Xbox 360 outputs no red

[Dessert Tears]

I set up a launch Xbox 360 a few weeks ago. It had been played once or twice, then put away. We set it up with the composite output and put it through 1.5 playthroughs of GOW2. Last week, we got an RCAx3 coupler and hooked up the component video. The red (Pr) signal isn't present: green = yellow, red = gray, and the red output can be disconnected without apparent effect. R6V2 is barely playable, as we had to use the green-tinted night vision for anything darker than good indoor lighting.

I tested the Xbox on 2 TVs and 1 monitor. I tried the AV cable on my Xbox, but not vice-versa. I tried the update/patch removal, removing the hard drive, and the Y+RT display reset. Dashboard is pre-NXE, but GOW2 installed an update.

Since the problem only occurs with the HD output mode, I guessed that it could have something to do with the scaler. A search online links one case with similar symptoms (no red signal, but the wording suggests that composite was also affected) to upcoming E74 failure. Original purchase date was February 2006, so it's well out of warranty. I have access to the tools required to do the X-clamp mod, but I am reluctant to open a playable Xbox.

 

[novasatori]

CL that shit for $200

Sounds too finnacky for me

(if you're serious) I've heard of HD only being affected before the rest goes out for E74. I would try to fix it.

 

[mugs]

It sounds like you have not yet ruled out one possible cause - a faulty cable. I'd try another component cable, or a VGA cable.

 

[Kromis]

I loved how you used that word, "finicky"

 

[mmntech]

Originally posted by: novasatori
CL that shit for $200

Linger longer.

Isn't the E74 error a bigger problem with the later models? If it's a launch console, it's probably out of warranty. Did you buy it new? Could be the connector is worn. Try s some different cables, or a VGA cables as the others said. It also might not be a bad idea to invest in an Jasper arcade model as it has HDMI output. Other than that, I'd take it in to a place that fixes them.

 

[Dessert Tears]

Originally posted by: mugs
It sounds like you have not yet ruled out one possible cause - a faulty cable. I'd try another component cable, or a VGA cable.

Originally posted by: mmntech
Isn't the E74 error a bigger problem with the later models? If it's a launch console, it's probably out of warranty. Did you buy it new? Could be the connector is worn. Try s some different cables, or a VGA cables as the others said. It also might not be a bad idea to invest in an Jasper arcade model as it has HDMI output. Other than that, I'd take it in to a place that fixes them.

As suggested, I tried a different set of component cables and saw the same problem. According to the trustworthy owner, the Xbox was bought new, played a little (1 achievement in PGR3), then stored for 3 years. Considering the amount of playing time it will see, I can't justify the cost of a new console. Assuming that the red loss is permanent damage, I'm leaning towards living with blurry composite until it fails further. I'll see if I can find someone who has seen this precise problem before.

 

[Stuxnet]

Look on the bright side... with no red, it can't RROD. <- 5.6/10

 

[Dessert Tears]

My Xbox (Falcon, just over 2 years old) started having color corruption, although blacks are blue-tinted this time. It's somewhat random: sometimes video is completely blank at power-on, sometimes it will start normally and corrupt in under 30 minutes, and once I played for nearly two hours without a problem.

I'm probably going to buy a kit and parts to repair both.