XboxHD+ Xbox Original Digital Video Upgrade Kit (Stellar+)

Project Stellar plus kits are now here! Building on the success of the original Project Stellar, the Plus version adds built-in Wi-Fi and BlueRetro wireless controller support.

This amazing new upgrade will take your Xbox to the next level! All our kits now include Project Stellar Plus and work with all Xbox revisions 1.0 to 1.6.

Project Stellar is an Xbox upgrade like no other that has come before. Stellar boasts unprecedented capabilities without effecting or compromising the performance of the Xbox console itself. The upgrade is based around an FPGA with 8MB of RAM, onboard flash memory, and numerous IO connectors for future expansion. Want Stellar but don’t need the digital video upgrade?, click here!

Stellar comes equipped with its own operating system which runs independently of the Xbox’s own software. The OS can be accessed by pressing “Start” during the boot animation. The Stellar OS dashboard will then appear and offers access to all of Stellar’s available features.

Additionally, Stellar makes the process of installing the XBOX HD+ digital video kit simpler by eliminating the need for extensive software configuration that was previously required with the Xenium upgrade chip included with the HD+ kit.

Want to learn more about Project Stellar? Check out the RetroRGB page here, or this excellent video from Macho Nacho productions.

Stellar replaces the Open Xenium component from the old kits. Xenium based kits are now discontinued.

At last, a true, pure digital video output upgrade for the original Microsoft Xbox. No more hunting for rare and bulky component video cables or making do with interlace video. Now you can output direct, digital video from the Xbox to your modern HDTV or monitor.

Unlike other solutions, with XboxHD+, video is captured directly off of the pixel data bus from the consoles GPU. It is then digitally encoded, and sent directly to your display with no added external interpolation or frame-buffering for a crystal clear image with NO input lag. What’s more, XboxHD+ now offers advanced upscaling with interpolation, colour space, and overscan correction options!

The original Xbox had amazing audio for its time. The XboxHD+ also takes this into account with both Stereo and Dolby Digital audio captured from the Xbox’s digital SPDIF audio output.

XboxHD+ was designed from the ground up to be the best possible solution for your original Xbox. Keep your classic console running in the HDTV era and ensure compatibility for years to come with this great upgrade.

New Features Exclusive to Stellar XboxHD+

• Redesigned and simplified installation process
• No more patching of the Xbox BIOS
• Installation troubleshooting via the Stellar OLED display
• Fewer wires to solder
• Re-designed 3D printed injection moulded parts for an easier and cleaner install
• Firmware recovery via the Stellar USB-C interface
• ISO/CISO loading is now implemented and available in the latest firmware!
• Titan+ support. Supports legacy configured drives and Titan formatted HDDs for up to 16TBs of native storage
• Auto optimal UDMA timing. Up to UDMA5 autoconfigured, verified and tested on boot
• Native ATA TRIM support
• True no-DVD drive bypass. No external modifications required
• Support for 64MB, 128MB and 256MB RAM configurations
• Automatic system time updating via network on boot
• Additional controller support. (Use Xbox One controllers!)
• GameID support when used with PixelFX Morph 4K
• Full auto profile loading for optimised scaling on ALL Xbox games at all resolutions when used with the PixelFX Morph4K (see this page)

Xbox HD Features (applicable to Stellar and Xenium)

• Pixel perfect digital video. Supports all official Xbox video resolutions. (480i, 480p, 576i, 720p, and 1080i)
• Video upscaling with interpolation options (linear and weighted bilinear)
• Crystal clear digital audio with Dolby Digital support
• Firmware upgradable via StellarOS or app (app only for legacy Xenium based kits, no longer sold)
• CEC support
• No cut installation
• Option to force 480p. (force 480i games to run in 480p)
• Optional auto anamorphic widescreen for widescreen 480p content
• Light gun compatible when used with a CRT and a suitable lag-free transcoder

New features of Stellar Plus (included with all kits sold from November 2026 onwards)

• Built in Wi-Fi
• Native wireless controller support (powered by Blue Retro)
• Faster performance and expanded functionality through StellarOS

Our kits come with the XboxHD+ board, Stellar Plus board, flex ribbon cable, hookup wire, and 3D printed spacer.

FAQ

Q: Does XboxHD+ add lag?

A: No, that’s impossible. The XboxHD+ does not alter or buffer the raw GPU video signal in any way.

Q: Is a chip required?

A: Yes, Project Stellar is required. All kits include Stellar Plus.

Q: How difficult is it to install?

A: It is strongly not recommended for beginners, the XboxHD+ is comparable to other console digital video upgrade installs. The installer should be comfortable with micro-soldering. If you need an installation service, click here.

Q: My Xbox is already jailbroken, will anything be affected?

A: If changing to Project Stellar, you will need to reinstall your custom dashboard. This must be done by downloading the full dashboard package and installing it as per the instructions here.

If your Xbox was soft modded, you should remove all related files from the Xbox hard drive. As with any upgrade, we strongly recommend that you back up all of your data before you begin.

Under no circumstances will VideoGamePerfection help with the installing/reinstalling of copyright software. All software other than the StellarOS files must be installed by you.

Q: Is analogue video output removed?

A: Yes.

Q: What about light guns then?

A: Light guns will still work if you disable upscaling and connect to a CRT via a suitable lag free HDMI to RGB or Component transcoder, such as the HD Fury series. Note that House of the Dead 2 will only work with a light gun if your console is set to interlace output mode. This is a bug/limitation of the original game and NOT a fault with the digital video upgrade.

Installation Instructions

Please note – This is a complex, intricate upgrade. Do not order this kit until you have studied the installation instructions and you are confident you can install the upgrade. While some technical support may be available in our forum, we cannot give refunds on kits damaged due to incorrect or aborted installation attempts, nor can we offer technical assistance with installations.

Installation Manual – Stellar Xbox HD+ 1.0 – 1.5
Installation Manual – Stellar Xbox HD+ 1.6
Installation Manual (Legacy kits, no longer sold)

Need help identifying which Xbox you have? Click or tap here.

If you need an installation service for this upgrade, click here.