Why am I getting a scrambled picture for Fable?

Jeff Adams · 09-23-2004, 09:31 AM

I have returned the game twice for this problem. I am getting a scrambled picture. I don't know what is causing this. It is the only game that has done this on my system.
I have a 64 inch widescreen hdtv. I have the XBOX set to 480p and 1080i in widescreen format. I am also using a Pelican component video switcher. Any suggestions? I really want to play this game!

James T · 09-23-2004, 09:57 AM

Scrambled how? I know if you switch to PAL setting, you get a scrambled look because it's Euro setting.

But this is a weird question.

Martin Rendall · 09-23-2004, 10:36 AM

Jeff,

I have the same game and settings, but not the Pelican component video switcher. Although it seems like a long shot, try removing the switcher. If the problem continues, I'd blame the Xbox.

Martin.

Jeff Adams · 09-23-2004, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Scrambled how?

It just looks like a bunch of digital compression blocks and lines.

Quote:

If the problem continues, I'd blame the Xbox

Why would it be doing this on only this title?

Jeff Adams · 09-23-2004, 12:10 PM

Well guys, I just found out why I am having this problem. I called Gamestop and they read me an email from Microsoft that Fable might not play on HDTV systems using the HDTV video cables. You have to use Svideo or composite. They said that it might work with some HDTV cables. Okay. Whatever. How can something like this happen? And to top it all off, the clerk that I talked to said he won't be able to give me a refund because the game is not defective! Well a game that promotes 480p hdtv right on the back of the cover is defective if you ask me. That is totally unacceptable. I am going to the store today after I get off work.

**HTF Ads**

Dan B · 09-23-2004, 12:13 PM

There is a workaround for this game, I'll see if I can find the link...
Here's the info:

Quote:

from IGN forums:

I just got off of the phone with Microsoft Games technical support. For those with HDTVs on which the Fable game will not work unless you turn OFF 480p in the Xbox's video settings, follow this procedure.

1. remove all disks from the disk tray. close the disk tray and power off your Xbox.

2. turn on your Xbox and go to settings then video settings in the dashboard and disable 480p, 720p and 1080i. (it should say no under all three resolutions) exit back out o the main menu.

3. turn off your Xbox.

4. turn your Xbox on again and open the disk tray.

5. go to settings then video settings in the dashboard.

5. if your TV supports 480p, 720p and 1080i then enable all three. ( it should say yes underneath all three. If your tv does not support all three resolutions then only enable the ones that it supports. ) take a breath and stay with me now. focus or you will get confused.

6. go to 480p and disable it.

7. go to 480p again and enable it.

8. pull and hold both the L and R shoulder buttons at the same time.( do not release them )

9. click in and release both the left thumbstick and right thumbstick at the same time. release the shoulder buttons.

13. you should see your screen jump as it switches to progressive scan mode. You have told the Xbox to run this particular game in 480p. The game somehow does not do this automatically as usual.

14. exit video settings and go back to the main Xbox dashboard that lists memory, music, Xbox live and settings.( do not turn off power) insert your Fable disk. Close the disk tray and wait for the game to load and TADDA!!!! you should now see fable running in 480p. Its a temporary fix for the problem until they fix the game itself.

15. If it works for you please post and name your tv that wouldn't show it properly before. remember that you should turn off your Xbox after playing fable. Do not just hit the open tray button and pop in another game.

Now pay attention:

from now on to play the game you do not have to go through the whole process above.
you just have to do this:

1. turn on your Xbox using the open tray button instead of the power button

2. put fable in the tray but do not close it.

3. go to settings then video settings.

4. disable 480p.

5. enable 480p.

6. pull and hold both the L and R shoulder buttons at the same time. ( do not release )

7. click in and release both the left and right thumbsticks at the same time. (dont release the shoulder buttons yet )

8. You should see your dashboard get blurry as it switches to 480i.

9. click in and release both the left and right thumbsticks at the same time.

10. release the shoulder buttons.

11. You should see your tv switch back to progressive scan mode again and your dashboard will look nice and sharp again.

12. exit back out to the main dashboard screen again and close the disk tray( do not turn off power) Fable will start up in 480p and work fine.

Jeff Adams · 09-23-2004, 12:30 PM

I just posted this about Fable. I have picked up two copies of this game and neither one has worked. I called Gamestop where I purchased it at and they read me an e-mail that they just got from Microsoft. It reads something like this,

"We are aware of the game not being able to play on some HDTV systems Hooked up with the HDTV component cables. You must switch your cables to S Video or composite in order to play the game. Sorry for any inconvenience."

What kind of garbage is this???? This is a MAJOR problem. I mean they advertise right on the back of the box that the game is 480p HDTV.

I have had my XBOX for only 40 days and am real close to returning it for a refund. I already had to return one XBOX due to it dying 30 days after I bought it and now this problem. I have had my PS2 for 3 years and NEVER had any problems at all with it.

Dan B · 09-23-2004, 12:55 PM

Here's another post at the Xbox forums which makes it a little more clear & simple:

Quote:

If you have an Xbox with the High Definition AV Pack connected to a 480p capable TV, yet Fable is not displaying correctly in 480p even though the 480p resolution option has been enabled in the Xbox Dashboard's Video Settings menu, you may want to try the following-

If you have a current Xbox Live account and the latest Xbox Dashboard update, you must configure your Xbox Dashboard to display in 480p before you insert and play the Fable game. For additional information about how to configure your Xbox Dashboard to display in 480p, please check out the following Xbox.com article:

How to see the Xbox Dashboard on your high definition TV

If you do not have the ability to connect your Xbox to a broadband connection to receive the latest Dashboard update, you can acquire this update by doing the following:

1. Turn on your Xbox and set the 480p resolution to off, then insert the "Fable" game.
2. On Fable's Main menu screen, press the directional pad (D-pad) up or down to select "Xbox Live", and then press the A button to view the Xbox Live screen.
3. By default, "Sign-In" is selected on the Xbox Live screen. Press the A button to view the "Sign-In" screen.
4. By default, "New Account" is selected on the "Sign-In" screen. Press the A button to view the "Welcome to Xbox Live" screen. This process will update the Xbox Dashboard.
5. Remove the Fable disc from the disc tray. This procedure will restart the Xbox console.
6. Now that the Xbox Dashboard has the most recent update from the Fable disc, you must configure the Xbox Dashboard to appear in 480p resolution itself. To find out how to do this, please check out the following Xbox.com article:

How to see the Xbox Dashboard on your high definition TV

Once you have activated the Xbox Dashboard itself to appear in 480p resolution, insert the Fable game disc and allow it to load. It should now appear in 480p resolution on your TV.

Whenever you wish to play Fable in 480p again, please turn on the Xbox with the eject button to allow it to boot up to the Xbox Dashboard main menu. Then insert the Fable game disc in order to see it play in 480p resolution.

I'm sorry for any incovenience this may have caused you, but I hope that helps out a bit.

Jeff Adams · 09-23-2004, 02:55 PM

Am I the only one with this problem?