Return to Unfiction unforum
 a.r.g.b.b 
FAQ FAQ   Search Search 
 
Welcome!
New users, PLEASE read these forum guidelines. New posters, SEARCH before posting and read these rules before posting your killer new campaign. New players may also wish to peruse the ARG Player Tutorial.

All users must abide by the Terms of Service.
Website Restoration Project
This archiving project is a collaboration between Unfiction and Sean Stacey (SpaceBass), Brian Enigma (BrianEnigma), and Laura E. Hall (lehall) with
the Center for Immersive Arts.
Announcements
This is a static snapshot of the
Unfiction forums, as of
July 23, 2017.
This site is intended as an archive to chronicle the history of Alternate Reality Games.
  

The time now is Fri Nov 15, 2024 1:51 pm
All times are UTC - 4 (DST in action)		 View posts in this forum since last visit
View unanswered posts in this forum
Calendar
 Forum index » Diversions » Console/Video Game Discussion
Xbox 360
Moderators: krystyn
View previous topicView next topic
Page 4 of 30 [444 Posts]   Goto page: Previous 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ..., 28, 29, 30  Next
Author Message
water10
Unfettered


Joined: 31 Aug 2004
Posts: 712
Location: EvadeEvadeEvade

 		Let's see if I can help you. But I'll need more info.

Quote:
maybe you fellas can answer a question for me. i have a pretty decent vga->component video converter (one of the few things i paid for) and it looks pretty good when playing a movie file, but DVD's look grainy and washed out/green over it, however, if i switch the input to the s-video directly from the dvd decoder, it looks really good!

Is your set an HDTV? If so, does it accept 720p and/or 1080i? What software you're using to play the DVD? More importantly, which DVD decoder are you using? What's your video card?

Quote:
let me preface that the dx3 is one of those old cards that you connect by attaching a small cable out of the pc's vga and into the card, then it has its own vga out for the overlay, the s-video out shows ONLY the dvd content, not the desktop:
pc-vga -> dxr3-in -> dxr3-vga-out -> converter -> tv-YCbCr-in

I'm not familiar with this card, but from your description, it's an external card, right?

If you want the best quality, you can take this dx3 card out of the equation. Just take the converter straight to your video card and display the desktop on your TV. Now, that's when things get tricky! Computer resolutions are different than TV's resolution. For now, I'll assume your tv only accepts 1080i, like most HDTV sets today. That means your tv does not accept 85hz refresh rate for example! So you need to build a resolution that your TV will accept it. There's a handy program called powerstrip that does exactly that. It generates custom resolution for hdtv sets. For example, I use 1812x1012 on my TV. The real 1080i is 1920x1080, but if I use that, I get overscan and a good portion of my desktop gets cut-off. There's a bit of trial and error here, so if you really want to go deep on this, we can talk on ICQ/AIM or whatever.

When you finally get a usable desktop image on your tv, then you have to search for a good software player and a good dvd decoder. The player won't matter for picture quality, but it'll dictate how user-friendly your htpc is. Some suggestions are Zoomplayer (the one I use), WinDVD, PowerDVD, Theatertek and even WMP. The dvd decoder is the important part and that will dictate your picture quality. There are a lot of decoders around, like sonic, windvd, powerdvd, nvidia, dscaler5 ... I use dscaler5 now, just because it's free and has arguably the best picture quality.

Yes, it's a lot of information, so if you want to go deep, I suggest we take this out of this thread. It's too much, even for Phaedra's hijacking standards!

And if you want to go VERY deep on the subject, go to www.avsforum.com and try the HTPC area. It's the best resource available! You'll be amazed with the amount of info on the subject.
_________________
You’d better not mess with Major Tom!

Gamertag: Waters100

PostPosted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 12:51 pm
 View user's profile AIM Address
 ICQ Number 
 Back to top 
CoffeeJedi
Unfictologist


Joined: 27 Jul 2004
Posts: 1327
Location: Charlotte NC, USA

 		oh, yeah... that's the other bit i didn't mention
its just a regular ol' tv with component inputs

the dxr3 card is internal, but requires an external vga connection (just a small loop of cable about 3 inches long that comes out of the pc's vga and then into the card
the video card is simply onboard SiS video
i'm using the creative DVD player because its compatible with the card and the creative dvd remote control (an older piece of kit, i grabbed it for 7 bucks off compgeeks.com's closeout section) but i'll look into dscaler5

the reason why i'm using the hardware to decode is because the card has an optical audio out that goes into my 5.1 audio decoder

hmmm... ok..... i'll look into my refresh rates and resolutions this weekend

sorry to massively threadjack.... so yeah... have you seen the new xbox 360? Yeah, one of the tech guys was telling me about it. They say it's...quite the thing to see.
(bonus props for anyone who can identify that quote... crap! threadjacking again! dangit)
_________________
seeker > !seek canoe
!splotch

PostPosted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 1:02 pm
 View user's profile Visit poster's website
 Back to top 
Anton P. Nym
Unfettered


Joined: 25 Jul 2004
Posts: 550
Location: London, Canada
water10 wrote:
Quote:
But I note a *huge* improvement in audio quality between SACDs played on my computer

There's been a lot of discussion that these new high rez audio formats while good specs on paper, the big noticeable improvement on sound are there mostly because they are using better sources and remastering the material. So, maybe you're hearing improvements due to these, and not really to the SACD format. It's a guess here.

Which would address the improvement between regular CDs and SACDs, but not the difference in SACDs between the three players I now have. Unless the Xbox is really craptacular as a CD player... which I haven't noticed on regular CDs but my hybrids sound terrible. (And the DVD-A doesn't sound at all, of course.)

I will also say that when I "rip" from a hybrid disk into an mp3 or WMA I get much the same drop in performance as I note from the Xbox. (Flat sound, big gaps in audio between tracks, lack of definition on mid-tones.) I haven't tried .WAV yet, but that doesn't help me with my wee digital music player very much.

Quote:
Quote:
*double-take* Are you saying that it could get better? Ohhh..... we wants it, yes we does, yesssss...

Yes, if you're not using 6 analog cables, you should be able to improve it.

Only if my tuner had analog 5.1 inputs, which it doesn't. Sad Well, what do I expect for $150CAD? (Though DTS and DD5.1 are incredible on it. As is the Xbox game audio.)

Quote:
Be careful with the "we wants it"!! It can always get better when you throw money on the equation, but I don't think you want to go that route! Cool

Not until my "win the lottery" plan comes to fruition, anyway.

-- Steve's gotta be careful... champagne tastes plus beer budget equals trouble. *stifled belch* And gastrointestinal distress.
_________________
Dr.Prof. Anton P. Nym
Chief Bungiologist
Institute for Advanced ILB Research
Fireflies Wiki contributor. Sorta.
Livejournal

PostPosted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 1:46 pm
 View user's profile Visit poster's website
 Back to top 
Fenwicked
Decorated


Joined: 15 Oct 2004
Posts: 221
Location: Phoenix, AZ
CoffeeJedi wrote:
hm, so you're saying my mighty 800mhz pIII (free) 2-pci slot micro-atx mobo ($20) 192megs of pc-133 ram (free) 80 gig hd (free) Creative DXR3 drive/decoder (free) MONO avertv capture card (free) is up to the task! w00t!

Okay, now you're gonna be the one laughing, because that setup is ten times better than my PC at home. (233mhz PII, 192megs RAM, 20 gig hd) Where in the world did you get all that stuff for free?
_________________
http://www.livejournal.com/~fiercesteyes

PostPosted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 2:38 pm
 View user's profile Visit poster's website AIM Address
 Back to top 
INCyr
Unfettered


Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Posts: 589
Location: Front Range of the Rockies!

 		What exactly does an HTPC consist of? Is it just a PC you use to control music, video, etc, or is there more to it?

Basically, I'm trying to figure out of the computer Silrn and I are going to be putting in the living room constitutes an HTPC, and if it does, if there's anythign else we should look into doing for it. And if not, how we make it one, etc.
_________________
DC Axon Hunter!
Master Sergent on the Apocalypso
Gamertag: INCyr

PostPosted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 2:46 pm
 View user's profile AIM Address
 Back to top 
CoffeeJedi
Unfictologist


Joined: 27 Jul 2004
Posts: 1327
Location: Charlotte NC, USA
Fenwicked wrote:
Okay, now you're gonna be the one laughing, because that setup is ten times better than my PC at home. (233mhz PII, 192megs RAM, 20 gig hd) Where in the world did you get all that stuff for free?


processor: old job, salvaged from a dead pc, it was stripped for parts, but the processor wasn't very usefull to us, so i took it

ram: salvaged here and there from various dead pc's from work or friends (someone's pc will die, they buy a new shiny dell, and hand the broken one over to me to strip for parts, becuase they just can't fathom why anyone needs more than one computer! Laughing i got a free 17 inch monitor this way)

hard drive: my roommate's work had several of these purchased for a client but the job was cancelled, one of those deals where it would have cost them more tax-wise to sell it than to throw it out, so it was written off and he brought it home for our pvr

dvd: a tech-savvy friend got a new pc, then canabized some other pc's for parts... when it was done, he had the dvd and card left over, i think i traded something for it actually, but i consider that free

tv-capture: a neighbor is a real gizmo junkie, but he doesn't really know what he's doing alot of the time, but he has disposable income, he upgraded to a hdtv capture card and gave me the old one for helping him on something

you just need to have the right geeky friends i guess, a buddy once bought a HUGE box of parts sight-unseen for pennies from a business that was going under... we spent days pouring through it, alot was crap that got tossed, but everyone got one or 2 gems out of it

"george just lucky i guess"
_________________
seeker > !seek canoe
!splotch

PostPosted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 2:57 pm
 View user's profile Visit poster's website
 Back to top 
water10
Unfettered


Joined: 31 Aug 2004
Posts: 712
Location: EvadeEvadeEvade

 		Coffe, I'm not sure how your creative card works, but I think it's a dvd decoder by itself. Don't know if it's software or hardware based.

Since your tv is not hdtv, you'll not be able to set custom resolutions above 480i/480p. If it accepts progressive scan, then you can use custom resolutions for 480p. If not, you're limited to 480i, which is basically what S-video gives you. Component does have better quality over S-video, even when both are outputting the same resolution. But the gain will not be much. It should not be worse though, like you're saying.


Your SiS chipset might be compatible with powerstrip. If you're willing to give it a try and remove the creative card out of the loop, connect your video card straight to your tv and go with a software-based player, let me know and I can give you directions, since that's what I'm most familiar with.

Regarding your remote controler, depending on what kind is your IR receiver, you might be able to use a software called Girder. This program receives IR codes from different IR receivers (serial or USS) and then sends commands to whichever application you want! It's a VERY powerful automation tool, but totally NOT user friendly ... I'm using it right now and I'm always learning ... I don't know if it would work with your receiver though and there's only 1 way to find out!


Quote:
What exactly does an HTPC consist of? Is it just a PC you use to control music, video, etc, or is there more to it?

Well, an HTPC is pretty much a computer that can be used as a dvd player, music jukebox, photo management, dvd jukebox, HDTV tuner, VCR, TV scaler.

On the forum I posted the link above, most people use it at least for DVD viewing, Music Jukebox and photo management. Not everybody uses it as a VCR and TV scaler, since a lot of people just prefer to use satelite/cable box. Almost everybody uses a front-end program, which gives the interface of a set top box, instead of a computer. A front end is a software that integrates everything and usually accepts remote control commands instead of being mouse dependent. Without a front end, most wifes will never get close to a HTPC, no offense to the ladies here, of course.

I use mine for pretty much everything listed ... Yes, I'm a geek.

Quote:
Basically, I'm trying to figure out of the computer Silrn and I are going to be putting in the living room constitutes an HTPC, and if it does, if there's anythign else we should look into doing for it. And if not, how we make it one, etc.

First of all, what do you want to do with it? From what I said above, what are the things you might be interested on doing?

Check these two front-ends, just to see what's possible to do with an HTPC:
www.meedio.com (that's what I use)
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/default.mspx
_________________
You’d better not mess with Major Tom!

Gamertag: Waters100

PostPosted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 3:15 pm
 View user's profile AIM Address
 ICQ Number 
 Back to top 
weephun
Entrenched


Joined: 25 Aug 2004
Posts: 908
Location: Fuquay Varina, NC
Anton P. Nym wrote:
Not until my "win the lottery" plan comes to fruition, anyway.


Keeps your hopes up. Though this is the closest I've ever been. (though actually playing said lottery might help)
_________________
- Sean Stewart: "generally people like seeing their names on TV, although probably no one has had a more mixed experience with that then weephun, God bless him.
- Currently assisting Epic Games in their quest for world domination

PostPosted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 3:29 pm
 View user's profile
 Back to top 
Clayfoot
Entrenched


Joined: 19 Aug 2004
Posts: 785
Location: Warner Robins, Georgia, USA

 		The EFF posted instructions for building a HDTV-based PVR. Here's that link:
http://www.eff.org/broadcastflag/cookbook/guide.php
Notably, they recommend at least a 3 Ghz P4-class PC for HD.
EFF Guide to Building Your Own PVR wrote:
You will need an appropriate PC; we recommend at least a Pentium 4 with a 3 GHz or faster CPU, and at least an 800 MHz front-side bus. Intel processors are reported to decode MPEG video more efficiently than equivalent Athlon processors.

_________________
Gamertag:Clayfoot

PostPosted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 3:39 pm
 View user's profile Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
 ICQ Number 
 Back to top 
water10
Unfettered


Joined: 31 Aug 2004
Posts: 712
Location: EvadeEvadeEvade

 		That's a Linux-based htpc. I would not go that route for now ... Linux doesn't have the support for this type of application. First, as you can see, they only suggest 1 PCI HDTV card, because that's the only card that works under Linux right now. There are 4-5 cards that works under Windows. Plus, the only hardware-based card is for windows only. With this card, all you need is a PII 400Mhz, with 64mb of ram!! Here's the link:
http://www.digitalconnection.com/Products/Video/mdp130.asp

That's the card I just ordered, by the way. I have the old version of it mdp100, which I'm selling next week.

Not only that, but the main tool for dvd post-processing is FFDSHOW (http://sourceforge.net/projects/ffdshow) doesn't have a Linux version just yet! You can have a Linux based HTPC, but it'll be a lot more limited than a windows one. Depending on what you want to do, it might be good enough though.
_________________
You’d better not mess with Major Tom!

Gamertag: Waters100

PostPosted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 3:52 pm
 View user's profile AIM Address
 ICQ Number 
 Back to top 
Grifter_7
Unfettered


Joined: 19 Oct 2004
Posts: 536
Location: I could tell you, but I'd have to kill you.

 		Back on Topic:

Sponge is posting:

Sponge wrote:

SPOnG believes that Microsoft is set to surprise the gaming world by showing its Xbox 2 console well before this May's E3 show, slated for mid-May in Los Angeles.

According to two independent sources, the Redmond software giant has an Xbox 2 conference of 'significant importance' slated for some point in March 2005, which SPOnG has been led to believe will include software and hardware being displayed to the public for the first time.

On contacting Microsoft this morning, we were told, "…that at this time, we have no announcement to make regarding the next-generation Xbox," making a refreshing, perhaps even telling break for the 'we don't comment on rumour or speculation'. line.

So we must ask ourselves, does the news stack up? Certainly, the timelines for the roll-out of Xbox 2 break all the rules. The successor coming so soon after the original is illustrative of Microsoft's refusal to follow the industry norm. There will also have been considerable investment into market trends regarding product acceptance. With all three consoles being unveiled at E3, there is a significant risk that much of the coverage in the mainstream press will focus on the market-leading PlayStation brand and the highly mysterious headline-grabber that is Nintendo's Revolution.

If Microsoft show Xbox 2 next month, it will have a free run at the media, snatching attention away from the PSP and the DS and be in a position to capitalise on a product that will already be a tangible next-generation home console in the eyes of gamers and the press.

We hope to bring you updates on this intriguing news story as it unfolds.


If this rumor is true we could see the unveiling of the Xbox 360 within 30 days.
_________________
"You can run... But you'll only die tired"
"Now its back to the kind of fight I'm used to; me versus everybody."
Gamertag: Grifter7
INTEL Officer, Apocolypso

PostPosted: Mon Feb 28, 2005 11:19 am
 View user's profile AIM Address
 Back to top 
Grifter_7
Unfettered


Joined: 19 Oct 2004
Posts: 536
Location: I could tell you, but I'd have to kill you.

 		Sorry for the double post but I also found this interesting interview on GamerPro.com with Microsoft Exec Peter Moore where he talks about Next-Generation Xbox Gaming:

It's to much to post here so CLICK HERE to read the full Interview.
_________________
"You can run... But you'll only die tired"
"Now its back to the kind of fight I'm used to; me versus everybody."
Gamertag: Grifter7
INTEL Officer, Apocolypso

PostPosted: Mon Feb 28, 2005 12:15 pm
 View user's profile AIM Address
 Back to top 
AtroPhied1
Guest


 		I really should log in...
Grifter_7 wrote:


Mine too. I'm so looking forward to a good RPG on the Xbox. KOTOR 1 and 2 were great but it's time for something new.


Well, it's not long until Jade Empire now... you should enjoy that (created by the makers of KOTOR) and Fable always good to spend a copuple of hours arsing around in

~atrophied

PostPosted: Mon Feb 28, 2005 7:08 pm
 Back to top 
Grifter_7
Unfettered


Joined: 19 Oct 2004
Posts: 536
Location: I could tell you, but I'd have to kill you.

 		Re: I really should log in...
AtroPhied1 wrote:

Well, it's not long until Jade Empire now... you should enjoy that (created by the makers of KOTOR) and Fable always good to spend a copuple of hours arsing around in
~atrophied


Fable was a good game but it was over to quickly, and I am more a fan of the turn-based RPG's than action RPGs. I am looking forward to Jade Empire which should be highly impressive.
We shall see what RPGs the future holds for the xbox. After reading the interview with Peter Moore, I would expect that there will be a lot more Japanese influence on the Xbox 360 and on it's games.
_________________
"You can run... But you'll only die tired"
"Now its back to the kind of fight I'm used to; me versus everybody."
Gamertag: Grifter7
INTEL Officer, Apocolypso

PostPosted: Tue Mar 01, 2005 9:18 am
 View user's profile AIM Address
 Back to top 
Grifter_7
Unfettered


Joined: 19 Oct 2004
Posts: 536
Location: I could tell you, but I'd have to kill you.

 		Morning Xbox 360 INTEL report:
Three things to report this morning. Links and excerpts to follow.

1)From IGN:President of Famitsu gets Private Xbox 2 Demo

Anoop Gantayat of IGN wrote:
During a speech given at the Asia Online Game Conference 2005, Hamamura had this to say about the experience: "It's such a realistic video that with just one look you'll know that you're looking at a next-generation system. It's something that cannot be realized on today's machines."


2)From TeamXbox: More Japanese Game Luminaries Pick Next-Gen Xbox

César A. Berardini of TeamXbox wrote:
In another creative coup for its next generation Xbox platform, Microsoft today announced that esteemed videogame developers Yoshiki Okamoto, President & CEO of Game Republic, Inc., and Tetsuya Mizuguchi, Creator and Co-founder, Q Entertainment Inc. have aligned with Microsoft Game Studios to develop exclusive next-generation Xbox games. The announcement comes on the heels of last week's news that video game legend Hironobu Sakaguchi, president of Mistwalker game studio, has joined with Microsoft Game Studios to develop role-playing games exclusively for the next-generation Xbox platform.

For more than 20 years, Okamoto has been thrilling gamers with franchises like Street Fighter and Resident Evil.


3)From Sponge: Xbox 2 and PlayStation 3 GDC banter emerges.

Sponge wrote:

And what happens in March? Why, the annual Game Developers Conference of course, in San Francisco between March 7-11 inclusive. Given the above evidence, SPOnG believes it highly likely that both the PlayStation 3 and the next generation Xbox will be on show in some form next week.

_________________
"You can run... But you'll only die tired"
"Now its back to the kind of fight I'm used to; me versus everybody."
Gamertag: Grifter7
INTEL Officer, Apocolypso

PostPosted: Wed Mar 02, 2005 10:34 am
 View user's profile AIM Address
 Back to top 
Display posts from previous:   Sort by:   
Page 4 of 30 [444 Posts]   Goto page: Previous 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ..., 28, 29, 30  Next
View previous topicView next topic
 Forum index » Diversions » Console/Video Game Discussion
Jump to:  


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum
You cannot post calendar events in this forum



Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group