… and that one is probably John “troutman” Troutman. On to the question!
For years I’ve connected the multiple sources to my low-rez, old-school 27″ tube TV with a very neat switch-box. It has buttons on the front that let the kids quickly switch between DVD, VCR, Gamecube (now Wii), and XBox inputs. We don’t have cable, but if we did we could switch that in and out as well.
It takes composite video and the usual red+white RCA audio cables as inputs, and sends whatever is switched on through the same — a yellow composite video cable, and RCA audio jacks. We feed that straight to the TV, and then take the TV audio out to the surround-sound tuner, which is always switched to “TV” and which, in this configuration, is conveniently silent the moment the TV is switched off.
This same configuration works fine with the Plasma TV I just picked up, and since I don’t have any HDTV sources (no Blu-Ray, no Xbox 360, no PS3) I’m not losing very much yet.
BUT… at some point in the future (maybe my birthday) I want to throw an HDTV source into the mix. Maybe it’ll be a Blu-Ray player, maybe it’ll be an Xbox 360 (no, I won’t bother with HD-DVD, or whatever the “dead” format is) but whatever I pick it will almost certainly have HDMI, DVI, and/or component video outputs.
I’m going to need a new solution for switching. Ideally I’ll find out that some clever boffin has created a version of my current switch-box that offers component, composite, HDMI, DVI, etc inputs for each source, and then passes those along with no degradation to the display. Sadly, I’m afraid I may be stuck buying a tuner that forces my kids to navigate one of those hellish remotes in order to switch between games and movies.
I suspect that within a year we’ll have a Blu-Ray player for digital movies (blu-ray, DVD, and Netflix), an Xbox 360, our existing Wii (is composite the only option here?) and our existing VCR (the old Xbox and DVD player will be redundant). That means I can probably get by with two composite inputs and two HDMI inputs for the next three to five years.
So… what’s the best solution? I want simplicity, and I want great signal. Oh, and low price, too.
I don’t know how many of each kind of input your TV has, but most HDTVs have several of various types. I could probably give some specific suggestions with that.
I had a similar setup to yours a couple years ago – various game systems and things connected to a composite plus audio switch box with buttons on the front. When I upgraded to HDTV (a relatively inexpensive 24″ model from Costco), I was fortunate in that it has exactly the number of inputs I need: one composite/s-video (they share one audio input) for my PS2, one component video for my Wii, a VGA input for my 360, and an HDMI for the PS3 I ordered last week. The TV’s remote has a button for each, so switching is straightforward.
That’s not a bad solution. I’ve got what looks like two HDMI inputs, a composite input, a component input, a DVI input, and an antenna input. There’s also an audio output, allowing me to drive the sound system.
So… I could ditch the switch box and use the TV for switching. The kids would need to keep track of where the remote is, but I’ve already got them pretty well trained: we velcro the remotes to the wall.
I came in here to say this, so yes. Modern TVs have tons of input options on the back, and you can still keep your low tech analog switcher if you have more analog devices than inputs.
precisely. My nine-year old has it figured out, so it shouldn’t be too hard.
Also, if your surround sound tuner has an optical in and your hdtv has an optical out it is the best way to connect the two without signal degradation, especially once you have devices that use HDMI as it will keep the signal digital from the player all the way to the receiver.
Should you need cables, I highly, HIGHLY recommend monoprice.com
Ditto that.
Monoprice has been the place for me to get cables for some time.
Amen, though I’ve not had the opportunity to sample their wares yet. Considering that they have the wall plates and everything too, I’d imagine they’d have some switch boxes.
Also, consider upgrading to a home theater quality stereo receiver. They’ll switch audio as well as video inputs and often support better audio input methods.
My *ancient* Sony receiver, for example, has coax digital audio on the DVD input (in addition to the normal red/white/yellow A/V inputs). And has fiber optic digital audio input on the “video 2” input (I’ve got an MVix 760HD media server hooked up to that)
Beleive me, with DVDs and other modern stuff you want to be able to use 5.1 surround sound. And it works easier thru the receiver.
You can also just hook the old switchbox up a set of inputs on the stereo or TV. That’s what I’ll eventually do with my betamax VCR (at least until I convert the tapes to DVDs)
I don’t know how many of each kind of input your TV has, but most HDTVs have several of various types. I could probably give some specific suggestions with that.
I had a similar setup to yours a couple years ago – various game systems and things connected to a composite plus audio switch box with buttons on the front. When I upgraded to HDTV (a relatively inexpensive 24″ model from Costco), I was fortunate in that it has exactly the number of inputs I need: one composite/s-video (they share one audio input) for my PS2, one component video for my Wii, a VGA input for my 360, and an HDMI for the PS3 I ordered last week. The TV’s remote has a button for each, so switching is straightforward.
That’s not a bad solution. I’ve got what looks like two HDMI inputs, a composite input, a component input, a DVI input, and an antenna input. There’s also an audio output, allowing me to drive the sound system.
So… I could ditch the switch box and use the TV for switching. The kids would need to keep track of where the remote is, but I’ve already got them pretty well trained: we velcro the remotes to the wall.
I came in here to say this, so yes. Modern TVs have tons of input options on the back, and you can still keep your low tech analog switcher if you have more analog devices than inputs.
precisely. My nine-year old has it figured out, so it shouldn’t be too hard.
Also, if your surround sound tuner has an optical in and your hdtv has an optical out it is the best way to connect the two without signal degradation, especially once you have devices that use HDMI as it will keep the signal digital from the player all the way to the receiver.
Should you need cables, I highly, HIGHLY recommend monoprice.com
Ditto that.
Monoprice has been the place for me to get cables for some time.
Amen, though I’ve not had the opportunity to sample their wares yet. Considering that they have the wall plates and everything too, I’d imagine they’d have some switch boxes.
Also, consider upgrading to a home theater quality stereo receiver. They’ll switch audio as well as video inputs and often support better audio input methods.
My *ancient* Sony receiver, for example, has coax digital audio on the DVD input (in addition to the normal red/white/yellow A/V inputs). And has fiber optic digital audio input on the “video 2” input (I’ve got an MVix 760HD media server hooked up to that)
Beleive me, with DVDs and other modern stuff you want to be able to use 5.1 surround sound. And it works easier thru the receiver.
You can also just hook the old switchbox up a set of inputs on the stereo or TV. That’s what I’ll eventually do with my betamax VCR (at least until I convert the tapes to DVDs)
I have three video inputs on my current TV (not the one in the shop, that has four or five). Each has svideo and video inputs. So I have my Tivo attached to Video 1, my HD DVR attached to Video 2 and my Computer attached to Video 3. Then I just switch between them with the remotes.
If that doesn’t help but you think we’re on the right track. Let me know if you want me to get more in depth.
Man, who drew that horrible picture of you, and how late at night was it?
(Thanks, Bob!)
I don’t know, I find it to be an excellent likeness…
..
Also, this holiday I am Thankful that I am far, far out of arm’s reach. 🙂
I have three video inputs on my current TV (not the one in the shop, that has four or five). Each has svideo and video inputs. So I have my Tivo attached to Video 1, my HD DVR attached to Video 2 and my Computer attached to Video 3. Then I just switch between them with the remotes.
If that doesn’t help but you think we’re on the right track. Let me know if you want me to get more in depth.
Man, who drew that horrible picture of you, and how late at night was it?
(Thanks, Bob!)
I don’t know, I find it to be an excellent likeness…
..
Also, this holiday I am Thankful that I am far, far out of arm’s reach. 🙂
regarding the wii, you can get component video output and i think it’s worth it, but it does only go up to 480p. I’m using a 3rd party cable that was about $10, and I haven’t noticed any image issues.
Hopefully your tv has at least enough digital inputs, because dvi or hdmi switches are expensive. If it doesn’t have enough analog inputs, it requires a bit more training, because the user needs to use the switch box and set the tv to the right input as well. There are component video switches, you may need a quality unit for 1080i/720p… but for 480i/480p you probably don’t need much (you might even get by with using one of the a/v switches you have for audio, and a second for the three component cables)
If you absolutely must have everything come through one input on the tv and look good, you’re going to want to look into a (fairly high end) A/V receiver which has the right inputs and will ‘upconvert’ them to hdmi/dvi.
regarding the wii, you can get component video output and i think it’s worth it, but it does only go up to 480p. I’m using a 3rd party cable that was about $10, and I haven’t noticed any image issues.
Hopefully your tv has at least enough digital inputs, because dvi or hdmi switches are expensive. If it doesn’t have enough analog inputs, it requires a bit more training, because the user needs to use the switch box and set the tv to the right input as well. There are component video switches, you may need a quality unit for 1080i/720p… but for 480i/480p you probably don’t need much (you might even get by with using one of the a/v switches you have for audio, and a second for the three component cables)
If you absolutely must have everything come through one input on the tv and look good, you’re going to want to look into a (fairly high end) A/V receiver which has the right inputs and will ‘upconvert’ them to hdmi/dvi.
Hey, in three to five years, your kids will probably be aces at navigating complicated remotes.
I know when I babysit, I have to get the kids to operate the satellite tv, because it breaks every time I touch it. And I’m generally pretty tech-savvy.
Hey, in three to five years, your kids will probably be aces at navigating complicated remotes.
I know when I babysit, I have to get the kids to operate the satellite tv, because it breaks every time I touch it. And I’m generally pretty tech-savvy.
Dunno what your remote looks like, but if it like my Vizio’s remote, there’s a simple button for each of your differet inputs (hit “compnent” once for the first, hit it a second time for teh 2nd, a third push takes you back to the 1st, and so forth). Your kids are all pretty darn smart (well, except for the one that said “Cut. Owwie” 😉 ), so I suspect they would have an easy time navigating through the options…
And if you get an x-box… You know, I was about to suggest games, but it occured to me that not a single one of them would fail to either offend you or emotionally/mentally scar your kids… 🙂
Dunno what your remote looks like, but if it like my Vizio’s remote, there’s a simple button for each of your differet inputs (hit “compnent” once for the first, hit it a second time for teh 2nd, a third push takes you back to the 1st, and so forth). Your kids are all pretty darn smart (well, except for the one that said “Cut. Owwie” 😉 ), so I suspect they would have an easy time navigating through the options…
And if you get an x-box… You know, I was about to suggest games, but it occured to me that not a single one of them would fail to either offend you or emotionally/mentally scar your kids… 🙂
Like everyone else here, I use my remote to switch between components.
When you buy your display, max out on the HDMI ports. My LCD display only has one. An HDMI switcher may be in my future.
Next thing down the line is a Displayport. Already some displays with that. I wouldn’t worry too much about that, though. There are displayport to HDMI adapters out there.
Like everyone else here, I use my remote to switch between components.
When you buy your display, max out on the HDMI ports. My LCD display only has one. An HDMI switcher may be in my future.
Next thing down the line is a Displayport. Already some displays with that. I wouldn’t worry too much about that, though. There are displayport to HDMI adapters out there.
As everyone else has said, your best bet is to use your TV’s built-in inputs. That said, if you need more HDMI inputs, Monoprice is a great source for cheap switches. Actually, they’re a great source for cheap cables and the like in general.
I should have scrolled down.
Yeah, when I set up my dolby 5.1 headset so my controller box was next to my bed, I had to buy a 25 foot run of toslink fiberoptic cable (darned 13 foot run… 12.5 was the next longest), and monoprice had it for… Well, not much… I think shipping cost almost as much as the cable, and the whole order was under twenty bucks.
As everyone else has said, your best bet is to use your TV’s built-in inputs. That said, if you need more HDMI inputs, Monoprice is a great source for cheap switches. Actually, they’re a great source for cheap cables and the like in general.
I should have scrolled down.
Yeah, when I set up my dolby 5.1 headset so my controller box was next to my bed, I had to buy a 25 foot run of toslink fiberoptic cable (darned 13 foot run… 12.5 was the next longest), and monoprice had it for… Well, not much… I think shipping cost almost as much as the cable, and the whole order was under twenty bucks.
Need more information. Once you get the new TV and can inventory its inputs and outputs (for the surround sound) then I can give you a better answer.
Those above that stated that most news sets come with multiple inputs are right. You might even have enough analog inputs to ditch the old faithful switch box.
One composite, one Component, one VGA, and four HDMI. Looks like I can make everything work fine with a new cable for the Wii — I just have to teach the kids to use the remote instead of the switch box.
The down-side: there will be a huge forest of cables snaking up the wall to the set.
Try some of this (or something like it) to clean it up: http://www.waytekwire.com/spiral-wrap-tubing.htm
We use that stuff all the time. It is really nice for us because we can pull wires out of the harness as needed.
I prefer split-loom tubing for anything where I may need to add or remove cables.
Heck, I have most of the cables from the back of the computers run thru the stuff so I can keep straight which batch goes with which system.
Wire channel (wire moulding) looks far nicer than spiral wrap for permanent installations; you can paint over it, and the shape allows it to blend in with the wall a bit better. For temporary installs, split-loom works better (as kengr mentioned). Of course, there’s always the “punch a couple holes in the wall, feed wires through, and put faceplates on” method. Even more permanent, but looks great; everything but the faceplate is hidden behind the wall.
Or you could always just zip tie everything together and use some adhesive clips to attach them to the wall. That’s the quick and dirty method. Furniture is great for hiding cables.
Sounds good! Lucky you.. our TV only has one HDMI input. I’ve been eying this receiver over at Amazon which has good reviews, but for now we’re just occasionally switching the cable manually from the cable box to the DVD player. HDMI switches just cost too much. 😛
Need more information. Once you get the new TV and can inventory its inputs and outputs (for the surround sound) then I can give you a better answer.
Those above that stated that most news sets come with multiple inputs are right. You might even have enough analog inputs to ditch the old faithful switch box.
One composite, one Component, one VGA, and four HDMI. Looks like I can make everything work fine with a new cable for the Wii — I just have to teach the kids to use the remote instead of the switch box.
The down-side: there will be a huge forest of cables snaking up the wall to the set.
Try some of this (or something like it) to clean it up: http://www.waytekwire.com/spiral-wrap-tubing.htm
We use that stuff all the time. It is really nice for us because we can pull wires out of the harness as needed.
I prefer split-loom tubing for anything where I may need to add or remove cables.
Heck, I have most of the cables from the back of the computers run thru the stuff so I can keep straight which batch goes with which system.
Wire channel (wire moulding) looks far nicer than spiral wrap for permanent installations; you can paint over it, and the shape allows it to blend in with the wall a bit better. For temporary installs, split-loom works better (as kengr mentioned). Of course, there’s always the “punch a couple holes in the wall, feed wires through, and put faceplates on” method. Even more permanent, but looks great; everything but the faceplate is hidden behind the wall.
Or you could always just zip tie everything together and use some adhesive clips to attach them to the wall. That’s the quick and dirty method. Furniture is great for hiding cables.
Sounds good! Lucky you.. our TV only has one HDMI input. I’ve been eying this receiver over at Amazon which has good reviews, but for now we’re just occasionally switching the cable manually from the cable box to the DVD player. HDMI switches just cost too much. 😛
Everyone beat me to the punch! What the very first comment here said was pretty much true – every HDTV these days has a ton of inputs on the back. Personally, mine’s got two components, two HDMIs, one coax, and one ancient composite stuck to the side that you should never ever use because SD on an HDTV looks… less than good.
Some additional knowledge – DVI is dead as a connection. The only electronics with DVI now are legacy stuff from a few years ago. So that shouldn’t be a worry. Additionally, if you weren’t already aware, HDMI carries both an audio AND a video signal, thus why – as a format – it’s awesome. If at all possible, you should use HDMI instead of component, just to eliminate extra wires behind the tube.
If you want specific recommendations for stuff, get a 360 for gaming, but also get a PS3 for Blu-Ray, as it’s actually one of the best and most affordable Blu-Ray players on the market AND can be very easily upgraded to the latest firmwares (which is often necessary for smooth playback of some movies). That’s pretty much what my setup would be – I’m a hardcore 360 gamer, but the PS3 is a great movie machine.
Oh, and you should find some component cables for your Wii so you can run it at 480p in true widescreen. Original XBox games would also benefit from component cables, though it’s far less noticeable.
Everyone beat me to the punch! What the very first comment here said was pretty much true – every HDTV these days has a ton of inputs on the back. Personally, mine’s got two components, two HDMIs, one coax, and one ancient composite stuck to the side that you should never ever use because SD on an HDTV looks… less than good.
Some additional knowledge – DVI is dead as a connection. The only electronics with DVI now are legacy stuff from a few years ago. So that shouldn’t be a worry. Additionally, if you weren’t already aware, HDMI carries both an audio AND a video signal, thus why – as a format – it’s awesome. If at all possible, you should use HDMI instead of component, just to eliminate extra wires behind the tube.
If you want specific recommendations for stuff, get a 360 for gaming, but also get a PS3 for Blu-Ray, as it’s actually one of the best and most affordable Blu-Ray players on the market AND can be very easily upgraded to the latest firmwares (which is often necessary for smooth playback of some movies). That’s pretty much what my setup would be – I’m a hardcore 360 gamer, but the PS3 is a great movie machine.
Oh, and you should find some component cables for your Wii so you can run it at 480p in true widescreen. Original XBox games would also benefit from component cables, though it’s far less noticeable.
If you have a home theater system that has a dedicated amplifier, I’d look at upgrading it. Mine will switch video as well as audio from different inputs. There is a knob in the front, which is easier to deal with than the remote.
This is expensive, but probably something you’ll end up doing down the road, so just make sure you get one with the digital inputs when you do. In the meantime, it sounds like you’ll be fine for a while with the multiple plugs and the switch.
If you have a home theater system that has a dedicated amplifier, I’d look at upgrading it. Mine will switch video as well as audio from different inputs. There is a knob in the front, which is easier to deal with than the remote.
This is expensive, but probably something you’ll end up doing down the road, so just make sure you get one with the digital inputs when you do. In the meantime, it sounds like you’ll be fine for a while with the multiple plugs and the switch.
Yeah, most TV’s should have the right inputs to just ditch the switcher. Besides, you’ll get a better signal via the HDMI port (compatible with DVI via a cheap adapter) over the composite cables any day. Just don’t get the Monster Cables or most anything you see in stores now — cheaper ones are available online w/same quality.
The TV won’t be cheap, though. I just wish I had HDMI out on my PC’s… or maybe DisplayPort…
Yeah, most TV’s should have the right inputs to just ditch the switcher. Besides, you’ll get a better signal via the HDMI port (compatible with DVI via a cheap adapter) over the composite cables any day. Just don’t get the Monster Cables or most anything you see in stores now — cheaper ones are available online w/same quality.
The TV won’t be cheap, though. I just wish I had HDMI out on my PC’s… or maybe DisplayPort…
It looks like your primary question has been answered, but I’d like to toss out a suggestion for your blu-ray player: PS3s are some of the best blu-ray players on the market.
Just FYI.
–G
It looks like your primary question has been answered, but I’d like to toss out a suggestion for your blu-ray player: PS3s are some of the best blu-ray players on the market.
Just FYI.
–G