360 with a DVI-D connection?

[jkam]

I have a dell lcd monitor hooked up to my computer. I'm starting to seriously consider purchasing a 360. I'd like to if possible have the 360 along with my computer setup for easy access to the router for online. I have a question though...My computer is hooked up to the monitor through the normal VGA connection. I know the 360 has a vga cable available for it but I would like to be able to have both hooked up without me having to disconnect\reconnect each of them so I ask what should I do?

Scenario 1. Get a vga switch to hook up both?

Scenario 2. Is there a vga to dvi-d adapter that would allow me to hook the cable into my dvi-d connector on the monitor?

I guess I'm asking what are my options here? Thanks in advance.

[pinkkirby]

1. Not sure if VGA switch would effect the performance since the signal goes through one more layer of device?

2. There are DVI to VGA adapter or vice versa, it's just a small connector.

[R1V3R5]

Well, they have KVM switches. They are used when you have one monitor and two computers and you want to switch quickly. Of course, the KVM also has inputs for keyboard and mouse, which you don't need. But they do have one with audio inputs too. So, with a touch of a button you could switch your audio and video to the 360 or to the pc. Newegg has a nice selection of them.

[SpreadTheWord]

If your PC's graphics card has DVI out you can hookup your PC via DVI and your 360 can use it's VGA cables.

And to pinkkirby... GO ILLINI!

[Sarang01]

I have a dell lcd monitor hooked up to my computer. I'm starting to seriously consider purchasing a 360. I'd like to if possible have the 360 along with my computer setup for easy access to the router for online. I have a question though...My computer is hooked up to the monitor through the normal VGA connection. I know the 360 has a vga cable available for it but I would like to be able to have both hooked up without me having to disconnect\reconnect each of them so I ask what should I do?

Scenario 1. Get a vga switch to hook up both?

Scenario 2. Is there a vga to dvi-d adapter that would allow me to hook the cable into my dvi-d connector on the monitor?

I guess I'm asking what are my options here? Thanks in advance.

What needs to be sold is a component to DVI adapter so you can actually view it in HD.

[Koggit]

VGA will display HD... you don't need component.

I agree with Valor, a KVM switch with audio would be the best option for you.

[jkam]

VGA will display HD... you don't need component.

I agree with Valor, a KVM switch with audio would be the best option for you.

Ok that is what I was thinking I would do anyway. I heard that microsoft may put out a dvi cable and an hdmi cable along with the HD-DVD drive...so I guess it may end up as a matter of timing? Anyone know a date on the drive?

Also KVM wise...would this one do the trick?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817399003

[Koggit]

Considering how low the price is I don't know if I would trust the image quality, but that will certainly work for you. It'll transmit the signal you need, it just might degrade the picture a bit. You could always try it and exchange it if the video is bad, I guess. Price isn't always proportional to quality, but cheap cables can be really bad.

Also, DVI isn't really worth waiting for. The difference between VGA and DVI is marginal. VGA quality is about equal to component cables, while DVI and HDMI are only slightly above the two (since it's digital-to-digital). I'd say just go with the VGA, even if DVI was out now, just because it's cheaper and basically the same.

[jkam]

Considering how low the price is I don't know if I would trust the image quality, but that will certainly work for you. It'll transmit the signal you need, it just might degrade the picture a bit. You could always try it and exchange it if the video is bad, I guess. Price isn't always proportional to quality, but cheap cables can be really bad.

Also, DVI isn't really worth waiting for. The difference between VGA and DVI is marginal. VGA quality is about equal to component cables, while DVI and HDMI are only slightly above the two (since it's digital-to-digital). I'd say just go with the VGA, even if DVI was out now, just because it's cheaper and basically the same.

Thanks so much for the great responses....is there a KVM on newegg you might recommend? I knew it was kind of on the cheaper side...but I saw it had audio so I jumped on posting that one.

[Sarang01]

VGA will display HD... you don't need component.

I agree with Valor, a KVM switch with audio would be the best option for you.

But it will be bastardized. No progressive up in it. Yes, yes argue refresh rate all you want and say it's the same.

[Ruined]

But it will be bastardized. No progressive up in it. Yes, yes argue refresh rate all you want and say it's the same.

wtf are you talking about. A KVM switch is his best choice; VGA is progressive by default.

Also for the OP, VGA -> DVI transcoders are very expensive ($100+) if you don't want the KVM switch.

[dafoomie]

You can't use a simple VGA to DVI adapter on a DVI-D connector. You'd need some expensive shit for that, like the transcoder mentioned above.

I remember somebody asking me this same question, the easiest and simplest solution would be to hook your computer up to the DVI-D connector, and use the regular VGA for the 360. If your video card doesn't have DVI, it probably needs to be replaced anyway. You can get a video card with DVI for 10 bucks.

Next easiest would be a KVM. This introduces its own set of problems, if you don't buy a quality switch and cables, there might be ghosting and image quality issues. Also, some KVM's have problems when both sets of keyboard and mouse ports aren't used, as some draw power from them. Have to be careful about picking a KVM.

[HumanSnatcher]

What needs to be sold is a component to DVI adapter so you can actually view it in HD.

They do make those, heres the link for one at monoprice.com: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041901&p_id=2398&seq=1&format=2&style=

Its only $12.11, if thats what you were refering to

[jkam]

You can't use a simple VGA to DVI adapter on a DVI-D connector. You'd need some expensive shit for that, like the transcoder mentioned above.

I remember somebody asking me this same question, the easiest and simplest solution would be to hook your computer up to the DVI-D connector, and use the regular VGA for the 360. If your video card doesn't have DVI, it probably needs to be replaced anyway. You can get a video card with DVI for 10 bucks.

Next easiest would be a KVM. This introduces its own set of problems, if you don't buy a quality switch and cables, there might be ghosting and image quality issues. Also, some KVM's have problems when both sets of keyboard and mouse ports aren't used, as some draw power from them. Have to be careful about picking a KVM.

My computer is fairly new but I don't have DVI connection. The video card is built into the motherboard. I don't use my PC for gaming. However I was able to run the Tomb Raider Legend demo. Could I get a comparable video card with DVI for $10 bucks? This seems like the easiest solution for me. Can you point me to one of these?

[Kayden]

What model LCD? My Dell has S-Video in.

[h2dk]

What needs to be sold is a component to DVI adapter so you can actually view it in HD.

something like this? (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10235&cs_id=1023504&p_id=2508&seq=1&format=2&style=)

[Kayden]

something like this? (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10235&cs_id=1023504&p_id=2508&seq=1&format=2&style=)

"(*)The Cable Not Support your Computer Monitor Video
Port, or Y , Cr, Cb Video. Your Video Source Must Provide a YpbPr Component Video
Signal form the DVI-I Video Ports to Use Cable"

I'd recommend against buying from a place that can't from a porper centance.

[jkam]

What model LCD? My Dell has S-Video in.

It's a Dell™ 1901FP. I don't have an S-Video in. I might just end up using it on my standard TV.

[Kayden]

It's a Dell™ 1901FP. I don't have an S-Video in. I might just end up using it on my standard TV.

Oh... I have the 2005WFP. ;)

[h2dk]

"(*)The Cable (does) Not Support your Computer Monitor Video
Port, or Y , Cr, Cb Video. Your Video Source Must Provide a YpbPr Component Video
Signal for(x) the DVI-I Video Ports to Use Cable"

I'd recommend against buying from a place that can't from a porper centance.

That is a bit harsh, yet funny. You shouldn't base your opinion on a typo here and there (or else you may want to stay off the internet), this place has fantastic deals on cables.

[Demolition Man]

Why not use this....

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041903&p_id=2397&seq=1&format=2&style=

[dafoomie]

Why not use this....

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041903&p_id=2397&seq=1&format=2&style=
The LCD has a DVI-D connector. You can not convert VGA into DVI-D without a transcoder, you can only convert it into DVI-A. Reason being that VGA is an analog signal, DVI-D is digital only. If the LCD had a DVI-A or DVI-I port, you could do that, DVI-I can handle both. But its DVI-D only.

My computer is fairly new but I don't have DVI connection. The video card is built into the motherboard. I don't use my PC for gaming. However I was able to run the Tomb Raider Legend demo. Could I get a comparable video card with DVI for $10 bucks? This seems like the easiest solution for me. Can you point me to one of these?
Do you have AGP or PCI-E? AGP makes things cheaper. Newegg's got a Radeon 9000 for around $25. A big step up would be a 9600 Pro for $38 AR. Not the newest of cards, but respectable, I only use a 9700 Pro, and the other computer here has a 9600 Pro.

For PCI-E, you should probably look at a Geforce 6200. Just don't buy the 6200 TC... terrible card.

You'll also need to buy the appropriate cable from somewhere like Monoprice, be sure to factor that into your costs. Monoprice is probably the best place for that.

[Kayden]

The 9700 Pro is a pretty solid card. I wouldn't throw oblivion at it, but it took WoW maxed in stride.... Course, my other PC with the 7800gtx would eat it alive. :mrgreen:

[jkam]

The LCD has a DVI-D connector. You can not convert VGA into DVI-D without a transcoder, you can only convert it into DVI-A. Reason being that VGA is an analog signal, DVI-D is digital only. If the LCD had a DVI-A or DVI-I port, you could do that, DVI-I can handle both. But its DVI-D only.


Do you have AGP or PCI-E? AGP makes things cheaper. Newegg's got a Radeon 9000 for around $25. A big step up would be a 9600 Pro for $38 AR. Not the newest of cards, but respectable, I only use a 9700 Pro, and the other computer here has a 9600 Pro.

For PCI-E, you should probably look at a Geforce 6200. Just don't buy the 6200 TC... terrible card.

You'll also need to buy the appropriate cable from somewhere like Monoprice, be sure to factor that into your costs. Monoprice is probably the best place for that.

I have a PCI-E slot not AGP unfortunately. I really don't buy my computers to game so it wasn't a concern for me. I just would rather not take a step down from what I have now. I'll look into that Geforce card. I already have a DVI-D cable so at least I'll save a little there. When it comes to plugging in a dvi-d or dvi-i into a video card is the connection on the video card itself the same? Thanks once again.

[dafoomie]

Heres some example deals, listed in order from horrible to sub-par.

Geforce 6500, $35 AR (the worst card here)
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=321065

Don't be fooled by the high number, its pretty much the same as a 6200. Nowhere close to a 6600. But, a little better than on board video.

Open Box Radeon X550, $39 (tied for the worst card here)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102563R

Open Box X600 Pro, $49
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102411R

Open Box X700, $54
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102537R

Open Box Geforce 6600, $65 (moving into respectability here)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814127192R

Open Box X800, $66 (best card here, very respectable, I recommend it)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814127176R

You might be able to finagle your way into getting a $30 rebate thats offered on the non-open box version, but I doubt it.


There are certainly worse cards than these, like the X300SE, which you shouldn't waste your money on.

Your cord should work just fine as long as its male on the computer's end.

[nevposey]

so can you get a DVI connector for a tv for the 360?