I don't want to hijack the thread, but if you are willing, I have the time and we can fix two of your questions with this test.

Start by plugging an s-video from monitor out of the 990 directly into an S video in on the TV. Unplug any composite or S video feed associated with the input selection you are going to use for the X box . Select the S video input on your TV that the monitor out cable is feeding. Bring up the OSD on the 990 by pressing menu on the remote. It should display. Problem 2 solved. Now please confirm a couple of things:

1. You have configured the input in the 990 that the X box is plugged into to be COMP 1 (or 2 whatever you are using). OSD will say CONFIG INPUT, select that and toggle to video and select the proper component feed.

2. Plug in you X box component feed to the 990 input you selected and fire her up. Switch to component input on the TV and it should be visable with no distortion.

3. Repeat the input configuration with all other inputs you wish to use.

You should be good to go.