FrostyTheSnowman's VGA BIOS/Evox M8plus Patcher v0.8 *bugfix* Posted by XanTium | May 19 00:22 EST | News Category: Xbox

FrostyTheSnowman released a new version of the VGA BIOS Patcher(info) and Evox M8plus VGA Patcher(info) for Xbox1. * FrostyTheSnowman's VGA BIOS Patcher for XBOX [QUOTE] Features: * Supports Conexant Encoders * Supports Focus Encoders * Supports all HD resolutions, including 480p, 720p, and 1080i. * Supports all current hacked BIOSes, including new X3 BIOSes. * Supports 'green screen' games! * NOTE: You NEED your HD settings enabled in your Microsoft Dashboard for this patch to function properly. Change Log: * Fixed IGR Color Problems * Added support for 'green screen' games [/QUOTE] * FrostyTheSnowman's Evox M8+ VGA Patcher for XBOX [QUOTE] Features: * Supports Conexant Encoders * Supports Focus Encoders * Supports all HD resolutions, including 480p, 720p, and 1080i. * Supports only the Evox M8+ BIOS * Supports 'green screen' games! * NOTE: You NEED your HD settings enabled in your Microsoft Dashboard for this patch to function properly. Change Log: * Simplified Patching Process * Fixed IGR Color Problems * Added support for 'green screen' games [/QUOTE] Update: FrostyTheSnowman's Evox M8+ VGA Patcher for XBOX *Bug Fix* [QUOTE] The previously released Evox M8+ VGA Patcher has a flaw that causes the patcher to incorrectly patch the encoder registers. Please use the recently uploaded version to fix this issue. [/QUOTE] Official Site: n/a, by FrostyTheSnowman Download: VGA BIOS Patcher | Evox M8plus VGA Patcher *bugfix* News-Source [xbins.org]: VGA BIOS Patcher | Evox M8plus VGA Patcher

WoW! So no more issues like green and purple tint? No more IGR issues?!?


Your a machine. Thanks so much man

You are the man Frosty! Does this mean 128mb support and no green screen for Mame by patching X2?

http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/vga-cable.php

Does this cabling still stand true then?

Or could someone make an updated tut? Things liking seeing the end product etc?

Yep, it should work just fine.



No, that diagram is outdated, and is incorrect on the mode setting.

Follow Textbook's VGA Cable Tutorial, found here:

http://www.360mods.net/News/article/sid=32.html


If you are wanting to see 'finished versions' of cables made with Textbook's diagram, you can find pictures of my 3 personal VGA cables here:

http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=597313

http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=598854

http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=534615

The xbox native vga bios crusade has finally come to an end. Many thanks to you Frosty for the many hours you put into making FULL and UNCRIPPLED native vga on the xbox a reality. Thank you for picking up the vga torch and running with it. If it were not for you the vga bios would still be stuck without HD support and green issues. Beleive it or not the vga bios was the reason i first modded my xbox back in 2002 for, but due to no HD resolution support and green problems in some games and apps i had to opt for a transcoder. There now is no need for inferior transcoders on the xbox.

*Bug Fix*

The Evox M8+ VGA Patcher (Based on VGA Patcher v0.8) has a small flaw that is causing the encoder registers to not patch properly. I have already fixed the problem, so please discard any previously downloaded versions of the Evox M8+ VGA Patcher and download the newly uploaded version from the 'usual places' to fix this problem.

NOTE: VGA Patcher v0.8 is not affected, only the Evox M8+ VGA Patcher is affected.

Thanks Frosty! I think I'll have to tell the wife I'll be going to the electronics store later!

One thing, since my monitors aren't on the "sync on green" list, should I build that little circuit anyways? It's not as if it would do any harm is it?

Hello ! Please help! This patcher FrostyTheSnowman's Evox M8+ VGA Patcher for XBOX is suport my 1.6B xbox,with the Evox M8+ bios??? I read the readme file,and i read this not support?! The read me file is wrong,or this patcher really not support the 1.6b xbox,with Evox M8+ bios?? Please help!

Thanks Frosty.... You've helped the scene so much with your coding.
I wish there was something we could all do to help you.

Native VGA support means alot. Thanks.

Yup Foe summed it up quite well. If it wasn't for you man.....

+! on the hardware store


And all heets boxes will have vga by next week!

So 1.6 XBOXs aren't supported, correct?

Nice work

Turns out taking the AV cable to bits isn't as easy as one might think... Well at least the one I've got is being a git!

Frosty, quick question that I think you might know the answer to,
I plan on building the non-sync on green version of that adapter, because my monitor dosen't support SOG, however, I would like to know if the non-SOG version would also work on monitors supporting SOG?

Thanks.

Actually, I recommend that you use the 'sync-splitter' circuit anyways, that way your VGA cable is compatible with Sync-on-Green and Non-SOG VGA monitors.

But, if your monitor supports Sync-on-Green, then the SOG-VGA cable is alot easier to build.


@proger: Yep, the Non-SOG 'Sync-Splitting' circuit is compatible with both types of monitors.

Thanks again frosty!... I've managed to pull the AV cable apart now, and fix up the VGA cable. (Spare parts in the bottom draw). I didn't have enough time to go to the electronics store, so I'll have to wait a while for the little parts.

I'm looking forward to getting this working!

I have created a 'VGA Patcher v0.8 Compatibility Thread' in the Audio/Video Technical Forums, if anyone is using the new VGA Patcher v0.8 or Evox M8+ VGA Patcher (Based on VGA Patcher v0.8) and could post their results there, it would be much appreciated.

http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=604056

Can this work with keeping the spdif optical out of my HD av cable? I read through the tutorial on 360mods, but they used a regular AV cable and stereo rca outputs. I really need to maintain my digital out. Does anyone know how to get vga out (with this bios) while keeping a digital out? Thanks.

Dustin

Yes, you can easily add SP/DIF Coaxial or SP/DIF Optical to that diagram and it will work just fine.

Or, you could also just add VGA (And also add Coaxial SP/DIF too if you want, like I did) to a Microsoft HDTV Pack, like I did for my wife's XBOX.

Here are the pictures to give you a better idea:

http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=598854

Anyone know where i can buy a space AV cable so i can attempt to make my own VGA cable? I really wanna put my xbox on my widescreen monitor so i dont take up my mums TV. Ebay only shows up 360 AV cables!

Also this is probably a stupid question but can i use a patched VGA bios on a TV too? or do i have to reflash a none patched BIOS? Cause when i move out i probably wont have a HDTV with VGA input for a while.

Just a thought, is there 1.6 support for the X3 bios? I maybe looking to buy a VGA cable soon that is homemade for my 1.6 box.

Be great if you could add 1.6 support, if I get this cable soon I would be happy to test.

Well, unfortunately i'm not sure if there will ever be a v1.6 VGA solution...

The GPU is patched properly for RGB(VGA) in all versions of the XBOX with my VGA patcher, but the GPU is only half the battle, the encoder needs to be patched for RGB(VGA) too... and only the Conexant and Focus are able to do that at the moment.

The reason for this is that the Conexant and Focus encoders actually have their full datasheets available online from their manufacturers, but the Xcalibur (v1.6 XBOXes) was internally developed by Microsoft and the datasheet for it is locked away deep inside Redmond...

Without that datasheet, programming the Xcalibur encoder is basically like shooting at bugs on the floor in a pitch black room with a BB gun...

If you already have xbox component cables, and a sync on green monitor, save a lot of time and just order this cable, it does exactly what you need. I just took my component cables, and bought some RCA-BNC adapters ($$) because I need them for my CRT front projector, then flashed Frosty's bios, and perfection. This cable will do the same thing but has a vga connector and is dirt cheap. No need to modify any cable or install a vga port.

http://www.national-tech.com/specs/30h1-50200.htm

Dustin

Hi, I have an xbox v1.0 with the original xecuter modchip in it and I want to patch it so it will display vga. Is this possible or am I screwed? I don't want to buy a new modchip.

Thanks

This looks intresting to me because i dont have a spare xbox av cable and cant seem to find one anywhere but the website says this:



To me that reads it can't be used for the xbox output to the VGA input so it wouldnt work? If thats true then what is it for?

That cable is normally designed to input component video into *compatible* projectors over VGA.

The reason why they say it wont work is because that cable does not convert the video signals, it only changes the actual cable. (most monitors do not accept component video, and most computers cannot output component video over VGA, which is why they say that)

However, my VGA patchers do change the signal inside the XBOX itself, so my VGA patchers combined with a component cable and that adapter does work.

NOTE: That cable setup is ONLY compatible with Sync-on-Green VGA monitors. You will need to look at the specifications of your monitor to see if your monitor supports Sync-on-Green.

Thanks Frosty. Dont suppose you know where i can grab a spare xbox cable to make my own do you? Or buy a ready made one?

I'm not sure about the UK, but I know that you can find used XBOX video cables (any kind) for about $5 here in the US in most used game shops.

Also, AFAIK, no one here on Xbox-Scene.com sells any ready-made cables. I might end up selling some down the road, but right now I don't think anyone is doing it.

Here ya go!

http://www.consoleplus.co.uk/product_info....-cable-for-xbox
http://www.hmv.co.uk/hmvweb/displayProduct...&sku=146553

if I want to run xbmc in 720p through vga what does the resister need to be? lower?

The resistor does not need to be changed for different resolutions. Just use either a 320k, a 470k, or a 680k resistor, and you will be fine for all resolutions.

NOTE: I recommend using a 470k personally, but the only difference between the resistors is how compatible they are with your monitor. 470k seems to be the best resistor though, IMO.

I'm interested in building a VGA cable for my HDTV, so I need this bios, but if I have to use a s-video/composite cable, is it still possible to switch from vga to s-video without changing bios?
thanks.

At the moment, no. You will need to be able to use a normal BIOS to use normal video cables.

BIOSes patched with my VGA patchers are only compatible with VGA cables. (although, SCART cables have been known to work properly too)

I looks like you used a 1/2 watt resistor in your pictures. Will a 1/4 watt 470k cheap resistor work?

Also which pins on the avip are the grounds?

I'm sure that a 470k 1/4 watt resistor would work fine, I just used a 1/2 watt for good measure. (plus, I have a lot of them laying around)

And as far as the AVIP ground pins go, maybe these diagrams will help:

(pay attention to the minus symbols in this picture)




(pins 6, 7, and 8 are the ground pins on the VGA connector in this picture)

How the Xbox decide to output 15Khz (for scart) or 31 Khz (for VGA) ? According to the cable plugged in ? (with the switch activated to choose the right mode).
Anyway, I'll build a Scart plug.

Wait, you seem to misunderstand.

Using a SCART cable will result in ONLY SCART being outputted. You need to build a VGA cable to use VGA. A SCART cable will not output a VGA signal, regardless of whether you are using a VGA BIOS or not.

The XBOX uses 'mode settings' by use of jumpers in the cables themselves to tell the XBOX what they are. So, a SCART cable will only be usable as a SCART cable, and a VGA cable will only be usable as a VGA cable.

What I was saying before was that Composite, S-Video, etc. will NOT work with a VGA BIOS, but SCART has been known to work properly. But a SCART cable cannot be used as a VGA cable.

However, if you add switches to a SCART cable, you could use it as both a SCART and a VGA cable, depending on which switches are turned on.

In fact you answered to my question
I know scart cable can't output VGA, because of the frequency. But I didn't know if your patch changed the output frequency (for VGA), or if the Xbox changed it, according to the switches turned on. Looks like it's the latter.

Frosty i am having difficulties getting vga out of my 1.0 xbox that I just installed a new 320 gig seagate drive in with your dual boot vga softmod. I have a couple questions so I can figure out if its my vga cable a made or the xbox. What is supposed to happen when you use the eject button to turn on the xbox but you still have the regular component video cables being used? Is it supposed to just boot and show the same image as if I used the power button? Also when I built the vga cable I kind of did what you did with the grounds because I didn't have enough wires in my cable so I just linked all the grounds together on the xbox avip and then sent them through the cables copper sheild to the project box where I soldered them to the left and right phono jacks. Then inside the project box I connected the vga pins 6,7,8 to that same spot.

Well it didn't seem to work... chip got hot!!

any suggestions

p.s. also when i look at the diagram that shows the pin numbers on the xbox avip top and bottom views mine started off with 24 being a short pin instead of long pin on the top view and same goes for the bottom view pin 1 was a short pin not a long pin. I had my avip in the exact orientation as the diagram.

Also I think I need to flash my tsop to a newer bios because I see that it says kernal 3944 which i didn't know because it was running a modchip before and it said 4034. The original xecuter bios must have been based on this or something. Anyway should I flash it with your 5101 BIOS? does it need to be 1024k on my 1.0 board or can it be 256k?

If you are willing to do it, I would definately flash your TSOP with my 5101 BIOS. You will need it to be 1024k, unless you are using raincoat. (raincoat automatically resizes the BIOS file before flashing)

But as far as the cable goes, MAKE SURE you wired it 100% correctly, or you will risk your XBOX, your monitor, or both... (and hopefully you didn't damage your LM1881N chip already...)

And as far as the 'short pin/long pin' issue, all XBOX A/V cables are different. The main thing you want to pay attention to is that in the above picture, the side with the 'grey edges' on the sides is the top. (the 'grey edges' are supposed to resemble the 'notches' on the edge of the top side of the connector)

If you turn on the XBOX with the regular composite cable (red, white, yellow cable) the image will be the same. My VGA softmod only changes the video if it detects an HDTV cable, so only HDTV is affected.


So basically:

Eject = HDTV signals modified to output VGA

Power = HDTV signals normal, unchanged

Composite (red, white, yellow cable) is totally unaffected either way.


NOTE: You will not see anything while the 'flubber' is on the screen when you are using VGA. Just wait, and the dashboard will show up in VGA colors after the 'flubber' finishes. (after the 'Microsoft' logo)

Ok i got my vga cable to work and the first time it boots up into the evox dash the colors and everything are right but as soon as you go to xbmc or something else it turn all green. Also after that evox is green also untill the next power cycle.

I know you said the 3944 bios isn't compatible with the dual boot vga softmod but I was surprised it even worked at all.

Do you think now if I flash my TSOP with an updated bios everything will work properly.(colors ect...)

Yes, that is exactly what happens with the 3944 BIOS. (which is why I say it isn't compatible)

If you flash my 5101 BIOS onto your TSOP, everything will work perfectly.

Ok i have my tsop flashed with your bios and everything works great! I noticed something that could be a bug or its an issue you probably know about already. When I press the eject button to startup in vga mode and leave the tray open until the dashboard comes up its fine but if I push the eject button and then push the tray back in before the dash loads everything is green?? why so long before you can put the tray back in?

Also I was wondering if your 5101 bios can have the colors and what not changed with xbtool and still be retail and work?

Unfortunately, XBtool is not compatible with my BIOS, sorry...

And as far as your 'eject' question goes, the 'tray state' is actually ONLY read when the 'Microsoft' logo appears at the bottom of your screen. So basically, if the tray is in when the 'Microsoft' logo pops up, it will boot normal. If the tray is out when the 'Microsoft' logo pops up, it will boot in VGA.

It's just easier to tell people to power up with the eject button, and leave it ejected until the dashboard shows up.

Hello,

I've just discovered your patcher, and I wish to make a xbox vga cable.
But as your latest version includes a bugfix for green, I wonder if I can follow any of these 2 tutorials you mentionned:
" My monitor supports sync on green " or " My monitor does not support sync on green " ?

The bugfix for 'green screens' is not actually related to the wiring of the VGA cable, it was an issue with some games not being compatible with VGA. (this has been fixed)

As far as which tutorial you use, it depends on what your monitor supports. If your monitor supports Sync-on-Green, then use the Sync-on-Green tutorial. (Sync-on-Green is easier to wire)

If your monitor does not support Sync-on-Green, you will have to use the other tutorial. Consult your monitor's manual to find out which diagram you should use for your monitor.

I have was given a "X2VGA" vgabox, my monitor is a Phillips 107P without SoG, and my Xbox is a v1.4 hard-moded.
If I flash it with the VGA bios I should get all its goodies (no more purple/green psicodelia ).

Has anybody tries it? If not I will make the experiment ?
In summer I use my Xbox for Mameing and like media center.

Pd. Please excuse my english.