Warning: tech nerd post.
Remember my ambitious plan for creating the ultimate home theater? Well, the first phase is halfway complete and it'll be done around next weekend.
Here's the phase one setup:
Consoles with integrated DVD player
PC
Cable TV
LCD screen displaying all consoles and PCs
2.1 sound system for all consoles and PCs Phase two is the final design:
Consoles and wireless controllers!
PC for gaming and general PC use
Cable / HDTV
Second PC for DVDs/MP3s
Projector for displaying all systems
6.1 sound system for all systems So here's my setup as it will be at the end of next week:
PS2 (serving as DVD player) connected to Console Switch [not plugged in yet, have to get another power strip]
Gamecube connected to Console Switch
Audio output from computer connected to Console Switch (2.1 output from a 1/8" jack through a stereo RCA Y-splitter)
Video output from computer connected to LCD through DVI
Console switch outputs to Video Processor Box (proprietary RCA connector)
Cable TV inputs to Video Processor Box
Video Processor Box outputs sound to my 2.1 speakers
Video Processor Box outputs video to LCD through VGA (I have a dual-input monitor) [Mommy's shipping my VGA cable from home, I should get it right around the start of the weekend. At the moment, we're outputting to my roommate Tim's monitor.] And of the setup I have so far, it's friggin' cool. Super Smash Bros is obviously what we play, and I have good and bad thoughts. The picture quality is great as far as interference from the box, and there's no lag time, but it's jaggy like playing an RCA Gamecube on a HDTV. The framerate makes up for it though: a true 60fps is a gorgeous thing. Or I can just sit away from the screen. Cable TV is picture-perfect (and it's a great thing to have in the dorm for free). I'll take some pictures soon of the whole setup. By the way, I spent exactly $85 for this setup; the only part I didn't have laying around was the video box. A pretty sweet setup for that kinda cash, I say.
Consoles with integrated DVD player
PC
Cable TV
LCD screen displaying all consoles and PCs
2.1 sound system for all consoles and PCs Phase two is the final design:
Consoles and wireless controllers!
PC for gaming and general PC use
Cable / HDTV
Second PC for DVDs/MP3s
Projector for displaying all systems
6.1 sound system for all systems So here's my setup as it will be at the end of next week:
PS2 (serving as DVD player) connected to Console Switch [not plugged in yet, have to get another power strip]
Gamecube connected to Console Switch
Audio output from computer connected to Console Switch (2.1 output from a 1/8" jack through a stereo RCA Y-splitter)
Video output from computer connected to LCD through DVI
Console switch outputs to Video Processor Box (proprietary RCA connector)
Cable TV inputs to Video Processor Box
Video Processor Box outputs sound to my 2.1 speakers
Video Processor Box outputs video to LCD through VGA (I have a dual-input monitor) [Mommy's shipping my VGA cable from home, I should get it right around the start of the weekend. At the moment, we're outputting to my roommate Tim's monitor.] And of the setup I have so far, it's friggin' cool. Super Smash Bros is obviously what we play, and I have good and bad thoughts. The picture quality is great as far as interference from the box, and there's no lag time, but it's jaggy like playing an RCA Gamecube on a HDTV. The framerate makes up for it though: a true 60fps is a gorgeous thing. Or I can just sit away from the screen. Cable TV is picture-perfect (and it's a great thing to have in the dorm for free). I'll take some pictures soon of the whole setup. By the way, I spent exactly $85 for this setup; the only part I didn't have laying around was the video box. A pretty sweet setup for that kinda cash, I say.