A TechLore "Ask the Experts" Question...
Question:
I have a problem with my Xbox. I have had it for a couple years and it has always worked great. I have recently packed it up to move, then unpacked it again to play. Now, when I turn it on evrything works perfectly like it always does; I can use any menu, cheak all my saved files, play any of my songs I have stored on it, and play any DVD movie I have. However, when I put in any of my XBOX games it goes to the load screen, does a quik flash of a split screen going vertically, and then I get nothing but the blue screen I get from my TV when it has no signal. I can cycle through my A/V inputs on my TV and it will flash the game (still split vertically), then return to the blue screen again. I tried all my games and it did it with them all. Can you help me?
-submitted by Aikuchi
Answer:
Based on your description of the problem, I can take a reasonable guess as to the problem.
I'm assuming that you have connected your XBOX to your TV using the XBOX HDTV connection kit, or a similar component cable from another brand. This type of connection allows the XBOX to play games in one of 4 different resolutions: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i. Which one is used depends on how the XBOX is configured, and which the game supports. By default, the XBOX can output any game at 480p.
Analog televisions with component video connections are incapable of displaying resolutions greater than 480i. The problem you've described is a typical reaction when a progressive signal is input into an analog television. Some older HDTVs, like some of the many Mitsubishi models, can have component inputs capable of 480i only. A list of compatible display formats will be listed near the input.
For you, I'm willing to bet that the latter is true, and you do indeed have an older Mitsubishi HDTV (the fact that it worked before, and that the screen goes to blue is evidence of this.) Also, your movies are working because the XBOX outputs all movies in 480i format only, which is another tip as to the problem.
What you need to do is plug look at the back of the TV. You'll see 3 component capable inputs. Two of them (component 1 and 2) are 480i only, and the other (input DTV) lists 480i, 480p, and 1080i. Plug the component cables from the XBOX into the one labled DTV, and you should be good to go (make sure you change the input on the TV).
For those that do not have an HDTV, but are using component cables, you'll need to make some adjustments in the XBOX setup menu. Disable support for 480p, 720p, and 1080i, which will force the XBOX to output 480i only. Then, all games and movies will work properly.
Matt Whitlock - Editor, TechLore.com
Did You Know...
Is your TV image reddish/bluish when viewing component video sources like DVD or HDTV? If so, you'll want to read "What To Do When Your DVD/HDTV Image is Reddish/Bluish" to solve it for good.
Ever wondered what the differences are between the different game consoles on the market today. Read "The Playstation 2, XBOX, & GameCube" to learn more about them.
While You're At It...
Nothing is more fun than playing your friends on multiple TVs in your own home, and all you need to do is setup an XBOX LAN. Read "Setting up an XBOX LAN" to find out how.
Playing games on conventional CRT TVs and Plasmas can eventually wear static images into the screen. However, with a few precautions up front, you can mimimze your risk. Read "Does playing video games cause permanent damage to your TV?" to find out more.
