New Tech - What is RCA's VPORT?

JoshRoss asks: "I was looking at the televisions on Bestbuy and I noticed that the RCA televions have a new 'feature', the VPORT. I looked around for information about this and just found RCA press releases for their XBOX READY logo. What is the difference between the VPORT and S-Video?" Is it just me or are others disturbed by the fact that the VPORT is touted as an X-box only feature as opposed to a console feature, although I must admit, it does make sense from "product synergy" standpoint as mentioned in this interview. Does anyone have any details on what this type of port this really is. Will other console systems be able to take advantage of it?

Sounds like an RGB cable with an X-Box label...

[smallfries]

From the comments in the interview it does read as if its a standard RGB cable. It delivers 480 (interlaced) lines to the TV and can plug (without the custom X-Box cable) into most DVD players. Err, I think thats got a name already and its not V-Port...

It's not just X-Box

[infornogr]

The dreamcast had a NIC which it called a "broadband adapter." The PS2 had firewire ports to which it gave some new name if memory serves me right. Only fair that the X-Box gets a chance to add to the confusion.
Remember: If you can't use proprietary features, use standardized ones and claim you invented them.

Re:It's not just X-Box

[keiferb]

Yes, but these ports were on the console machine itself. This one's on the TV.

PS2 Firewire Port...

[hackwrench]

The Firewire port on my PS2 is labeled S400

Re:PS2 Firewire Port...

[hackwrench]

Yes 1394, and Sony calls its implementation the i.Link
Sony's Playstation Website's Comment on the connecter [playstation.com]

Apple licenses the FireWireŽ mark

[yerricde]

Firewire is a proprietary trademark from Apple Computer. There's some sort of IEE number

Sony calls its implementations i.Link, but most companies selling 1394 devices license the "FireWire" trademark from Apple [slashdot.org].

Re:It's not just X-Box

[Vinum]

Umm... there are valid complaints against Sony for using proprietary features. But... the I.link you are refering to is not one of them. It is only designed for connecting other PS2s to each other. It may be firewire but it will never be intended to be used for cameras and such.

The PS2 does have 2 standard USB ports that works with standard USB devices such as keyboards, mice, optical guns, etc.

The I.Link is no more proprietary then the controller ports or the magic gate memory card slots. Shrug.

Re:It's not just X-Box

[burts_here]

the firewire ports on the xbox are actually not firewire they are iee 1394 compatible on the data side but they lack the power source required to be fully compatible with the apple branded friewire standard however they would work (if anybody built anything to work with them) with firewire deivice using the correct cable. the iLink ports on sony products just lack the power side of the standard.

all of the above is from memory and could be wrong...

Thing's ain't what they used to be...

[handsomepete]

(from the press release)
"In game playing, the focus is on the picture - with the players requiring a life-like image. Our new line of RCA TVs with VPORT is ideal for viewing the rich graphic details of Xbox games," he added.

That's funny, I thought in game playing, the focus was on the gameplay. Man, how times change. Really, how much of a difference could some enhanced port make to graphic quality on a TV? Inquiring minds want to know.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go play Burgertime.

the bit to make it work:

[Naikrovek]

is here [bestbuy.com].

Re:Thing's ain't what they used to be...

[mbourgon]

Actually, this is an X-Box. Go talk to people who own it. Odds are (everyone in our IT department got one) that they'll mention the graphics, how amazing the graphics are (yes, they'll mention it twice), how pretty it looks, how the AC3 sound is impressive, how it's got a Geforce card in it, how it'll kick Sony's ass... oh, and did we mention the graphics?

Note that actual gameplay was not mentioned. They think it's all about how pretty it looks.

Did you read the articles you posted in your quest

[Vinum]

Its not a standard RGB cable per se... if you read the article you wouldn't even have to "ask slashdot".

The vport is basically the same connection that is on the back of the x-box itself. So all the audio and COMPONENT video signals go through one cable. This will be higher quality than sending composet signals.

The _quality_ of the actual picture is no different than if you ordered the component out cable for the xbox and ran it to your TV. This also applies for the Playstation 2. I HIGHLY suggest doing this for the Playstation 2.. muhahahaha.. Final Fantasy X on a 57" Sony TV... yum

Re:Did you read the articles you posted in your qu

[foobar104]

Second. The difference in picture quality I saw when I switched my PS 2 from S-video to component video was pretty amazing, and the S-video picture was nothing to sneeze at. I really can't stand the thought of going back.

Re:Did you read the articles you posted in your qu

[foobar104]

Oh, I am. I am.

Re:Did you read the articles...

[JoshRoss]

Yes, and I would think that someone would get a worse eXPerience with 1 cable than with 8 cables..

My current TV sucks anyways.. i could not tell the difference if I used a gold cable from a garden hose.

It says it right there on the page:

[Naikrovek]

PRODUCT FEATURES
*RCA-proprietary VPORT allows simplified direct
connection of Microsoft Xbox gaming console, or
can function as a second component video input

"Guh!!" - Amy on Futurama

Re:It says it right there on the page:

[p7]

That pretty much covers it. The cable essentially has two xbox style connectors on it. In other words, it is a small slot on the tv. The cable that has the component ends is for hooking up a second component video signal. If you want to see what it is check this pdf. It is pictured very early in the manual.
http://www.rca.com/documents/15885030_700 914_25.pd f