Xbox X2VGA and Dell 2001FP Problems :( [Archive]

Tom Whitaker

17-08-2004, 20:49

I've just got an X2VGA+ for my PAL Xbox (with NTSC EEPROM settings) and Dell 2001FP Monitor.

I can't get it to show the MS Dashboard but by plugging in my projector, know it's set up for 480p. I don't mind not seeing the dash because it's only the games I care about.

But then I run one, and get a horrible horizontal banding rolling up the screen.

Anyone else got this combo of equipment? Anyone else want one of these wonder gadgets, which seem to work for anyone else, for not much less than cost (including postage and the guarantee of no customs sting?)...

:cry:

dbilsborough

17-08-2004, 21:44

Tom, I have the same TFT and I use a Seitek cable from the Xbox to the monitor and it works perfectly. I think I have a spare one somewhere if you are interested send me a mail (for some reason I don't get mail from the forums anymore)

darrylb@totalise.co.uk

http://www.nbnw32820.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/xbox5.jpg

http://www.nbnw32820.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/xbox6.jpg

brattle

18-08-2004, 12:28

The dashboard sets itself to 480i, not 480p, even when 480p is selected for games.

However, MS released a patch for the dashboard in the latest upgrade to Live. If you have Live, go to the dashboard and hold down both triggers on the pad and click both thumbsticks in. This will enable 480p on the dash :thumbs:.

Tom Whitaker

18-08-2004, 13:14

hammie

18-08-2004, 14:18

stupid question but is the x2vga turned on? if so what led's are lit up in the dash/games also have you tried messing with the dip switches at all?

i've thought mine was broken before then i checked and realised i had accidentally turned it off

Tom Whitaker

18-08-2004, 15:25

Yeah, it's definitely on... when I switch it off my image does disappear. I will check on the LEDs. Thanks for reminding me about the dip switches... will try them tonight and see if they do me any good.

dbilsborough

18-08-2004, 15:27

Thanks brattle - just discovered that myself. Sorry I wasn't clear - I meant that I wanted to see the dashboard to check that I had the 480p GAMES setting turned on.

It's apparent that I can't see 480i (dashboard) at all and that 480p (games) is ugly.

dbilsborough - Is that an Xbox to VGA cable? Or Xbox to S-video? I've used an S-vid cable before but the picture was a bit fuzzy. Yours looks excellent though.

It's an S-Video connection, and the picture looks good to me - I suppose it depends on what you are expecting I suppose. The Xbox is never going to look as good as a 1600x1200 PC game is it...

Tom Whitaker

18-08-2004, 15:34

Thanks for letting me know. I know it won't ever get that good, I'm just trying to get some kind of clean signal. Maybe your S video connection is better than mine.

If I can't get the X2VGA to work, then the S is fine... it's only as a backup when the living room's getting used by housemates. But the reports I've heard about the quality are pretty spectacular, so fingers crossed.

Tom Whitaker

18-08-2004, 19:32

Hmm... got 720p working fine on Amped 2 and Tony Hawk 4, but those same games still have the 'rolling' in the background on 480p when I disable 720 in the dashboard. Grr.

hammie

18-08-2004, 19:43

should be a red and a green led lit when in 480p mode, is that what you get? could it be a monitor setting for that resolution?

Tom Whitaker

18-08-2004, 19:53

Yeah, always green for power, red on for 'Mode' in 480, green in 720. So that's as you described.

Can't seem to see any monitor settings that make any difference, including factory reset.

hammie

18-08-2004, 21:46

well bugger, don't know what else to try other than see if it works with another monitor then email sales@neoya.com and see if they can help, they are pretty helpful

Tom Whitaker

20-08-2004, 12:27

I did, thanks mate... they said:

"Dear Customer

Only few customer would meet this problem(actually, you are the third one). Nonetheless, we have been making our most efforts to solve this problem since earlier in time. Therefore, we suppose that the new batches of the X2VGA+ that manufactured within future 2~3 weeks should be able to cure this problem, and we will be responslble to exchange a new one for you. Please contact with us again about 2 weeks later, we will arrange an exchange for you.

Best Regards,

Sales Department
Neoya, Inc."

Wahoo!

William Shatners Wig

07-11-2004, 14:15

I have just tried to set up my second XBox in my office, using the X2VGA adapter.

I have a PC, a LG L1710B TFT monitor, a chipped XBox, and aX2VGA unit.

The XBox uses the latest XBMC as its dashboard, and the chip can be disabled to allow me to access the original dashboard and play XBox Live games.

The LG monitor has both DVI and SVGA inputs. The computer goes into the DVI socket, and the XBox (via X2VGA unit and a male-male SVGA lead) goes into the SVGA socket. There is a Source button on the front of the monitor that allows me to switch between SVGA and DVI.

I am basically getting the same problems as Tom was above. I can't see my dash, be it XBMC or the MS standard.

When I try the 2 back buttons / thumb sticks trick, nothing changes. Should the screen flash, go black (on a normal TV display) or at least acknowledge what the keypresses?

I tried booting with Burnout 3 in the DVD drive and it boots up, but the picture is awful. It is very wobbly.

Can I change the resolution of XBMC so it shows up on the monitor? As that, apart from games, is the main program I really want to be able to use on my TFT.

How do you change resoltuions for games?

hammie

07-11-2004, 14:23

the only setting up you need to do really is first load up an app like enigma videomode switch, set it to ntsc and reboot (x2vga only works in ntsc mode)

turn off your chip and go the the original ms dash, go to video settings and set all the prog scan modes to enabled, reboot

William Shatners Wig

07-11-2004, 14:33

I've changed the XBox to NTSC (it goes to black and white on my old Sony Triniton, and says NTSC 4:3 in Media Centre). But, still using my Trinitron, when I boot up with the chip disabled only Normal, Widescreen and Letterbox are available in the video setting...

Oh, hang on... I guess I need the X2VGA plugged in for the XBox to think that I have the HDTV kit, no?

hammie

07-11-2004, 15:55

yep once the x2vga is plugged in you should see more options, hopefully it should work once you enable those and reboot (original dash will need the l+r+ both thumbsticks to be pressed though)

Tom Whitaker

08-11-2004, 09:01

Those options will appear when the X2VGA, or a component cable, is plugged in. But the MS dashboard won't go progressive without some kind of update. I eventually did mine by finding instructions through google (press down twice, x, down, x, right...) that kind of thing - I did it blind.

There IS a button on your X2vga to let it show 480i images in a haphazard way - that big green thing - but my monitor doesn't support it.

William Shatners Wig

08-11-2004, 12:52

I got it all working. My monitor shows 480i, but looks ugly. Both XBMC and the official MS menu look fine now (its just the intro anim that looks bad).

However, I am disappointed to find out that only 20-odd titles support a resolution higher than 480p. And those that can only be played at 480p (most of my favourites)don't look as good as on the TV :( (they have fain banding on the graffix). Is this because I haven't got prog scan enabled?

I'll have a play later tonight, trying to get prog scan up and running.

Tom Whitaker

08-11-2004, 14:03

hookbeak

08-11-2004, 15:05

Tom, you say you've sent it back - are you getting another or a refund ?

If you're getting another then i'll be interested as to the results. I have the same monitor as you and currently connect my xbox via svideo. It's pretty fuzzy and i was going to buy a x2vga until i saw this thread :)

Tom Whitaker

08-11-2004, 16:36

Yeah - for an exchange - see post #13 on this thread.

When I get mine back, I'd be happy to lend you mine by post if you covered the postage each way and accepted responsibility should Royal Mail mess things up - I know how frustrating it is to not be able to see something you want working without just throwing the cash at it, but that's what I ended up doing!

hookbeak

08-11-2004, 18:04

Thanks Tom, that's really good of you.

Keep us updated when you get the new one :)

William Shatners Wig

08-11-2004, 18:27

I don't quite understand you mate - you suggest that 480p doesn't look so hot and then you imply that you don't have prog scan enabled.

Looking back, I think you meant to say "And those that can only be played at 480i (most of my favourites)".... am I right?

I get the banding but mine is going back to Neoya today (it took that long!) - your post doesn't inspire too much confidence. Still, I'm pretty happy with mine, but that's as someone just wanted it to look better than through the S-video/composite on my monitor, as a stopgap for when I can't use the TV, as opposed to it being a step up from the TV's performance.

Amped 2 in 720p looks superb on my projector and my monitor - shame I don't like the game all that much :)

Sorry, when you said that you had to do many keystrokes (press down twice, x, down, x, right...) I thought I had done something wrong and not activated Prog Scan. But it turns out you just meant "press the two shoulder buttons and the two thumbsticks". I thougt that activated something else...

Anyway, I do have progscan enabled, and I can activate all the different resolutions 480p, 720p and 1024i.

I meant to say that I am bitterly dissapointed at the list of games that feature 720p and 1024i video options. And 480p games don't look amazing at all... in fact I prefer my 32" TV.

hookbeak

24-11-2004, 07:42

Hi Tom, did you get a replacement yet - does it work ?

Tom Whitaker

24-11-2004, 08:40

Thanks for the reminder - nothing through yet - should check on it really :)

hunts1uk

24-11-2004, 19:35

Just getting ready to send mine back,having trouble getting a stable picture with the X2VGA+.How log ago did you send it off?Im expecting at least 2 month turn around.

Tom Whitaker

25-11-2004, 09:57

Posted on the 16th, still on its way over according to Track and Trace.

hookbeak

25-11-2004, 10:05

Must be sending it by donkey.

hunts1uk

25-11-2004, 10:10

Posted on the 16th, still on its way over according to Track and Trace.

Who did you post it with?Just getting ready to send mine.

Tom Whitaker

25-11-2004, 11:26

Royal Mail international signed for... £6.72!

hunts1uk

25-11-2004, 11:38

Royal Mail international signed for... £6.72!
Thanks Tom. :thumbs:

Tom Whitaker

30-11-2004, 08:41

Dear Sir:

My staff despatched a totally new unit to you already. I packed it very
carefully - undervalue and wrote "repair parts under warrenty"on the
box.
Hope it will pass the UK Customs smoothly as you like.:-)

Here we refund the return shipping fee(maximum USD5) to
xxxxxxxx@lse.ac.uk.

Sorry again to casue you this inconveniece.

Sincerely,
Alice Jeng
www.x2vga.com

hookbeak

30-11-2004, 08:52

sweet. Let us know when it arrives !

Tom Whitaker

06-12-2004, 22:19

Arrived today, labelled exactly as they said it would be, no customs charges.

Only tired 2 games so far - Outrun 2 looks great. Burnout 3 is nice but runs with a 1-2cm border all round. I seem to remember Burnout 2, which was the first game I saw the rolling background on, was similarly presented. Still, the eye-straining rolling itself has gone, so that's a thumbs up from me.

Hookbeak - happy to post it out to you on Wednesday so long as you understand the following:

- I don't have time to get to the post office before Christmas, what with the length of the queue (up to 20 mins at lunch) at the one near my work and the amount of shopping I need to do.

- As such, I'd have to just post it first class and chuck it in a box.

- I'd want it posted back to me before I leave London on the 17th.

- Send it recorded/special delivery/whatever-you-want back to me, but you accept responsibility for it if it gets lost or damaged on either postal journey or in your hands, pay for a replacement and cover any customs charges that order may incur.

Sorry to sound like I've got the lawyers out and I'm sure you'd take the above as read anyway, but I wanted to get that set out beforehand. You'll also need your own VGA cable, which I'm guessing you'll have ;)

If you still want it, my email's in my profile (use tom@ instead of whatever prefix I have there though).

Tom.

hookbeak

07-12-2004, 08:07

Hi Tom,
My wife was heavily pressuring me to tell her what to get me for xmas - so i buckled and told her to get me one :)

I figured if it didn't work so well, i'd ebay it - but thanks very much for the offer - very good of you.

Tom Whitaker

07-12-2004, 09:34

Awwww... I was looking forward to making you BUCKLE TO MY DEMANDS!

rogeralpine

07-12-2004, 11:42

Awwww... I was looking forward to making you BUCKLE TO MY DEMANDS!

.....well there's one sucker here who'll buckle to your demands Tom!! Obviously I'd refund you for you inconvenience. I'm 50:50 as to whether I should order one and wouldn't mind seeing it up and running.

Thanks in advance

Ian Vinten

07-12-2004, 12:42

Roger - I feel an affinity with you for your post count, so let's go.

In general, my opinion of them is this.... It's the best way to plug an Xbox into one of these monitors, compared to the crappy S-video image I got. However, I only got one because my monitor is now my bedroom TV. Using it is still a 2nd choice compared to hooking it up to a decent sized telly. I've read that some people got one just to get a prog scan image and use it as their main way to play the Xbox. I wouldn't recommend that.

Email me...

rogeralpine

07-12-2004, 13:29

..cheers Ian - mail on it's way :thumbs: !

Tom Whitaker

07-12-2004, 21:49

D'oh! I posted but Ian was logged in on the work PC. Roger - on its way to you tomorrow or Thurs. I believe you've emailed Ian - could you send it to me?

IF I can get anyone at work to go to the post office, do you want me to send it recorded/special delivery?

rogeralpine

08-12-2004, 08:17

...just picked this up Tom - many thanks for this.

I'll send you a mail from my hotmail account - I'm not in work today (sent via my works mail yesterday!)

Recorded delivery should be more than adequate. I gather you want it back by next Friday?

rogeralpine

08-12-2004, 08:23

...and, btw, I'm only 5 behind you!!

rogeralpine

25-12-2004, 11:22

Got mine delivered this week - superb piece of kit. Also, they mark it down to $20, so no customs either!!!

hookbeak

26-12-2004, 08:21

Help!

Got an x2vga+ for christmas and...nothing !

I have a 2001FP (like Tom) and i cant't get anything at all. I think i know why - i haven't got any of the modes enabled in the dash - but i can't SEE the dash with the x2vga plugged in as i don't get anything at all. I've set the xbox to ntsc with enigmah but i'm completely stuck now !

How can i get around this ?