Topic: Full VGA Support For Modchips! (Read 2793 times)

ampedXR · « **Reply #60 on:** October 22, 2006, 03:02:00 PM »

This is just sick!
Move over x360!

Does anyone know if there is a list of supported games and their resolutions somewhere?

wolrahnaes · « **Reply #61 on:** October 22, 2006, 03:14:00 PM »

QUOTE(veeper @ Oct 16 2006, 05:11 AM)

Hm... isn't there an option for a 480p flubber in some BIOS's? No idea how that works anyway, but that might be the explanation for it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

Yes.

I can verify that the X3 BIOS has supported 480p flubber for many versions.

FrostyTheSnowman · « **Reply #62 on:** October 22, 2006, 04:12:00 PM »

QUOTE(v1p3r @ Oct 22 2006, 01:59 PM)

My 24" widescreen monitor has both component inputs (with 1080i support) and VGA, is there any compelling reason to swich from component to VGA?

Cheers (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Well, it would depend on the quality of your monitor.

But, you probably wouldn't notice a huge difference if your monitor already has good support for Component input.

Demi · « **Reply #63 on:** October 22, 2006, 04:15:00 PM »

I am having a problem with the autopatcher on my v1.0 qith a vga cable. I patched my x2 5035 bios as the instructions say. And when I turn on the xbox I can see the "loading x2 config" correctly its white so the patch seems to be ok at this point. But after that my monitor just goes to sleep. I don't get the flubber not suprising but my dashboard nevers come up either. I have enabled the hdtv setting in the MS dash. Tried it with 720p and 480p enable and with just 480p. This monitor and cable does work with the old debug vga bios from way back so i have to be doing something wrong. Any one have an idea?

veeper · « **Reply #64 on:** October 22, 2006, 05:24:00 PM »

QUOTE(Demi @ Oct 23 2006, 12:22 AM)

I am having a problem with the autopatcher on my v1.0 qith a vga cable. I patched my x2 5035 bios as the instructions say. And when I turn on the xbox I can see the "loading x2 config" correctly its white so the patch seems to be ok at this point. But after that my monitor just goes to sleep. I don't get the flubber not suprising but my dashboard nevers come up either. I have enabled the hdtv setting in the MS dash. Tried it with 720p and 480p enable and with just 480p. This monitor and cable does work with the old debug vga bios from way back so i have to be doing something wrong. Any one have an idea?

This is now just a guess, but do you use a cable with VGA mode instead of HDTV? That would be an explanation in case you were using one of the 'classic' VGA BIOS's which had the unofficial 640x480 mode support.
A second idea: did you just try the standard Microsoft dashboard and thus not see anything because it is displaying interlaced? This one would magically match a Yes to the first idea.

Demi · « **Reply #65 on:** October 22, 2006, 05:27:00 PM »

yeah this is a cable that was made for vga mode. I haven't kept up with the vga stuff in a long time so i didn't realize that there was a different way to make the cable. i assume i just need to change the jumper wires in the plug to change from vga mode to hdtv mode?

veeper · « **Reply #66 on:** October 22, 2006, 05:45:00 PM »

QUOTE(Demi @ Oct 23 2006, 01:34 AM)

yeah this is a cable that was made for vga mode. I haven't kept up with the vga stuff in a long time so i didn't realize that there was a different way to make the cable. i assume i just need to change the jumper wires in the plug to change from vga mode to hdtv mode?

Wow, I'm glad to see that I was actually right. Yes, changing to HDTV mode will do the trick.

*still longing for time to fix his own box to try the new BIOS*

This post has been edited by veeper: Oct 23 2006, 12:46 AM

Demi · « **Reply #67 on:** October 22, 2006, 06:19:00 PM »

Thanks Veeper that fixed my problem it works perfectly now. I would have been here all night trying to figure out why it isn't working if it weren't for your help. And thank you Frosty for making this patch I have been wanting to use my xbox with my lcd monitor for a long time and you have made the best solution i have found yet.

inni · « **Reply #68 on:** October 23, 2006, 11:03:00 AM »

Can we homebrew the cables?

Or is this based on a special brand cable..?
Wonderful work btw!

A great honour salute,

^Angel.

T-1200 · « **Reply #69 on:** October 23, 2006, 01:10:00 PM »

I would like to try this myself on my X3 modchip, but I dont have a switch attached to it, so I cannot select a different bank to install the patched bios.

Foe-hammer · « **Reply #70 on:** October 23, 2006, 02:43:00 PM »

QUOTE(T-1200 @ Oct 23 2006, 01:17 PM)

I would like to try this myself on my X3 modchip, but I dont have a switch attached to it, so I cannot select a different bank to install the patched bios.

The x3 doesn't need a physical switch to change the bios banks. All you need to do is go into the x3 config file (hold down the white button when booting), flash one of your 1mb banks, and then load them up. Very simple.

Demi · « **Reply #71 on:** October 23, 2006, 04:27:00 PM »

inni I am using a homebrew cable, works great now. If you are looking to build one do a search for Textbook's xbox vga tutorial. If you follow those instructions you should have no problem getting it to work.

m3tro · « **Reply #72 on:** October 23, 2006, 06:37:00 PM »

QUOTE(FrostyTheSnowman @ Oct 13 2006, 05:19 PM)

NOTE: The v1.6 XBOX is still unsupported. My patch will not work for v1.6 XBOXs because they use the 'Xcalibur' video encoder. This encoder was internally developed by Microsoft, and there isn't any data sheets or documentation available for anyone to be able to get VGA working on this encoder.

I patched M8plus_16.bin and Metoo-M8plus_16-06-EF.bin, and flashed my chip, just to see what happened!
Don't have a vga cable, so can't test that, but just wanted to tell you I still get a picture on my TV with Composite cables and HDTV cables.

Nearly everything is green, but there is a picture....

(Metoo-M8plus_16-06-EF.bin is BFM)

This post has been edited by m3tro: Oct 24 2006, 01:39 AM

FrostyTheSnowman · « **Reply #73 on:** October 23, 2006, 09:45:00 PM »

Correct. The XBOX GPU is still being patched to output RGB to the encoder in a v1.6 XBOX with my patch, but unfortunately the encoder itself is not being patched. This means that although the GPU is outputting RGB, the encoder is still in it's retail state, which is what prevents it from displaying VGA properly.

Hopefully some documentation on the Xcalibur encoder will emerge, and if that happens I can easily apply the appropriate code to my patcher to support v1.6 XBOXs. (Hey, Microsoft, how about that datasheet?

)

NOTE: The green tint is a direct result of the GPU being patched for RGB, and the encoder not being patched to recieve an RGB signal. This also happens with standard A/V cables too, because the standard cables are not enabling HDTV output (Because they are not HDTV cables...

), and the HDTV code for the encoder is what is actually being patched in my patcher. And also note, that the reason why the colors are incorrect when using an actual HDTV cable and a real HDTV is because the encoder is trying to output VGA colors and signals to an HDTV, and most HDTVs cannot accept a VGA signal on their Component Inputs.

So basically...

Composite (Yellow, White, Red) = Green
S-Video = Green
SCART = Green
Component = Green
Homemade VGA Cable = Beautiful VGA Colors

This is why it is recommended that anyone using my patcher should also have a 'clean' BIOS on the second bank of their modchip for usage on TVs.

DVADER · « **Reply #74 on:** October 25, 2006, 02:31:00 PM »

I've been gone for a while... and.. wow. It looks like you've taken what little I was able to accomplish and turned it into something worthwhile.

I'm glad to see someone working on this. I'm happy to assist where I can, but it looks like frosty has a better grasp on this than I ever did.
I don't really read these forums any more, but I sent frosty my email via PM.

Author Topic: Full VGA Support For Modchips! (Read 2793 times)