For those who use Xbox, with their Lumenlab projector Options

[Mikau]

Heres a tip! If by an chance you have only an Xbox (which mind you has a DVD player) you might consider using it for your projector. Xbox just came out with a new adapter. The X2VGA adapter. It plugs into the back of your Xbox and has a VGA output as well as a VGA input. Also digital out. It sells for about 60 dollars. It supports high definition up to 1080i.

This doesn't work for game freaks like me, since I also have Gamecube and PS2, but I'm wondering. The normal Xbox AV cable plugs into the back of an Xbox. The X2VGA adapter also plugs into the same socket, since both the AV and VGA methods start with the same connection, I wonder if you could splice it and connect female AV cables. Just a theory.

[OKflyboy]

Sorry to rain on your parade but they're not exactly new, they've been out for a year or so. IIRC, they're not actually made by Xbox, but by a third party. They only work with about 80% of LCD monitors (Sadly the LiquidVideo A150X1 that a lot of people use happens to be one of the LCDs that it won't work with... )

This doesn't work for game freaks like me, since I also have Gamecube and PS2, but I'm wondering. The normal Xbox AV cable plugs into the back of an Xbox. The X2VGA adapter also plugs into the same socket, since both the AV and VGA methods start with the same connection, I wonder if you could splice it and connect female AV cables. Just a theory.

Sorry, won't work. The X2VGA isn't just spliced wires, but an actual signal converter with internal electronics...

[Mikau]

I know this isn't the first Xbox VGA adapter, but I believe the X2VGA is new. Its gotten great reviews.

I'm aware of the fact that its the internal adapter that does the converting. But I meant splice the wires that connect to it. Since both the AV adapter and the VGA adapter start with the same connection wiring before it even gets to the adapter, theyre might be be somewhere you could splice it.

[OKflyboy]

I know this isn't the first Xbox VGA adapter, but I believe the X2VGA is new. Its gotten great reviews.

Not new. Several users have tried it since Lumenlab's been around, do a forum search for "X2VGA" (Make sure to set it to search all forums, and any date). You'll get quite a few threads...

[RHopper]

I have a x2vga and have been doing lots of testing with it and ith a standard monitor is it just awesome... the problem is lcd resize the hdtv resolution to make it fit (640x480,800x600,1024x768) 480 works alright on my lcd but 720p dosnt. Anyway I think the fix for this might be editing the xbmc(thats what im using right now) ini file and make it output 1024x768 exactly... yes you can do this the xbox can output all the resolutions... Il let you know how this works out

[RHopper]

x2vga is not new... its actually the x2vga+ now and thats not new eigther, This is important... IF YOU HAVE A XBOX GET THE HDTV OUT GOING SOMEHOW... it looks really freakn awesome

[HuD]

no, these are not new what so ever.. ithere have been XBOX>HDTV>VGA adapters around for atleast 2 years now.. you can buy a real nice once from lik-sang

There are quite a few posts on the forums here about the adapters

HuD

[Mikau]

Well I feel stupid.

[OKflyboy]

Well I feel stupid.

Don't feel stupid. Nothing wrong with trying to help others... We're just settin' ya' straight on the info, that's all!

[RHopper]

ya totally,, we just want to make sure you have the correct info so please dont mind us letting you know. also if anyoneone need help with their x2vga or want to get that working,,, im doing some testing with custom resolutions so pm me

Hud,, the reason most people would go with x2vga over lik-sang is with the lik-sang you also still need to but the microsoft hd cables that will run you another 50 or so.... the x2vga pluges straight into the xbox and has digital(fiberoptic out already) for dolby digital audio,, so pleas note if the x2 works out right it will be a better option than that for shure (if I can make it compatable with all lcds

[Pacmanpth]

Rhopper, by xbox hdtv out do you mean component cables?

as in these

[whale.3535@comca...]

Ultimate Awnser buy this... http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc....116-003R&depa=0

[vroom]

whale: you really need to stop selling your soul to promoting the N6. Everyone knows about the N6 already. Plus, with the N6, you still need the Xbox HD cables... pay attention.

[whale.3535@comca...]

ok sry

[vroom]

Thank you.

[Haas_man]

As far as an N6 OEM, Barebone from newegg goes , read this . I'm not sure if it comes with anything , except the box.

I've got one (N6) and am not happy with the color or pic quality, not when comparing it with a straight PC connection.

[SIMJEDI]

Ultimate Awnser buy this... http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc....116-003R&depa=0

This is what you need to properly run the XBOX with a lcd monitor along with the High-Defenition Pack.

Products like the x2vga due nothing but pass and transcode the XBOX resolutions thru and nothing else. They need to be scaled. If you have a monitor that only does 1024*768 while the XBOX outputs 1280*720p or 1920*1080i your monitor will look like garbage due to it's internal scaler trying to fit 921,600 pixels from 1280*720 or 2,073,600 pixels from 1920*1080i with a screen that can only produce 786,432 pixels at 1024*768. If you send a fixed panel a resolution higher than it's native resolution it will show nothing but a blank screen.

The x2vga is designed for CRT monitors because they are able to produce the required resolutions of 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i that the XBOX can send out.

You need the N6 to scale all incoming resolutions to your lcd's fixed panel resolution of 1024*768, or whatever it is, to produce the sharpest picture available.
Here is a link showing what happens when you send a non-native resolution to a lcd: Digital Display Basics

As crappy as I think the N6 is, it still is better than most internal ones included with a lcd.
A ADS Tech HDTV UpConverter II with a VD-Z3 Component -> VGA Transcoder is the best next step up from the N6 if you don't like the hassle of a HTPC.

Hope this helps.


peace

This post has been edited by SIMJEDI: Apr 6 2006, 12:41 PM

[swill01]

do you really need the upconverter to run 720p or 1080i or would the VD-Z3 work by itself?

[CBiLL]

Here is a link showing what happens when you send a non-native resolution to a lcd: Digital Display Basics


Hope this helps.
peace

That was good reading! Got any other website to share that explain Digital Display with more depth? I am instested in learning and reading more about it. Thank you for sharing it.

Bill

[jcm0320]

This is what you need to properly run the XBOX with a lcd monitor along with the High-Defenition Pack.

Products like the x2vga due nothing but pass and transcode the XBOX resolutions thru and nothing else. They need to be scaled. If you have a monitor that only does 1024*768 while the XBOX outputs 1280*720p or 1920*1080i your monitor will look like garbage due to it's internal scaler trying to fit 921,600 pixels from 1280*720 or 2,073,600 pixels from 1920*1080i with a screen that can only produce 786,432 pixels at 1024*768. If you send a fixed panel a resolution higher than it's native resolution it will show nothing but a blank screen.

The x2vga is designed for CRT monitors because they are able to produce the required resolutions of 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i that the XBOX can send out.

You need the N6 to scale all incoming resolutions to your lcd's fixed panel resolution of 1024*768, or whatever it is, to produce the sharpest picture available.
Here is a link showing what happens when you send a non-native resolution to a lcd: Digital Display Basics

As crappy as I think the N6 is, it still is better than most internal ones included with a lcd.
A ADS Tech HDTV UpConverter II with a VD-Z3 Component -> VGA Transcoder is the best next step up from the N6 if you don't like the hassle of a HTPC.

Hope this helps.
peace

Okay, I realize this post is old, but I just came across it and I feel compelled to respond to what you said.

You don't need to scale anything. It's as simple as that. There is no need to.

Did the Dreamcast need to be scaled in order for it to work on a VGA monitor? Nope. So why would the Xbox?


Here's the bottom line for people wondering about the N6, TVBox9, and Video Transcoders (Vdigi):


The N6 and TVBox9 suck. They manage to take a clear picture and add a hazy look to it. The end result is a picture quality that will remind you of what streaming video over the internet looks like. Trust me, it's not even worth the hassle to buy one. If you really want to know how well it works, stream video over the internet and hit alt+enter on your keyboard to make it full screen. Literally, that's what it looks like!

Video transcoders, specifically the Vdigi VD-Z3, do not downgrade the picture quality at all. The output will look just as good as it does on any TV, except the picture will be even sharper!... Esecially if you're watching something in High Definition.

Any Video Source -> Scaler -> Monitor/LCD -> CRAP!

High Def Input -> Vdigi VD-Z3 -> Monitor/LCD -> Beautiful Image

[SIMJEDI]

Okay, I realize this post is old, but I just came across it and I feel compelled to respond to what you said.

You don't need to scale anything. It's as simple as that. There is no need to.

Did the Dreamcast need to be scaled in order for it to work on a VGA monitor? Nope. So why would the Xbox?
Here's the bottom line for people wondering about the N6, TVBox9, and Video Transcoders (Vdigi):
The N6 and TVBox9 suck. They manage to take a clear picture and add a hazy look to it. The end result is a picture quality that will remind you of what streaming video over the internet looks like. Trust me, it's not even worth the hassle to buy one. If you really want to know how well it works, stream video over the internet and hit alt+enter on your keyboard to make it full screen. Literally, that's what it looks like!

Video transcoders, specifically the Vdigi VD-Z3, do not downgrade the picture quality at all. The output will look just as good as it does on any TV, except the picture will be even sharper!... Esecially if you're watching something in High Definition.

Any Video Source -> Scaler -> Monitor/LCD -> CRAP!

High Def Input -> Vdigi VD-Z3 -> Monitor/LCD -> Beautiful Image

CRT monitors are a whole differant animal than LCD monitors.

LCD monitors are "Fixed Pixel" display devices, they have a certian amount of pixels that they are given. A 1024x768 LCD monitor only has 786,433 pixels to display an image. If the XBOX can display an 1920x1080 image it outputs 2,076,300 pixels that has to be "Scaled" to be displayed in only 786,433 pixels. CRT monitors have no native resolution and are able to output exactly what is input into them while fixed pixel displays can only output their native resolution.

And yes a Dreamcast still has to be "Scaled" to a LCD monitors native rez, be it the internal scaler of the monitor or an external one. Sure if you hook it up to a CRT monitor it is able to display exactly what the Dreamcast output because they don't have to deal with native resolutions.

High Def Input -> Vdigi VD-Z3 -> Monitor/LCD -> Beautiful Image

Your missing the point here. With a LCD monitor you still have to scale and all you are doing with this route is using the internal scaler with a LCD monitor. It just depends on what has the better scaler, the monitor or an external one you can buy extra.


peace

[g247]

CRT monitors have no native resolution and are able to output exactly what is input into them while fixed pixel displays can only output their native resolution.

not quite true. CRT have an aperture mask, that limit the max. resolution.

[elken2004]

CRT monitors are limited by their hardware and firmware,, not by the tube itself,,

a vga crt monitor is only a vga resolution monitor,,

[jcm0320]

CRT monitors are a whole differant animal than LCD monitors.

LCD monitors are "Fixed Pixel" display devices, they have a certian amount of pixels that they are given. A 1024x768 LCD monitor only has 786,433 pixels to display an image. If the XBOX can display an 1920x1080 image it outputs 2,076,300 pixels that has to be "Scaled" to be displayed in only 786,433 pixels. CRT monitors have no native resolution and are able to output exactly what is input into them while fixed pixel displays can only output their native resolution.

And yes a Dreamcast still has to be "Scaled" to a LCD monitors native rez, be it the internal scaler of the monitor or an external one. Sure if you hook it up to a CRT monitor it is able to display exactly what the Dreamcast output because they don't have to deal with native resolutions.

Your missing the point here. With a LCD monitor you still have to scale and all you are doing with this route is using the internal scaler with a LCD monitor. It just depends on what has the better scaler, the monitor or an external one you can buy extra.
peace

You definetly know more of the technical info about this than I do.

But this I do know:

1.) I owned a Nextvision 6. I tested it with an Xbox, DVD player, and Cable Box with both composite and component video cables. It looked like crap on both a CRT monitor and LCD panel.

2.) I own a Vdigi VD-Z3. When used with an Xbox, DVD player, and Cable Box the picture looks beautiful on both a CRT monitor and LCD panel.

I'm just speaking from experience. I'm sure you know what you're talking about but I just think people should focus on transcoders instead of scalers. If there was a scaler on the market that was both affordable and worked good, then it would definetly be worth buying. Unfortunately, I have not seen any.

[Chad N.]

I'm just speaking from experience. I'm sure you know what you're talking about but I just think people should focus on transcoders instead of scalers. If there was a scaler on the market that was both affordable and worked good, then it would definetly be worth buying. Unfortunately, I have not seen any.

Actually there is StarTech.com’s VGA2TV2WAY you can find for $150. Unfortunately, only 2 people on this forum say they have one. I would like to see a detailed side by side comparison between a VGA2TV2WAY and a transcoder such as the X2VGA2 or VD-Z3. Also this community really needs a device that solves the black crush problem (most noticable in games). I'd like to try one out, but I've allready spent way too much money "trying things out" on 3 transcoders, a N6, and 2 HDTV recievers.