Just got an HDTV

[vlame]

Sylvania/Funai LC220SL1 22 inch class I traded $15, my n64 with 4 controllers, 10 games, my old 19 inch CRT with RF mod box for it.

The inputs are very weird:
1 3.5mm audio out
1 RCA or S-video
2 HDMI (1 with RCA audio)
1 Component
1 VGA (and 3.5mm in)
1 RF
1 Digital Audio Out
1 Component

Problem 1: I have a switch box that can take 4 inputs (RCA or s-video) but the TV's priority is s-video. So, if my wii is sending a feed over yellow but the s-video cable is plugged-in the TV, I get no picture only sound from the wii, once I remove the s-video cable the wii picture comes through.

Possible solution: Get a Component switch box and component wires for PS2, Wii and xbox. Are the cheap knock generic wires on eBay any good? What is a decent switch box gonna cost me?

Problem 2: Even if I set the xbox or PS2 to WIDE or 16:9 video the TV still sees the normal view as 4:3 leading movies to become squished. Would this be solved if I had a dedicated piece of hardware that outputs 16:9 strictly? Basically, anamorphic movies do not take up the whole screen.

[Hazerd]

Sylvania/Funai LC220SL1 22 inch class I traded $15, my n64 with 4 controllers, 10 games, my old 19 inch CRT with RF mod box for it.

The inputs are very weird:
1 3.5mm audio out
1 RCA or S-video
2 HDMI (1 with RCA audio)
1 Component
1 VGA (and 3.5mm in)
1 RF
1 Digital Audio Out
1 Component

Problem 1: I have a switch box that can take 4 inputs (RCA or s-video) but the TV's priority is s-video. So, if my wii is sending a feed over yellow but the s-video cable is plugged-in the TV, I get no picture only sound from the wii, once I remove the s-video cable the wii picture comes through.

Possible solution: Get a Component switch box and component wires for PS2, Wii and xbox. Are the cheap knock generic wires on eBay any good? What is a decent switch box gonna cost me?

Problem 2: Even if I set the xbox or PS2 to WIDE or 16:9 video the TV still sees the normal view as 4:3 leading movies to become squished. Would this be solved if I had a dedicated piece of hardware that outputs 16:9 strictly? Basically, anamorphic movies do not take up the whole screen.

it's almost more computer monitor than TV.

[Hobie-wan]

Problem 1: I have a switch box that can take 4 inputs (RCA or s-video) but the TV's priority is s-video. So, if my wii is sending a feed over yellow but the s-video cable is plugged-in the TV, I get no picture only sound from the wii, once I remove the s-video cable the wii picture comes through.

Possible solution: Get a Component switch box and component wires for PS2, Wii and xbox. Are the cheap knock generic wires on eBay any good? What is a decent switch box gonna cost me?

It might be sensing on whether there is infinite resistance (no cable attached) or some reasonable resistance (something plugged in). If you get a manual switchbox that you can either switch to an empty input or can lightly push a switch in so that none are selected it might solve the auto sensing problem.

Problem 2: Even if I set the xbox or PS2 to WIDE or 16:9 video the TV still sees the normal view as 4:3 leading movies to become squished. Would this be solved if I had a dedicated piece of hardware that outputs 16:9 strictly? Basically, anamorphic movies do not take up the whole screen.

You'll probably have to manually switch the input to wide or not with the remote depending on what you're using at the time. I have to do this with my GC and PS2 going through my component switchbox to the same TV input.

[CRTGAMER]

Problem 1: I have a switch box that can take 4 inputs (RCA or s-video) but the TV's priority is s-video. So, if my wii is sending a feed over yellow but the s-video cable is plugged-in the TV, I get no picture only sound from the wii, once I remove the s-video cable the wii picture comes through.

Problem 2: Even if I set the xbox or PS2 to WIDE or 16:9 video the TV still sees the normal view as 4:3 leading movies to become squished. Would this be solved if I had a dedicated piece of hardware that outputs 16:9 strictly? Basically, anamorphic movies do not take up the whole screen.

Problem 1
Agree with Hobie, perhaps the signal is being detected from the SVideo cable. But maybe there is an actual switch that senses the SVideo cable plugged in? I'm thinking like when you plug in a set of headphones and the speakers are shut off. Perhaps the lock tab for the SVideo plug inside the TV also cuts off the Composite circuit?

Laser Player Combo Filter
For example in my HD I have the same problem with my Laser Disc Player. I wanted to leave both the Composite and SVideo connected up to the TV. Then unplug one at a time and if it worked, set up a cutout switch box for the two video signals. The idea is to try each input, the HDTV's newer internal comb filter might work better then the older Laser player comb filter. Laser discs are stamped with a composite recording, some discs look better with a Composite connection and separated to Chroma and Luma by the HDTV.

Even when I unplug the SVideo cable from the Laser player, the Composite cable will not work if the unplugged SVideo cable is still hooked up to the Laser input at the TV. So somehow the dead SVideo cable was detected and Composite would not work. Once I unplugged the SVideo cable from the TV, Composite worked fine.

Three SVideo-Composite Combo inputs
Here is the craziest part. My second combo SVideo Composite combo input works just fine. NES Composite, PS1 SVideo and N64 SVideo all work thru an external switchbox. Both cables are attached, but only one signal at a time is fed. The other input combo would not do this. My third front SVideo Composite combo input also senses the SVideo plug, so only one input would work at a time.

Get a Component Cable for your Wii, reasonably priced and enjoy 480p.
As for running a SVideo and Composite cables fro older consoles, run SVideo at the back. Is there a second auxiliary Composite on the side for the camcorder? Maybe it could be used for say a NES.

Problem 2
Agree with Hobie on this one too, set the HDTV to stretched Full or choose Widescreen, depending what kind of pic you want. Does the movie fill up the sides of your HDTV with black bars on top and bottom? Keep in mind an Anamorphic 2:35:1 DVD will still have black bars on the top and bottom of a 16:9 widescreen TV. Non-anamorphic DVDs will have larger black bars and sometimes bars on the sides unless the HDTV is set to Stretched Full.

[vlame]

it's almost more computer monitor than TV.

how did you reach that conclusion?

It might be sensing on whether there is infinite resistance (no cable attached) or some reasonable resistance (something plugged in). If you get a manual switchbox that you can either switch to an empty input or can lightly push a switch in so that none are selected it might solve the auto sensing problem.

I think it has to do with the tv knowing the s-video cable is plugged in.

You'll probably have to manually switch the input to wide or not with the remote depending on what you're using at the time. I have to do this with my GC and PS2 going through my component switchbox to the same TV input.

i see. it is just so weird that WIDE and 16:9 are not the same...

also my switch box wont upconvert yellow to s-video, so no solution there...

As for running a SVideo and Composite cables fro older consoles, run SVideo at the back. Is there a second auxiliary Composite on the side for the camcorder? Maybe it could be used for say a NES.

there is only 1 RCA and it is on the side (the rca or s-video input) on the side, this is all im using because i didn't prepare for an hdtv.

Problem 2
Agree with Hobie on this one too, set the HDTV to stretched Full or choose Widescreen, depending what kind of pic you want. Does the movie fill up the sides of your HDTV with black bars on top and bottom? Keep in mind an Anamorphic 2:35:1 DVD will still have black bars on the top and bottom of a 16:9 widescreen TV. Non-anamorphic DVDs will have larger black bars and sometimes bars on the sides unless the HDTV is set to Stretched Full.

i tested with the THX aspect ratio and the ps2 wasn't sending the appropriate signal thru s-video but the xbox was with yellow.

[Hobie-wan]

i tested with the THX aspect ratio and the ps2 wasn't sending the appropriate signal thru s-video but the xbox was with yellow.

Not sure what you mean here. Composite and s-video are both 4:3 ratio signals that send an approximately 640x480 sized image.

[ZenErik]

I know you didn't ask me, but I think you paid too much for said HDTV.

[CRTGAMER]

i tested with the THX aspect ratio and the ps2 wasn't sending the appropriate signal thru s-video but the xbox was with yellow.

Not sure what you mean here. Composite and s-video are both 4:3 ratio signals that send an approximately 640x480 sized image.

@ vlame = Why not get the best video out of your consoles? Go 480p Component for your Wii and PS2.

[vlame]

i tested with the THX aspect ratio and the ps2 wasn't sending the appropriate signal thru s-video but the xbox was with yellow.

Not sure what you mean here. Composite and s-video are both 4:3 ratio signals that send an approximately 640x480 sized image.

THX aspect ratio = THX optimizer on some DVDs.

when using the PS2, the 16:9 test was askew with the TV's 16:9 setting. but when i used the xbox the 16:9 test was ok with the TV's 16:9 setting.

I know you didn't ask me, but I think you paid too much for said HDTV.

the cheapest i saw this TV for was $120 with no stand and no remote. I only gave them 3 good games: mario 64, mario 64 and DK64.

@ vlame = Why not get the best video out of your consoles? Go 480p Component for your Wii and PS2.

that is what my Possible solution to problem 1 is, im looking for some good ideas on what kind of component wires (brand, price, what to look for) and component switch box to get the my systems.

is there any way to utilize HDMI with component or RCA/s-video?

[CRTGAMER]

@ vlame = Why not get the best video out of your consoles? Go 480p Component for your Wii and PS2.

That is what my Possible solution to problem 1 is, I'm looking for some good ideas on what kind of component wires (brand, price, what to look for) and component switch box to get the my systems.

is there any way to utilize HDMI with component or RCA/s-video?

You would need a transcoder to convert Component, SVideo and Composite over to HDMI. This can get expensive and may not get good results. Since your HDTV has all the inputs, get a Component switchbox for the Wii and PS2 to enjoy 480p. 1st party has a better reputation of reliability but this is not critical when dealing with just video cables. The one exception would be the proprietary Gamecube Component cable. You have two HDMI inputs for your newest console and movie player. The one HDMI input with the extra analog audio input is for older DVI output devices. Any additional HDMI devices can be managed with a HDMI switchbox. I use a non powered HDMI switchbox works fine.

The only area you will run into issues is the shared Composite/SVideo connection. This can be a problem only if you have older consoles such as a NES that only has Composite and a PS1, SNES or N64 that also supports a better quality screen of SVideo. A compromise which system to support or living with composite on these.

Checkout my CRT vs LCD signature link, I covered a lot of this there.