Skulltrail Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 I just an Xbox 360 VGA cable in the mail yesterday. After hooking up my console to my LCD monitor and starting up GTA IV, I noticed a real difference in quality. I can't even determine which is better, I just know the quality is quite different. I then learned about the Reference Levels feature in the Display menu of the Xbox 360 dashboard. I configured it to intermediate which fixed some of the color difference between VGA and composite but not entirely. The Advanced option makes the game so dark that I can't even see the signs on the highway during nightime or the letter on the back of the cars. (like the license plate for example). What do you recommend and why? Also, my LCD is bigger than my TV which is why I got the VGA cable in the first place. Video cable comparison pictures would be nice. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rookas Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 If you're going from composite to vga then I'm assuming your TV is standard def. If this is the case be sure to check your video options and make sure it's set to either 720 or 1080 (whichever your monitor can handle). SD on an LCD would look like crap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neoadorable Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 VGA for sure, but you need to set it to the right resolution. what size is your LCD? probably 1280X720 will be good for you, and put it on expanded in the reference levels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skulltrail Posted January 12, 2009 Author Share Posted January 12, 2009 If you're going from composite to vga then I'm assuming your TV is standard def. If this is the case be sure to check your video options and make sure it's set to either 720 or 1080 (whichever your monitor can handle). SD on an LCD would look like crap. I have an HP vs17e which I doubt will compatible with 720 or 1080. Curious if you mean it will look crappier on the LCD than on an SD TV or vice versa? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangbang023 Veteran Posted January 12, 2009 Veteran Share Posted January 12, 2009 When you say composite, do you mean the red green and blue cable or the yellow cable? The Red green and blue cable is component, not composite. A lot of people confuse the two on this forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted January 12, 2009 Subscriber² Share Posted January 12, 2009 When you say composite, do you mean the red green and blue cable or the yellow cable? The Red green and blue cable is component, not composite. A lot of people confuse the two on this forum. Someone told me the arcade actually comes with composite cables? If so, and he bought an arcade, it means he will be using composite. If your monitor supports component, obviously use that. If not, VGA. As for reference levels, standard for TVs, on monitors usually the other options can be used. As you said though, it sounds like expanded is crushing your blacks (making every shade of black/grey the same, therefore making the game too dark). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunknMunky Veteran Posted January 12, 2009 Veteran Share Posted January 12, 2009 I actually prefer VGA over the others. The colours look better imo and the images are smoother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smashing Pumpkin Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I use VGA with a 17 inch CRT Monitor, on the brightest reference level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neoadorable Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 ditto here, VGA FTW, have been on it since day one with the 360. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad. Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I actually prefer VGA over the others. The colours look better imo and the images are smoother. +1 Damn right, I get black bars when using 1440x900 but I've never had a clearer/smoother image on my screen :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted January 13, 2009 Subscriber² Share Posted January 13, 2009 Brad don't you have an HDMI 360? :blink: If you do buy an HDMI - DVI cable for a few quid off ebay and use that with your monitor. In fact, that goes for anyone with an HDMI 360, and a Monitor. (I think your monitor may need to be HDCP enabled though :pinch:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunknMunky Veteran Posted January 13, 2009 Veteran Share Posted January 13, 2009 VGA is even nicer than HDMI imo. I switched back a few days later when I used it on my 360. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad. Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 Brad don't you have an HDMI 360? :blink:If you do buy an HDMI - DVI cable for a few quid off ebay and use that with your monitor. In fact, that goes for anyone with an HDMI 360, and a Monitor. (I think your monitor may need to be HDCP enabled though :pinch:) I have a 19" Sammy HDTV :p So I could just use HDMI - HDMI. Tried it and prefer VGA :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted January 14, 2009 Subscriber² Share Posted January 14, 2009 VGA is analogue, HDMI digital I believe. But hey, if it looks better for you, go for it ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos of Smeg Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 Hi there, just wanted to give my opinion on this one! I have an elite and a Samsung LCD 32' much prefer VGA over Component, as the image is much much smoother. I tried HDMI thinking it was the same as VGA and it was actually worse than the VGA picture (not as smooth etc). I then found out all Samsungs (some other makes do it aswell) do some filtering called DNie (or something like that) that makes the image on the screen much crisper, this filter is applied on every input EXCEPT VGA. So if you prefer a smooth image and not one that looks quite jagged (in my opinion) then its worth checking what filters your TV applies to your image, in my case i still use VGA because you cant turn off DNie. Hope this is informative to at least somebody! Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunknMunky Veteran Posted January 16, 2009 Veteran Share Posted January 16, 2009 Ahhh so that's what it is huh, thanks for the info (Y) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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