A Little Piece of Gamer Heaven
by Eddie Turner on July 10, 2008 12:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Eddie's Got Game
Every gamer has a preference for how and where they choose to play their games. If you're a PC gamer who enjoys playing a few console games here and there, you know what it's like to have the TV spoken for when you want to put your feet up and relax on the couch with your game controller. Or maybe you just want to confine your gaming to your desktop where you do most of it anyway. If this fits your description or if you're like me and have better things to spend your money on than a new HDTV, why not consolidate? This is what I did. As a result, I play both my PC and console games on my desktop and can switch back and forth between my PS3, Xbox 360, and PC in a snap using a single LCD monitor. This, folks, is my playground.
While this type of setup is not too difficult to achieve, I am asked fairly frequently what all I did to get everything functional. So, I thought I'd relay this knowledge to you and show off my gear in the process since I rarely get visitors. Here's what you'll need, assuming you want to connect two consoles.
- Computer (duh)
- Sound card for your computer
- Set of 2.1 or 4.1 desktop speakers (preferably 2 sets)
- Two HDMI to DVI-D cables
- Standard HDMI cable
- Xbox 360 VGA cable
- HDCP compliant LCD monitor w/ DVI and D-Sub inputs (19" or larger)
- HDMI Switch (two port minimum)
My 360 is an earlier version without an HDMI port, so I resort to using the VGA, which provides excellent image quality at 720p. The VGA port on my monitor is occupied by the Xbox 360. For the video on my PS3, I have the standard HDMI cable connected to a 2-port HDMI switch I got at Monoprice.com. The second input on the HDMI switch holds the PC signal via one of the two HDMI to DVI-D cables. The other one is used for the switch's output and is connected to the DVI port on my monitor. This allows me to switch back and forth between my PC's desktop and the PS3 with the push of a button on the HDMI switch. So, there are two sources that the monitor's DVI input utilizes with a single cable. The HDMI switch I use requires no power connection, so that's one less cord to mess with.
Why the two sets of speakers, you ask? Well, one set is actually functional for the entire setup. However, the additional input on the GMAX's audio controller that I'd use to connect the PS3's audio cancels out everything else when plugged in. This also was the case with a set of Logitech speakers I tried out. So, instead of having to plug and unplug the cable every time I want to play a PS3 game and then switch back to my PC's audio, I chose to go the lazy route and just get a separate set of speakers. Yes, there are some audio selector boxes out there, but I'm already pushing one button to switch between video sources. See where I'm going with this?
As far as the monitor goes, any HDCP compliant monitor will do. What is HDCP? It's normally for encrypted movies (i.e. Blu-ray and HD-DVD), but in this case it allows the monitor to accept signals from outside sources, such as game consoles, with high definition resolutions up to 1080p. (Non-HDCP displays may work, but I haven't verified this and since the PS3 can play Blu-ray movies….) The monitor I'm using is, once again, an Acer AL2216W (22"). While this setup works well using this monitor, I do miss my Samsung that allowed for switching between sources with a single button push. Also, there are reports that this monitor makes users have to restart their computers in order to get a signal when they switch back from another source. I can vouch for this because I have experienced it as well. However, I found that simply putting your PC in sleep mode before swapping video sources on the HDMI switch and touching your keyboard to wake it up when you've switched back is a quick fix. Do keep in mind that this is not an issue when swapping from DVI to VGA by means of the monitor's menu. Also note that if you plan to connect a PS3, you'll need to set the resolution to 720p in order to keep a signal. All these issues go away when using a Samsung, so I highly recommend one over Acer. Samsung allows scaled 1080p and 720p resolutions, both of which look fantastic.
Well, that's about it. Oh, and for those who might be wondering what kind of heat I'm packing in my rig, trust me… it's not that hot. My specs are below. Yes, it's far past time for an upgrade!
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JEDIYoda - Thursday, July 10, 2008 - link
Most of you picking apart this guys system are gamer wanna bees anyways.Those who are over reacting concerning the PSU have no clue, which is quite obvious because the very person you worship --- JonnyGuru has done very favorable reviews of certain Rosewill PSU`s.
This guy has a nice set up!
I see nothing in the article to state or even claim that his system is top of the line.
What you have is all the rabid little kiddie picking apart this guys rig.
The kiddies are jealous that he has a write up in Anands site!
Sheese lighten up on the guy and give him his due!!
Nice set up dude!!
YOyoYOhowsDAjello - Thursday, July 10, 2008 - link
Ok, he doesn't claim to have a top of the line system, and I wouldn't agree with some of his choices (especially in the audio end of things). I wouldn't give it a second thought if this was someone making a post in the general hardware forum or Off Topic or something, but I don't understand why this is an official AnandTech article.Anandtech already did an official review of the monitor, which is what a good chunk of this article seems to be about. The rest of the article about hooking up different systems doesn't make any logical sense to me.
"Yes, there are some audio selector boxes out there, but I'm already pushing one button to switch between video sources. See where I'm going with this?"
No, I don't. You can get an HDMI switch that switches audio as well and then not have to blow your money on two low end speaker systems with the satellite speakers blocked by the desk.
Bottom line from me is:
Ok, this is reasonable gaming setup, but I don't think this is worthy of an official article because
1. I don't think this is representative of what can best be accomplished on this budget.
2. I don't think it's a good guide on how to best hook up multiple sources.
3. I don't think there is any useful new information given in this article considering that most of the good hardware in this setup was already given real articles already.
AmberClad - Thursday, July 10, 2008 - link
It's actually a blog piece...but it somehow ended up as the feature article on the main page.YOyoYOhowsDAjello - Thursday, July 10, 2008 - link
Well that would explain itJarredWalton - Friday, July 11, 2008 - link
We can promote blogs to the top spots if we feel the urge. Given nothing else was posting yesterday (because I'm still hammering away on my article), I figured this was an interesting enough blog to warrant some attention. Sadly, apparently all I managed to do with the promotion was to get a bunch of console haters and hardware elitists to complain. Rest assured there will be a longer, more PC-centric article up in the next several hours....aguilpa1 - Thursday, July 10, 2008 - link
My PC:Water cooled
Q6600 OC'ed to 3.5Ghz, Dual 8800GTX in SLI, Nvidia 780i SLI mobo, 150GB WD RapterX drive and two 500GB Seagates for storage, 4GB XMS Dominator RAM, all hooked up to a Westinghouse TRUE 1080p 37", 1920x1080 Flat screen LCD with XFi Fatal1ty Sound Card pumping straight into full size Kenwood amplifier and sound system. If that don't get your game on..., nothing will. Now thats a true gaming machine, no excuses. I'm planning to upgrade to Nehalem and next gen video when it becomes available.
blwest - Thursday, July 10, 2008 - link
I think your setup looks nice. It has to work for you, not the rest of the idiots here. This can give people a good starting point to setup their own system at home.crimson117 - Thursday, July 10, 2008 - link
I'm surprised you went to the trouble of HDMI switching, but couldn't get a simple receiver to sync up all your audio!Zak - Thursday, July 10, 2008 - link
I second the use of AV receiver for switching. That's what I do, but I have no need for HDMI yet, so so far it's just sound and some video switching combined with KVM. But I think it would be a lot more neater and flexible solution for HDMI too.Oh, and I own Rosewill PS - they're very good and quiet. I've had them over a year now. My next PS will be Rosewill too. I used Coolermaster and Thermaltake before but Rosewill is just priced more aggresively.
Z.
Waltermydoinhere - Thursday, July 10, 2008 - link
It all looks 'tidy' but as someone who games for 6-10 hours at a time, those little keyboard/mouse trays are an ergonomic nightmare.That may not be the point of the article, but it's the first thing I see.
The functionality of all the different components is a very cool feature, however, I would re-route the mouse/keyboard to be on top the desk. Not quite as clean looking, but DEFINATELY more functional and comfy for those long gaming sessions.