Xbox Component Video Problem

[bishmasterb]

I have a Xbox that is about two years old, modded about a year ago, and has always worked perfectly. I've always had it connected via the composite cable, but recently, I tried connecting it to my TV via a component cable, instead of composite, and all I get is scrambled video or a blank screen. It continues to work fine via composite.

I've tried two different cables (both of them are multi-purpose PS2/XBOX/XBOX2 cables) and two different televisions. Both cables work great on my PS2 on both televisions. Either cable produces the scrambled video or blank screen with either cable or television when connected to the XBOX.

So I'm left with the conclusion that the problem lies in the XBOX itself. Any ideas?

[Daniel B.]

I had the same problem until I booted to the real M$ dash and enabled component output. Give that a shot if you can get into the ms dash. If you can't, I'm not sure what you can do.

[ChadTower]

What game and what resolution?  There are a couple of Xbox games that if you go into certain modes they don't work.  I ran into that with Fable and I think it was 720p - it just didn't work.

[bishmasterb]

I had the same problem until I booted to the real M$ dash and enabled component output. Give that a shot if you can get into the ms dash. If you can't, I'm not sure what you can do.

Doh! I forgot about the MS Dashboard. However, I just checked and the only options I see under Settings->Video are "Normal, Letterbox & Widescreen" related to aspect ratio. I don't see any settings about type of output to use. Where is the cable type setting located?

What game and what resolution?  There are a couple of Xbox games that if you go into certain modes they don't work.  I ran into that with Fable and I think it was 720p - it just didn't work.

It's all video output, from the moment it's turned on.

[northerngames]

I would say like mentioned prior either the game don't support it or it would be your 3rd party universal cord.

try a actual xbox brand cord and it should look better then the universal anyhow.

if your video chip i bad then it should not work at all but perhaps your pins are bent or crudded up with something.

check both the console and the cord ends to see if any of the pins look bent or damaged or pehaps a pitted colored compared to other's.

[Daniel B.]

Unfortunately it's been years since I had to set mine and now I can't get back into the ms dash

I'm sure xbox-scene forums will have a few hundred posts regarding this. I know google came in handy when I had trouble.

Sorry I can't be of more assistance!

[northerngames]

your stock dash is still there somewhere.

use a file manager like in avalaunch or xbmc and find your dash .xbe and click on it and it will launch.

[bishmasterb]

your stock dash is still there somewhere.

use a file manager like in avalaunch or xbmc and find your dash .xbe and click on it and it will launch.

Yes, I know. But when I go to the normal MS Dashboard, and selection "Settings->Video" the only options I see are "Normal, Letterbox and Widescreen" which obviously apply to aspect ratio. I can not find any settings for cable type or resolution. Where are those located?

[waveryder]

Is your XBox PAL or NTSC. Pal xbox's have to have a m$dash patch to enable progressive scan modes using component out.

[bishmasterb]

Is your XBox PAL or NTSC. Pal xbox's have to have a m$dash patch to enable progressive scan modes using component out.

It's NTSC (sorry for the assumption ).

I keep reading, here and other places, that you can select resolutions and/or cable types from the dashboard...but I just don't see those options anywhere on the MS dashboard on my XBox. Do I perhaps have an older model that doesn't support that? Or perhaps, as you mentioned, a firmware upgrade is required?

[versapak]

Is your XBox PAL or NTSC. Pal xbox's have to have a m$dash patch to enable progressive scan modes using component out.

It's NTSC (sorry for the assumption ).

I keep reading, here and other places, that you can select resolutions and/or cable types from the dashboard...but I just don't see those options anywhere on the MS dashboard on my XBox. Do I perhaps have an older model that doesn't support that? Or perhaps, as you mentioned, a firmware upgrade is required?

It should give you an option to choose resolution just by having a component cable plugged in, and any Xbox from a launch unit to the final one manufactured should give the option.

The cable you are using...

Is it a multiconsole cable? Does it require any switching?

It seems as though your Xbox is just not recognizing that you are using a component cable.

[northerngames]

I blame the 3rd party universal cord to be the problem.

[bishmasterb]

It should give you an option to choose resolution just by having a component cable plugged in, and any Xbox from a launch unit to the final one manufactured should give the option.

That makes sense then. With the composite plugged in so I can view the output, the Xbox doesn't let me see those options? If I'm understanding you correctly.

The cable you are using...

Is it a multiconsole cable? Does it require any switching?

Yes, a Xbox/360/PS cable. There is no physical switch on the cable, and both of the cables I have (which are identical) work with component output on my PS/2.

I blame the 3rd party universal cord to be the problem.

That could be. It would be highly unlikely for both cables to fail in an identical fashion, BUT perhaps both cables are designed improperly and don't support component on the Xbox.  I'll see if I can get an authentic MS component cable, or at least a dedicated Xbox cable.

[Daniel B.]

your local used game shop is going to be the best place to find these. Everyone upgrading to 360s traded them in last year.