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XboxHD+ Xbox HDMI Expansion Adds Scaling and New Features

Dustin from MakeMHz posted a blog update announcing updates to the original XboxHD, as well as the launch of an upcoming expanded version called XboxHD+ with a list of features aiming to fully modernize the original Xbox’s video output.

Incredibly, the new features being added to the + model will also be applicable to the original XboxHD via firmware updates.

XboxHD+’s new features include:

  • Output Resolution -This completely changes how the video output is handled compared to before where the output resolution was based on the game running. Now a desired output resolution can be set once and all games will automatically be upscaled to that resolution. Or it can be set to original and the original video output will be used. This should also resolve the issue of some displays not supporting VGA 640×480.
  • Audio Compatibility Mode – This resolves the issue of some displays outputting static when certain dashboard audio settings are set.
  • Colorspace – The Xbox by default sends the framebuffer as YCbCr to the onboard encoder. With this option you can choose to skip the colorspace conversion and output the framebuffer directly as RGB.
  • Upscaling Interpolation – Both Truncate(Nearest-neighbor) and Bilinear upscaling are now supported, with additional options for weights and rounding. This will be expanded on in a future post.
  • Per-game Settings – Direct integration with XBMC and XBMC4Gamers.

Changes to XboxHD since the previous update include:

  • All pre-orders were shipped out at the beginning of February along with an additional 300+ orders towards the end of the month.
  • Moved shipping to it’s own dedicated space for processing orders more efficiently and quicker.
  • Fixed various bugs and improved the installation guide.
  • Ported the kernel patch to various scene BIOS releases; including the X2, X3, and ind BIOS. (Currently in beta testing)
  • Added upscaling with advanced interpolation, overscan, and colorspace options. (Currently in beta testing)
  • Redesigned PCB for easier installation based on customer feedback.

Orders for the next batch are open, and the pre-order price is $80 USD, or $100 with an OpenXenium modchip included. It ships on July 1st, and prices will increase by $20 when regular orders open later.

For more details and pictures of the new menus and production facility, see the MakeMHz Blog.

Full details: https://makemhz.com/blogs/news/mega-update-xboxhd-announcement
Order page:  https://retrorgb.link/xboxhd
Kit + Installation Service:  https://stoneagegamer.com/xbox-hd-makemhz-digital-kit-installation-service.html?afmc=retrorgb