Using monitor with consoles

[fers]

Hi all
Anyone know if will be possible to play these new generation consoles with a standard monitor?
Also, if you have a TV card and plug the console in the video in it's possible to play in the monitor? It will display just like a normal TV channel right?
I have sold my TV card before testing this, but i think it's possible...just like a watching a movie with a VCR...
I can't afford a HDTV, but if this work a Prolink TV card for $100 will be my next purchase
Thanks and sorry for my english...

 

[Acert93]

Hi all
Anyone know if will be possible to play these new generation consoles with a standard monitor?

Xbox 360 will work with a monitor. You most likely will have to buy the official adapter separately (I doubt it is a pack in).

Nintendo claimed monitor support a long while back, but no news lately on that.

No official word on the PS3.

 

[Iron Tiger]

Hi all
Anyone know if will be possible to play these new generation consoles with a standard monitor?
Also, if you have a TV card and plug the console in the video in it's possible to play in the monitor? It will display just like a normal TV channel right?
I have sold my TV card before testing this, but i think it's possible...just like a watching a movie with a VCR...
I can't afford a HDTV, but if this work a Prolink TV card for $100 will be my next purchase
Thanks and sorry for my english...

A TV card will only afford you 480i input, so there's no benefit to using such a device to output your games to your monitor. Actually, there's lots of negatives, like reduced image quality, and the inherent lag from the decoder.

The PS3 has dual-HDMI outputs, and they've suggested that you'll be able to use a monitor (likely via HDMI-DVI cable), but if you haven't got DVI on your monitor, that's not gonna work for you. The only other thing I could recommend is paying ~$90 for a decent component-VGA transcoder.

 

[tEd]

i'm wondering if there is official monitor support if one will be able to have a refreshrate higher than 60hz.

 

[fers]

thanks for the tips.
i have just purchased a standard 29" TV but i'm really worried about all this 720i/p stuff as i will never by able to purchase a HDTV...
My 19" LG monitor is my only hope to play with betther graphics...
But...even running 480i in the monitor the final picture may look way better than a TV in 480i

 

[kyleb]

Sounds like you arn't too pleased with your new TV.

 

[a688]

A TV card will only afford you 480i input, so there's no benefit to using such a device to output your games to your monitor. Actually, there's lots of negatives, like reduced image quality, and the inherent lag from the decoder.

There are such things as HD TV tuners for PCs.

EDIT: Not all cards introduce lag.

 

[Guden Oden]

i'm wondering if there is official monitor support if one will be able to have a refreshrate higher than 60hz.

Why do you think you need a faster refresh than 60Hz? This is particulary pointless with flatscreen monitors btw, since they have no scanning electron beam that redraws the image.

 

[vember]

because he doesn't like to get a head-ache when using his CRT?

 

[tEd]

because he doesn't like to get a head-ache when using his CRT?

Yes that's pretty much it. Especially in Europe we don't really have HDTV's and connecting to monitor would be the obvious choice for many here. I have a very good 21" CRT and it just would be great if there were an option for higher refreshrate for CRT monitor users.

 

[see colon]

if you are looking for a cheap HDTV card check out the ati solution...
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=314569&pfp=cat3

i haven't used one, and haven't read any reviews on them, so i really know nothing about them, but the price is right, and it comes with a digital antenna. my past expieriences with ati's tv cards has been mostly pleasent, especialy if you don't do much recording.

 

[fers]

great...
thanks for the tip...
looks like this ATI card can do the job...

 

[Fox5]

Hi all
Anyone know if will be possible to play these new generation consoles with a standard monitor?
Also, if you have a TV card and plug the console in the video in it's possible to play in the monitor? It will display just like a normal TV channel right?
I have sold my TV card before testing this, but i think it's possible...just like a watching a movie with a VCR...
I can't afford a HDTV, but if this work a Prolink TV card for $100 will be my next purchase
Thanks and sorry for my english...

Unless that Prolink TV card has component HDTV input, you won't get an HDTV picture.

What you probably want it something like....
http://www.vdigi.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=36&Itemid=68
this, it will convert a component signal into VGA so it can work on a monitor, worked for last generation too.

However, I'd wait, there may be official vga cables for the new consoles. Also, if your monitor can't do 1280x720 or higher, it won't display a picture.(most likely a CRT can, an LCD might not be able too....my 1280x1024 LCD wasn't able to display a 1280x720 picture from the original xbox)

BTW, I don't know what part of the world you live in, but in America you can buy HDTVs starting at $350.

But...even running 480i in the monitor the final picture may look way better than a TV in 480i

Nope, it's likely to look far worse. Get a real convertor, or don't convert at all.

looks like this ATI card can do the job...

I'd still be wary. One, make sure it has component input, and two, it is likely to introduce lag into the image(due to the software processing) that the VDigi adapter wouldn't have.
It sounds like that ATI card only accepts TV(cable/antenna) HDTV signals, I don't see a mention of component inputs.

 

[see colon]

after a bit of research it looks like the HDTV wonder doesn't have any high def inputs at all (excluding broadcast), though i couldn't find a review that complained about it, or even explicitly mention it. most just said it supported s-video and composite inputs. i would have thought there would be more of an outcry about it.

 

[orfanotna]

I'm playing my current-gen Gamecube on a monitor. I use Key Digital XBlaster. It's been discontinued a while ago, I bought mine for $70 around Christmas 2003 (it originally cost $200). Have no idea if you can still get one, but if you're serious about picture quality, that's pretty much your best bet. Another drawback is that it'll only work with games that support 480p or higher (shouldn't be a problem next gen). Finally, you'll need component video cables to use it.

Oh, and to everyone who gets headaches from CRTs at 60 Hz, as far as I'm concerned it's only a problem when you're looking at really bright stuff (e.g. pages/documents with bright white backgrounds). I never had any problems playing games at 60 Hz, even for many hours.

 

[Iron Tiger]

after a bit of research it looks like the HDTV wonder doesn't have any high def inputs at all (excluding broadcast), though i couldn't find a review that complained about it, or even explicitly mention it. most just said it supported s-video and composite inputs. i would have thought there would be more of an outcry about it.

There has been, just not by anyone that lives in areas that have OTA HD signals. And a lot of the reviewers from big sites live in areas that have OTA HD.

And for future reference, before anybody else decides to come in here and try to tell me I'm wrong without knowing what it is we're even talking about, I own 3 generations of All-in-Wonder, an STB TV tuner, and purchased and maintain another All-in-Wonder for a friend. I own an HDTV, which my AIW 9700 Pro is connected to, and I've been hoping for an affordable solution for HD component input for a long time. HD component input is necessary for viewing/recording HD signals from game consoles, HD cable boxes, etc. Unfortunately, with DRM issues weighing heavily on everyone's minds, we're not likely to see anything anytime soon that will allow the display of say, Soul Calibur 2, in 720p through a computer, on a monitor.

Your best bet is going to be to connect the console straight to the monitor. That'll also ensure no lag, and smooth gameplay interfacing. I haven't yet seen a TV tuner that hasn't introduced at least SOME lag in signal decoding. You can get a transcoder (like I'd said before), such as the one Fox5 linked, or just wait and hope that the next gen console of your choosing will have a VGA-box accessory offered by the manufacturer or a reputable 3rd party.