HDMI

[Jay]

Looking for some advice from tech gurus who know their salt when it comes to HDMI/components/composites etc...

I have recently gotten a new HDTV and HDPVR and I want to upgrade everything "possible" to a simply HDMI solution. This is my layout:

- I got a HDTV with 4 HDMI outlets and one component outlet.
- My PVR has 1 HDMI and one component outlet.
- My PS3 has 1 HDMI outlet.
- My XBox360 has 1 component outlet.
- My Wii has 1 composite outlet.

You guys have any solutions?

Should I plug my HDPVR and PS3 to the HDMI and use some type of converter for the other two? If so, what?

All advice would be welcomed.

[Matt²]

HDMI switch box for any extra connections
Walmart $40.

[Vagabond]

PVR, PS3, and 360 - HDMI

Wii will look like ass with an HDMI connection. But a component connection will give it a slight visual boost.

[figmentPez]

Get a decent sound system, one that can route your video as well as your audio. Then you can have both the 360 and the Wii via component.

[SpecialKO]

You sure your 360 only has component? Mine has HDMI.

The Wii should support component, as well. Nintendo does sell component cables.

I believe that solves your issue, assuming that your 360 has HDMI like mine does.

[HoboNinja]

If he has a really old 360 it may not have HDMI, I have a launch Pro console and if I remember correctly it doesn't have HDMI.

[Eriol]

The HDMI devices are a no-brainer. Just connect them. The fact that you have two component devices (You can get a component cable for Wii, as that's what I'm doing) means you'll need to either keep unplugging/plugging them in (not an ideal solution by any stretch) or get a switch for those. I'm guessing any major electronics place can sell you that (Best Buy, etc). Just remember for your Wii to go into the system settings after you've connected it via component and change the output to "EDTV" to double the vertical resolution.

[Jay]

Indeed, I have a first gen XBOX 360 elite without a HDMI. They started making those later on. I'm probably going to buy a component switcher from Monoprice. I checked a lot of stores like best buy and their cable prices are ridiculous... for example the wii component cable is $50... while on Monoprice with a 98% satisfied rate with over 500 purchases it is available at just under 4$.

I'm about to order 80$ worth of gear (inc shipment) for everything I need. Did I mention that PS3 just got a YSOD this morning? Yeeeeeeeeeeah

[Frank]

Best Buy and their garbage, bullshit super expensive cable prices. I was with a friend once and had just explained to him about the horseshit practice of completely ripping people off with "PREMIUM!" cables only to literally have a Best Buy employee try to outright lie to us, after telling us he doesn't work on commission of course, by explaining how we were cheating ourselves of, "up to 50-60 percent visual and audio quality" if we bought cheaper cables.

[Chazwozel]

I heard that certain receivers can upconvert the Wii signal to 1080p, although they cost like a grand...

---------- Post added at 07:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:36 AM ----------

Best Buy and their garbage, bullshit super expensive cable prices. I was with a friend once and had just explained to him about the horseshit practice of completely ripping people off with "PREMIUM!" cables only to literally have a Best Buy employee try to outright lie to us, after telling us he doesn't work on commission of course, by explaining how we were cheating ourselves of, "up to 50-60 percent visual and audio quality" if we bought cheaper cables.

Wow.

[Jay]

Yeah, don't care if the Wii is component. The Wii is mostly used by me and my 6 year old nephew and making him happy as I mail in games like Tennis or Super Mario Party.

[Matt²]

(scratches head)

I used rgb component cables for my Wii back when I had it, and I had perfect 1080p picture on my screen. Legend of Zelda never looked so beautiful! AFAICR (can remember) the cables I bought were the "cheaper" ones from Gamestop.

[figmentPez]

I used rgb component cables for my Wii back when I had it, and I had perfect 1080p picture on my screen.

The Wii can't output anything more than 480p. Your television may have done some upscaling, but you weren't viewing a real 1080p image.

[Matt²]

that's funny because in the Wii system control panel I could have sworn it said 1080p settings.
Course, unfortunately I can't prove that anymore because I don't have one any longer, ... in hindsight it may have been 720, but it's been too long.

[Frank]

No, the Wii doesn't output at anything beyond 480p. That's just a fact.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii#Tec...specifications

[Amorous Eyes]

No, the Wii doesn't output at anything beyond 480p. That's just a fact.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii#Tec...specifications

True, the Wii is limited to 480p which is kinda sad in this day 'n age, but switching to a component video cable did make it a lot prettier and is definitely worth it if you (or your kids) play with your Wii a lot:
http://au.gamespot.com/features/6162...6162297&page=2

[Frank]

I don't think you can even do 480p without component. I'm not perfectly sure about that.

[figmentPez]

I don't think you can even do 480p without component. I'm not perfectly sure about that.

That's true. Composite and S-video don't have the bandwidth to carry progressive video and are limited to 480i (S-video is still a massive improvement over composite, even at the same resolution, due to much improved color and contrast).