Multiple consoles and connections

[Spyke]

Hi,

I'm not sure if this counts as a problem as such, and I'm not sure if there's a solution either.

I use a Technika 19" LCD TV model no 19-228G to display for all my consoles:
PS2, PS1, Gamecube, Saturn and Dreamcast.

The TV supports the following signal inputs:
RF (!), Composite cable, Component cable, Scart (RGB I presume), VGA, HDMI.

I use a seperate mini stereo with audio inputs, which has a 3-way audio splitter box attached.

PS2 - Component cable (L & R into audio splitter box to stereo)
PS1 - RGB Scart with breakout L&R cables into splitter box to stereo
Gamecube - composite cables (L & R into splitter...)
Saturn - RGB Scart (L & R into splitter)
Dreamcast - VGA box (VGA and component cables into TV, sound out via 3.5mm jack to powered speakers)

As you can guess it's all a little bit complicated if I'm switching from console to console. The Gamecube is least used at the moment and is left unconnected, so I can have the PS2, PS1 OR Saturn, and Dreamcast all connected at once. If I want the GC connected I have to unplug the DC composite cables, etc.

The audio splitter box works very well, with only minimal swapping required between the consoles. BUT... there's a helluva lot of cables everywhere which I try to keep under control and labelled!

Question - am I making the best of my consoles outputs and TV inputs? Is there a simplete way or "better" way of doing this? Is there a device or combination of devices that will tidy up this arrangement like a great big single splitter with all the connections I need and one output so only one TV input is taken up?

Am I getting the best out of my TV? It says HF-Ready and when I fire it up it displays a readout of what signal it's outputting. Mostly it's 576i through the PS2 component cables. The TV supports 50 and 60hz and PAL and NTSC formats. I usually run it 60hz where possible. Being "HD Ready" the handbook says it will support up to 1080i.

Although I've got all these cables and connectors I can't say I know an awful lot about TV input/output signals so some simple advice (if necessary) would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ant

[CRTGAMER]

The audio splitter box works very well, with only minimal swapping required between the consoles. BUT... there's a helluva lot of cables everywhere which I try to keep under control and labelled!

You could run audio out from the TV to the stereo. This saves on dealing with a separate audio select box. Plus you gain by watching TV Cable or DVDs with the stereo.

Any extra consoles can share a TV video/audio input with switch boxes. Just utilize the best video each console is capable of. If you can afford it, get the component cable for the Gamecube for example.

[Spyke]

Aah, I wasn't aware of the audio output from TV to stereo option! Thanks! The TV has a digital Coax audio outpot socket. I'll try some of my random cables tomorrow and see if that works.

Component cable for GC into a Comp splitter box? Sounds easy enough (for once) - I'll look into prices.

Thanks!

[CRTGAMER]

Component cable for GC into a Comp splitter box? Sounds easy enough (for once) - I'll look into prices.

Thanks!

Standby for Spyke's head explode
I think you'll retract that thanks when you see the price, only the official Nintendo Gamecube Component Cable will work. Keep an eye out, sometimes you can get lucky. But you get the idea to get everything attached with the limited inputs of the TV. Match the same type of video/audio output consoles thru a switchbox then to the TV input.

If for some reason the Optical Audio out does not work, there should also be a set of analog RCA stereo outputs in the back of the TV.

[Spyke]

OMG!!

Will the Wii version work? Nah, don't suppose so...

Ant

[isiolia]

OMG!!

Will the Wii version work? Nah, don't suppose so...

Ant

No, the GC component cable has a chip in it. For most uses, a Wii is almost an easier option, since most versions play Gamecube games too, and you add the Wii library to what you can play. The hangup is primarily with the Game Boy Player accessory, though there may be others.

Also, while probably not relevant for most/all of the consoles you're looking to connect, do be aware that the audio output from your TV will downmix HDMI audio to stereo. It's a requirement of HDCP.

[Spyke]

I was wondering about the TV audio limitations and whether the signal direct from console to stereo would be better than console to TV to stereo. I presume this is the case. Only way to tell I suppose is try it and see if any reduction in quality is balanced by the smaller number of cables and connections...

Ant

[CRTGAMER]

Also, while probably not relevant for most/all of the consoles you're looking to connect, do be aware that the audio output from your TV will downmix HDMI audio to stereo. It's a requirement of HDCP.

I was wondering about the TV audio limitations and whether the signal direct from console to stereo would be better than console to TV to stereo. I presume this is the case. Only way to tell I suppose is try it and see if any reduction in quality is balanced by the smaller number of cables and connections...

Ant

Say why an Ant at the bottom, a nickname?

Looking over the game consoles listed, none have HDMI so the Digital to Analog audio is not an issue. The advantage of going thru the TV is both the TV Speakers and Stereo speakers are utilized.

[isiolia]

I was wondering about the TV audio limitations and whether the signal direct from console to stereo would be better than console to TV to stereo. I presume this is the case. Only way to tell I suppose is try it and see if any reduction in quality is balanced by the smaller number of cables and connections...

Ant

Main thing would be whether or not the signal is tampered with. HDMI is required by spec to downmix, but if you have other surround sound setups you'd want to double check to make sure they get passed correctly. Personally, I'm inclined to feed signal straight to the decoder if I can. Most TV output I've seen will do two-channel analog, which is fine for Pro Logic, but I'm not sure about Digital/DTS (if your setup handles it anyway).

Usually you do get the option to keep the TV's speakers on, though that may also depend on the relative quality of the TV speakers to the rest of your setup. I know for me, TV speakers do not keep up (to put it nicely). The closest thing I have to your 19" TV is the Playstation 3D Display, and the speakers in that are terrible (not just quality, but buzzing/distorting even at low volume). The speakers built into an old 32" TV or something could often be used in lieu of a center channel, but the focus on thin for modern TVs has often meant very subpar speakers.

[ninjainspandex]

i find it funny you can get a wii to play gamecube games with component for about the same price as the gamecube component cables, i dont see the point of actually owning a gamecube anymore. i guess you would need it for the gameboy player but really i dont think you would need anything more then s-video to play gameboy advance games as i doubt they output 480p, but its much easier to hack your wii (seriously takes 5 min of your time) then install a gba emulator and just play it that way, i guess some people are purists but hey if your that much of a purist why the heck arnt you playing your gba on a real gba. sorry if i got off track here