How to set the HDTV settings on your Xbox 360 console

This article describes how to set or change your Xbox 360 high-definition television (HDTV) settings. This procedure differs depending on the kind of audio visual (AV) cable that you use with your Xbox 360 console and the display that you use (for example, television, projector, and so on).

To configure HDTV settings, you must have an Xbox 360 Component HD AV Cable or an Xbox 360 VGA HD VGA Cable. To configure your HDTV settings, follow these steps:

1. Start your console without a disc in the disc tray.
2. In the System section of the Xbox Dashboard, select Console Settings.
3. In the Console Settings area, select Display.
4. In the Display Settings area, select HDTV Settings.
   
   When you have a component or HDMI cable attached to the HDTV, you have the following Screen Resolution options:
   • Optimal
     
     Note The Optimal option became supported after the May 2007 Xbox LIVE update. The Optimal option lets the HDTV and the Xbox 360 console"negotiate" the best setting. Additionally, the Optimal option is available when the HDMI cable is attached to a compliant HDMI HDTV.
   • 1080p
     
     Note 1080p became supported after the November 2006 Xbox LIVE update.
5. Highlight the appropriate option, and then press the A button on your controller or on your remote control to select the option that you want.
6. When you receive a confirmation message, select Yes, keep these settings.

If the screen does not appear within 10 seconds, your console will switch back to the original setting.

Display reference levels

A setting for display color reference levels is new to the Dashboard as of the May 2007 update. Many HDTVs can process the on-screen color differently if more color information is provided. For HDTVs that offer this functionality, the Xbox 360 can send the additional color data to the display. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Start your console without a disc in the disc tray.
2. In the System section of the Xbox Dashboard, select Console Settings.
3. In the Console Settings area, select Display.
4. In the Display Settings area, select Reference Levels.
   
   You can choose one of the following reference levels:
   • Standard: This is the default reference level and should work for all displays. Use this mode if Intermediate and Enhanced yield poor color quality.
   • Intermediate: Use this mode if Enhanced yields poor color quality.
   • Expanded: This mode is preferred for HDTVs but will yield poor results on many VGA monitors and older HDTV displays.

Additional support

Please visit the following Web site for information about how to contact Xbox Customer Support: