The optional VGA connector is of the standard type (DB-15S) designed to fit on a typical analog (tube-type) computer display, but most widescreen LCD flat panel displays also accept both - the (analog) VGA as well as the (digital) DVI and/or HDMI inputs, and many also accept component and composite video signals. Plasma displays are known to exhibit burn-in and are generally not suited to gaming, but as the technology progresses, this is becoming less of an issue. Another option for gaming is the tube-type or CRT HDTV display. A number of these CRT HDTVs will display something approaching the true HDTV resolution of 1920x1080 pixels.
The three component cables which attach to the monitor are the typical RGB (Red, Green, Blue), each terminated with a separate RCA connector. These are the ones supplied with the console. This same bundle of cables also includes analog sound (stereo - right and left), and a composite video (yellow RCA-type) cable. The cables converge on a small plastic connector box which fits into the AV port on the back of the console. The port for digital optical output (Toslink) is located in the body of the connector box next to where the cables are attached, and located on the side is a switch to toggle between S-Video/Composite and RGB video output.
Optional cables are for VGA and S-Video, either with analog or optical digital audio output. The S-Video cable set also includes the yellow composite video cable.
The VGA modes are:
- 640x480
- 848x480
- 1024x768
- 1280x720
- 1280x768
- 1280x1024
- 1360x768
- 1920x1080
For more on HDMI, VGA, and Component Video for the Xbox 360 click here.
