PAL NTSC HDTV switch?
Filed under: xn--cnq77f.com
wouldnt it be great to be able to switch between pal and ntsc with a click (and reboot). :d
i think this was implemented in xbmp. the thing is, when i only use the remote, i cant change pal/ntsc mode with enigmah because it needs "a" or "b" to be pressed.... :(
switch in xbmc would be great.
how do i get it back to being useable????
it's a japanese ntsc xbox, but i plug it into my pal tv in uk. the tv can display ntsc though, so didn't expect to get this problem.@edtremaine, please respect that your off-topic post do not belong in this thread nor in these forums, (you're using xbmp, not xbmc. ps! you should find your answer here (link) (http://www.xboxmediaplayer.de/cgi-bin/ib31/ikonboard.cgi?act=st;f=2;t=4688) :hmm:
-mickelonis
i am in favor of this one as well.
it should be possible i think ?
:o
why not just run everything in 720p?
how do i get it back to being useable????
it's a japanese ntsc xbox, but i plug it into my pal tv in uk. the tv can display ntsc though, so didn't expect to get this problem.
not sure how many of you switch between pal and ntsc mode but when you do you have to reset the user interface resolution each time.
my request is to suggest a setting for both pal and ntsc on user interface->resolution screen (as build 2004-06-03). so when rebooting you get the region setting automatically. or, so as not to change the skin, just have a place in settings.xml for each regions resolution.
i use enigmah to change region - maybe xmbc could do this also, but i guess this would require a skin change.
thanks
seism
keep up the good work! :d
what i would like to see is that if xbmc detects that i have a hi-def cable plugged in it will automatically switch to widescreen and the highest possible hd resolution, otherwise it stays in the current settings (which for me would be 4:3 ntsc).
normally i use my xbox on my tv (pal 4:3 but capable of ntsc), but occasionaly i switch my output cable to hi-def for using my projector (not for gaming but for xbmc).
then i have to go to ms-dashboard to switch to widescreen, reset my xbox using my controller (can't use the remote for that) and then start xbmc, and switch it back to 4:3 when i return to my rgb cable.
i rather have it stay in 4:3 all the time, but when running xbmc with the hidef cable have it switch to widescreen (the xbox already takes my others settings like 480p/720p).
so no region switching.. but only screen ratio switching.
i'm sure its implementable.. the question is.. am i the only one needing this? :)
this way we don't have to exit all the way to the main page>settings>appearance> gui
when we want to play a 720p file in hd.
btw, spiff is right about general use too, i think the xbox eeprom has a 1000-writes limitation-rating so switching every-day can never be recommend,
(so if a switch ever gets implemted into xbmc then you should only use it for when you permanently switch display, say ex. when you buy a new tv). *
*ok i understand that a restart is not needed to write to the eeprom however my idea/suggestion is a little more complexed than that:
*what i'm trying to conway is; what if a 'test' could be preformed before xbmc writes to the actual eeprom in order to find out if the users tv support that specific selected video-mode, (because as you know an eeprom does have a writting limit plus you do not want to take a too big of a risk in messing it up). so what i suggest to is something like this; use cherry's videomode code (link) (http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/downloads/source/xbox/videomode.zip) to patch the eeprom mirror that was loaded into the persistent (ram) memory area at boot (thus writting to actual eeprom chip is not needed for this test) and because that code require a restart of a/the xbe start a other executable called ex 'videomode.xbe' that will display a short demo (and a message) on the users tv in the new video-mode that will show/prove to the user that his/hers tv support and can display that specific video-mode, *....hell, an extention on this test/feature would be to then put the actual code and option that do write to the eeprom chip into the 'videomode.xbe' instead of the main xbmc xbe (and thus make it easier for developers to debug if needed), so if the user do get a picture 'videomode.xbe' in the new video mode then he will see the message to confirm (plus see the 10 second countdown-timer) and if he press yes (should default to no) then code inside 'videomode.xbe' write that video-mode to the eeprom chip, however if the user do not get a picture then he/she will only have to wait for the 10 seconds timeout to run out which will (depending how the developer choose to choose to code this part); cause the 'videomode.xbe' to either reboot (thus restoring the original video mode as the new mode was only written to ram) or alternativly re-patch the eeprom mirror in ram (not the eeprom chip) to previous video-mode and then launch xbmc without reboot.
so exampel on my concept is a little bit different but more fool-proof (less risky):
1. *information on the screen (in xbmc) before regarding which video modes do what, and why you might want to switch mode.
2. *when user select one will get a message (still in xbmc with information as to what you will see on the following screen if everything goes correct, and information as to what to do if you don't see it (will be a timeout as well as a simple button press). option here with 'proceed' or 'cancel'.
3. if user press 'proceed' in step 2 then xbmc will first patch the eeprom mirror that's in the persistent (ram) memory area to the selected video-mode (thus not yet writting anything to the actual eeprom chip) and then launch 'videomode.xbe'.
4. 'videomode.xbe' starts and give a message "do you see this screen and text" (with demo running in background, plus maybe music or someone speaking/reading the same message so user don't think the xbox has hung) and present two options 'confirm change' or 'cancel change', plus a 10-second countdown timer running.
5a. if the user press 'confirm change' then code inside 'videomode.xbe' will write that video-mode into that xbox eeprom chip.
5b. if the user instead press 'cancel change' or wait until the timer runs out then code inside 'videomode.xbe' will (depending how the developers code it) either reboot (thus restoring the original video mode as the new mode was only written to ram) or alternativly re-patch the eeprom mirror in ram (not the eeprom chip) to the prevvious video-mode and launch xbmc without reboot.
@developers; just fyi; nkpatcher v10 (link) (http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/sep/eepfazzyfalozqifja.php) has been release with it's full source code, incuding a virtual eeprom feature,
....maybe code can be used from it and together with cherry's videomode code (http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/downloads/source/xbox/videomode.zip) to realize my suggested scenerio above?
ps! @jmarshall, can you please upload the info/code you have on writting to the eeprom chip to .it so that we can then share it?
until a way can be done to autoswitch it back reliably, we won't implement any eeprom writing stuff - it's far too problematic.
i have recently purchased an x2vga+ to output my xbox onto a vga monitor whilst still being able to watch the tv. on occasion however i would also like to output the xbox onto the tv (coz the screens much bigger).
ok, ok, ok i hear you all chanting, "use the composite out on the x2vga+ adapter", but........ i live in the uk and my tele is pal so will only display the ntsc signal that the x2vga outputs in a flickery black and white.
so basically what i have to do is power on the xbox launch xbmc, run the enigmah video selector, change to pal and reboot, which is fine but....
things would be so much easier if i had a choice of what video region is used based on the video mode selected by the avip connector. is xbmc capable of doing this?
is the any intention of integrating a video switcher into xbmc?
comments gratefully appreciated.
don't understand the question
keep in mind that a reboot (hardware reset, or is it software reset?) is needed in order to change the video mode so what should have to happen is; first the user will have to change to an 'advanced' mode i xbmc settings to even see the option to switch the video mode, then when select say ntsc-m when in pal mode a big fat warning(!!!) message will pop-up saying someting "are you sure what you are doing?! this will change the video mode from pal to ntsc-m, you should only do this if you're using xbmc as your dashboard, if you press yes (selection will be defaulted to no) then the xbox will reboot and once xbmc starts you will be given 10 seconds to confirm the change, if you do not get a picture on your tv do not touch any buttons, simply leave it as once the 10 seconds runs out by itself the xbox will reboot and reset itself to the previos video mode (pal). note! team-xbmc take no responsibility if you choose to use this video mode switch, it may seriously mess up your xbox permenently!, you use at your own risk"
ps! as you can see by my suggestion above 10 second idea is not a good idea if you're not using xbmc as your bootup dashboard!
an alternative idea to the 10 second timeout is an idea that i personaly favour and that is to patch the eeprom/bios in memory to the selected video mode then startup a other .xbe (maybe demo like the xbmc credits and a test stating the video mode) that comes with xbmc which will show for 10 seconds during and thus the user will see if his tv can handle that video mode, after those 10 seconds the user will be given the option to set that video mode or cancel. ps! @devs, yes this should be possible via the videomode switch source code from cherry (link) (http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/downloads/source/xbox/videomode.zip) that unleashx uses to switch pal <=> ntsc 'on-the-fly' when/before launching a game.
@devs, note that ntsc-m (america) is not the same as ntsc-j (japan), both needs to be available and explained in a simple way.
just a thought.
it likely wont be implimented into xbmc (as in center) because if the code is screwed it bricks your xbox.
1
Can this be done without writing to the eeprom like when launching NTSC games?
I switch between my projector which supports NTSC 720P and a PAL tv which i use a different AV pack for.
Maybe make it a setting in AdvancedSettings.xml but ideally in the avpacksettings.xml.
I screwed my xbox a few years ago but now ive got enigmah on a disk and know what im doing now.
And i doubt someone would have a HDTV pack and a tv that doesn't support NTSC or at least without a different AV pack hanging around.
let me put out a warning.
eeproms do not like to be written to. it will eventually fry rendering your xbox useless. i would not recommend writing to it on a daily basis!
*what i'm trying to conway is; what if a 'test' could be preformed before xbmc writes to the actual eeprom in order to find out if the users tv support that specific selected video-mode, (because as you know an eeprom does have a writting limit plus you do not want to take a too big of a risk in messing it up). so what i suggest to is something like this; use cherry's videomode code (link) (http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/downloads/source/xbox/videomode.zip) to patch the eeprom mirror that was loaded into the persistent (ram) memory area at boot (thus writting to actual eeprom chip is not needed for this test) and because that code require a restart of a/the xbe start a other executable called ex 'videomode.xbe' that will display a short demo (and a message) on the users tv in the new video-mode that will show/prove to the user that his/hers tv support and can display that specific video-mode, *....hell, an extention on this test/feature would be to then put the actual code and option that do write to the eeprom chip into the 'videomode.xbe' instead of the main xbmc xbe (and thus make it easier for developers to debug if needed), so if the user do get a picture 'videomode.xbe' in the new video mode then he will see the message to confirm (plus see the 10 second countdown-timer) and if he press yes (should default to no) then code inside 'videomode.xbe' write that video-mode to the eeprom chip, however if the user do not get a picture then he/she will only have to wait for the 10 seconds timeout to run out which will (depending how the developer choose to choose to code this part); cause the 'videomode.xbe' to either reboot (thus restoring the original video mode as the new mode was only written to ram) or alternativly re-patch the eeprom mirror in ram (not the eeprom chip) to previous video-mode and then launch xbmc without reboot.
so exampel on my concept is a little bit different but more fool-proof (less risky):
1. *information on the screen (in xbmc) before regarding which video modes do what, and why you might want to switch mode.
2. *when user select one will get a message (still in xbmc with information as to what you will see on the following screen if everything goes correct, and information as to what to do if you don't see it (will be a timeout as well as a simple button press). option here with 'proceed' or 'cancel'.
3. if user press 'proceed' in step 2 then xbmc will first patch the eeprom mirror that's in the persistent (ram) memory area to the selected video-mode (thus not yet writting anything to the actual eeprom chip) and then launch 'videomode.xbe'.
4. 'videomode.xbe' starts and give a message "do you see this screen and text" (with demo running in background, plus maybe music or someone speaking/reading the same message so user don't think the xbox has hung) and present two options 'confirm change' or 'cancel change', plus a 10-second countdown timer running.
5a. if the user press 'confirm change' then code inside 'videomode.xbe' will write that video-mode into that xbox eeprom chip.
5b. if the user instead press 'cancel change' or wait until the timer runs out then code inside 'videomode.xbe' will (depending how the developers code it) either reboot (thus restoring the original video mode as the new mode was only written to ram) or alternativly re-patch the eeprom mirror in ram (not the eeprom chip) to the prevvious video-mode and launch xbmc without reboot.
ps! @jmarshall, can you please upload the info/code you have on writting to the eeprom chip to .it so that we can then share it?
could it be possible to have xbmc load each profile according to the video connector in use. i use two different connections scart and yuv (tv and projector). these two devices need two different calibration settings so i have created a profile for each one of them and of course if xbmc automatically loaded the correct profile on startup it would simplify things *:p
anyone interested ?
* added: [ 1440803 ] Associate Profiles with AV pack. thanks to markeen. will be documented on http://xbmc.xbox-scene.com/wiki/ soonish.
Yay - finally looks like they might have implemented this !!!!!!
im asking this, because im from europe, and to run games from here, i need to be in pal mode, but to run import/backup games from usa or asia, i need to be in nstc mode.........
all we need is:
1. information on the screen before regarding which video modes do what, and why you might want to use it.
2. information as to what you will see on the following screen if everything goes correct.
3. information as to what to do if you don't see it (will be a timeout as well as a simple button press).
4. information on what to do to set the mode permanently will be on the screen that you'll see if the mode is valid only. it will require a complicated controller button combo to confirm. if it's not received within 10 seconds, we'll revert to the previous mode (once again with no reset needed).
hope this makes it clear.
note that i'm probably not all that likely to start coding this up for a while as i'm busy with other imo more important issues, so anyone else should feel free to take it on. i have the eeprom information needed.
cheers,
jonathan
ofcouse it should be an option:)
i have a 32 in 4:3 tv with hdtv support
if i'm watching tv rips that are 4:3 source, i'd prefer 4:3 so that it will fill the whole screen.
but when i watch 16:9 dvd or 720p avi content i'd prefer 720p.
it would be awesome if i can switch on the fly.
could it be possible to have xbmc load each profile according to the video connector in use. i use two different connections scart and yuv (tv and projector). these two devices need two different calibration settings so i have created a profile for each one of them and of course if xbmc automatically loaded the correct profile on startup it would simplify things *:p
anyone interested ?
i currently use enigmah but to have it intergrated into xbmc and selectable via remote control as well :bowdown: would be awesome. then grab your controller enjoy some sync'd frames.
as xbmc has become the only dashboard (besides ms) on my box, to be able to start my imported ntsc-backups with a click would make xbmc nearly perfect
(it nearly is that already, of which i'm of course most grateful).
:bowdown: :bowdown:
for now use enigmah video switching app (don't ask where to get it) to switch between pal and ntsc (and ms dash for hdtv).
i agree, but there should be some obvious warning to the user on the previous screen to wait x seconds if the following screen remains blank.
*what i'm trying to conway is; what if a 'test' could be preformed before xbmc writes to the actual eeprom in order to find out if the users tv support that specific selected video-mode, (because as you know an eeprom does have a writting limit plus you do not want to take a too big of a risk in messing it up). so what i suggest to is something like this; use cherry's videomode code (link) (http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/downloads/source/xbox/videomode.zip) to patch the eeprom mirror that was loaded into the persistent (ram) memory area at boot (thus writting to actual eeprom chip is not needed for this test) and because that code require a restart of a/the xbe start a other executable called ex 'videomode.xbe' that will display a short demo (and a message) on the users tv in the new video-mode that will show/prove to the user that his/hers tv support and can display that specific video-mode, *....hell, an extention on this test/feature would be to then put the actual code and option that do write to the eeprom chip into the 'videomode.xbe' instead of the main xbmc xbe (and thus make it easier for developers to debug if needed), so if the user do get a picture 'videomode.xbe' in the new video mode then he will see the message to confirm (plus see the 10 second countdown-timer) and if he press yes (should default to no) then code inside 'videomode.xbe' write that video-mode to the eeprom chip, however if the user do not get a picture then he/she will only have to wait for the 10 seconds timeout to run out which will (depending how the developer choose to choose to code this part); cause the 'videomode.xbe' to either reboot (thus restoring the original video mode as the new mode was only written to ram) or alternativly re-patch the eeprom mirror in ram (not the eeprom chip) to previous video-mode and then launch xbmc without reboot.
so exampel on my concept is a little bit different but more fool-proof (less risky):
1. *information on the screen (in xbmc) before regarding which video modes do what, and why you might want to switch mode.
2. *when user select one will get a message (still in xbmc with information as to what you will see on the following screen if everything goes correct, and information as to what to do if you don't see it (will be a timeout as well as a simple button press). option here with 'proceed' or 'cancel'.
3. if user press 'proceed' in step 2 then xbmc will first patch the eeprom mirror that's in the persistent (ram) memory area to the selected video-mode (thus not yet writting anything to the actual eeprom chip) and then launch 'videomode.xbe'.
4. 'videomode.xbe' starts and give a message "do you see this screen and text" (with demo running in background, plus maybe music or someone speaking/reading the same message so user don't think the xbox has hung) and present two options 'confirm change' or 'cancel change', plus a 10-second countdown timer running.
5a. if the user press 'confirm change' then code inside 'videomode.xbe' will write that video-mode into that xbox eeprom chip.
5b. if the user instead press 'cancel change' or wait until the timer runs out then code inside 'videomode.xbe' will (depending how the developers code it) either reboot (thus restoring the original video mode as the new mode was only written to ram) or alternativly re-patch the eeprom mirror in ram (not the eeprom chip) to the prevvious video-mode and launch xbmc without reboot.
ps! @jmarshall, can you please upload the info/code you have on writting to the eeprom chip to .it so that we can then share it?
@developers; just fyi; nkpatcher v10 (link) (http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/sep/eepfazzyfalozqifja.php) has been release with it's full source code, incuding a virtual eeprom feature,
....maybe code can be used from it and together with cherry's videomode code (http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/downloads/source/xbox/videomode.zip) to realize my suggested scenerio above?
from my main screen, i go to the settings menu, then interface, then where you can adjust the resolution, i should be able to select different resolutions, but it is stuck on ntsc, there are no other options...
-mickelonis
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