HD Box Pro: cheap (and good) alternative to the XRGB-3

[Specineff]

I am suspecting we have a member of the HDBox Pro company among us. If so, welcome to the forum, and thanks for any help with this nice little gadget.

[Kilmaattikahn]

Thank you all for your replies, I've already sent an email to HDBoxPro's technical support.

Also, I've noticed my box also has another "problem", though this one's minor: the audio inputs are incorrectly coloured. The "L" input is red when it should've been white.

[MoonRa]

Hi, I found this thread via Neo-Geo.com and I had a few questions.

First, does this lag when taking a 480i component signal to a higher resolution?

Second, does anyone have screenshots of a 480i signal from a Playstation 2 running through this to a monitor?

[hdboxpro]

I am suspecting we have a member of the HDBox Pro company among us. If so, welcome to the forum, and thanks for any help with this nice little gadget.

Yeah, I find here from google.

Thank you all for your replies, I've already sent an email to HDBoxPro's technical support.

Also, I've noticed my box also has another "problem", though this one's minor: the audio inputs are incorrectly coloured. The "L" input is red when it should've been white.

I have ask the support department, no email from support@hdboxpro.com these days, Please send to buy@hdboxpro.com so that I can handle it for you.

Hi, I found this thread via Neo-Geo.com and I had a few questions.

First, does this lag when taking a 480i component signal to a higher resolution?

Second, does anyone have screenshots of a 480i signal from a Playstation 2 running through this to a monitor?

for your second question, you can visit this chinese website for photo.

http://bbs.a9vg.com/read.php?tid=792338&fpage=2

[zap]

I also noticed that the colors on the audio input is incorrect. R is white and L is red. So which the "real" input? The letters or the colors?

[gundamalpha]

The audio input is indeed incorrect, which I do believe the same happens to all other units as well

[Kilmaattikahn]

"L" is indeed left, so you have to plug the red cable in the white input; in other words, the colours are wrong, the letters are right.

[Khan]

im tempted to get one to use with my ps2, at the moment sprites look very poor in scart.

[d3xtro]

Hi,

I recently purchased a HDBOXPRO and I have a problem with my PS2 PAL.

My Setup:

Philips Brilliance LCD widescreen monitor 200WP7ES 20" WSXGA

http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/dcbi ... 00WP7ES/00#

connected to the HDBOXPRO is an old 'fat' PS2 PAL (30004R) and a Wii PAL.

I am using a XCM Multi-Console Component cable Version .3

http://www.xcm.cc/xcm_multiconsole_comp ... le_v.3.htm

When I choose the Wii everything works perfectly but when I choose the PS2 I will get a "No Signal" displayed on my monitor.

My monitor is setup for optimal performance at 1680x1050 @ 60Hz

The PS2 is already setup through -> Select 'System Configuration' and set 'Component Video Out' to Y Cb/Pb Cr/Pr

Before the HDBOXPRO I did use a Redant PS/PS2 VGA BOX which worked flawlessly.

http://www.jandaman.com/ps2vgabox.shtml

Anyone any suggestions what I may have overlooked.

Appreciate any help.

Cheers,

[gundamalpha]

Could it be the 50Hz VS 60Hz issue?

[Fudoh]

The Redant VGABox connected directly to the PS/PS2, right ? And it propably used the FBAS Signal instead of component of RGBs (?). You're located in Europe ? You have a modded PS2 ? Then you're likely to have a RGB-fix done which disables the YUV output even if you set the system to component. You need to have the fix removed.

[d3xtro]

Hi Fudoh,

Thank you very much for your reply !!!

Yes I live in Europe and yes I have a modded PS2. If I remember correctly it is equipped with a Messiah modchip.

I have to check with the person who did the modification what my options are.

The Redant VGABox connected directly to the PS/PS2, right ?

Yes.

And it propably used the FBAS Signal instead of component of RGBs (?).

I don't know, sorry about that.

In the mean time I also e-mailed Martin (buy@hdboxpro.com) from HDBOXPRO this was his reply:

"for the PS2 Pal problem, is XCM Multi-Console Component cable work in normal TV, you can try put the green RCA from compoent cable to the Yellow RCA of normal TV, the screen will be black and white because of this is a compoent cable but then we can make sure the cable is work."

I did what he told me to do and when I connect my Wii to a Panasonic TV it will give me a black/white screen which was to be expected.

Now when I connect my modded PS2 the picture will go completely blurry.

So either the XCM Multi-Console Component cable is faulty (which I doubt) or in my particular case the RGB-fix should be removed. I hope this is possible.

I will keep you informed how things evolve.

Once again many thanks Fudoh for pointing me, hopefully, in the right direction.

Cheers,



PS: If you want to have '640 x 480' as an option in your resolution settings you will have to ask HDBOXPRO upfront to do it for you. Otherwise you will have to send it all the way back.

The Redant VGABox connected directly to the PS/PS2, right ? And it propably used the FBAS Signal instead of component of RGBs (?). You're located in Europe ? You have a modded PS2 ? Then you're likely to have a RGB-fix done which disables the YUV output even if you set the system to component. You need to have the fix removed.

[Fudoh]

It's the RGB-fix for sure. It's a single soldering point which needs to be removed. Should be quite easy for anyone who has ever done a PS2 mode before.

[jonny5]

what type of chip is installed in your ps2?

does your modchip have a special boot-menu you can access at bootup?

cuz i know with a matrix infinity chip you can disable the RGB fix via this menu....pres 'circle and triangle' on boot up....

worth a shot

[hdboxpro]

for 640 x 480, we have remove from the menu becuase the internal memory is full after some bug fix, the newest version you can have a 1920 x 1080, if someone plan to buy a HD BOX PRO, email buy@hdboxpro.com for install a firmware which include 640 x 480 is OK. (Note: Email them at least 5 mins before you purchase it)

and for all HD BOX PRO owner who wnat to have a 640x480 or 1920x1080 in menu, install the lateset firmware is free of charge, but not include the postage, send the BOX or motherboard only will reduce the cost for postage.

[Khan]

Just sent you guys an email, I've used an xrgb2 and the image is shaky at the top if this is a permanent issue I would like to buy one of these instead.

[jepjepjep]

Can anyone that has the HD Box Pro comment on the scaling lag. Is it a noticeable improvement for HDTVs.

I'm looking for a better solution for my PS1 and 480i PS2 games. I only have a 720p HDTV, so the lag is noticeable when I play something like Dodonpachi. I think my TV scalar de-interlaces much like the PS3 does for backwards compatibility and introduces a 2-3 frame lag.

[Specineff]

Can anyone that has the HD Box Pro comment on the scaling lag. Is it a noticeable improvement for HDTVs.

If that is a question, I have noticed zero lag myself. What burns me is the. damned. scrolling. line. of. doom!

[ashwinsiva]

Hello everyone!

Has anyone used the HD Box Pro to connect nintendo Wii to a Samsung 2233sw LCD at 1920x1080?

Any experiences and feedback would be much appreciated!

I am planning to buy an HD Box Pro and just want to get some user inputs before I take the plunge.

[hdboxpro]

The latest version of HD BOX PRO have 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1400X1050, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200 now and have been shipped for a few months.

http://www.hdboxpro.com/eng/resolution.jpg

[spider-prime]

Hi, I really want this, has anyone tried hooking this up to a HDTV of over 42 inches?

Main reason I want it is that hte Wii looks terrible even with component cables on all TVs I have tried that are that big, it looks like it's interlacing a couple of times over, ie more jaggies than usual, cause I don't see them when I switch cables to the A/V cables but then the picture isn't as clear

So I'm wondering how well this upscales on TVs, will it look better than on my SDTV or the same as a SDTV, or will it have absolutely no effect what so ever and look the same like my component cables do now?

I wish the wii could upscale like the PS3 does

Also, will this allow for all VC and GC games to be run without problems, cause I was going to get a VGA cable but they said they don't allow 480i to be run over it, but while this does.

Games like Madworld are almost unplayable cause I can't tell where/what something is on the screen cause it's too jagged blending in with everything. which is another reason I'm wondering how crisp the picture looks with this hooked up to a larger screen HDTV.

If it doesn't upscale, but will it at least fix maybe the crappy jaggies that are on every line!

[hdboxpro]

Hi, I really want this, has anyone tried hooking this up to a HDTV of over 42 inches?

Main reason I want it is that hte Wii looks terrible even with component cables on all TVs I have tried that are that big, it looks like it's interlacing a couple of times over, ie more jaggies than usual, cause I don't see them when I switch cables to the A/V cables but then the picture isn't as clear

So I'm wondering how well this upscales on TVs, will it look better than on my SDTV or the same as a SDTV, or will it have absolutely no effect what so ever and look the same like my component cables do now?

I wish the wii could upscale like the PS3 does

Also, will this allow for all VC and GC games to be run without problems, cause I was going to get a VGA cable but they said they don't allow 480i to be run over it, but while this does.

Games like Madworld are almost unplayable cause I can't tell where/what something is on the screen cause it's too jagged blending in with everything. which is another reason I'm wondering how crisp the picture looks with this hooked up to a larger screen HDTV.

1. it will better, I am using a 46" LCD at home and tried to connect with HD BOX PRO with my Wii to LCD TV, it will better than using a compoent cable, I dont want to tell lie to you, it only better than b4 under 10%.

2. Now I am using my Denon AV AMP 3808A which support 480i/p upscale to 1080P, if you are playing a DVD, yes, it upscale function better than PS3, but if you use this to playing Wii game, it just same as the HD BOX PRO, not more than 10%

3. 480i input can use HD BOX PRO for VGA out, because HD BOX PRO output pixel to pixel with VGA signal.

Finally: if you want to use HD BOX PRO to improve Wii Game at a 40/46" LCD, It is only recommend for the game like Mario Galaxy or Mario Kart, but not something like BIO HAZARD 0 .......

[spider-prime]

Thx for answering fast, but I have one more question, will it fix my aliasing problem? That's the main problem with the wii hooked up to my TV. Which is the main reason I want this if can clear it up, cause like I said before, in some games, I can't even tell what I'm looking if they're small cause the jagged edges make them blend together if I'm running it with my component cables in 480p, 480i doesn't have this problem for some reason but then some games on my VC won't work.

Basically I just want to get the most out of my wii and not 75% like I am now

[hdboxpro]

actually I dont understand to much , can you take a photo and post it out?

[spider-prime]

sorry I don't have a camera handy to take a picture, I would have to borrow one, so if I can I will probably post it later.

But basically, the wii in 480p looks blocky on everything if a straight line is bent a bit, it will look really blocky.

but I did find a picture that sort of shows what i mean, but mine looks a lot worse.

Only the wii looks like this on my TV.


Resident Evil 4 looks the worse along with Madworld.

Basically it doesn't do that during 480i only 480p and there isn't any point to having component cables if you can't use the 480p

[Endymion]

Welcome to the world of low resolution, anamorphic 640x480. It is supposed to look that way, believe it or not.

[spider-prime]

so you're saying 480p is supposed to look like crap compared to 480i well that does suck.

But I've seen people hook up the wii to receivers and upscaled the wii so it doesn't look so jagged, so I was hoping this was going to do the something of the same for cheaper.

[Ed Oscuro]

Just tested a metric ton of PCBs (no faults yay) on my XRGB-2 and the SyncMaster 204B, got a lot of multi-tearing inside the images and some odd colors, but I was surprised that I was getting a consistent picture throughout. I think Batrider had the best colors overall.

[Endymion]

so you're saying 480p is supposed to look like crap compared to 480i well that does suck.

Well.... you're the one saying it looks like crap, actually.

That is what it is supposed to look like though. One reason you see all the lines with staircase effects everywhere is because it is much sharper with a full frame filled instead of just a field (i.e. half the lines of a frame). If your HDTV does something differently with 480i or 480p this could be another matter... but I really tend to doubt that is what is going on. It is possible that it could be performing some kind of processing of the image at 480i, softening things up even more than normal, but then it just could be doing this with other line/rates as well. Go through your HDTV manual and make sure to turn off any noise-reduction features it might have, features like that are for movies & old pre-HD video but destroy details when used with computers or games. Noise reduction does not help a game image, but usually it makes textures look crappier and blurrier, not jaggier polygon edges. What HDTV do you have?

[spider-prime]

ok cool, I will see if I can find something like that, it's a 42lg55 from LG, I got it at a awesome price brand new for 499.99 My first HDTV, but like I said, on the TV it looks worse than that screen I posted, so you could be right I remember fooling with the settings and seeing a option like that so I'm going to check right now. If that's true, that probably means I have to set that off on my brothers Sony XBR tv too cause he has the same problem.