First Time PVM Owner/Need XBOX 360 Set Up Help

The place for all discussion on gaming hardware
Post Reply
User avatar
ATTRACTS
Posts: 664
Joined: Sun Apr 14, 2013 2:48 am
Location: Brooklyn, NY

First Time PVM Owner/Need XBOX 360 Set Up Help

Post by ATTRACTS »

Hi all,

I just acquired a nice little Sony PVM 14L2 from another user on here. I've got my Saturn hooked up and running just fine and it looks terrific. I'd now like to also use it for my Japanese 360. The back of the monitor has RGB/Component PVM ports (as well as Composite/S-Vid). The Composite looks just ok but I really want to get the best picture possible.
Plugging the Component cables in gives me a double image (so I'm guessing it's a 480p issue).

I have:
1. Microsoft 360 VGA Cable
2. Microsoft Component Cable
3. Micosoft Composite Cables
4. HDMI Cables.

What is the most cost effective way to get this 360 to look as well as I know it can? Meaning, I realize I'll need to buy additional things, can you tell a total newb exactly what I need? Preferably without breaking the wallet.

Thank you for your help :)
User avatar
Xan
Posts: 867
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2013 12:04 pm

Re: First Time PVM Owner/Need XBOX 360 Set Up Help

Post by Xan »

I don't remember if this works or not, but shouldn't you be able to select 480i with component cables plugged in?

The best option for that monitor is RGB, it might only be very slightly better than component though. The official one was called "Advanced SCART AV Cable", you probably would need to import it from PAL territories.
User avatar
Fudoh
Posts: 13044
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:29 am
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: First Time PVM Owner/Need XBOX 360 Set Up Help

Post by Fudoh »

360 component cables should have a "SD/HD" switch on them. Switch it to SD and you get 480i YUV.

A scart is another option, but not neccessary if your TV handles component.
User avatar
StarCreator
Posts: 1943
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 2:44 am
Location: Maryland, USA
Contact:

Re: First Time PVM Owner/Need XBOX 360 Set Up Help

Post by StarCreator »

For the best possible results, you can try a downscaling solution like the Ultracade UVC or Extron Super Emotia. Check out Fudoh's writings on the subject.

This is more expensive than just settling with 480i though.
User avatar
Das Muel
Posts: 147
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2015 7:50 pm
Location: Manchester, UK
Contact:

Re: First Time PVM Owner/Need XBOX 360 Set Up Help

Post by Das Muel »

RGB Scart would be the best option, but it won't be much of a jump up from component and you'll need to buy the lead itself and a Scart to BNC adapter cable: https://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/son ... verter-bnc.
Downscaling sounds great for 240p shooters/fighters if that's what you're trying to display.
I am the geezer from the Retro Muel Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIg73A ... u89QcCBD3A
User avatar
ATTRACTS
Posts: 664
Joined: Sun Apr 14, 2013 2:48 am
Location: Brooklyn, NY

Re: First Time PVM Owner/Need XBOX 360 Set Up Help

Post by ATTRACTS »

Fudoh wrote:360 component cables should have a "SD/HD" switch on them. Switch it to SD and you get 480i YUV.

A scart is another option, but not neccessary if your TV handles component.
GAH. I completely forgot about that. I will give it a shot when I get home, thanks very much for the tip.
User avatar
ATTRACTS
Posts: 664
Joined: Sun Apr 14, 2013 2:48 am
Location: Brooklyn, NY

Re: First Time PVM Owner/Need XBOX 360 Set Up Help

Post by ATTRACTS »

StarCreator wrote:For the best possible results, you can try a downscaling solution like the Ultracade UVC or Extron Super Emotia. Check out Fudoh's writings on the subject.

This is more expensive than just settling with 480i though.
Great, I will look into it and make a decision based on the info. Thanks very much for the advice.
User avatar
BazookaBen
Posts: 2159
Joined: Thu Apr 17, 2008 8:09 pm
Location: North Carolina

Re: First Time PVM Owner/Need XBOX 360 Set Up Help

Post by BazookaBen »

ATTRACTS wrote:Great, I will look into it and make a decision based on the info. Thanks very much for the advice.
That's only if you want to force some games into 240p. For most games, 480i will look better and component cables are all you need. No need to buy a SCART cable, it will look identical to component.
User avatar
ATTRACTS
Posts: 664
Joined: Sun Apr 14, 2013 2:48 am
Location: Brooklyn, NY

Re: First Time PVM Owner/Need XBOX 360 Set Up Help

Post by ATTRACTS »

BazookaBen wrote:
ATTRACTS wrote:Great, I will look into it and make a decision based on the info. Thanks very much for the advice.
That's only if you want to force some games into 240p. For most games, 480i will look better and component cables are all you need. No need to buy a SCART cable, it will look identical to component.
Yeah, this is mainly for my 360/Cave/Triangle/Moss shmups. I think the 480i will be fine. Gonna test it out tonight and see. Seriously, thanks very much for the advice. Very helpful.
User avatar
Xan
Posts: 867
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2013 12:04 pm

Re: First Time PVM Owner/Need XBOX 360 Set Up Help

Post by Xan »

BazookaBen wrote:No need to buy a SCART cable, it will look identical to component.
That's a pretty bold statement. Did you test this yourself on the 360? The PS2 for instance is known for having a worse signal with component compared to RGB.

With component there is always a transcoding step involved so there might be a minor difference on any console in theory. Plus for all we know on any PVM the component input could be adjusted with specific sources in mind and therefore give a different result compared to RGB.
User avatar
Fudoh
Posts: 13044
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:29 am
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: First Time PVM Owner/Need XBOX 360 Set Up Help

Post by Fudoh »

That's a pretty bold statement. Did you test this yourself on the 360?
I did. Nothing I could spot on a BVM.
The PS2 for instance is known for having a worse signal with component compared to RGB.
the differences are so minor that it's hardly worth the extra effort.
User avatar
Das Muel
Posts: 147
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2015 7:50 pm
Location: Manchester, UK
Contact:

Re: First Time PVM Owner/Need XBOX 360 Set Up Help

Post by Das Muel »

The image (particularly the colours) on my 360 via Scart RGB is subtly but noticeably better than component, and it has been for PS2 and Xbox too, disregarding variables like cable quality etc. As a European, I've grown up with Scart RGB I've become used to those lovely mega-bandwidth colours and find it hard to settle for the admittedly slight degradation you get with component. That's leaving aside 480p, obviously.
I am the geezer from the Retro Muel Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIg73A ... u89QcCBD3A
User avatar
ATTRACTS
Posts: 664
Joined: Sun Apr 14, 2013 2:48 am
Location: Brooklyn, NY

Re: First Time PVM Owner/Need XBOX 360 Set Up Help

Post by ATTRACTS »

All the cables I'd need for a scart try weren't very expensive so I ordered them. I already have the component cable/BNC connectors so I'll do a side by side comparison once the scart items arrive. Can't hurt to try both now that I know what I need.
User avatar
StarCreator
Posts: 1943
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 2:44 am
Location: Maryland, USA
Contact:

Re: First Time PVM Owner/Need XBOX 360 Set Up Help

Post by StarCreator »

Just be very, very careful that you know if it's a Euro-SCART or a Japanese-SCART cable. They are different pinouts despite looking identical and you will fry something if you get them mixed up.
User avatar
Einzelherz
Posts: 1279
Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2014 2:09 am

Re: First Time PVM Owner/Need XBOX 360 Set Up Help

Post by Einzelherz »

Playing with my ps2 slim switching between component and rgb (both using the exact same cable) I didn't notice much difference if any on my 14L5.
User avatar
Ed Oscuro
Posts: 18654
Joined: Thu Dec 08, 2005 4:13 pm
Location: uoıʇɐɹnƃıɟuoɔ ɯǝʇsʎs

Re: First Time PVM Owner/Need XBOX 360 Set Up Help

Post by Ed Oscuro »

I didn't do any RGBs testing, but I didn't see any noise on a PS2 slim / 20L5 combo (or on the XRGB 2+) when I tried, either, and never spotted any problems in gameplay either.
jess10
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2017 7:15 am

Re: First Time PVM Owner/Need XBOX 360 Set Up Help

Post by jess10 »

ATTRACTS wrote:Hi all,

I just acquired a nice little Sony PVM 14L2 from another user on here. I've got my Saturn hooked up and running just fine and it looks terrific. I'd now like to also use it for my Japanese 360. The back of the monitor has RGB/Component PVM ports (as well as Composite/S-Vid). The Composite looks just ok but I really want to get the best picture possible.
Plugging the Component cables in gives me a double image (so I'm guessing it's a 480p issue).

I have:
1. Microsoft 360 VGA Cable
2. Microsoft Component Cable
3. Micosoft Composite Cables
4. HDMI Cables.

What is the most cost effective way to get this 360 to look as well as I know it can? Meaning, I realize I'll need to buy additional things, can you tell a total newb exactly what I need? Preferably without breaking the wallet.

Thank you for your help :)
Hello
I think HDMI cables are better. The HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cable is the most common cable to use with HDTV and high-definition monitors. Not all original Xbox 360 consoles have an HDMI port.

Here is a simple step to set up Xbox 360:
1. Connect the HDMI cable to the HDMI port.
2. Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI input on your HDTV or monitor.
3. Turn on your TV and console.
Post Reply