Improve the video quality of an Xbox 360 console

The following settings are for a high-definition TV (HDTV) or monitor connected with an HDMI cable. The steps might be slightly different if you use a different cable.

Change the screen resolution

1. Press the Guide button on your controller, go to Settings, and then select System Settings.
2. Select Console Settings.
3. Select Display.
4. Select HDTV Settings.
5. Select the appropriate screen resolution for your TV or monitor.

Many HDTVs display better color if more color information is provided. The Xbox 360 console can send additional color data to your HDTV to optimize your picture.

Note Not all HDTVs accept additional color information. 

1. Press the Guide button on your controller, go to Settings, and select System Settings.
2. Select Console Settings.
3. Select Display.
4. Select Reference Levels.
5. Select the option that works best for your TV or monitor.

Reference levels

Standard: This is the default reference level. It should work for all displays. Select this option if Intermediate and Expanded yield poor color quality.

Intermediate: Select this option if Expanded yields poor color quality.

Expanded: Select this option for HDTV. This option does not work well for most VGA monitors and older HDTV displays.

Improve color saturation and tint

1. Press the Guide button on your controller, go to Settings, and select System Settings.
2. Select Console Settings.
3. Select Display.
4. Select HDMI Color Space.
5. Select the option that works best for your TV or monitor.

Auto: Automatically set to RGB or YCbCr for resolution and content type based on HDMI recommendations.

Source: Automatically set to RGB or YCbCr based on the game or video source.

RGB: Set for HDMI-compliant displays. Displays games and videos in RGB format.

YCbCr709: Typically used for high-definition movies.

YCbCr601: Typically used for standard-definition movies.

If the image on your TV or monitor is compressed or stretched, try changing the screen format. The following steps are for a standard TV or monitor connected with a component A/V cable. The steps might be slightly different if you use a different cable.

To change the screen format

1. Press the Guide button on your controller, go to Settings, and then select System Settings.
2. Select Console Settings.
3. Select Display.
4. Select Screen Format.
5. Select Normal or Widescreen, depending on your TV's format. See your TV user manual if you don't know the format for your TV.