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[HDTV Arcade News Team]

http://www.x2vga.com/

Quote

The X2VGA 2 High Definition VGA Transcoder by Neoya is designed to work with any gaming console or video device that has a standard component video output, such as the Playstation 3, Playstation 2, Wii, GameCube, Xbox 360, and Xbox, etc. With the X2VGA 2TM and a standard VGA monitor, users can play their favorite games at 480p, 720p, 1080i, or 1080p resolutions - over double that of a standard TV! The X2VGA 2TM makes games come alive, delivering the sharpest, most realistic visuals available. Furthermore, the exceptional 480i EasyViewTM and Input AutoSelect features provided by the X2VGA 2TM make it easy for users to fully enjoy the mind-blowing audio and visual effects.

Comparing with the former X2VGA TM, the X2VGA 2TM is compatible with various gaming consoles and video devices, and presents you with the perfect visual performance by its brand-new design of video processing circuits. Moreover, the newly integrated two sets of video inputs and PC pass-through function on the X2VGA 2TM even allow a quick switch between your gaming consoles and PC

Delivers crystal clear 480p, 720p, 1080i and 1080p displays on standard VGA monitors.
• Adopts standard component video input, compatible with various gaming consoles and video devices, including the Playstation 3, Playstation 2, Wii, GameCube, Xbox 360, and Xbox.

• Includes two sets of component video Inputs, able to connect to two gaming consoles or video devices at the same time.

• Provides video pass-through function to switch images between PC and the gaming console by pressing one single button.

• Provides the exceptional 480i EasyViewTM feature for effortless setup in simplified 480i displays on VGA monitors.

• Provides advanced signal processing with great precision. Colors, resolutions, and details pop!

• Provides VESA standard separate H/V sync. and composite sync. for best compatibility.

• Provides Mode Indicator LED, which shows the current display mode (480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, or 1080p).

Let's hope Techni and Foe can keep their domestic dispute out of this topic. We all know how cranky Techni gets when Foe comes home from work and demands his supper.

Almost forgot, I took a review from a private site

Quote

PS3 on a Computer Monitor
A Review of the X2VGA2

If you’re like me and an HDTV is currently out of your price-range (especially after buying a PS3) but you really want to experience the high-definition picture quality and a smaller screen doesn’t bother you, then you may want to consider using a computer monitor with the PS3. Of course, if you have a LCD monitor that supports DVI-D (which is DVI with HDCP support) then all you need is the HDMI->DVI-D cable. If however, you are stuck with a monitor that only has a VGA connection (either CRT or LCD) then things aren’t quite so simple. This is where the X2VGA2 comes in. This little box allows you to connect up to two 480p, 720p, 1080i and 1080p sources to a standard VGA monitor using component cables. There are a few caveats; first, if your monitor is not a widescreen monitor then the image will appear stretched taller in order to fill the screen. This hasn’t bothered me too much yet but it is something to expect. Second, the X2VGA2 doesn’t handle audio so you will have to find some other way to get sound out of the PS3. I will discuss some options near the end of this review.

First, a list of what you’ll need. First, you’ll need the X2VGA2 (orderable through http://www.x2vga.com/). Second, you need a set of component AV cables for your PS3. Finally, if you want to still use your computer monitor on a computer without having to switch cables back and forth, you’ll need a HD-15 male-to-male VGA cable.

Once you have the required parts, getting it setup is quite simple. First, plug the X2VGA2’s AC adapter into a wall outlet and then into the X2VGA2. Next, connect the component cables to the PS3 and the component video input 1 on the X2VGA2. Third, connect your monitor. Now, if wish to use the pass-thru capabilities of the X2VGA2, connect the HD-15 male-to-male VGA cable between your computer’s video card and the X2VGA2’s VGA-in port. Now you can turn it all on. Start with the monitor and the PS3. After both are on, you can turn on the X2VGA2 (this order allows the X2VGA2 to detect the PS3 on the first component input).

Now unless you were previously using the PS2 in one of the high-definition modes, the picture will be really odd – it will be stretched. This is because most monitors cannot display 480i images so the X2VGA2 has an Easy-View mode that sort of allows you to view the image. This mode is simply designed to allow you to navigate the XMB, not for games. Go to Settings -> Display Settings and configure your Video Output Settings to use the Component Output (yes, you can still use the Component Cables while it is configured to use Composite Output but we need to switch to use high-definition). Next, select your high-definition mode (I chose to start with 720p just to get it working). Once you have saved your settings, the PS3 will switch to the mode that you selected and now you will be able to see everything normally. You can try out other modes if you wish, otherwise you are now using the PS3 in high-definition.

Now for my thoughts on the X2VGA2. All my testing was done on a 17 inch CRT monitor (non-widescreen). I have yet to test 1080i/1080p but 720p works very nicely. The first thing I did after getting the X2VGA2 setup was to hit the Playstation Store. It is amazing how much easier it is to read everything (okay, not really; I expected a big improvement). It is no problem to read any text in the Playstation Store or any other website that I tested. After this I popped in a Blu-Ray Disc that I bought when I bought the component cables. The picture is extremely sharp and the colors look perfect. I hadn’t tested a Blu-Ray Disc with the composite output so I can’t say how much of an improvement there was but I have no complaints about the picture quality through the X2VGA2. I also tested some games and didn’t notice any issues however I have yet to test a fast-action game but I wouldn’t expect the X2VGA2 to introduce any image lag but I will test this soon.

My only complaint about the X2VGA2 is that it doesn’t provide an option for connecting the audio of the PS3 to speakers/headphones. This leaves you with two options: the left and right RCA audio outputs on the component cable or the optical audio on the PS3. Since most people aren’t going to have a surround sound receiver setup near their computer, the best option seems to be to connect the PS3’s audio through your computer. Depending on your computer, you may be able to use the optical audio for this. If not, then you will need to buy an adapter to attach the left and right RCA audio cables to the 3.5mm headphone-style plug for the Line-in on your computer. You may also need a female-to-female RCA adapter to connect the cables from the PS3 to the adapter. You then need to enable pass-through for the Line-in on your computer. This will pass the sound from the Line-in port through to the speakers/headphones. Once you have done this, you can use your computer speakers or headphones to listen to the PS3.

Overall, the X2VGA2 works very well for someone on a budget who would like to enjoy the high-definition capabilities of the PS3. It would have been nice if the X2VGA2 had included a built-in audio pass-through but I would rather be missing this than to have to suffer through image quality problems. In the end, I would recommend the X2VGA2 for consideration if you can’t afford to buy a HDTV.

I will continue my tests and post an update once I have tried 1080i/1080p and some fast-action games.

This post has been edited by HDTV Arcade News Team: 11 July 2007 - 01:34 AM

[RyokoYaksa]

I was actually searching for any lag issues with this product since it caught my interest. Funny that Google leads me back here. With that said, does this have any possibility of causing lag?

But anyway, it's a generic device that works with any 480p+ source through component. Why is this in the Playstation 3 section?

[Techni Myoko]

Cause for gaming applications, PS3 would need it. 360/Wii wouldn't.

[Goldenheart]

Techni Myoko, on Aug 24 2007, 11:24 AM, said:

Cause for gaming applications, PS3 would need it. 360/Wii wouldn't.

That implies the Wii has a VGA cable like the 360 has. Hehe... Wii via VGA. 480p never looked so crisp!

Nice review: "I only checked one of the HD resolutions, and never bothered checking out an HD movie, but what little I did see looks good."

[Foe-hammer]

Where's my dinner, woman!

I have the original x2vga for the xbox (before there was a 720p/1080i viable homebrew vga bios). The results were excellent. The image was as good as native vga, and there was zero lag. I have not tried the x2vga2, though.

I was unaware that the Wii accepted vga as well. While i understand that the Wii support the same avip plug as the gamecube, there is no vga cable available for either. But the cube does support native vga, and with some minor hacking of a component cable, a vga cable is easily made. I would assume the Wii supports native vga too, but with no vga cable made by anyone, vga is not really an option.

[RyokoYaksa]

Vdigi actually did make a VGA cable specifically for the Wii recently. It comes with a black-and-white RCA video cable in case you need to do some set up in 480i. I do wonder why it couldn't have just been a composite video cable.
http://www.vdigi.com/index.php?page=shop.p...=1&Itemid=1

Eh, $40... I think I might as well get the X2VGA-2.

[Techni Myoko]

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I was unaware that the Wii accepted vga as well

I forgot Nintendo used a different AV port than the Cube, I was working off the assumption Wii'd use Cube's cables

[RyokoYaksa]

Techni Myoko, on Aug 26 2007, 07:22 PM, said:

I forgot Nintendo used a different AV port than the Cube, I was working off the assumption Wii'd use Cube's cables

The reason they didn't do this for the Wii was the use of a new multi-A/V out. The Gamecube's method of activating 480p was epic fail, remember?

[Foe-hammer]

Techni Myoko, on Aug 26 2007, 05:22 PM, said:

Quote

I was unaware that the Wii accepted vga as well

I forgot Nintendo used a different AV port than the Cube, I was working off the assumption Wii'd use Cube's cables

I figured it did. Guess not.

[twinsen]

I ordered the X2VGA 2 in September and received it shortly after. I tried it with my Samsung 226BW LCD monitor and Wii with component cables. It displays in 480p but has several problems:

1) light-red horizontal bands that appear often. seems like it is either a poor conversion or noisy
2) all colors are washed out and greenish
3) every few minutes it sends a black screen to the LCD or the LCD turns the signal off for a moment lasting about 1 second.

The 3rd problem is described also by poster #3 above (Prashant). Also, when using the VGA pass-thru it makes the signal noisy (very noticeable; when plugging vga cable from computer directly into the LCD monitor without X2VGA2 there is no noise).

I have emailed Neoya 4 times- about once every 2 weeks since I first tried it, to techsupport@neoya.com and sales@neoya.com, and have never received a response.

I don’t know if it is a problem with this X2VGA2 unit, my LCD or combination of Wii 480p with my LCD, or Neoya products in general. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[twinsen]

twinsen, on Nov 6 2007, 12:34 AM, said:

I ordered the X2VGA 2 in September and received it shortly after. I tried it with my Samsung 226BW LCD monitor and Wii with component cables. It displays in 480p but has several problems:

1) light-red horizontal bands that appear often. seems like it is either a poor conversion or noisy
2) all colors are washed out and greenish
3) every few minutes it sends a black screen to the LCD or the LCD turns the signal off for a moment lasting about 1 second.

The 3rd problem is described also by poster #3 above (Prashant). Also, when using the VGA pass-thru it makes the signal noisy (very noticeable; when plugging vga cable from computer directly into the LCD monitor without X2VGA2 there is no noise).

I have emailed Neoya 4 times- about once every 2 weeks since I first tried it, to techsupport@neoya.com and sales@neoya.com, and have never received a response.

I don’t know if it is a problem with this X2VGA2 unit, my LCD or combination of Wii 480p with my LCD, or Neoya products in general. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Coincidentally I just received my first response, from sales@neoya.com

[twinsen]

twinsen, on Nov 6 2007, 01:23 AM, said:

twinsen, on Nov 6 2007, 12:34 AM, said:

I ordered the X2VGA 2 in September and received it shortly after. I tried it with my Samsung 226BW LCD monitor and Wii with component cables. It displays in 480p but has several problems:

1) light-red horizontal bands that appear often. seems like it is either a poor conversion or noisy
2) all colors are washed out and greenish
3) every few minutes it sends a black screen to the LCD or the LCD turns the signal off for a moment lasting about 1 second.

The 3rd problem is described also by poster #3 above (Prashant). Also, when using the VGA pass-thru it makes the signal noisy (very noticeable; when plugging vga cable from computer directly into the LCD monitor without X2VGA2 there is no noise).

I have emailed Neoya 4 times- about once every 2 weeks since I first tried it, to techsupport@neoya.com and sales@neoya.com, and have never received a response.

I don’t know if it is a problem with this X2VGA2 unit, my LCD or combination of Wii 480p with my LCD, or Neoya products in general. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Coincidentally I just received my first response, from sales@neoya.com

Since my previous posts above from November (also as #6 and 7 at http://1n73r.net/200...x2vga2-review/), I have discovered that of the following 3 problems I mentioned,

1) light-red horizontal bands that appear often. seems like it is either a poor conversion or noisy
2) all colors are washed out and greenish
3) every few minutes it sends a black screen to the LCD or the LCD turns the signal off for a moment lasting about 1 second.

I have resolved #1 and #2; they were due only to a bad component video cable (the Pr of YPbPr was broken) and not the fault of the x2vga2. I found this out by one day deciding to use a multimeter on the Wii-component cable to check whether all the pins actually connected to the RCA component plugs. So once I fixed the component cable, the colors are great and the banding is gone and 480p Wii looks pretty good on my Samsung 226BW LCD monitor. In fact, the x2vga2 does a better quality conversion than a similar product, the KWorld TVBox 1680ex, which I bought after being frustrated.

However, problem #3 persists -- the black screen every once in a while for a second, which has also been reported by others and sort of recognized by the manufacturer as a problem for which they would replace that person's x2vga2 with a new version (see comment #3 at http://1n73r.net/200...x2vga2-review/). I am still awaiting to hear from them regarding this.

[Foe-hammer]

Good info on the x2vga2. Thanks for keeping us updated.

[topraman517]

twinsen, on Jan 2 2008, 09:38 PM, said:

twinsen, on Nov 6 2007, 01:23 AM, said:

twinsen, on Nov 6 2007, 12:34 AM, said:

I ordered the X2VGA 2 in September and received it shortly after. I tried it with my Samsung 226BW LCD monitor and Wii with component cables. It displays in 480p but has several problems:

1) light-red horizontal bands that appear often. seems like it is either a poor conversion or noisy
2) all colors are washed out and greenish
3) every few minutes it sends a black screen to the LCD or the LCD turns the signal off for a moment lasting about 1 second.

The 3rd problem is described also by poster #3 above (Prashant). Also, when using the VGA pass-thru it makes the signal noisy (very noticeable; when plugging vga cable from computer directly into the LCD monitor without X2VGA2 there is no noise).

I have emailed Neoya 4 times- about once every 2 weeks since I first tried it, to techsupport@neoya.com and sales@neoya.com, and have never received a response.

I don’t know if it is a problem with this X2VGA2 unit, my LCD or combination of Wii 480p with my LCD, or Neoya products in general. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Coincidentally I just received my first response, from sales@neoya.com

Since my previous posts above from November (also as #6 and 7 at http://1n73r.net/200...x2vga2-review/), I have discovered that of the following 3 problems I mentioned,

1) light-red horizontal bands that appear often. seems like it is either a poor conversion or noisy
2) all colors are washed out and greenish
3) every few minutes it sends a black screen to the LCD or the LCD turns the signal off for a moment lasting about 1 second.

I have resolved #1 and #2; they were due only to a bad component video cable (the Pr of YPbPr was broken) and not the fault of the x2vga2. I found this out by one day deciding to use a multimeter on the Wii-component cable to check whether all the pins actually connected to the RCA component plugs. So once I fixed the component cable, the colors are great and the banding is gone and 480p Wii looks pretty good on my Samsung 226BW LCD monitor. In fact, the x2vga2 does a better quality conversion than a similar product, the KWorld TVBox 1680ex, which I bought after being frustrated.

However, problem #3 persists -- the black screen every once in a while for a second, which has also been reported by others and sort of recognized by the manufacturer as a problem for which they would replace that person's x2vga2 with a new version (see comment #3 at http://1n73r.net/200...x2vga2-review/). I am still awaiting to hear from them regarding this.

I have problem #3 as well. They were supposed to send me a new one that had the problem fixed in April of 2007. It never happened. I sent multiple e-mails to them asking what was going on. They were never answered, so I'm assuming they were never able to fix the problem. I got tired of waiting and got a Vdigi VD-Z3 off of ebay, which works fine after messing around with the dipswitches.