Topic: Full VGA Support For Modchips! (Read 2840 times)

FrostyTheSnowman · « **Reply #255 on:** July 31, 2007, 12:55:00 PM »

Prototype Pictures!!!

I have been given the green light from the manufacturer to start sharing some of the design pictures and prototype pictures for the 'homemade' VGA cables that are currently being finalized and manufactured for public sale. (should be available in 5-6 weeks or so) They will be 100% compatible with ALL of my VGA solutions on the XBOX.

Enjoy!

NOTE: I will have some pictures of the 'official' manufactured prototype tomorrow too. These are just the early rough concept pictures.

NOTE 2: These cables are the LM1881N-based cables, which means they will be compatible with 90% of most VGA monitors!

FrostyTheSnowman · « **Reply #256 on:** July 31, 2007, 04:34:00 PM »

Unfortunately no, the cost of parts to fix that problem in the production of these cables would be more than it would be worth. (we want the cable to cost around $20 or less for the consumer)

However, with that said, I am confident that over 90% of most VGA monitors will work fine with these cables.

mrtim13x · « **Reply #257 on:** August 01, 2007, 08:02:00 AM »

so frosty, i have been looking on the web, and i have found these xbox cables that have the RBG outputs, and then i found VGA cables that also have a RBG RCA output, so i'm wondering if this will work to take the component xbox cable with male RCA and the VGA w/ male RCA component output and use a female/female RCA connection to connect them.

IPB Image

+

what do u think

FrostyTheSnowman · « **Reply #258 on:** August 01, 2007, 08:35:00 AM »

Yes, that idea will work perfectly, as long as you have a Sync-on-Green VGA monitor. (check your manual)

Make sure you are using a VGA BIOS too though, either by using my VGA patcher or my VGA softmod, because the screen will still be tinted green without one.

FrostyTheSnowman · « **Reply #259 on:** August 01, 2007, 09:24:00 PM »

This may seem silly, but did you set the switch to output Component on that cable?

Also, make sure your projector supports Sync-on-Green, or else this setup won't work.

FrostyTheSnowman · « **Reply #260 on:** August 01, 2007, 09:59:00 PM »

QUOTE(slowass @ Aug 1 2007, 10:20 PM)

Yep its set to Component. Just came to realize that I dont know if my projector can handle Sync-on-Green.

Maybe this is a hint: Just noticed that I had something that might have been the XBMC Dashbord output from the projector but that was when XBMC had gone into "Shading" (or what they call the screensaver effect). Everything was in GREEN!

As soon as I moved the pad everything was gone as it used to be.

How old is your projector?

Could it possibly handle component through the VGA port without my BIOS?

FrostyTheSnowman · « **Reply #261 on:** August 01, 2007, 11:08:00 PM »

It looks like your projector natively supports Component input... have you enabled your HD resolutions in the Microsoft Dashboard?

If you haven't, then this won't work until you do. You will need to go into your Microsoft Dashboard and enable at least 480p.

yaywoop · « **Reply #262 on:** August 26, 2007, 01:02:00 AM »

THANKS FrostyTheSnowman. your patch works great on my v1.0xbox. i just wired up the internal sync signals so now i can really make use of your patch.

Foe-hammer · « **Reply #263 on:** August 27, 2007, 02:26:00 AM »

Frosty, any update on your xbox vga cable?

yaywoop · « **Reply #264 on:** August 27, 2007, 03:38:00 AM »

hmm. this has nothing to do with the bios but i am getting pixel-shifting lines running down my screen with my internal sync mod. does anyone have any idea how to fix that. i am sure that it is the sync signals...

FrostyTheSnowman · « **Reply #265 on:** August 27, 2007, 07:17:00 AM »

QUOTE(Foe-hammer @ Aug 27 2007, 03:02 AM)

Frosty, any update on your xbox vga cable?

I assume you saw the prototypes on the previous page, right?

Other than that, I am just waiting on the final prototype before they go in to production.

I'm wondering though... is there even enough interest anymore to justify it?

QUOTE(yaywoop @ Aug 27 2007, 04:14 AM)

hmm. this has nothing to do with the bios but i am getting pixel-shifting lines running down my screen with my internal sync mod. does anyone have any idea how to fix that. i am sure that it is the sync signals...

Hmm... how noticable are the shifting pixels?

Even on the LM1881N design, you can still see these same shifting pixels... they are just barely noticable.

I would ask PunMaster (page 18 of this thread) as he is one of the only other people I know that actually used the internal sync signals...

Ebsy · « **Reply #266 on:** August 27, 2007, 02:07:00 PM »

QUOTE(FrostyTheSnowman @ Aug 27 2007, 02:53 PM)

I'm wondering though... is there even enough interest anymore to justify it?

FWIW, I'm definitely interested. I'm in the UK and I've been waiting for this Talismoon (?) cable to be released ever since you announced it. I'll buy one as soon as they're available.

yaywoop · « **Reply #267 on:** August 28, 2007, 02:35:00 AM »

frostythesnowman, with your vga cable, have you considered using another sync separator. apparently the lm1881 doesn't give a proper horizontal sync

this is from http://www.stevegehl...icle/opamp_html

"The sync separator used is the Genum GS4981 instead of the more commonly available LM1881. The reason for this is the horizontal output. The LM1881 does not produce true horizontal drive, i.e., a horizontal output without vertical sync included. The VGA standard requires this, and some VGA monitors will not sync or set the reference black level properly without true horizontal drive."

if you are going to sell this thing you might want to make sure that it will work with all screens. BTW the GS4981 is a drop in replacement for the lm1881n.

the shifting pixels are not as bad as what PunMaster posted but they are a little annoying. although you don't really notice them when you are immersed in a game of halo 2

i will try making the wires shorter and add some cap's to the power lines

yaywoop · « **Reply #268 on:** August 28, 2007, 05:59:00 AM »

strangely enough the line shifting doesn't happen at 1080i, is noticeable at 720p and a bit worse at 480p.
this is just using my dashboard (UnleashX) at different resolutions
Halo2 (480p) has noticeable line shifting and XBMC at 720p is crystal clear.

i probably won't bother trying to fix it. all the action when playing an actual game makes it not noticeable and xbmc is clear for watching movies and stuff.

one mistake i made with the cable is putting a female plug on the end (a VGA cable cut in two). this means i need an adapter to connect it to a screen with a built in cable (if anyone is making a cable keep this in mind)

FrostyTheSnowman · « **Reply #269 on:** August 28, 2007, 07:54:00 AM »

A drop-in replacement you say...

Hmm, i'm going to have to test this immediately, as there is still time to make a change to the prototypes...

I'll post my results soon.

NOTE TO ALL: Oh and also, for the record, I am making very little if any personal profit off this project. This is mostly a collaborated effort to provide a cheap solution for those who cannot build this cable on their own. If anyone decides to buy these cables, just know that I only assisted with their design, and I am not actually profiting from this project.

Author Topic: Full VGA Support For Modchips! (Read 2840 times)