I understand that the debug kits are able to interface with a PC and take lossless screenshots, but is that the only way to accomplish this? Is it possible to add anything to my already-modified (Xecuter chip) Xbox to give it that ability, or am I stuck having to shell out the cash for a debug kit? Basically, I need the ability to take nice screenshots of both beta and commercial discs, though I would settle for beta discs exclusively if I had to. What do you guys suggest?
For the cheapest but not really perfect - S-Video Out-> TV Card on computer... Probably won't cost more than $60 for a cheapass USB2 Video in Thingamyjob
You could set your Xbox up with a Debug bios and install the XDK to take screenshots... ...But if you don't have any of what I just mentioned to hand then your better off either getting a genuine Debug Kit, or as the steadster suggested, get a capture card in your P.C.
The hell is that? A l'il scanner? Anyway, looks like shelling out for a debug unit might be my only option. That kinda sucks! Maybe I'll just bite the bullet and continue settling for TV screen grabs, but I kind of had my heart set on making those pretty, perfect shots. Oh well, thanks fellas!
If you're willing to make do with a not quite "perfect" screenshot, you can get an ADSTech Pyro A/V Link - it's an analog/DV converter that includes component I/O (but you have to deal with both the 4:1:1 compression that basically resizes the chroma to 1/4 of the size horizontally, with the vertical chroma resolution being 1:1, as well as the slight compression artifacts that you see with DV video). That's the cheapest option I know of, but it will only work with consoles that can output an interlaced signal unless you also purchase a TBC and run the video through that (and a TBC that can handle RGB or component is much more expensive than just S-Video or composite). The Pyro A/V Link won't give you perfect screenshots, but if you capture a small snippet of video, take it into VirtualDub, and apply it's chroma smoother in 4:1:1 mode, then you'll get the closest thing to a perfect screenshot (which I assume is just a dump of the XBox framebuffer). Sure, you could shell out cash for high-end component capture equipment, but if you do that you might as well get the debug unit and get 100% perfect screenshots, whereas the Pyro box costs between $100 and $200, depending on where you get it.
I think there are a few screen capture programs that have been made for the Xbox (homebrew applications, not SDK related materials), but I'm not sure how well they work. Then again, I could just be making things up .
Right, I saw that, but it still requires a debug box. I was just kind of hoping that putting that kind of capability in my modded Xbox was possible, and that the information was just really really hard to find or buried somewhere.
You can still use phoenix bios loader to use a debug bios for the screenshots. After, you'll still be able to use your modchip's bios.
since you've already got a modchip, just flash the 2nd 512k bank with a debug bios that fits and works with your particular hardware version. provide more details and i might be able to tell you exactly what bios you could use. it's just a matter of flashing the bios and using the app oldengineer mentioned. you can also use the XDK as well since it will accomplish the exact same thing. by doing it this way, it's free.
xbox version mostly. you have an xecuter chip so i assume you have 1MB flash space. go on xbins and find a debug bios for your version. the xbox i used to debug with was a 1.3 (connexant) and I used the TATX debug bios (try TATX debug dual as well) since it can be split to 512k either manually with hex or by using x2bmv2 (easier). if you xbox doesn't have a connexant encoder, try yoshihiro's k2005 debug since it works with all xbox version (there is a seperate file for 1.6). all these bioses are available on xbins.
The dashboard, as far as I know, will only let you take screenshots of the dashboard. Even then, the only one I've seen do it is Evolution X, although I'm sure others have a screenshot feature.
Yeah, I think once a game loads, the dash becomes inactive. I can't access my Unleash X FTP while a game is loaded.
If you are talking a "built-in" screenshot app, then yes, that would only be active when the dash is active. If you have a debug BIOS loaded though with the XDK tools (or one of the homebrew toolsets) you can take screendumps at any time via the ethernet connection. -hl718
Sorry for digging up an old thread but i couldnt resist this one A friend of mine had one of these hand-scanners. When we tried scanning the TV screen once it made some weird noises (possibly some sparks, its been a long time i dont 100% remember) and after that time it only scanned BLACK. So, thats a no-go!
All you need to do is buy a xecutor 2 chip which has a 1mb flash. Install regular x2 bios in one bank and debug in the other. You just need a few small files on the hard drive and a couple for the pc and you are set. Nothing major.
you propably used a black/white scanner on a color tv screen next time use a color handscanner for that or a black/white tv :thumbsup: sounds like a cool experiment
