Retro Fishsticks - BOID's Unofficial Xbox Faq Part 1

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Topic: BOID's Unofficial Xbox Faq Part 1 (Read 125 times)

Mike Carter
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BOID's Unofficial Xbox Faq Part 1
« Thread Started on Feb 14, 2002, 6:35pm »

check http://www.xbox.info for up to date information on this faq.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Section 1 - XBox Setup and A/V Connections
1.1 What are the different Microsoft adapter packs?
1.2 Which Microsoft A/V adapter set should I use?
1.3 How do I hook it all up?
1.4 Can I hook the XBox up to my computer monitor?
1.5 Why can't I use my PC monitor for games in 480p AND DVD playback?
1.6 Are Monster cables better than Microsoft cables?
1.7 Will the XBox burn my TV screen?

Section 2 - HDTV and Dolby Digital
2.1 What is HDTV?
2.2 What is interlaced? What is progressive?
2.3 What resolutions does XBox support?
2.4 What do I need to use the XBox's HDTV capability?
2.5 Which games support HDTV resolutions?
2.6 Which games support 16:9 aspect ratio?
2.7 Does Halo support 16:9 or HDTV?
2.8 Does game X support 16:9 or HDTV?
2.9 What is Dolby Digital?
2.10 What is the difference between DD and Dolby Surround?
2.11 What is DTS?
2.12 What digital audio formats are supported by the Xbox?
2.13 What do I need to use Dolby Digital/DTS?
2.14 Can I hook my surround-sound speakers directly to the Xbox?
2.15 Mad Catz A/V pack: no Dolby Digital

Section 3 - Playing DVD's, CD's, CD-R/RW, and Ripping CD's
3.1 How do I use the XBox to play DVD's?
3.2 Does the Xbox play DVDs in progressive-scan mode?
3.3 Can the XBox play DVD's from other regions?
3.4 How do I use the XBox to play CD's?
3.5 How do I rip music to the XBox?
3.6 How do I get my MP3s into the Xbox?
3.7 How do I play my own music in a game?
3.8 Which games support custom soundtracks?
3.9 Will the XBox play burned CD's?
3.10 Will the XBox play VCDs?
3.11 Will the XBox play MP3's?
3.12 Will the XBox play WMA's?

Section 4 - XBox Online and LAN Play
4.1 When can I play online?
4.2 Which games support online play using Gamespy?
4.3 What do I need to play online using Gamespy?
4.4 How do I set up my Xbox/PC to use Gamespy?
4.5 Will using Gamespy software void my warranty?
4.6 When will the official Microsoft online network be available?
4.7 What will I need to use the official Microsoft network?
4.8 Will the official Microsoft gaming network cost money? How much?
4.9 Can my Xbox get a virus over the internet?
4.10 How do I directly connect two XBoxes together?
4.11 How do I connect 3 or more XBoxes together?
4.12 Is there a WIRELESS way to hook the Xbox up to my LAN?
4.13 Do I need a TV for each XBox at my LAN party?
4.14 Do I need multiple copies of the game in LAN play?
4.15 Can I access the XBox hard disk from my computer?
4.16 How can I see the network name of my Xbox?
4.17 How do I change the network name of my XBox?

Section 5 - XBox Problems and Troubleshooting
5.1 Are XBoxes failing? How many?
5.2 What types of failures/problems have been reported?
5.3 What should I do if my XBox acts up?
5.4 How good is MS technical support?
5.5 Should I buy an extended warranty?
5.6 Was the XBox recalled?
5.7 Is it true that XBoxes have caught fire?
5.8 When I play DVDs, the picture fades in and out. Why?
5.9 NHL Hitz: why is the game locking up?
5.10 Mad Catz A/V pack: no Dolby Digital

Section 6 - Miscellaneous/Rumors/Hoaxes
6.1 XBox websites
6.2 Where can I find Xbox cheat codes?
6.3 What games are available for the XBox?
6.4 Will Grand Theft Auto 3 be released for the XBox?
6.5 Will FINAL FANTASY X or XI be released for the Xbox?
6.6 Will the XBox play games from other consoles?
6.7 How do I copy a game?
6.8 Why are there so many foul-mouthed idiots in the forum?
6.9 Why are there no moderators in the forums?
6.10 Where are the newsgroups behind the forums?
6.11 How do I set up Outlook Express to read the newsgroup?
6.12 Can the XBox play games from other regions?
6.13 Can I use Playstation controllers with the Xbox?
6.14 How many "blocks" are there on the Xbox hard drive?
6.15 What hardware, exactly, is inside the Xbox?
6.16 If I leave my XBox on, but nobody is around, does it still make those alien noises?

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Section 1 - XBox Setup and A/V Connections

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1.1 What are the different Microsoft adapter packs?

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(Last updated: 02/05/2002) Back to top

Standard pack (included with console): Composite video, L/R audio, with cables.
Advanced A/V pack: S-Video, composite video, optical digital audio, L/R audio. Includes S-Video cable.
High-definition A/V pack: Y/Pb/Pr component video, optical digital audio, L/R audio. Includes Y/Pb/Pr cable.
RF adapter: for those with TV's that are only able to accept RF (regular coaxial cable) input. No separate audio outputs (RF only).

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Mike Carter
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Joined: Feb 2002
Gender: Male

Posts: 19
Location: Kansas City USA

BOID's Unofficial Xbox Faq Part 2
« Reply #1 on Feb 17, 2002, 11:55am »

1.2 Which Microsoft A/V adapter set should I use?

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(Last updated: 02/05/2002) Back to top

VIDEO
Capability AUDIO
Capability Use This Pack
RF/Coax RF/Coax RF Adapter
Composite Stereo or Dolby Surround Standard
Composite Dolby Digital Advanced
S-Video Any Advanced
Component Any High-definition

1.3 How do I hook it all up?

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(Last updated: 01/22/2002) Back to top

Answer coming soon. Check your XBox manual and instructions with any A/V packs you purchased.

1.4 Can I hook the XBox up to my computer monitor?

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(Last updated: 01/30/2002) Back to top

Yes, with a couple of restrictions:
(Thanks to HighSpeedUser for details on dashboard/DVD limitations)

1. For most monitors, you will not be able to see the Xbox dashboard because it is in a display mode (480i) that computer monitors cannot handle through their VGA connector.

2. For most monitors, you will not be able to play DVD's, because DVD playback on the Xbox is also in 480i.

The following methods can be used to connect your Xbox to your monitor:

METHOD 1 (Restrictions noted above apply): Use the high-definition A/V pack and a component-to-RGB adapter like the model 9A62 from Audio Authority (www.audioauthority.com). This will provide high-definition gaming, at the expense of the Xbox dashboard and DVD playback, as noted above.

METHOD 2: If your computer's video card (or your monitor) supports S-Video or composite video IN, you can hook the XBox's output to the computer's (or monitor's) input. Note that you will lose the ability to display high-resolution images with this setup (you are limited, more or less, to NTSC resolution, or approximately 640x480 interlaced). But you retain the ability to see the Xbox dashboard and to play DVDs.

METHOD 3: Use an aftermarket Xbox adapter product like the Redant VGA converter box (http://www.lik-sang.com/catalog/product_info.php?category=83&products_id=1533). It's not available just yet (as of 1/28/02), but it's pretty inexpensive. This product also limits you to NTSC resolution like method 2

METHOD 4 (thanks to john): Send the Xbox video into a video capture card on your PC. This will limit your resolution and might make it difficult to get the Dolby Digital audio decoded, if you have a sound card that is DD capable.

1.5 Why can't I use my PC monitor for games in 480p AND DVD playback?

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(Last updated: 01/28/2002) Back to top

(Thanks to HighSpeedUser)

The xbox always outputs 480i for dvd playback. That essentially means you won't be able to do dvd playback through the VGA connector of most PC monitors. Same for Xbox dashboard.

You can go through scan converters, but that is more than most people are willing to deal with.

Assuming HD pack and YPbPr to RGBHV transcoder (like the AudioAuthority 9A62):

480i uses a 15khz horizontal sync which most PC monitors are not able to display. Thus unless you have a special monitor, most likely you won't be able to playback DVDs on your PC monitor through the VGA connector (via YPbPr to RGBHV transcoder).

If your PC monitor has S-video or composite inputs you can playback DVDs through those connectors as they must support 15khz horizontal sync.

Games, however, will run in 480p (assuming HD pack), with 30khz horizontal sync (same as VGA), so will display fine on PC monitors (via YPbPr to RGBHV transcoder).

1.6 Are Monster cables better than Microsoft cables?

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(Last updated: 01/22/2002) Back to top

Some people think so. Some people don't. The general consensus among home theater enthusiasts is that Monster Cables are overpriced for the quality you get.

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