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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Adamantine - Thursday, July 10, 2008 - link
I have an Yamaha HT setup instead of PC speakers so I wouldn't have to have multiple sets of speakers. It also makes it so I don't have to use a video switch and cuts down on how much stuff I have to mess with. Switching from PC to console also switches both the audio and video at the same time.But then again, I don't use HDMI and I have an Auzentech sound card for DDL/DTS output.
feelingshorter - Thursday, July 10, 2008 - link
With the current acer monitor your using at 1680x1050, I would think that an upgrade a 24+ inch monitor is worth it for you so you can play full 1080p movies/games via the PS3/360. At the price of buying a higher priced samsung so it can scale down to 1680x1050 res from 1080p, you mind as well spend that money on something that can just display 1080p in the first place.I guess you need all those cables because the monitor is a little old. Whereas most 24inch LCDs now have VGA/HDMI/DVI input, so you can hook up your computer via the DVI, PS3 via HDMI, and the 360 via VGA. But chance are you want the 360 on HDMI also, you can use a switch.
Two speakers seem ridiculous to me, especially if you want to use 5.1 speakers (like a lot of us), would you buy two of those? That wouldn't be cost effective and waste space (with a good set of 5.1 speakers costing ~$170). I'm sure there is a better way to do it than buying two speakers. Where's an audiophile when you need one?
I would also question the need for an expensive sound card. The audigy 2 zs platinum is definitely expensive! A good motherboard will come with very decent sound nowadays with the benefits of spending ~$150 on a sound card not worth it. With that money spent on the Audigy, you can buy a bigger monitor with full 1080p support, or buy a better set of speakers (5.1 and a switch for the consoles), or even buy a better video card for the computer.
If your going to do such an article, how about answering some questions that hasn't been answered else where on the net yet?
I want to play my Wii on my computer LCD. What can i use to do that? An expensive component to VGA converter (maybe a review comparing different brands)? Or a TV card that can accept component cables to the computer? If so, which cards dont have delays that allows good gaming while recording TV at the same time? Or how about finding a solution to multiple audio inputs to one set of speakers? Or comparing which monitors (in the 24-26 in range since it can support over 1080p res), are best for gaming and watching movies? Would a monitor that support component input (considering the extra cost, and boy they cost a lot!) be worth it compared to buying a TV card and to play the wii or watch TV on your computer?
Arc 0V - Thursday, July 10, 2008 - link
I don't know if anyone responded, but it's not that simple just adding a Y because then you can get all kinds of problems. Like static, one sounding much louder, and sometimes just not work. It is easy to fix that by just buying a cheap mixer ($30 for a ok one) and you're good to go. I did this to connect my PS3 and Wii to the same set of 5.1 speakers and it works perfectly.legoman666 - Thursday, July 10, 2008 - link
[quote]Or how about finding a solution to multiple audio inputs to one set of speakers?[/quote]As long as you're using 2.1, you can use the analog stereo outputs of the consoles and feed them into the line-in jack and/or the microphone jack on your sound card in the PC. Then plug the speakers to the PC's stereo out.
Of course, this is impossible if you want to use surround sound, but it works great for stereo. I've had great success with this method.
Modo44 - Thursday, July 10, 2008 - link
What you did, is only the first step. :)You don't need the HDMI switch if you have a DVI, and a HDMI port in you monitor. You don't need two speaker sets either, if you use an AV receiver with separate speakers. Yes, it's a tad more expensive, but with not clutter at all.
plonk420 - Thursday, July 10, 2008 - link
you can boast about your x.1 computer speakers and your 30" LCD.i still prefer my HTPC-fed 2.0 (sub non-discreet) bookshelves and 90" DLP projection. audio is more than enough to get me kicked out of any average apartment or townhouse. the projector MIGHT just last me until OLED and possibly even SED is starting to hit.
madgonad - Thursday, July 10, 2008 - link
The projector is a nice touch, but I'm afraid of the dark.I also have gotten to enjoy sitting 9' from a 61" LED DLP, listening to 7.1 through my Klipsch Reference speakers powered by Yamaha. And why yes, there is a subwoofer involved... Full wireless control courtesy of Logitech.
You just can't appreciate FPS games unless they are played at over 110 decibels.
fliguy84 - Thursday, July 10, 2008 - link
Rosewill PSU?:P
EddieTurner - Thursday, July 10, 2008 - link
It got some great reviews on Newegg, which was why I chose it. They were running a sale too. : )ImSpartacus - Thursday, July 10, 2008 - link
How could you call yourself a gamer with that Rosewill PSU? Newegg reviews... wow...