Using the Xbox as my DVD player... - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

chico76 · 04-28-2004, 02:56 AM

I'm currently using my Xbox as my DVD player.

I have a 27'' Flat Screen Display. It features 16:9 mode and runs on component video. No progressive scan or HD or anything.

Should I buy a new DVD player? I know that using the Xbox might shorten its life span, but other than that, am I totally missing out by using the Xbox to play DVDs? Thanks!

I 8 Piglet · 04-28-2004, 03:28 AM

I have never used an xbox, only a PS2, but the general consensus is that they are not quite up to snuff with the stand alone DVD players. I would say that if you are happy with the picture quality of your xbox, go with it. I think my ps2 via svideo to my 27" vega looks pretty darn good.

pman09012 · 05-06-2004, 03:28 PM

The xbox does have the component out which gives the best picture, no matter what resolution it outputs in, and it does have Dolby Digital and DTS out, the only thing I would have to ask is if your display is HD, because if it is you would get a noticeable difference upgrading to a dvd with progressive scan, other wise I think the xbox works execelently

brian · 05-06-2004, 05:49 PM

My Xbox had weird interlacing effect on many DVDs (using Svideo, or component). It was pretty terrible to watch. Aside from the ugly video effects, everything else seemed to work fine. Perhaps I had an older firmware, and you'll have better luck.

pman09012 · 05-06-2004, 06:07 PM

The problem is not your xbox having any hardware or firmware problems, the problem is that microsoft only set the xbox to play dvds in 480i, so there are only two ways to fix it, one is to get a mod chip or so other form of hacking to force your xbox to output in 480p, or to just buy a new dvd player. Hope that helps a little.

brian · 05-06-2004, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pman09012

The problem is not your xbox having any hardware or firmware problems, the problem is that microsoft only set the xbox to play dvds in 480i, so there are only two ways to fix it, one is to get a mod chip or so other form of hacking to force your xbox to output in 480p, or to just buy a new dvd player. Hope that helps a little.

While it's true that I was using a 480i player on a HDTV capable television, I had a regular, 480i player to compare it to(Toshiba SD3109). And the Toshiba didn't have the weird interlacing artifacts like the Xbox did. These artifacts only occured in movies So yes, I'm sure either of your two solutions would help -- but the problem wasn't exclusive to the XBox only being 480i. There was something funky going on -- so caveat emptor. I have since sold my Xbox DVD playback kit.

Some pictures on what the artifacts looked like: Meaning of Life on XBox

Yes, they're definitely interlacing problems -- but my regular DVD player never looked that ugly.

04-28-2004, 02:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
chico76 Actor Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: United States	Using the Xbox as my DVD player... I'm currently using my Xbox as my DVD player. I have a 27'' Flat Screen Display. It features 16:9 mode and runs on component video. No progressive scan or HD or anything. Should I buy a new DVD player? I know that using the Xbox might shorten its life span, but other than that, am I totally missing out by using the Xbox to play DVDs? Thanks!

04-28-2004, 03:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
I 8 Piglet Actor Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: missing NYC hardcore :(	I have never used an xbox, only a PS2, but the general consensus is that they are not quite up to snuff with the stand alone DVD players. I would say that if you are happy with the picture quality of your xbox, go with it. I think my ps2 via svideo to my 27" vega looks pretty darn good. __________________ "I have respect for Beer!" - John Nash "He was a wise man, who invented beer." - Plato My HT v2.1: with x1 screen shots New screen shots 2/4/04 \| My DVD Collection as of 12/15/04

05-06-2004, 05:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
brian Digital Jesűs Emeritus Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Wisconsin	My Xbox had weird interlacing effect on many DVDs (using Svideo, or component). It was pretty terrible to watch. Aside from the ugly video effects, everything else seemed to work fine. Perhaps I had an older firmware, and you'll have better luck. __________________ Why? fin.

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05-06-2004, 03:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
pman09012 Supporting Actor Join Date: Apr 2004	The xbox does have the component out which gives the best picture, no matter what resolution it outputs in, and it does have Dolby Digital and DTS out, the only thing I would have to ask is if your display is HD, because if it is you would get a noticeable difference upgrading to a dvd with progressive scan, other wise I think the xbox works execelently

05-06-2004, 06:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
pman09012 Supporting Actor Join Date: Apr 2004	The problem is not your xbox having any hardware or firmware problems, the problem is that microsoft only set the xbox to play dvds in 480i, so there are only two ways to fix it, one is to get a mod chip or so other form of hacking to force your xbox to output in 480p, or to just buy a new dvd player. Hope that helps a little.