Were there two versions? I believe(d) we had the original version. The one we have has the AV pug that goes into the machine and comes out as three component video cables. Now, I am reading about a 'Microsoft XBox High Definition AV Pack' that makes the video better...what am I missing?

Thanks everyone.

The high definition pack I bought was an add-on accessory that I bought after the fact. I believe it will work with any Xbox, but am not 100% sure. It terminates with component video out and 2 analog stereo plugs. It also allows for hookup of a toslink cable for digital audio.

Are you sure your plug had component level outs? Or was it a single composite video plug with stereo analog audio plugs (total 3 cables)?

I thought it had the 3 component out - a toslink and a s-video. It came out around 2001.

I am positive it has three component video cables. The cable has the AV connection, to the Xbox itself, and three component cables on the other end.

Can you clarify what you are trying to do? Do you have an HDTV and you're trying to hook up your XBox using Component video?

There are two different AV hookups.

The one that comes in the box is Composite. It has 1 yellow connection for Video, and 2 for Audio one white and one red (stereo left and right). This would be used to hookup your Xbox to an old TV (not an HDTV), or if you have an HDTV but you are not interested in getting a high def picture from XBox.

The Component hookup is something you have to buy separately. It is usually referred to as High Def AV pack and it has 5 connections, 3 for video which are called Component video (1 red, 1 green, 1 blue) and the 2 for Audio (red and white as above). It also has a port for toslink for Digital Audio (if you have a Receiver with 5.1 surround sound). You would use this hookup with an HDTV if you want to get high definition 720p/1080i resolution. If you are interested in this hookup, make sure you shop around because the original Microsoft one is probably more expensive and you might be able to find this cable for under $10. Also, if you do use this cable, remember to go into the XBox setting and select HD 720p / 1080i resolution.

Hope this helps...

I am positive it has three component video cables. The cable has the AV connection, to the Xbox itself, and three component cables on the other end.
I beleive it also has the two RCA connections for the audio.

Can you clarify what you are trying to do? Do you have an HDTV and you're trying to hook up your XBox using Component video?

There are two different AV hookups.

The one that comes in the box is Composite. It has 1 yellow connection for Video, and 2 for Audio one white and one red (stereo left and right). This would be used to hookup your Xbox to an old TV (not an HDTV), or if you have an HDTV but you are not interested in getting a high def picture from XBox.

The Component hookup is something you have to buy separately. It is usually referred to as High Def AV pack and it has 5 connections, 3 for video which are called Component video (1 red, 1 green, 1 blue) and the 2 for Audio (red and white as above). It also has a port for toslink for Digital Audio (if you have a Receiver with 5.1 surround sound). You would use this hookup with an HDTV if you want to get high definition 720p/1080i resolution. If you are interested in this hookup, make sure you shop around because the original Microsoft one is probably more expensive and you might be able to find this cable for under $10. Also, if you do use this cable, remember to go into the XBox setting and select HD 720p / 1080i resolution.

Hope this helps...
Crap! Thank you! You're totally right. My cable has a video (yellow) and stereo (right & white) into the tv. So I guess it's 'COMPOSITE' not 'COMPONENT'...I feel so dumb!

THanks so much. I will look for this cable and set up the Xbox properly. I will just need to find that menu...any hints?

I beleive it also has the two RCA connections for the audio.
I am wrong. It has a yellow, red, and white RCA cables on it...

Thanks so much. I will look for this cable and set up the Xbox properly. I will just need to find that menu...any hints?

Turn your Xbox on without a disc in the drive and it will take you directly to the Dashboard. The video setting is under "Settings" -> "Video".

Turn your Xbox on without a disc in the drive and it will take you directly to the Dashboard. The video setting is under "Settings" -> "Video".
Thanks nospam!

Just to let you know, not many origional xbox games are really in HD... though with the HD cable you will get a better quality picture, and most games will run in 480p, (slightly better than normal but not HD).

A list of true HD games can be found here:
http://144.92.43.200/hdg/hdg.asp?submit=ShowGames
(HD games are 720p or 1080i)

Just to let you know, not many origional xbox games are really in HD... though with the HD cable you will get a better quality picture, and most games will run in 480p, (slightly better than normal but not HD).

A list of true HD games can be found here:
http://144.92.43.200/hdg/hdg.asp?submit=ShowGames
(HD games are 720p or 1080i)
Wow, that's a good site! Thanks DJ.

the gen 1 X-box doesn't allow selection (or even show it as an option, for that matter) unless you actually have a HD-pack dongle plunged in. The pins on the connection block on the back of the x-box recognize the form of dongle and allow configuration from there.

Some things to keep in mind about HD and the original XBOX......

As stated above the HD support for the original xbox is a little spotty. Most games do not support any higher than 480p. That said it works well and IMHO worth the price of the cables esp. if you have a 50 inch or larger screen.

The HD pack works with all revisions of the original xbox. I have 3 of them configured as media center players (1.0, 1.1 and 1.6) and the HD pack works fine with all.

Be wary of the 3rd party HD cables if you require digital audio out. The MS HD pack includes TOSlink for audio. Most 3rd party cables that I have seen do not. That's worth the premium price IMHO.

I run XBMC Atlantis on a 56 inch screen using the Microsoft HD pack. I find that 720p to be the sweet spot in terms of resolution. It looks very sharp and XMBC does an excellent job of upconverting SD video sources to 720p and games run at their maximum supported resolution, normally 480p.


Russell

I have 2 Gen 1 Xboxs atm both have mod chips (Xecuter) and I use them for XBMC (Xbox Media Center - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XBMC )

Anyway XBMC can in addition upscale/upconvert all standard-definition (480i/480p/576i/576p) resolution videos and output them to 720p, 1080i, and 1080p high-definition resolutions. Does a great job too. Not to mention it supports full SMB network streaming and file shares, so you can stream music, video, and images from virtually anything that can run an SMB share.

I also love the NES, and SNES emulators as well. Nothing like playing Super Mario Brothers on an HDTV :P

I've got a stock, unmodded original Xbox and I'd like to run XBMC... I've read of the softmod but it'll cost me $50 or more to get the stuff required to do it. Is there any other way?

there is ... but they are risky and the "how to" stuff on the net is not consistent and most of the time contradict each other. I would Mod it with a chip or do a popular softmod ... stay away from the others IMO.

XBMC is worth $50, and really to go the extra step and do a full Chip Mod isn't much harder or $$$ to do. These days a full modchip package will set you back 50-60 bucks and that is for top of the line stuff.

I agree XMBC is well worth the cost of the of modding. It really shines in that is able to play many many different file formats.

The only real downside is that the HW of the gen1 xbox just doesn't have the capacity to play high def natively. It's great at upconverting but will not play a 720p or higher MKV.

In additional to the modchip you should also factor in the cost of a hard drive unless you can fileshare or have a media server and a remote control.

Depending on the modchip there may be a solderless adapter. If you have basic soldering skills the solder versions are not hard to install (with the possible exception of the LPC rebuild required on a 1.6 mainboard) and IMHO more reliable. If you have never soldered before an xbox is not the place to learn.

Russell

If you can find someone with a modded xbox it shouldn't cost you anything... just get him to put the proper game save on a memory card for you and find/borrow one of the softmod games.

None of my friends had Xboxes... they all went the PS2 route :(