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[speedypancake]

OK, here's the deal.
I've just spent all day surfing google and xbox forums for an answer to a simple question: How do I enable all the screen resolution and audio modes in my Xbox?

I recently aquired said xbox on Ebay. It came pre-modded with an Executer 2.6ce chip. I have since bought an advanced AV cable to try and connect it up to our projector using the component leads.. but all I get is a crappy black and white picture. (note the projector works fine on our DVD player component outputs).

So.. all you Xbox genius's and computer geeks.. what am I doing wrong?

System spec.:
Original Xbox - UK PAL version
Executer 2.6ce chip
Advanced AV lead
Avalaunch dashboard & original Xbox dashboards available
XBMC installed
Config Magic beta 2.0 installed

* I've already installed & run config magic beta 2.0 & switched the default video standard from PAL region 4 to NTSC region 1.
*I have set the standard MS settings to dolby digital.
* I cannot access the advanced / HD Video settings in Avalaunch. If I unlock or lock the HD with config magic I get "all writing to Eprom disabled, cannot proceed"
*If I try to unlock the HD with the Avalaunch HD tool it says something like "cannot unlock the HD unless it has been unlocked once for extra security"

So, finally, with my current set-up and configuration, EXACTLY what do I need to do to get control over all the possible sound and video options of my Xbox?? And if I need to download more software, please give me a link as to where on the WWW it's hiding.

Many thanks in adavance.
Totally fed-up, Scotland.

[Nisei]

Just buy a HD cable for component output and you're done.

[speedypancake]

"Just buy a HD cable for component output and you're done."

Thanks. But I don't think you understand the problem.

In the UK and the rest of Europe, Xboxes are shipped with a default video system called PAL instead of your, more common American NTSC. Someone figured that because High definition hadn't really caught on over here, we wouldn't need to access the settings or use component outputs and disabled this function. However, after a lot of research, I'm beginning to understand what I need to do - download a program called "Enigmah Video Switcher", burn it to a disc and use that to set my XBOX to NTSC so I can play with the high definition options... complicated or what!

[Nisei]

I'm from Europe as well and I use HD mode.
You need to buy a component HD cable AND switch to NTSC.
The Advanced AV lead you're using is probably S video so the Xbox won't allow any HD modes.

[The Zep Man]

It's very simple.

1. Make sure that your Xbox uses NTSC. Use Enigmah Video Switcher and never, never use any other tool for simply changing the video output. You can do more harm than good. Enigmah Video Switcher works on every Xbox and only has one purpose: to swap between PAL and NTSC.

2. Use an official MS HD-cable. You can buy one at Lik-Sang (they also sell them in Europe).

By the way, never put "Bet you can't solve this one" in your topic. It looks immature and is a sign of disrespect for the people you are seeking help from. ESPECIALLY since everything can be found by searching.

[The Zep Man]

QUOTE(speedypancake @ Feb 2 2006, 11:32 PM)

The only other thought is that my cable isn't an "official" Xbox but a 3rd party one. But it's got all the connections I want - RGB, component, s-video & optical audio.

Really don't know where to go next?? Any suggestions gratefully received

The question is: do the settings for HD appear in MS Dashboard?

If yes, enable some of them and reboot.

If no, your Xbox isn't seeing the HD-cable as an HD-cable, so it will not output HDTV no matter how effort you put into it. You can try modding the cable. However, I seriously advise you to simply buy the official one from MS (which you can get at Lik-Sang).

Again, this is what you will need to do:

1. Buy the official MS HD-pack from Lik-Sang.
2. Once shipped, use Enigmah Video Switcher to let your Xbox output NTSC.
3. Use the official MS HD-pack to connect your Xbox to your TV.
4. Start MS Dashboard. Since your Xbox is now outputting NTSC and since a proper HD-cable is connected, the menu options will appear.
5. Configure MS Dashboard to at least output 480p.
6. Load up Xbox Media Center (or a game which supports 480p) and have fun.

[The Zep Man]

QUOTE(speedypancake @ Feb 3 2006, 10:40 AM)

Thanks for that Zep man. Sounds like I'm going to have to fork out for another cable
Don't understand why someone would sell Xbox cables which have component outputs if you can't actually use them !?

The problem is that some third-party cables are 'faulty'. The cable tells the Xbox what kind of cable it is by applying a number of 'switches' (in the case of HDTV, switch 2 and 3). Some of the cables that aren't created by MS do not give the Xbox the right switches, making the Xbox believe it's not a HDTV-cable.

QUOTE

But no, you're right, the only options the original dash gives me are 4:3, letter box or widescreen. Resolution doesn't even get a mention in there. Hopefully the official cable will let me play with all the audio options too.

The HD-pack from MS supports both analog stereo jacks and optical digital audio. You can read it up here.

QUOTE

Thanks again for your help.

No problem. And my apologies for being so harsh about the topic-title.