cable and buy a VGA to DVI adaptor. There are NO benefits of this whatsoever, apart from being able to plug into a DVI port. All the adaptor does is pass through analog VGA signals to a DVI connector. The DVI standard is designed to be used with digital signals. (Adaptor can be found here)

Q: How do I know if my monitor supports sync on green (SOG)?
A: Check the manual, contact the manufacturer, but firstly check if your monitor is listed here

Q: My monitor supports sync on green, what do I do next?
A: Build the VGA cable as described in my guide, without the sync seperator circuit.

Q: I do not have a sync on green monitor, what can I do?
A: There are a few options. Either build your VGA cable with a sync-seperator circuit which will seperate the H & V sync signals required from green (see my guide) or you can buy an aftermarket VGA adapter such as the X2VGA by Neoya.

Q: Is the redant/other cheap VGA adapter any good? / What is the difference between X2VGA and these cheap VGA adapters?
A: The redant and other cheap VGA adapters use composite or s-video input. They are nasty line-doublers, will leave a blurry, washed out, poor quality image on your monitor and you will feel ripped off. The X2VGA converts TRUE HDTV signals into TRUE VGA output, thus giving the best possible picture. The X2VGA also supports high-resolution output (480p, 720p, 1080i) Cheap adapters DO NOT!

Q: Can i display my xbox on 2 different TV's using S-video and RGB Scart?
A: No. You can display using both modes, but not simultaneously. Either use composite scart connections (see my guide for scart pinouts), put 2 composite/svideo connections on your A/V cable, or switch between the 2 modes.

Q: What A/V output types are available, and can i put them all in one cable / breakout box?
A: You can put EVERY type of output in one cable / breakout box, however you will need to switch between the modes (see my guide for more info). The output types are as follows:
Video outputs:
RGB Scart
HDTV
S-Video
Composite (& Composite scart)
VGA
RF
Audio outputs:
SPDIF (Toslink / Coaxial digital)
Phono audio
RF (mono audio)
Scart (can use digital or phono audio)

Q: Do I HAVE to have a HDTV / Advanced AV pack to make a VGA cable?
A: No. All you need is the AVIP connector from ANY Xbox AV cable. The main reason I would choose an Advanced A/V or HDTV pack is because it has a small box a few inches from the AVIP connector end which can be used to house new connections such as a female VGA connector easily.

Q: I've built a VGA cable and I get a picture on my monitor but everything is green! What is wrong?
A: You need to use the TATX_DEBUG_VGA or PiXEL8_DEBUG_VGA bios to correct the colours. If you are already using one of these, try launching applications / games from Xbox Media Center or Player.

Q: What Versions of Xbox will work with a VGA cable?
A: So far, there are only BIOS's for v1.0 and v1.1 xbox'es. If you have a 1.2+ you can try the TATX bios at your own risk, or buy a VGA adapter such as the X2VGA.

Q: Is it not easier to capture the H/V sync signals between the GPU and the Video encoder?
A: Not reallly. The LM1881 Circuit works fine, and is very easy to make. However it IS possible to capture H/V sync signals here, but it is beyond the scope of this FAQ.

L33's tutorial: http://www.freedomforce.co.uk/xbox/HTML/Xb...0AV%20Cable.htm
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Thank you L33 for letting me copy a HUGE post of yours onto this FAQ

This thread will eventually turn into a nice big FAQ, please post all Q&A type questions here, and I will add them to the main post. Also, post any links to good tutorials that I might of missed!

Thanks

This post has been edited by xboxgamer733: Apr 6 2007, 06:20 AM