Xbox360 Component VS VGA

[ENU291]

Well folks after reading some comments made here and on the AVS Forums I decided to pick up the HD-DVD add-on for the Xbox360. Since I migrated my 360 over to a 42" 1080P LCD I've been using the optional VGA cable for connectivity. Since I really only use the 360 for gaming everything looked fine until I connected the HD-DVD player and started to check out King Kong (freebee HD-DVD movie). The movie looked bland and lifeless. I thought to myself "What the hell is the big deal with this new format? The movies don't look much better then DVD!" I fiddled with my LCD controls to see if I could improve the image but to no avail. Just for the hell of it I tried using the Component cable to see if there was any difference with the PQ so I connected everything and fired up the 360. What I saw after configuring the display options was incredible. King Kong on HD-DVD blew me away. The amount of detail and the rich vibrant colors where truely impressive. The difference between the VGA and the Component output is huge! It seems like the contrast levels tripled when I used the Component cables. I wonder what's going on with the 360 VGA option? As of now I will only use the Component cables to connect my 360 to my LCD.

[Zelda_fan]

Well folks after reading some comments made here and on the AVS Forums I decided to pick up the HD-DVD add-on for the Xbox360. Since I migrated my 360 over to a 42" 1080P LCD I've been using the optional VGA cable for connectivity. Since I really only use the 360 for gaming everything looked fine until I connected the HD-DVD player and started to check out King Kong (freebee HD-DVD movie). The movie looked bland and lifeless. I thought to myself "What the hell is the big deal with this new format? The movies don't look much better then DVD!" I fiddled with my LCD controls to see if I could improve the image but to no avail. Just for the hell of it I tried using the Component cable to see if there was any difference with the PQ so I connected everything and fired up the 360. What I saw after configuring the display options was incredible. King Kong on HD-DVD blew me away. The amount of detail and the rich vibrant colors where truely impressive. The difference between the VGA and the Component output is huge! It seems like the contrast levels tripled when I used the Component cables. I wonder what's going on with the 360 VGA option? As of now I will only use the Component cables to connect my 360 to my LCD.

What resolution where you running over the VGA cable?

[ENU291]

What resolution where you running over the VGA cable?
Before the update it was 1280X720 and after the update it was 1920X1080. I can also go to 1920X1080 over component but when I try to watch HD-DVD movies the resolution switches to 1920X540 (1080i).

[Zelda_fan]

Before the update it was 1280X720 and after the update it was 1920X1080. I can also go to 1920X1080 over component but when I try to watch HD-DVD movies the resolution switches to 1920X540 (1080i).

that's very strange. From what I heard, you should get the best image over 1080p via VGA since component can't do it.

[ENU291]

I'm pleased to inform you that 1920X1080P definitely works over component. The 360 dashboard and my LCD info screen both verify this. I'm telling you ZF component looks WORLDS better then VGA. I was just as surprised as you are now.

[saturnotaku]

I'm pleased to inform you that 1920X1080P definitely works over component. The 360 dashboard and my LCD info screen both verify this. I'm telling you ZF component looks WORLDS better then VGA. I was just as surprised as you are now.

Fascinating. I'll have to do a comparison myself when I get my HDTV next year.

[LurkerLito]

Just FYI some TVs only allow 1024x768 or the equivalent WS resolution on their VGA input. You need to check your TV manual.

[ENU291]

Just FYI some TVs only allow 1024x768 or the equivalent WS resolution on their VGA input. You need to check your TV manual.
My LCD can definitely do 1920X1080 through VGA. Just to clear things up. Connecting the 360 through VGA produces a very clear and very sharp image but the problem is that the output seems washed out. It lacks the contrast and vibrant colors that the Component output is able to display. I seriously think there is something wrong with the way the 360 handles the VGA signal. This happens with both my 42" LCD and my Dell 2405FPW.

[ATI_Dude]

Since VGA is using a strict RGB color space picture quality on the individual HDTV/monitor depends on VGA signal quality and how it handles RGB. HDTVs use various algorithms to improve color clarity and contrast. These algorithms are disabled when a source is connected to the VGA port and replaced by a a strict RGB color space.

[ENU291]

Someone on the AVS Forums is having the exact same problem I'm having with the 360 connected via VGA.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8829442&&#post8829442

[Peoples-Agent]

I use to think the same about VGA being washed out, until I set the colour mode to Warm on my LCD , it's never looked better. You can get the same vibrance, you just need to dabble with the TV alot more than normal, but ontop of that you get a crisper image.

[six_storm]

I just bought my TV this morning (Black Friday at BB :D) and I've been playing around with the VGA vs. Component. I can't really tell a difference between the two in games, but in movies (obviously), DVD movies go down to 480p via component and 'insert resolution here' via VGA. And since I don't have my special little RCA-to-Minijack adaptor for the audio via VGA cable, I gotta stick with laggy 480p. :(

Why oh why can't there just be a HDMI output on the 360?

[Mathesar]

360's VGA looks great on my CRT PC monitor but I did have to lower the brightness and increase the contrast , with my PC connected to the same monitor via VGA I dont have to do this.. so I'd say 360's VGA output is a little "off" but can be adjusted (for the most part) maybe its not as easy to compensate on LCDs being they already have weaker black levels to begin with.

However in comparison I prefer 360 on my CRT HDTV via Component cables, Not just because the screen is bigger but because the colors appear more vibrant and the contrast is stronger.

some random shots ive taken , of course there only digicam shots with some moire effects which aren't normally present (all are from my PC monitor):
http://ded.zenblue.net/FW900/Xbox360/FW900_360_1080p.jpg

http://ded.zenblue.net/FW900/Xbox360/Kameo_Enchanted_Kingdom.jpg

http://ded.zenblue.net/FW900/Xbox360/Kameo_forest.jpg

http://ded.zenblue.net/FW900/Xbox360/FN3_04.jpg

[Zelda_fan]

I'm pleased to inform you that 1920X1080P definitely works over component. The 360 dashboard and my LCD info screen both verify this. I'm telling you ZF component looks WORLDS better then VGA. I was just as surprised as you are now.

What LCD are you useing? Not many LCDs I know of that can accept 1080p over component either.

[toxikneedle]

What LCD are you useing? Not many LCDs I know of that can accept 1080p over component either.
My Dell W3201C LCD accepts 1080p over component.

[Marvel_us]

What LCD are you useing? Not many LCDs I know of that can accept 1080p over component either.

Hey Zelda, does the Westy you bought accept 1080p over component?

[six_storm]

I'm pissed cuz the 360 can't upscale regular DVDs via component. And the bad thing is that when hooked up via VGA, it doesn't look that much better. Any suggestions?

[toxikneedle]

I'm pissed cuz the 360 can't upscale regular DVDs via component. And the bad thing is that when hooked up via VGA, it doesn't look that much better. Any suggestions?
hd-dvd addon

[Zelda_fan]

Hey Zelda, does the Westy you bought accept 1080p over component?

No the max it will accept over component is 1080i I believe. It does accept 1080p via VGA, DVI (two of them), and HDMI

[six_storm]

I finally found a RCA-to-Mini Jack adaptor in my 360 box . . . VGA does look a little better though.