Tutorial written by : from http://www.madhacker.org/xboxsvid.htm
Last edited: March 29, 2004

This mod gives S-Video output, and SPDIF (digital audio) output, plus removes the need for the original audio+video cable

Why: XBOX usually delivers Composite Video output + Stereo output. With an "Advanced" cable, user can enjoy RGB video & optical SPDIF.
I wanted higher video quality then composite video delivers, and my projector (as most projectors) does not support RGB.

S-Video is better then Composite, mostly because it uses 2 wires (Luminance & Chrominance) , instead of just using one wire, as Composite does.

As a bonus. This mod causes XBOX to boot & work just fine without the original audio+video-cable connected.

This should not be necessary to say, : This voids your XBOX warranty instantly :)

I skip schematics - here goes the pictures... they say it all:

Finding the signals/connecing to them:

This picture shows the solder-side of the XBOX motherboard, where the video+audio connector is mounted.
RED long wire, goes to the center of the SPDIF connector.
WHITE wire, is the S-VIDEO Luminance line
GREEN wire, is the S-VIDEO Chrominance line
The thin RED wire that connects three solder-points , connects two sensing-points to GND, When this two points are grounded - XBOX is cheated to believing that the original cable is connected, AND SPDIF digital audio output is enabled

TRICK: Usually - I would also need to connect the Y-GND & C-GND lines too. XBOX is fortunatly well build and uses common ground for all I/O lines, and therefore, I will use the ground from the XBOX chassis instad..

Now , The connectors:

This is the inside of XBOX's rear shielding plate.,

I drilled some holes, and inserted:
One female RCA connector for the SPDIF
One female S-VIDEO connector
Both connector's shields are soldered to the XBOX's chassis-shield (perfect ground source, XBOX motherboard is very well grounded at several points)

Finally , Connecting the connectors:

*1 = S-Video connector. There are two more pins beneath the two you see. These pins are connected to ground.
*2 = SPDIF, ground connected by soldering shield to the XBOX shield

HINT: You can see I removed the tin-fan-grills that were between the fan and the plastic fan-grills. I did it to improve air-flow.

 

A better alternative :
Using shielded cables might give higher quality - I did not see any difference, but here's some picturs of this mod with shielded cables...

Tutorial written by : from http://www.madhacker.org/xboxsvid.htm