For the purposes of this article, let us assume that you have an XBox, a VGA monitor, and a Micomsoft XRGB-2 Plus Upscan Converter. When it comes to connecting the three together it is worth considering what options are available to you with respect to cables. Unlike my previous article, which focused on Sony's PlayStation 2, the XBox is extremely simple.
Like the PlayStation 2, you don't want to bother with the composite video cable that accompanied the console when you purchased it. Unlike the PlayStation 2, there is no Japanese RGB cable available for the XBox. This leaves you with but two options; an S-Video cable, or a component video cable. Fortunately Monster Cable makes some high quality cables for the XBox, the Gamelink 300 X and the Gamelink 400 X respectively. Both of these plug directly into the console's A/V port.
The S-Video cable can plug directly into the back of the XRGB-2 Plus, but the component video cable needs to be attached either to the component to Japanese RGB converter, or the component to D-Terminal converter. Given that the intent is to reserve the D-Terminal for the GameCube, this means the former option is the best option of the two, though there is no change in video quality.
To be utterly honest, I really am hard pressed to tell the difference in the picture from either video cable. Part of this is due to the degradation in the component video signal as a result of being passed through the converter so that it can be connected to the Japanese RGB port. The other aspect of it is that in my experience, the degree of change that can be expected going from S-Video to RGB or component video is minor, unless it is accompanied by a switch in resolution from 480i to 480p. Unfortunately the XRGB-2 Plus does not support the 480p resolution that both the GameCube and XBox are capable of.
When using component video cables with the RGB adapter you must make sure to go into the XRGB-2 Plus menu system, scroll down to the GAME_IN option, and make sure you select YPBPR because otherwise you won't get an image. If you use the component to D-Terminal converter, you don't have to do this because D-Terminal is basically component video by another name but with a different socket.
So, those are your two options. Personally I have a GameLink 400 X connected to the RGB adapter. I favor using Monster Cable (http://www.monstercable.com/monstergame/index.html) products wherever possible to preserve the utmost in signal quality. Additionally they are of a good length, and build quality. If they could be persuaded to make GameCube cables, and RGB cables I would be a very happy person, however I'm not holding my breath.
Those familiar with the problems associated with the PlayStation 2 and DVD playback via a Japanese RGB cable will be relieved to know that the XBox exhibits no such problems when using S-Video or component video cables. Indeed, I would rate the XBox a better DVD player than the PS2. Indeed my copy of Go Nagai's Cutie Honey, Collection Two, which on the PS2 refuses to let me set Japanese speech with English subtitles, has no such issues on the XBox. Indeed, I recommend that if you have a THX rated DVD, such as the re-release of Akira, you would be well advised to use the THX video certification screens to set up your XRGB-2 Plus. It gives great results with video games.
Now with respect to the XBox's progressive scan modes. Certainly, as I have said, the XRGB-2 Plus does not support them. Neither do all of the XBox's video games. The XRGB-2 Plus certainly has a role, then, with such titles. However if you are the kind of person who would purchase, or consider the purchase of, Micomsoft's product then you are probably the kind of person who would seek to have the best of all worlds, both progressive and interlaced video modes. With the XRGB-2 Plus handling the latter, how about the former?
Well, there are two readily available possibilities, with a third to follow...possibly. From Audio Authority, there is the Model 9A62 component to VGA transcoder (http://www.audioauthority.com/aacconsumers/9a62detc.html) that includes a video signal pass-through feature. From Key Digital there is the KD-CTCA2 (http://www.keydigital.com/KD-CTCA2.asp), also a component to VGA transcoder, but offering two VGA outputs if you have two monitors. Audio Authority's product only supports 480p, but will pass-through a 480i signal to your XRGB-2 Plus. Key Digital's product supports the whole range of XBox progressive video signals (480p, 720p and 1080i/540p), but does not have a pass-through function making a cohesive solution more awkward. Both will also function with the GameCube, though it can only output 480 progressive and interlaced video resolutions.
Price too, is a consideration. The 9A62 costs from around $150 to $190, whereas the KD-CTCA2 costs $320. There is a third possibility. Key Digital is reported to be in talks with Microsoft regarding a VGA adapter based upon their now discontinued KD-VTCA1. Certainly it will support the XBox progressive scan resolutions, however 480i remains an open question. Supporting 480i is more important than you might realize, because the XBox's Dashboard is only visible at that resolution.
Now I haven't tried either product, however reports on the 'net claim that the image quality is very close to the Dreamcast equipped with a VGA adapter, and that is a goal worth aiming for. Based upon my current research, I would recommend Audio Authority's 9A62, with the pass-through connected to the XRGB-2 Plus' RGB adapter. That should give the XBox owner the best of all worlds. Be assured that should I lay my hands on either company's products I will submit a review.
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