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08-25-2009, 01:41 AM
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#1 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 14
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HDTV , PC , XBOX , Switch?
Hey guys. Thanks in advance for help and sorry if this is a repost...
I am going to be buying an HDTV for my bedroom next week and I have an interesting idea on connecting with my other devices. I want to mount the tv to the wall above my computer monitor. I will hook up my cable tv to the HDTV. Now, this is where it gets sticky. I currently use my pc monitor for playing my xbox along with standard pc usage. I was wondering if there was some sort of switchbox or mod, etc, that would allow me to hook my pc monitor to my HDTV? I want to be able to switch devices around without moving cables. For example: Have 360 on the HDTV and my pc on my pc monitor or vice versa. Sometimes I would like to just have my pc displayed on my HDTV. Or 360. Possibly watch tv on the hdtv and have the xbox going on the pc monitor. All without playing with switchboxes. You get the idea, I hope. Could I do this with a couple switch boxes or something? Thanks again for any ideas. |
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08-25-2009, 04:02 PM
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#2 |
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Resident Slacker
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Suisun City, California (i know, where the hell is that?!?!?)
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what type of inputs do your monitor and tv have on them?
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08-25-2009, 07:12 PM
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#3 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 14
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both hdmi and vga
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08-26-2009, 11:16 PM
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#4 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 14
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bump - anyone?
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08-27-2009, 02:14 AM
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#5 |
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Barefoot on the Moon!
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Northeastern USA
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http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search...tialSearch=yes
HDMI selector boxes will run about $100-$150. Unfortunately, I can't vouch for any models, as I haven't yet dealt with HDMI switch/selector boxes. HOWEVER... *if* you have VGA out on the XBox and VGA input on the TV, you could get away with a VGA switch/selector (one that supports audio) if you get all the right adapters and cables together. Or, again, if you get all the right cables and adapters together, you might be able to use a component switch/selector
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There are two secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day, and you have to have a dream.
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08-27-2009, 09:30 PM
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#6 |
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Certified Audio Nut
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Washington State
Posts: 7,202
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What you need is a matrix switch.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2 That Monoprice unit will work assuming your Xbox has HDMI (if it does not then THIS box would fix that). Example: Monitor connected to output A TV Connected to output B PC connected to input 1 Xbox connected to input 2 Either source can go to either output simultaneously or individually.
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"I'm not lying. I'm writing fiction with my mouth." - Homer Simpson My Miscelaneous Gallery ASUS P7P55D PRO / Intel Core i7 860 / 8GB Mushkin DDR3 1600 RAM / OCZ Vertex 2 120GB SSD / Seagate 1TB 7200.12 / Asus Radeon 5870 1GB / LG Super-Multi 22x SATA DVD-RW / Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit / Cable Modem / HT Omega Striker 7.1 Sound Card / FSP 700W PSU / Logitech MX1000 Wireless Laser Mouse / Asus 24" 16:9 LCD w/Webcam / Axiom Audiobyte 2.1 Speakers Last edited by Hi Ho; 08-27-2009 at 09:44 PM. |
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08-28-2009, 01:33 PM
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#7 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 14
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Thank you very much, that should do the trick. My Xbox has a vga cable now but I can just buy the HDMI cable, that would be better then another switch box. One last thing, what cables does that matrix box take, only hdmi?
Last edited by mvpsean; 08-28-2009 at 01:35 PM. |
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08-28-2009, 02:17 PM
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#8 |
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Certified Audio Nut
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Washington State
Posts: 7,202
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It's HDMI only. A matrix switch with multiple input types (video conversion) would cost much more. BTW, Monoprice sells excellent HDMI cables for less than $10.
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08-28-2009, 03:56 PM
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#9 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2009
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Thanks so much for the help.
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08-28-2009, 05:49 PM
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#10 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2009
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My monitor only supports vga and dvi, can I get around this or do I need to buy a new monitor?
Last edited by mvpsean; 08-28-2009 at 05:53 PM. |
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08-28-2009, 06:40 PM
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#11 |
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Barefoot on the Moon!
Staff
Premium Member
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Location: Northeastern USA
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Some video cards come with DVI to HDMI adapters. If yours didn't (or you are using onboard video), you can probably easily find one at monoprice or newegg.
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08-28-2009, 09:52 PM
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#12 |
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Certified Audio Nut
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Washington State
Posts: 7,202
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DVI to HDMI Adapter
Make sure your Xbox has HDMI. Unless you bought it within the past year and a half or have an Elite model then it may not. If it has HDMI then there will be an HDMI port on the back right below where you plug in the VGA cable. If it doesn't then the component to HDMI adapter I linked to above would solve that problem. |
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08-28-2009, 11:33 PM
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#13 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 14
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I have an elite with hdmi. Should I worry about losing any quality if I use a dvi to hdmi adapter or am I good to go?
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08-28-2009, 11:38 PM
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#14 |
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Certified Audio Nut
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Location: Washington State
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DVI and HDMI are essentially the same thing when it comes to video. DVI simply has a different connector and does not carry audio. There is no conversion or quality loss when using one of those adapters.
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08-29-2009, 12:07 AM
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#15 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 14
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Thanks for all the help gentlemen. I will let you know how it goes.
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08-30-2009, 10:53 AM
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#16 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 14
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Ugh, one last question. Will I get all my audio to work with this set up? I will be using a DVI to HDMI converter on both my monitor cable and my video card. (I can upgrade my monitor / vid card if needed) My video card is a dinosaur, Nvidia 8800 GT superclocked
The nvidia site says this for my card .... Audio Input for HDMI ----> SPDIF Last edited by mvpsean; 08-30-2009 at 11:46 AM. |
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08-30-2009, 01:35 PM
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#17 |
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Certified Audio Nut
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Washington State
Posts: 7,202
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How is your audio setup now? Do you have a surround setup connected to your PC? The Xbox will output audio via HDMI and the TV will play it back but the monitor will not and the video card *might* output audio if you connect the digital output from your PC to it.
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08-30-2009, 01:47 PM
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#18 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 14
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I currently use a speaker system with my pc. I could just leave that hooked up and get audio from the speakers and video from the TV?
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08-30-2009, 01:59 PM
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#19 |
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Certified Audio Nut
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Washington State
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Yes. However, the problem I discovered when I bought my Xbox with HDMI is that you cannot have the analog audio cable connected at the same time as the HDMI. I wanted to distribute my Xbox to two different rooms from my equipment rack using HDMI for the main theater and composite for an older TV in my bedroom. Not possible because the giant connector for the component/composite cable is so big that it blocks the HDMI port. They probably aren't enabled simultaneously anyway.
The only way I can think of to get around it is to use the component video to HDMI adapter I linked to above which would let you send the analog audio to the PC so you could hear it through the speakers. They also have a VGA to HDMI unit. Instead of connecting the audio to that unit you would run it straight to the PC (or however you're getting audio now). Last edited by Hi Ho; 08-30-2009 at 02:03 PM. |
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08-30-2009, 02:12 PM
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#20 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 14
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Ohh I see, what I said above would work great except my xbox would get no sound from the monitor. (I appologize for all the questions but really appreciate the help)
I was trying to avoid dealing with another box but that seems like the only way. |
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08-30-2009, 02:25 PM
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#21 |
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Certified Audio Nut
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Washington State
Posts: 7,202
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Unfortunately game consoles are all like this. They always use proprietary connectors and limit the output to one type at a time. The PS3 is the same. Even though one can connect component/composite/analog audio and HDMI at the same time only one is active. The Wii doesn't even support HDMI. I don't understand why game consoles can't be more like standard gear and simply have all the connections on the back like a DVD player and have them all active but maybe that's just me.
 I guess they make money by selling specific proprietary cords to plug into the back.
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08-30-2009, 02:52 PM
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#22 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 14
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Yep, they just want to keep us buying their accessories. Since you are my resident expert at the moment, do you have any specific opinions on HDTVs? Brand/model/etc?
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08-30-2009, 03:02 PM
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#23 |
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Certified Audio Nut
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Washington State
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It depends on the size but if you're going for 42" or greater then without a doubt Panasonic is the king right now. You can find the TC-42S1 for as little as $800 and that will get you a beautiful 1080p picture that no other TV can touch (properly calibrated) except maybe the G10 model which is also under $1,000. The only one that even comes close to either of those (IMO) is the Sony 40XBR8 which I still wouldn't buy because of A) $3,500 B) It's an LCD with viewing angle problems and I can't stand the 120Hz processing.
There is a lot of debate between the plasma and LCD camp but I work for a company that services, sells, and installs TVs and I have experience with MANY TVs and I would buy nothing but a plasma. It is telling that every person that works there owns a plasma. Panasonic is also among the most reliable set available. They have a less than 2% failure rate. The best in the industry. I don't work for Panasonic. I just love their TV's. 
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08-30-2009, 03:07 PM
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#24 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2009
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I was looking for a 37" because I thought it would fit best in the room but all the 37s are around 600 bucks. If you feel that strongly about that Panasonic 42" then I will take your word. I will shop around for it.
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08-30-2009, 03:18 PM
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#25 |
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Certified Audio Nut
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Washington State
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You can find some decent 37" LCD sets but I still think the extra $200 is worth it. I'm not completely anti-LCD. It has its place in certain environments but just about any video engineer/professional will tell you that plasma offers the best picture quality. They don't really show off that well in a bright store environment, however, and that is one reason they don't sell as well. The current models have excellent anti-reflective coatings and work very well in bright rooms. My two year old Panasonic 42" is in my living room with two 10'x10' windows and looks amazing day or night.
Regardless of what TV you're looking at you really cannot rely on what you see in the store. All of the TV's in the store are set to torch mode so they stand out against the others. This is NOT a good way to evaluate a TV. The only real way is to have it properly calibrated in a light controlled environment which just isn't going to happen in most stores. Professional reviews from sites like Hometheatermag.com are helpful. |
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08-30-2009, 03:36 PM
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#26 |
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Member (4 bit)
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