Xbox 360 Resolution Question/Very Interesting Observation

Knightfall XV · Dec 28, 2014

I had an Xbox 360 Elite for years which was hooked up to a 37" Insignia (a "cheaper" brand made by LG) 720p TV. I always had games displayed in 720p until recently I was paroozing around the settings and found the monitor resolutions. Out of curiosity,
I switched to 1360x768 and the picture instantly improved in quality, it looked much more colorful and sharper. Nothing else (aspect ratio, etc) seemed to change. I recently upgraded to a 500gb Xbox 360 E and my family upgraded televisions, so I got the
former living room TV: a 47" 1080p Insignia. When I originally set everything up, the Xbox had the "recognize TV" setting turned on via the HDMI (as was the original 720p TV and xbox before I got ahold of it). Everything looked great, but a few games had
issues with the HUD elements being off screen, etc (never had this issue when my old xbox was running things in 720p). Turning off the recognition setting and playing with it myself, this time with a myriad of monitor resolutions to play with. Playing with
both Xbox and tv aspect ratio settings didn't fix anything, combinations yielded either a 4:3 image or didn't fix the HUD issue. However, switching to a Widescreen 1280x1024 setting fixed both the HUD issue AND, as had in the past, improved picture quality
noticeably, the only issue being tiny amounts of letterboxing in about half of my games. Why is this? Could it be an issue of TV native resolution? There was a discussion back in mid 2013 where folks said monitor resolutions made their games look a lot
better, despite "technically" being lower res in the case of 1280x1024 vs. 1080p. Does anyone else have the aspect ratio issue when displaying content in 1080p? I noticed xbox has a tv size setting, is that for addressing this? Another interesting thing
is my tv SAYS 1280x1024 is 1080p content, though they both look different. Anyone know the who/what/where/when/why's of all these things? Sorry for the long post, just trying to see what everyone has to say.

:)

Klokkwork · Dec 28, 2014

Very Interesting Observation

Well, we can cut out the guesswork. Just go to your console, log into your profile, make sure you're connected to LIVE, then go to Settings --> Account --> Billing Information (it's on the right). Enter your Microsoft Password, and this will bring up your
contact info. Whatever phone number you see there is where they were trying to send you a security code. Make sure it's up to date. Not a bad idea to update the email there, too, if it's out of date.

HailofSteel · Dec 28, 2014

Very Interesting Observation

Basically the 2nd prompt doesnt show because its not activated by MS yet.It comes in a box that says "Do not sell before this date." Some stockboys just tear them open and dont read the sell date.

C0uchHer0 · Dec 29, 2014

The problem you have is called "overscanning". It happens, when TV stretches the picture a bit above the screen. It appears, when tv accepts "tv resolutions", such as 480p, 720p, 1080p etc.

If you send the "PC resolution", such as 1360x768 and others, the tv enters in "pc mode" and disables the "overscanning".

To solve your problem, you must find in tv's settings and turn on "pc mode" or "game mode".

C0uchHer0

The problem you have is called "overscanning". It happens, when TV stretches the picture a bit above the screen. It appears, when tv accepts "tv resolutions", such as 480p, 720p, 1080p etc.

If you send the "PC resolution", such as 1360x768 and others, the tv enters in "pc mode" and disables the "overscanning".

To solve your problem, you must find in tv's settings and turn on "pc mode" or "game mode".

ElectroFlying

@BongKaos. To your first question.. Read above. 2nd, I handed my cell to WM CS so that MS CS could explain what they claimed was an "invalid code because it wasn't validated at the store."

Who's in a better position to explain that. Me? Or MS CS? As for where within the topics I posted this. I have already done my bid with MS CS, So I posted my experience here for the express purpose of finding out if such a thing has happened to others as
well.

You purchase a 12 month Xbox live gold bundle from a National Chain - You expect it to work. If it does not then you have no choice but to call MS Support and read them the xbl code who then says. "That code is invalid." So you go to WM and exchange it for
another and while still on the phone with MS CS ask them. "I am going to read this code to you. Is it valid?" But they wont tell you that while you're at WM.. So you have to travel all the way back home, and read back to MS CS an @me email code and then hear
"Oh, that code isn't any good either." - Why couldn't they have told me, and for that matter WM CS who was listening in - Yes, Speaker was on.. that while I was still at the WM CS Desk??

Oh, and get this. MS CS said they "couldn't text me the @me code because my cell phone wouldn't allow texts." I tested their claim using my wife's phone, and guess what? Sending and receiving text worked perfectly!

BongKaos

May I ask how the store situation escelated if you indeed followed the instructions 1st???? You left that part out--- I can tell you ANY Retail employee dealing with a customer on a cell is going to end bad. Never hand your Phone to an employee so they
are proved wrong.... YOU are going to lose. An easier less frustrating for everyone way does exist. SORRY there is NOTHING we can do. I also notice this is NOT a support topic GOOD LUCK!!!

HailofSteel

This happened to me before.Sometimes Walmart puts cards on the shelf before thet are supposed to-like putting a game or magazine on a rack prior to the date its supposed to go on sale.It was a big mess.I cant remember the details.I know I had to email MS
mugshots of the card and my receipt and they sent me a new code and billed Walmart.I think it took 10 days to get the code from MS.Funny how stores will try to act like youre trying to swindle them to get out of refunding your money.

mgzin66

@Halo - That may be a fix, but that's not what the OP is asking.

Xbox 360 Resolution Question/Very Interesting Observation