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Game consoles on computer monitors

DirtyDirtyVagrantDirtyDirtyVagrant Registered User regular
edited September 2009 in Help / Advice Forum
This almost doesn't warrant a thread, I think.

Is it possible to run audio separately from video out of a game console? I'm just asking because I noticed that a computer monitor would be much cheaper than a comparable size/resolution TV set, and all I'm really losing out on seems to be a digital TV tuner and an internal sound system.

I could run the audio output through the component cables, yes?

DirtyDirtyVagrant on

Posts

  • EshEsh Tending bar. FFXIV. Motorcycles. Portland, ORRegistered User regular
    edited September 2009
    DirtyDirtyVagrant wrote: »
    This almost doesn't warrant a thread, I think.

    Is it possible to run audio separately from video out of a game console? I'm just asking because I noticed that a computer monitor would be much cheaper than a comparable size/resolution TV set, and all I'm really losing out on seems to be a digital TV tuner and an internal sound system.

    I could run the audio output through the component cables, yes?

    Yep, you can do a little fancy wiring at Radio Shack to get them to run to a set of computer speakers or plug them into a receiver.

    Esh on
  • DirtyDirtyVagrantDirtyDirtyVagrant Registered User regular
    edited September 2009
    I'm guessing I can get some pretty bitching speakers with the money I'll save, too. So this is a decent idea? Am I forgetting some crucial detail?

    DirtyDirtyVagrant on
  • firewaterwordfirewaterword Satchitananda Pais Vasco to San FranciscoRegistered User regular
    edited September 2009
    Should be a piece of cake. I bought my 360 before my plasma, and used it with a BenQ monitor for quite some time. And like Esh says, if you want to use PC speakers, just get an RCA>Mini coupler and you'll be set.

    Re: Bitching speakers - do you have a receiver already?

    firewaterword on
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  • DirtyDirtyVagrantDirtyDirtyVagrant Registered User regular
    edited September 2009
    No? What exactly will I need to set this up?

    DirtyDirtyVagrant on
  • EshEsh Tending bar. FFXIV. Motorcycles. Portland, ORRegistered User regular
    edited September 2009
    DirtyDirtyVagrant wrote: »
    No? What exactly will I need to set this up?

    You're best off just getting a nice pair of computer speakers. Save yourself a lot of effort and money.

    P4196a.jpg

    That's what you'll need to connect them. That or a female RCA to male 8th and then a female 8th to 8th coupler.

    Esh on
  • DirtyDirtyVagrantDirtyDirtyVagrant Registered User regular
    edited September 2009
    Okay. Thanks!

    DirtyDirtyVagrant on
  • EshEsh Tending bar. FFXIV. Motorcycles. Portland, ORRegistered User regular
    edited September 2009
    DirtyDirtyVagrant wrote: »
    Okay. Thanks!

    Yeah, I did this as well for a while. Works like a charm.

    topmicrousa_2071_208215420

    These seem to be easier to find, but if you can only find this, then just get one of these to convert it.

    Esh on
  • AnteCantelopeAnteCantelope Registered User regular
    edited September 2009
    I hope you don't intend to play a Wii on this monitor, as I haven't seen many monitors (or any good monitors) with those three coloured inputs. XBox and PS3 are fine with HDMI, obviously.

    AnteCantelope on
  • EshEsh Tending bar. FFXIV. Motorcycles. Portland, ORRegistered User regular
    edited September 2009
    AnteCantelope wrote: »
    I hope you don't intend to play a Wii on this monitor, as I haven't seen many monitors (or any good monitors) with those three coloured inputs. XBox and PS3 are fine with HDMI, obviously.

    There are actually quite a few good monitors with component ins.

    Esh on
  • AnteCantelopeAnteCantelope Registered User regular
    edited September 2009
    Well, I didn't see one when I bought my monitor. At any rate, if you want to play a Wii on your monitor, it's something you need to look for. I tried to run mine through my computer via video capture card, and it look horrible.

    AnteCantelope on
  • PeregrineFalconPeregrineFalcon Registered User regular
    edited September 2009
    You can also skip all that RadioShack stuff if you buy a set of 5.1 speakers that accepts optical input. Then you get surround as well.

    PeregrineFalcon on
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  • TopweaselTopweasel Registered User regular
    edited September 2009
    An important real easy solution that everyone seems to have forgotten (at least with the Xbox).

    41960ZX0EAL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

    http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-VGA-HD-AV-Cable/dp/B000B6MLTG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1252606492&sr=8-1

    This is perfect for monitors that don't have an HDMI connector, this is the Microsoft version but there are cheaper ones out there. Just use a the RCA to 8th inch Male converter for your line in or use the 8th inch female if you want your speakers to only be used for this without unplugging it.

    Edit:
    Just noticed that this was for more of the audio side. Well if your monitor takes the connection your using (component) and such then all you need is to decide whether you want to run the audio through the computer, or directly to the speakers. Male for through the computer, female for directly to the speakers.

    Topweasel on
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