360 VGA + Samsung R74 Series

[daddyorchips]

I'm thinking of purchasing a 26" version of this set (LE26R74BDX) for the bedroom, specifically for XB360 use (over VGA, so it can run 1:1 at 1360x768).

What I'm wondering is... what display options are available when hooking up the 360 over VGA? Can you alter the amount of colour as well as the usual contrast, brightness and temperature options? This is a big factor as it would help combat the less colourful image offered by VGA when compared to component, whilst keeping VGA's 1:1 mapping.

I've got a Sony Bravia KDL-40W2000 downstairs which is a great telly, but its options are hindered when using the VGA input (brightness/contrast/temp only, unfortunately).

Can owners confirm this for me?

Cheers guys!

[EvilBoris]

The Tv only allows you to adjust brightness and contrast. You can't adjust any other settings. This is normal for all Tvs

[MarioMark]

I think you only get to change the contrast on VGA mate. You do on my Sammy anyway.

I tried VGA and it looked ok but then when I went back to component it blew me away how much better component is.

Why is the 360 VGA so dull looking? It's not the TV because VGA from the PC looks mint!

[daddyorchips]

The Tv only allows you to adjust brightness and contrast. You can't adjust any other settings. This is normal for all Tvs

Cheers for confirming this. There's a few users on avforums that had been claiming otherwise in their settings, which got me wondering.

Out of interest, do you prefer the VGA picture to component? How washed out is it on the Sammy? Does 'game mode' improve things?

[daddyorchips]

I tried VGA and it looked ok but then when I went back to component it blew me away how much better component is.

Why is the 360 VGA so dull looking? It's not the TV because VGA from the PC looks mint!

It's a nuisance, but don't you find the VGA picture to be much clearer than component? It's especially noticeable close-up.

[EvilBoris]

Whilst the image appears washed out initially, after a little while you get used to it.

I prefer VGA over component, it is alot sharper, especially on the Samsung sets which bastardise component/HDMI.

[MarioMark]

It's a nuisance, but don't you find the VGA picture to be much clearer than component? It's especially noticeable close-up.

Yeah it's better in some respects but once you go back to component it looks so much colourful and brighter.

[Keith]

Component on my Sammy looks worse than VGA to me, especially text, which just looks fuzzy. I know that technically it should look better through component, but it doesn't. To me, that is.

[NekoFever]

I switched my 360 back to component on my Sammy the other week. Once you've tweaked the settings sufficiently I found that games looked essentially the same as VGA, but on HD DVD component looked far superior. As much as I fiddled, I found that VGA had a slight blue tint to blacks that wasn't present on component, or at least was less obvious.

[sj33]

Strictly speaking, VGA and Component should look pretty much the same to the naked eye (unless your someone who claims to be able to see the difference between RGB and YPbPr).
However the difference in the implementation at the source end, as well as how the recieving screen deals with each connection, is what causes one to look better than the other.

I prefer Component on the 360 myself, the colours are just generally a lot more vibrant, and it looks sharp as heck anyway. This will be completely down to personal preference, some prefer the slightly 'washed' look because it's 'correct'... I just don't like it, but some may do, cool. Tweak the screen to your preference ffs, not just to what someone else tells you is correct.
The fact that I can play 50Hz XBox games is a bonus.

On the flipside, my PC looks absolutely perfect over VGA, 1360x768 1:1 mapped, whereas as my GPU's Component output lags far behind. As I say, implementation at the source end.

[eASY aDDICT]

I have just got a Sammy LE27S7BDX. After having to set up VGA blind I would say that it does look a little washed but only slightly. You can't apply Game Mode to VGA input but you can fiddle with the colour settings etc.

The main reason for going 360 VGA was to enable me to use Component for Wii and not have to get a splitter or keep changing.

It's been said already but really it's down to personal preference.

Oh and the Samsung's are cracking value for money at the moment and come highly recommended as it has cost me a third of what I paid for my Bravia V Series 12 month ago and the picture is up there!

[daddyorchips]

I have just got a Sammy LE27S7BDX. After having to set up VGA blind I would say that it does look a little washed but only slightly. You can't apply Game Mode to VGA input but you can fiddle with the colour settings etc.

That's interesting. Someone at avforums has replied to my thread stating that he CAN alter colour settings using his 'R' series Samsung LCD TV. And you say it works for your 'S' series one too (i.e. you can change the value, not just the temp)?

EDIT: also, trawling through the 'R' series thread at AVF, a number of people mention this. Could it be something to do with enabling or disabling 'game mode' whilst using VGA?

[Ciaran]

You can alter the contrast, brightness, colour and colour tone while running through VGA (sitting here looking at it now).

With game mode enabled you can adjust all the same things but you can't use any of the presets or dynamic mode.

[daddyorchips]

What's the exact model number of your TV, Ciaran? Just trying to ascertain why different users have had different experiences...

BTW, what's the benefit of game mode?

Oh, and cheers for the confirmation!

[Ciaran]

LE26R71B

Game mode is meant to increase response time and reduce picture processing but I can't notice even a slight difference with it on.