Connecting PC along with gaming consoles

[tphss]

Hi all.

I need some advise with connecting everything in the best way in my room.

First let me list everything I'll connect:
- 2 Monitors, a Viewsonic 27" LCDTV (HDMI input, S-Video, Component) and a Computer Monitor with DVI
- PC (LeToy64 in "My Computers"), has a Radeon X800XT AIW so it has component out and DVI and a Optical Audio in/out from the sound card.
- XBOX with s-video and regular L/R audio.
- Sega Dreamcast with regular connections.
- Cable TV
- I might also connect a DVD with HDMI and Optical.

The monitors are apart, one on a the distance between them is about 9ft.

I want to connect all the things, including the computer to the LCDTV, the consoles for play and the computer to watch movies and such. But at the same time I want the computer to be connected by DVI to the computer monitor for playing PC games. possible?
If not I can replace the LeToy64 with a new pc with Core Duo E6600 and a 7900GT that has dual DVI outputs. What do you think is better?

I now have the Logitech Z-680 and they have optical in and coaxial. But I have nothing that can switch all the video and audio connections.

I didn't find a good switch that has all the features I need, neither did I find a Pre-Amp with HDMI and a good price.

I'm thinking the best way to go is to buy a good receiver with HDMI and a set of speakers and sell the Z-680's.

Since the digital PC speaker era I haven't been in the market for a receiver, anyone has some experience with any of these?:

- Harman/Kardon AVR 245/340/445
- YAMAHA HTR-5990
- Sony STRDG800
- Denon AVR 887/787
- ONKYO TX-SR674

Thank you!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

What's your total budget for this project?

How many inputs does your TV have? It almost sounds like you have a good enough combination to hook up everything already. Does your 27" have composite video input as well?

If it doesn't, then it sounds like you're going to need to get a receiver that can upconvert to component (if not HDMI).

You might have some issues hooking up your computer for gaming to a receiver. The easiest way around that is to get a card that can do DD / DTS encoding as you'll be able to just hook up digitally.



Without buying a receiver, would this work?

Computer
5.1 analog out audio
DVI to monitor
Component to 27"

DVD
Digital coaxial or optical to z-680
HDMI to 27"

XBOX
RCA stereo analog to z-680 aux adapter
S-video to 27"

SEGA
RCA stereo analog to z-680 aux adapter
Composite to 27" (if it has it)

Cable
connections?
RCA stereo analog to z-680 aux adapter
Composite to 27" (if it has it)


Some overlap with the aux adapter and the composite video input if your 27" has it. A switch would easily be able to deal with that.