Xbox forum - xbox + PC monitor questions

Author

xbox + PC monitor questions

ciqret

2005-05-18, 3:34 am

I currently use my PC monitor for my Xbox, by a somewhat convoluted
route: Xbox -> composite video in on my PCI TV card -> TV application
running in Windows. It works but the video quality is less than perfect
- particularly when watching DVDs.

1) Can I get a cable that connects my Xbox directly to my monitor?
(Hence I guess I don't even need to have my PC when playing Xbox?) If
such a cable exists can anyone supply a suitable link (Ebay or otherwise)?

2) Is it safe/sensible for my Xbox/monitor to use the Xbox as a stand
for my 17" CRT monitor?

Thanks for your help.

Stuart
[ciqret]

Glennbo

2005-05-18, 6:53 am

"ciqret" <ciqret@anon.net> wrote in message
news:d6enov$jms$1@newsg2.svr.pol.co.uk...

quote:

>I currently use my PC monitor for my Xbox, by a somewhat convoluted route:
>Xbox -> composite video in on my PCI TV card -> TV application running in
>Windows. It works but the video quality is less than perfect - particularly
>when watching DVDs.
>
> 1) Can I get a cable that connects my Xbox directly to my monitor? (Hence
> I guess I don't even need to have my PC when playing Xbox?) If such a
> cable exists can anyone supply a suitable link (Ebay or otherwise)?
>
> 2) Is it safe/sensible for my Xbox/monitor to use the Xbox as a stand for
> my 17" CRT monitor?
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
>
> Stuart
> [ciqret]

Go to www.lik-sang.com and go to Xbox > VGA adapters.

Glennbo

DNA

2005-05-18, 8:36 pm

ciqret wrote:

quote:

> 2) Is it safe/sensible for my Xbox/monitor to use the Xbox as a stand

quote:

> for my 17" CRT monitor?

Why? What do you do with the telephone directories that you get every
3rd month..

Chris F

2005-05-18, 8:36 pm

On Wed, 18 May 2005 07:35:13 +0100, ciqret <ciqret@anon.net> wrote:

quote:

>I currently use my PC monitor for my Xbox, by a somewhat convoluted
>route: Xbox -> composite video in on my PCI TV card -> TV application
>running in Windows. It works but the video quality is less than perfect
>- particularly when watching DVDs.

why not watch DVD's on through your dvd drive in your PC then?

you'll only be getting a composite signal from the xbox, and that will
look godawful on ANY PC monitor.

quote:

>
>1) Can I get a cable that connects my Xbox directly to my monitor?
>(Hence I guess I don't even need to have my PC when playing Xbox?) If
>such a cable exists can anyone supply a suitable link (Ebay or otherwise)?
>

they do exist, but afaik, you'll more than likely just get the same
end result, as the xbox doesnt output a vga signal. (not sure, but if
you have a US cube you might be able to use it in prog-scan mode, but
dont tknow if they work that way.)

quote:

>2) Is it safe/sensible for my Xbox/monitor to use the Xbox as a stand
>for my 17" CRT monitor?
>

er.....since the xbox isnt flat, i'd say no, probably not.
--

gamertag: chrisflynnuk
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SWAT, MotoGP2, Burnout3, OutRun2(Demo), FSW

Grinder

2005-05-18, 8:37 pm

ciqret wrote:

quote:

> I currently use my PC monitor for my Xbox, by a somewhat convoluted
> route: Xbox -> composite video in on my PCI TV card -> TV application
> running in Windows. It works but the video quality is less than perfect
> - particularly when watching DVDs.
>
> 1) Can I get a cable that connects my Xbox directly to my monitor?
> (Hence I guess I don't even need to have my PC when playing Xbox?) If
> such a cable exists can anyone supply a suitable link (Ebay or otherwise)?

I just bought one of these:
http://www.x2vga.com/

Boxes that take the standard video composite and upsample it to produce
VGA output will look no better than your current situation, so I urge
you to stay away from them. There is one at lik-sang that takes
component video, to produce VGA output:
http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?products_id=4233

I suspect it's output would look better, but it has another limitation.
Namely, it does not support 480i output, so when you are using it, you
will not be able to see the xbox dashboard -- at all. (EvolutionX will
apparently output 480p, so it will be ok.)

The x2vga box does handle 480i, in a manner. It does not do a very good
job of it -- it's blurry and you may have to use a button on the device
to scroll the screen horizontally, but it is passable for use on the
standard dashboard.

As for DVD viewing, you might not see any improvement. I use DVDx to
watch DVDs, which apparently will only put out 480i -- leaving me to use
my TV instead of my monitor in those situations. I can't say what the
DVD adapter for the Xbox offers, as I don't have it.

All said, I would definitely recommend the x2vga.

quote:

> 2) Is it safe/sensible for my Xbox/monitor to use the Xbox as a stand
> for my 17" CRT monitor?

No. Not only is the Xbox curved on top, leaving the monitor to balance,
but it's not very durable. Find yourself a cheap monitor stand:
http://www.keysan.com/ksu1024.htm