How to enable HD modes on XBMC

[Sane]

I just got some monster cables for my Xbox. However I can't seem to get XBMC to run in 720p or even 480p, the only option I see is in the appearance menu but that only let's me select auto or PAL 4:3 (or NTSC 4:3). I already tried switching the xbox to NTSC with the enigmah disc but that didn't make any difference. The xbox is softmodded and I don't think I have access to the original dashboard. I can enter the softmod menu by booting up with the open tray button and there are options to enable 480p and 720p but it doesn't seem to make any diffence, XBMC still boots up in 480i.

[sj33]

It'd likely that you will have to get to the original dashboard, as that's where the option to turn on the HD modes is.

[Sane]

Hmm guess I better do some research then. Wonder why they put those options in the softmod menu if they don't work.

[$c8t@]

you've not actually said what the media is you are actually trying to play but theres a bit of info here for you:

Q: Does XBMC and Xbox support HDTV (High Definition TV) resolutions?, and HDTV media?
A: Yes and no, but the answer is a little more complicated than that, you see: Xbox/XBMC can output 480p/720p/1080i (if you have a High Definition AV Pack/component cable) and upscale all low-resolution videos (like retail DVD-Video/Movies) to 720p (1280x720 pixel progressive) or 1080i (1920x1080 pixel interlaced) in hardware (linear upscale/upconvert). So XBMC have no problems with upscaling example DVD-video (720x480 NTSC/720x756 PAL) movies to HDTV 480p/720p/1080i. XBMC is even capable of playing native HD video (video/movies with native resolutions higher than 720x576) like 720p (1280x720) and 1080i (1920x1080), however there is here a big snag/limitation and that is that a standard Xbox only has a 733Mhz Intel Pentium-III CPU (processor) and that does not have the processing power to decode those native HD video resolutions, and that means you would only get maybe 10fps (frames per seconds) displayed which would appear so jerky because of all dropped frames that it will be un-viewable. The only solution if you want to play videos with native HD resolutions on Xbox is to buy or upgrade to a non-standard Xbox with a much faster CPU (processor), (like example the DreamX-1400 from FriendTech which has a 1480Mhz Pentium-III that is at least capable of decoding native HD videos that are have up to 720p in native HDTV video resolution. FriendTech do offers trade-in). Note! XBMC does not yet have DVD-menu support so note you only get video on DVD-Videos. Note! You must enable/setup your HDTV settings in Microsoft dashboard, (on NTSC Xboxes).
To make this even clearer XBMC capability on a standard Xbox (with Intel 733Mhz PIII CPU):
- 720x480 pixel video output to 480p HDTV (720x480 progressive) = OK! (eg not upscaled).
- 720x480 pixel video output to 720p HDTV (1280x720 progressive) = OK! (eg upscaled).
- 720x480 pixel video output to 1080i HDTV (1920x1080 interlaced) = OK! (eg upscaled).
- 1280x720 pixel progressive video output to 720p HDTV (native 1280x720 progressive) = FAIL!
- 1920x1080 interlaced video output to 1080i HDTV (native 1920x1080 interlaced) = FAIL!
Note! All above that state FAIL don't actually fail to play, it's just that the Xbox CPU is to slow to decode/render the high resolution so it will drop so may frames that is will be un-viewable.
PS! There are not many standalone DVD-players out there that can even upscale normal DVD-movies to 720p or 1080i and those that can are much more expensive than a modded Xbox ;-P
FYI; Microsoft? & DivX? recommend 2.4 Ghz PC + 384MB RAM for 720p MPEG-4 playback!

Ps Sorry If The Copy / Paste Breaks Forum Rules, Its Originally From Here:

http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/info_faq.htm#HDTV

[Sane]

Thanks for the info, but I'm not actually trying to play anything yet, just trying to get the xbox to output 720p. Right now it's set to 480i and it seems the only way to change it is to use the original dash, which I can't seem to access. I tried running Evox which has an option to run MS dash but it just shows the Evox logo and freezes. I may try to restore the backup I made when I modded the xbox but I'll first need to get my copy of Mechassault back from my mate before I do that, or I won't be able to mod it again.

[supersmithy]

check on the C drive of your HDD for xboxdash.xbe - if thats there, use the XBMC file browser to load it up, and set the video modes from there.

If that file isnt there, you'll need to obtain a copy from somewhere (slayers install discs etc come with it on). Use an xbox iso extracting tool and, um, extract it, stick it on C:, and run it using XBMC! Or of course, check your backup, and restore xboxdash.xbe!

Shouldnt need to do anything modwise yo, since all this is software based!

[$c8t@]

ah right ok, im sure if you enable the HD modes in the original dash, you will get it to output at 720p...

[Sane]

check on the C drive of your HDD for xboxdash.xbe - if thats there, use the XBMC file browser to load it up, and set the video modes from there.

If that file isnt there, you'll need to obtain a copy from somewhere (slayers install discs etc come with it on). Use an xbox iso extracting tool and, um, extract it, stick it on C:, and run it using XBMC! Or of course, check your backup, and restore xboxdash.xbe!

Shouldnt need to do anything modwise yo, since all this is software based!

I have tried this, the files are all on C:, but it gives me a 21 error when I try to run it .

[Sane]

Ok, I got too impatient so I have restored the MS dash and enabled the HD settings. Now to get my Mechassault back and mod it again . Thanks for the help guys.