Xbox 360 Spring Update Improves VGA Image Quality

Xbox 360 games now look better than ever in VGA

Although the new Windows Live Messenger integration and improved Achievements system are the more widely advertised new features of the Spring Update, a little known new feature has crept its way into the latest Dashboard version – improved image quality when using the Xbox 360 VGA output.

[TheMART]

Damn that makes a lot of difference! I guess the difference between component and VGA for the colours will be history. Nice work MS!

Gonna try it out tonight. After seeing all that washed out PS3 screens, even worse then VGA in old setting, I'd choose component/VGA on the 360 over HDMI PS3 any day. Especially because VGA can do 1080p now with intense colours

@ Bizkit (below)

you can put on any Sony paper specs

But in reality we saw all those games. With Splinter Cell as the latest result. Have you seen the night levels? Normally you should use the night vision to be able to see stuff. With the PS3 version night levels look like if the sun is about to go under but there is still light

But it's not that really. It's the washed out CPU graphics the PS3 puts on screen... pathetic

[Hymons]

Don't worry, HDMI hasn't even shown it's "true colors" just yet.

HDMI 1.3 capabilities include:

Higher speed:
• HDMI 1.3 increases its single-link bandwidth from 165MHz (4.95 gigabits per second) to 340 MHz (10.2 Gbps) to support the demands of future high-definition display devices, such as higher resolutions, deep color and high frame rates. In addition, built into the HDMI 1.3 specification is the technical foundation that will let future versions of HDMI reach significantly higher speeds.

Deep color:
• HDMI 1.3 supports 30-bit, 36-bit and 48-bit (RGB or YCbCr) color depths, up from the 24-bit depths in previous versions of the HDMI specification.
• Lets HDTVs and other displays go from millions of colors to billions of colors.
• Eliminates on-screen color banding, for smooth tonal transitions and subtle gradations between colors.
• Enables increased contrast ratio.
• Can represent many times more shades of gray between black and white. At 30-bit pixel depth, four times more shades of gray would be the minimum, and the typical improvement would be eight times or more.

Broader color space:
• HDMI 1.3 removes virtually all limits on color selection.
• Next-generation “xvYCC” color space supports 1.8 times as many colors as existing HDTV signals.
• Lets HDTVs display colors more accurately.
• Enables displays with more natural and vivid colors.

New mini connector:
• With small portable devices such as HD camcorders and still cameras demanding seamless connectivity to HDTVs, HDMI 1.3 offers a new, smaller form factor connector option.

Lip Sync:
• Because consumer electronics devices are using increasingly complex digital signal processing to enhance the clarity and detail of the content, synchronization of video and audio in user devices has become a greater challenge and could potentially require complex end-user adjustments. HDMI 1.3 incorporates an automatic audio/video synching capability that allows devices to perform this synchronization automatically with accuracy.

New lossless audio formats:
• In addition to HDMI’s current ability to support high-bandwidth uncompressed digital audio and currently available compressed formats (such as Dolby® Digital and DTS), HDMI 1.3 adds additional support for new lossless compressed digital audio formats Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio™.

[Funky Town_TX]

When it shows it's "TRUE COLORS" you call me. I know I'm tired of tech specs. SHOW ME THE MONEY.

[mcintosh233]

you really want to be using scart to get the most out of your hdtv

[naturalgamer]

dude ... you are a god damn liar. you lie to yourself all the time. you know that ps3 graphics are not washed out. you know they look and play way better. so please be quiet.

man you're so funny all the time.

[Hymons]

Man I don't really know what your problem is, but take a look at this and tell me the PS3 cannot display awesome quality color.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

BizkitGravy you can type untill your fingers go blue, it wont sell PS3, because no one wants em.

Heres some truth for ya
http://www.ukresistance.co....
http://www.cinemablend.com/...
http://jazzauk.blogspot.com...
http://digitalbattle.com/20...

[Hymons]

I found them a waste of time.

Anyway, I was not trying to sell PS3, I am happy with my purchase as I am happy with my bro's 360. I was only responding to Mart. Who, as we all know likes to bash the PS3 or rather Sony in general. I was only attempting to show him some "truth." I did not in anyway bash anyone or anything, but only provided small facts as to why is comment against the PS3/HDMI was not needed.

If you feel otherwise, I'm gladly open to your comments and your thoughts, but please do not judge me.

Funky.. I wouldn't be able to tell you when HDTV's supporting HDMI v1.3 come out, but I can only give what there is to show. Like I said just above, I was only responding to Mart. Oh, and if you really wanted me to call you would have left a number or something. LOL.

I am glad that you all are getting updates accordingly and you are happy with the services you are recieving. Just don't judge me, because I was quick to post a response to an un-needed comment.

[Funky Town_TX]

I'm always like to see things show "True Colors". I just don't like waiting for small improvements. HDMI 1.3 better be miles better than current standards. I just think electronics makers like to make people upgrade to new tech when old tech is fine. Not trying to bash you either. If it came across that way then I'm sorry for that.

[gta_cb]

nice, so if i got a VGA to HDMI would it improve it even more?

[Black Republican]

LOL that pciture is jokes...

[THAMMER1]

I did notice a slight difference. Good look M$ XBL

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

I could only get 1080i before this update but now it reads it in 1080p. Just put Gears in oh the beautiful colors, hmm going to try some Rainbow next.

Oh and I know Gears and Rainbow are 1080i only, I'M just stoked about reading 1080p

[P4KY B]

I thought GOW was monochrome until today. A vast improvement
Although i total suck at GOW at least my blood looks nice and red splattered across the screen now.

why does my shotgun always fire blanks :-(

[Silver Bull3t]

Funny but I prefer the "standard" image out of the 3 they displayed... the others look too dark. I'm always bumping up my brightness. Of course a projector is a different beast than a plasma or LCD. I wish I could get the black levels on my DLP, but I'll settle for the 80inches instead :D

Nice to have the option to tweak a bit though, everyone has different tastes.

[ThaGeNeCySt]

i have mine set to intermediate... expanded saturates the color too much and made it too dark.

[snoop_dizzle]

Jason xg1 and theMart are still going at it?

I can see why theMart is mad at sony(for those who don't know: molested by sony exec. as a child), but i wonder what Jason xg1 is fussing about?

Just to let you know theMart and Jason xg1, I'm praying for you two.

[Kuest]

Cool, but does that really matter? I like my 360 games regardless baby.

[DEIx15x8]

I have my 360 hooked up with component cables running 4:3 480P and i still have those three options. It even has a message that it will change the way games and movies will look at 480P. Does that have any effects on an LCD hooked up with Component?

[FeralPhoenix]

Damm Mart, Bro calm down this is good 360 news, why bring up PS3 at all? I understand they bash you alot but statements like you just made on the very first post seem uneccessary.

This is definitely good for you VGA guys, but I use component, which looks great on my HDTV....still any good news, is uhm, well good news. Enjoy!

[Hymons]

At least someone understands.. lol.