Topic: Vga Versus Component... (Read 231 times)

squarejawhero · « **on:** April 19, 2006, 03:46:00 PM »

Hey, wondered if anyone could help. I've had my Xbox360 plugged into me spanking 26" Samsung Rome II LCD via the MS VGA cable... and couldn't have been happier with the picture on full resolution. But I was told proper HDTV settings would be an improvement on it, the telly has a component, so I forked out the cashola for the MS version component cable.

Now, I'm trying to figure out if this is an issue with the monitor or the cable, or even the 360. The VGA displays on the telly and my PC's 17" Viewisonic a really crisp, clean picture. The component on the Samsung is darker and definitely muddier... in fact, it's also got ghosting around the edges of the graphics similar to how you see when running a Pal signal through a scart to it. The contrast also seems to be out of whack, even after when playing with the LCD settings. As such it doesn't appear high-def, either on 720p or 1080i. I've also noted that the edges are not being aliased on the graphics either - resulting in all games looking rather ragged.

My instincts tell me that it's the cable and the Xbox having some kind of communication difficulties, as I'm certain HD isn't supposed to look like that. I'm hoping someone here could tell me if they think it's a cable, 360 or LCD issue as its driving me nuts. Sure, I can play on VGA looking fine, but if something's wrong with either the console or the LCD I'd rather return them on warranty than risk it being an issue that carries on into the future.

Thanks in advance.

This post has been edited by twistedsymphony: Apr 20 2006, 06:15 PM

Jelly4000 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 19, 2006, 03:58:00 PM »

All i can suggest is check the usual, the switch, the settings etc etc.

I notice a substantial constrast change when moving from my 17" monitor to rather large (no idea how big) lcd tv, the picture on the tv is darker slightly, and i am using component on it...may just be a normal thing?

The only thing i would really worry about is the muddiness, that is not good, and the ghosting is probably the cable...odd though, havn't heard any complaints from others using the MS one...

squarejawhero · « **Reply #2 on:** April 19, 2006, 04:17:00 PM »

Thanks for the quick response... yeah, there seems to be some issue between the 360 and the LCD. The muddy screen, overly sharp contrast, does remind me of playing on a Pal television. It's most definitely not HD either - the edges are full of jaggies. It appears low-resolution. LCD's can't handly low resolution very well, producing muddy effects...

Funny how when you write something, it makes sense, yeah?

Somehow something's not working. Or in other words, the signal from the X360 in HD isn't HD. Those jaggies are far too obvious. Could the cable be faulty and the HD signal not getting through?

This post has been edited by squarejawhero: Apr 19 2006, 11:24 PM

twistedsymphony · « **Reply #3 on:** April 20, 2006, 07:41:00 AM »

um... I believe you've got component and composite mixed up

I HOPE you're trying to use component cables (Red Green Blue RCA + Audio) and not composite cables (Yellow + Audio)

composite is total junk and doesn't support past 480i

infact composite cables are so junk that when using them on an HD LCD it would produce a dark, muddy, non HD picture with edge ghosting... (which sounds exactly like the problems you're having)

This post has been edited by twistedsymphony: Apr 20 2006, 02:49 PM

squarejawhero · « **Reply #4 on:** April 20, 2006, 10:42:00 AM »

*sigh* You're right... I don't know WHY I wrote that. Obviously had a brain fart.

I'll edit the title. Incidentally, I'm using the component cables.

Damn, can't edit it now - too late. Any kind Mod's in the house? Or shall I open a new thread?

This post has been edited by squarejawhero: Apr 20 2006, 05:43 PM

twistedsymphony · « **Reply #5 on:** April 20, 2006, 11:16:00 AM »

I've changed it for you, I only made note because you said composite througout your entire post.

What resolution do you have it set to in the dashboard 480p, 720p, or 1080i?

squarejawhero · « **Reply #6 on:** April 20, 2006, 05:20:00 PM »

Thanks, twisted, really kind.

Well, I've got it on 720p. The jaggies are phenomenally out there. If you want I can post pics (the best ones I can get anyhow) to show the issue. Do MS do warranty on cables too?

Vhayne · « **Reply #7 on:** April 21, 2006, 02:05:00 PM »

I'm having a similar issue with my 61" JVC. Running through component (red, blue, green), and have the cable switched over to HDTV, and the display setting in the dashboard set to 720p. Granted some games look ok I suppose. They are usually quite smooth in framerate though, but jaggies are very much abundant. The resolutions are definately increased, but it's like AA was just left out entirely. I figured it's because of the size of the TV. It's just blowing the image up so much....

DVD's though, that's an entirely different story. Playing my DVD's on the 360, through the same setup results in some horrible pictures. The results are so grainy that it looks like I'm watching an old VHS tape on widescreen. Again, this is probably due to the size of the TV, and the fact that it's running at 480p, but geez. I was really hoping for a bit more. Just got the TV this past Monday.

I've begin wondering if it's my cable also.

squarejawhero · « **Reply #8 on:** April 22, 2006, 03:43:00 AM »

Identical problem.

Well, I rang MS and they told me they couldn't figure it out either but would recommend VGA over Component any time. I've been given the go-ahead to return the cable, which I'm doing, so when a new one arrives I'll let you know if that's the problem.

chuckthefuk · « **Reply #9 on:** April 22, 2006, 01:02:00 PM »

I am using a Knockoff VGA cable.. on a CRT 21" .. Looks 10x better then component on a cheap Plasma HDTV (dashboard set / cable set). ..

while playing PGR3 i get some Jagged lines.. no GHOSTING/Darkness

I havn't tried an LCD monitor or TV but soon enough..

QUOTE(squarejawhero @ Apr 22 2006, 05:43 AM)

Identical problem.

Well, I rang MS and they told me they couldn't figure it out either but would recommend VGA over Component any time. I've been given the go-ahead to return the cable, which I'm doing, so when a new one arrives I'll let you know if that's the problem.

twistedsymphony · « **Reply #10 on:** April 23, 2006, 06:31:00 PM »

some games have jaggies, PGR3 has lots of jaggies DOA4 has none.

I'm playing on a projector (about 120" diagonal) so I think I'd notice jaggies before anyone else.

Do you see jaggies or ghosted images in the dash? if not then it's probably working correctly. you can't judge by a particular game because you don't know if that game actually uses AA.

Also the DVD playback is total JUNK it has nothing to do with your display or the cables, DVD playback on the 360 is just not good, it's problems have been well documented in many other threads.

rippinitto · « **Reply #11 on:** April 23, 2006, 06:58:00 PM »

QUOTE(twistedsymphony @ Apr 24 2006, 01:31 AM)

Also the DVD playback is total JUNK it has nothing to do with your display or the cables, DVD playback on the 360 is just not good, it's problems have been well documented in many other threads.

SOOOO true. im using VGA 1366x766. games look beautiful. Trying to watch KING KONG dvd and the resolution drops down to 640x someth ing some thing.. and it looks like they filmed it with an 80's camera...
This is why i still use XBMC =\

squarejawhero · « **Reply #12 on:** April 24, 2006, 05:11:00 AM »

QUOTE(twistedsymphony @ Apr 24 2006, 01:31 AM)

some games have jaggies, PGR3 has lots of jaggies DOA4 has none.

I'm playing on a projector (about 120" diagonal) so I think I'd notice jaggies before anyone else.

Do you see jaggies or ghosted images in the dash? if not then it's probably working correctly. you can't judge by a particular game because you don't know if that game actually uses AA.

Also the DVD playback is total JUNK it has nothing to do with your display or the cables, DVD playback on the 360 is just not good, it's problems have been well documented in many other threads.

What I'm saying is that the same game (FarCry) on the different modes on this system has noticable jaggies under component, no matter the res, and virtually none in VGA. The same goes for other titles. I know PGR has jaggies, but its definitely worse under component. I'm seeing jagged edges and ghosting under the dash and flat picture screens too.

Maybe I'm more sensitive than most - I'm an illustrator and storyboard artist - but there's definitely a big difference between the two. BTW under VGA the playback seems ok on DVD... any lossy compression I see is down to each individual dvd.

hiaaa · « **Reply #13 on:** April 24, 2006, 05:48:00 AM »

with my Samsung 26 HDTV the VGA is lot better picture than the Component.

This post has been edited by hiaaa: Apr 24 2006, 12:50 PM

lostboyz · « **Reply #14 on:** April 24, 2006, 12:27:00 PM »

just got my VGA adapter and put my box on my 17" Lcd monitor and it is so beautiful though I fear im never going to leave my desk chair.

Author Topic: Vga Versus Component... (Read 231 times)