I'm in a bit of a predicament

[the_randomizer]

Okay, so I'm in quite a frustrating situation, so I will explain it as best as I can. I have currently have two consoles connected to an LCD TV, a PS3 slim and a Wii. The problem with this is the limited number of inputs; I don't have a spare HDMI cable so, I'm using a component cable for both systems (oddly enough, component allows up to 1080p. How, I don't know).

The component cable I have for the PS3 is one that can be used with all current-gen consoles (split into three cables, which plug into their respective consoles). The downside is that if I want to use the Wii, I need to unplug it from PS3 input and then plug it into the wii. This can get very tedious over time.

(This is the exact cable I have - http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Comp...7445009&sr=8-8 )

The problem with getting an HDMI cable is, TVs don't output bass worth crap, hence the 2.1 speaker system.

What I want to do is somehow get both consoles to use the TV and speaker system simultaneously without having to setup needlessly difficult configurations. Or at least be able to devise a way so I don't have to constantly unplug/plug the component cable connector in and out of the Wii and PS3 over and over again as that will only increase wear and tear.

Am I making sense at all? If I am, I would greatly appreciate feedback.

To sum up

- PS3 and Wii can't have share the same cable at the same time
- Need to find the easiest possible setup that won't involve constantly unplugging/plugging the cable in and out
- The TV only has one component, but has about four HDMI inputs. The TV is by no means the crappiest, super low-end brand (Vizio, 32") out there.

__________________
CPU - 3rd Gen Core i5 3570 3.4 GHz (3.8 GHz Turbo Boost)
Extensions - MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, EIST,
AVX, Hyper Threading, Intel VT-x, AES-NI, Turbo Boost 2.0, TXT, Smart Cache
GPU - MSI GeForce GTX 660 2 GB GDDR5
RAM - 8192MB DDR3 SDRAM 1333
OS - Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
HDD - Western Digital 1 TB

"If you call up your local hardware store and ask them how you can put tractor tires onto a 1990 Honda, well there's gonna be some laughter, a visit from the cops, maybe a psychiatric nurse." - Red Green

[n_w95482]

What model is the TV and the speakers? My Samsung TV has an optical output that passes through audio from any of the inputs (even from analog RCA plugs) to a 5.1 receiver that I'm using. Yours might have something similar.

__________________
Later.

[DaMan]

PS3 HDMI to TV, optical or included RCA cables to AVR
Wii uses component

[Phil]

The PS3 can run HDMI, and the Wii has available component to HDMI adapters,

As N_w mentioned, all you have to do then is use the AVR pass through to get the sound out of external speakers via optical cable.

__________________

Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others

[the_randomizer]

TV Model: Vizio E320VA
Inputs: x1 Coaxial RF (QAM, ATSC/NTSC) x4 HDMI ports with HDCP, x1 Component YPbPr plus stereo audio, x1 RGB PC plus stereo audio (1/8" jack), 1x USB


How can I get both the Wii and PS3 to use the external speakers? Maybe I didn't word my question correctly. I thought the PS3 disallowed simultaneous use of HDMI for video and RCA for audio. Don't the two conflict if you have both plugged in at the same time? Right now, I can only have one console connected to the 2.1 external speakers at a time? Same goes with the video, I can only use the PS3 or the Wii, but I cannot have them connected to the TV at the same time.

I'm SOL. I don't even know if this has an optical cable input, and if it did, the Wii wouldn't be able to use it, so I'm back to square one.

__________________
CPU - 3rd Gen Core i5 3570 3.4 GHz (3.8 GHz Turbo Boost)
Extensions - MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, EIST,
AVX, Hyper Threading, Intel VT-x, AES-NI, Turbo Boost 2.0, TXT, Smart Cache
GPU - MSI GeForce GTX 660 2 GB GDDR5
RAM - 8192MB DDR3 SDRAM 1333
OS - Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
HDD - Western Digital 1 TB

"If you call up your local hardware store and ask them how you can put tractor tires onto a 1990 Honda, well there's gonna be some laughter, a visit from the cops, maybe a psychiatric nurse." - Red Green

[n_w95482]

Originally Posted by the_randomizer

TV Model: Vizio E320VA
Inputs: x1 Coaxial RF (QAM, ATSC/NTSC) x4 HDMI ports with HDCP, x1 Component YPbPr plus stereo audio, x1 RGB PC plus stereo audio (1/8" jack), 1x USB

That TV does have an optical out/passthrough, so it would work for the setup I'm thinking of.

Originally Posted by the_randomizer

How can I get both the Wii and PS3 to use the external speakers? Maybe I didn't word my question correctly. I thought the PS3 disallowed simultaneous use of HDMI for video and RCA for audio. Don't the two conflict if you have both plugged in at the same time? Right now, I can only have one console connected to the 2.1 external speakers at a time? Same goes with the video, I can only use the PS3 or the Wii, but I cannot have them connected to the TV at the same time.

I haven't tried it with a PS3, but I know the PS2 can output analog and digital audio at the same time, possibly the Xbox 360 too. The 360 that's hooked up to my monitor is connected via HDMI for video, and the sound goes through the supplied RCA/optical out adapter to an RCA to TRS (headphone plug) cable, which then goes to the line in on my sound card.

If the PS3 doesn't do it out of the box, it should be configurable in the audio settings in the XMB.

Originally Posted by the_randomizer

I'm SOL. I don't even know if this has an optical cable input, and if it did, the Wii wouldn't be able to use it, so I'm back to square one.

Well if you would list the brand/model of your speakers, we could look it up . If it does have an optical input, then you can do the setup I detailed above (pictures attached). If not, you can get a component video switchbox, although that one only goes to 1080i. There may be others that handle 1080p.

Attached Images

	IMG_20111001_134057.jpg (115.9 KB, 5 views)
	IMG_20111001_134144.jpg (184.7 KB, 5 views)

__________________
Later.

[the_randomizer]

My brother told me that the PS3 does have multi output for audio/video. Sure enough, I found it in the XMB and turned it on. I assume by "multi-out", that would mean I could have the video go through the HDMI cable while plugging in the component cable to output the audio to the speaker system? The only issue is that I'd rather not have to spend the money on an HDMI cable until my next paycheck. Well, there's always monoprice and not the super-expensive (not to mention overrated) monster cables.

Now with the tri-console component cables, is it possible to plug both Wii and PS3 cables in at the same time, while only turning on one console (i.e. have both consoles hooked up to the split component cable, but only turning on one console and not both simultaneously), or would that conflict with the signal and only show a black screen?

Note - These speakers do NOT use a receiver, but are in fact PC speakers, using a red/white RCA cable (that connects to the consoles in question). Nevertheless, using the multi-out option seems to be the most viable. The subwoofer is the receiver (I guess) in this case, with only the power, volume control and left/right speakers controlled through the sub.

If I'm pissing anyone off by sound trivial and/or n0obish, I apologize; trying to figure out the simplest solution for a complex problem like this often drives me to the point of wanting to pull out my hair.

__________________
CPU - 3rd Gen Core i5 3570 3.4 GHz (3.8 GHz Turbo Boost)
Extensions - MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, EIST,
AVX, Hyper Threading, Intel VT-x, AES-NI, Turbo Boost 2.0, TXT, Smart Cache
GPU - MSI GeForce GTX 660 2 GB GDDR5
RAM - 8192MB DDR3 SDRAM 1333
OS - Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
HDD - Western Digital 1 TB

"If you call up your local hardware store and ask them how you can put tractor tires onto a 1990 Honda, well there's gonna be some laughter, a visit from the cops, maybe a psychiatric nurse." - Red Green

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Last edited by the_randomizer; October 1st, 2011 at 23:32..

[DaMan]

PS3 can do HDMI for video and optical/RCA for audio. The multi out option in XMB is for if want audio from both at the same time though so don't enable that. I probably have that same set of component cables and I lose audio whenever I accidently leave them plugged into both consoles.

[the_randomizer]

D'oheth! That's what I was afraid of. Guess I could spend a little money and get one from Monoprice. I refuse to spend $15 to $30 for an HDMI cable that doesn't perform better than the same length for less than half of that price. I suppose I could try looking around for an HDMI cable, I might have an extra one somewhere.

__________________
CPU - 3rd Gen Core i5 3570 3.4 GHz (3.8 GHz Turbo Boost)
Extensions - MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, EIST,
AVX, Hyper Threading, Intel VT-x, AES-NI, Turbo Boost 2.0, TXT, Smart Cache
GPU - MSI GeForce GTX 660 2 GB GDDR5
RAM - 8192MB DDR3 SDRAM 1333
OS - Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
HDD - Western Digital 1 TB

"If you call up your local hardware store and ask them how you can put tractor tires onto a 1990 Honda, well there's gonna be some laughter, a visit from the cops, maybe a psychiatric nurse." - Red Green

[Phil]

Check eBay. There are tons of them for pretty cheap.

__________________

Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others

[the_randomizer]

Well, I supposed I could always take the HDMI cable from my DVD/Bluray player and switch it with a component cable. I believe component video could theoretically support up to 1080p, or maybe it's 1080i, I could be wrong. I'm sure bluray/upscaled DVD movies would look just fine via component, right?

__________________
CPU - 3rd Gen Core i5 3570 3.4 GHz (3.8 GHz Turbo Boost)
Extensions - MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, EIST,
AVX, Hyper Threading, Intel VT-x, AES-NI, Turbo Boost 2.0, TXT, Smart Cache
GPU - MSI GeForce GTX 660 2 GB GDDR5
RAM - 8192MB DDR3 SDRAM 1333
OS - Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
HDD - Western Digital 1 TB

"If you call up your local hardware store and ask them how you can put tractor tires onto a 1990 Honda, well there's gonna be some laughter, a visit from the cops, maybe a psychiatric nurse." - Red Green

[Lasnap]

Component is up to 1080i only

__________________
Love Knows No Bounds!

[the_randomizer]

Originally Posted by Lasnap

Component is up to 1080i only

That should be good enough, I personally can't tell much of a difference between 1080i versus 1080p, but the 10' cable I'm looking at is what, $5? These aren't exactly crappy quality, either. http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

__________________
CPU - 3rd Gen Core i5 3570 3.4 GHz (3.8 GHz Turbo Boost)
Extensions - MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, EIST,
AVX, Hyper Threading, Intel VT-x, AES-NI, Turbo Boost 2.0, TXT, Smart Cache
GPU - MSI GeForce GTX 660 2 GB GDDR5
RAM - 8192MB DDR3 SDRAM 1333
OS - Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
HDD - Western Digital 1 TB

"If you call up your local hardware store and ask them how you can put tractor tires onto a 1990 Honda, well there's gonna be some laughter, a visit from the cops, maybe a psychiatric nurse." - Red Green

[Lasnap]

If you dont need the 10ft one dont get it. Get one of the shorter 3ft ones. But if your consoles are away from the tv then yeah you may need the longer cable. Yeah the cheap hdmi cables from monoprice work just the same as those expensive monster cables do so no need to look at the expensive ones.

__________________
Love Knows No Bounds!

[n_w95482]

Component can handle up to 1080p depending on the equipment. 1080p uses double the video bandwidth of 1080i, which is why only some stuff supports it (not everyone anticipated 1080p being attempted on component one day ).

As for myself, 720p > 1080i. Try both of them out and see which one you like better.

__________________
Later.

[the_randomizer]

Originally Posted by n_w95482

Component can handle up to 1080p depending on the equipment. 1080p uses double the video bandwidth of 1080i, which is why only some stuff supports it (not everyone anticipated 1080p being attempted on component one day ).

As for myself, 720p > 1080i. Try both of them out and see which one you like better.

So I ended up swapping out the HDMI, putting with the PS3 and using a spare component cable I found lying around and plugged it in the DVD/bluray player. It seems to look pretty dang clear at 1080i, but I may switch it to 720p. The only problem is that the cord is barely long enough to reach the TV, so while it isn't being overstretched, my concern is that something horrific might happen as a result or being "barely able to reach the TV". Wouldn't that be detrimental to the cord's condition?

__________________
CPU - 3rd Gen Core i5 3570 3.4 GHz (3.8 GHz Turbo Boost)
Extensions - MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, EIST,
AVX, Hyper Threading, Intel VT-x, AES-NI, Turbo Boost 2.0, TXT, Smart Cache
GPU - MSI GeForce GTX 660 2 GB GDDR5
RAM - 8192MB DDR3 SDRAM 1333
OS - Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
HDD - Western Digital 1 TB

"If you call up your local hardware store and ask them how you can put tractor tires onto a 1990 Honda, well there's gonna be some laughter, a visit from the cops, maybe a psychiatric nurse." - Red Green

[DaMan]

You can't upscale copy protected DVDs and BD is limited to 1080i on component. These are paranoid MPAA limits not technical.

[Phil]

rip them and re-encode them to get rid of the limits.

__________________

Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others