Is there a way to hook up a console game system to a computer monitor?

[mulder]

In order to save me some money I wanted to know if it;s possible to play a Nintendo or Playstation through your computer monitor. If so, what kind of hardware would I need? Thanks for the help.

 

[madthumbs]

I think you could get a video card or a tv tuner card that would do it. You may want to look into Voodoo TV, or something similar. Newer consoles are coming out with monitor outputs like the Sega DreamCast for instance.

 

[NucleusWDS]

I have a DC-to-VGA cable ... it allows you to out put signals to your monitor (any size) how ever it's restricted to 640x480 res. It's still better than normal TV though

 

[Oyeve]

I have an ASUS 6800 DLX that has s-vid in and hook up all my external consoles and vcrs and crap like that. You can get a cheapy ATI tv tuner card or someother brand. They all basically have the same inputs. This works for me because I have only one big TV in the house and a wife and kid who are constantly watching it. So I got this ASUS card so I can hook all my game consoles, vcr, laser disc and all and leave them with the TV.

 

[mulder]

Oyeve,

Another question...Do you have to unhook the vcr to plug in the Playstation? Or do you have some unit that allows you to plug in all components, then plug that unit into the Asus card?

I have been thinking about getting a new video card, because I am putting my TNT2 Ultra into my second computer. This would allow me to make a better decision. I was thinking about upgrading to a high-end video card and since I need inputs (as well as TV capability) maybe the ATi AIW Radeon might do the trick.

 

[Oyeve]

I have a unit you can buy at any radio shack store that allows me to hook up 8 devices s-vid or standard into the ASUS input. its all push button and very small and cheap.

 

[mulder]

Cool! This is what I wanted to find out. So, now I just have to figure out which video card to get. Thanks for the information guys.

 

[Chad]

yeah, I know the Dreamcast can do this with whats called a VGA adapter. Cost about 25 bucks and works greatfor me.

 

[mulder]

Oyeve,

That device that you use to hook up all your components...does it allow you to hook up through a rf-type input then play out through the s-video output? I don't know if I am making it clear what I am asking. Say, I have an old Super NES. And I was going to hook it up to the device using the rf-input (like your cable company uses). Will it still work, even though the device is outputting to the Asus card via an s-video output? I guess I should ask, what typs of inputs are on the Radio Shack unit. Do you happen to have a model number for it? Thanks.

 

[Oyeve]

Sorry, it only has RCA (separate audio/video) and S-video connectors. For all my older console, like the Snes, I have the a/v connectors that came with the units, never used the RF. Radio Shack also sells an RF converter that can accomodate you. When I get home this weekend I'll look up the part number for ya. But you really dont want to hook up any RF to your computer regardless what kind of card or gadget you get. I once hooked up my Genesis via RF to my PC and it looked GOD awful! The least you want to connect is RCA seperate video/audio.

 

[mulder]

That's right! I can get the RCA adapter, forgot all about that. That's good news then. So. that means you can still hook up through the RCA and output through the S-Video? Great!

On a related question...How do you like your Asus card? Was this the main reason you went with it in the beginning? I am trying to get an idea of what cards out there offer the input options like this. Are there other GeForce cards that have inputs? I have been searching through some Radeon posts and it's looking like that may not be the best card to get, especially since there are driver issues under Win2K. I could do what you said earlier and get a cheaper TV-Tuner card to supply me with the cable tv needs.

Edit
Is this what you have? Radio Shack

 

[divinemartyr]

In reading several reviews, the Asus seems to have the best video-in/video-out (commonly referred to as VIVO) features of almost any consumer level video card available today. The GeForce2 GTS V7700 DELUXE edition of this card is one of the best available, and at a reasonable price point (at or below $200). I almost went with this card, but because video-in was unimportant to me, that was the only reason I didn't choose it. Not to mention the Leadtek card has a huge oversized heatsink and is way overclockable, that's why I went with it instead.

divinemartyr

 

[Oyeve]

Well, the MAIN reason I went with this ASUS 6800DLX (which, BTW, was the BEST card last year), is twofold: 1. Geforce DDR baby! 2.On my old system I had an ATI rage fury with the ATI TV Wonder card, connected to my system is the following:

A laser disc player
3DO (stop laughing!)
Sony PS
HIFI VCR
Sega Genesis
Sega Saturn
Super Nintendo
Nintendo 64
Camcorder (to spy on the wife)

The old ATI TV wonder card was ISA and only connected to some ATI cards. The rage fury was really a bad card and I wanted something kickass but didnt want to lose all my external crap. Then the ASUS 6800 DLX came along and had everything I needed! It was like a dream come true! The card ROCKED in its day (last March ) and still holds its own. I highly recommend it, even thought its not made any more the updated version 7700 is available and could only be much better as well as a helluva lot cheaper than what I originally paid for my card.

 

[mulder]

I am trying to get an idea of what my setup will be like. Let's say I went with the Asus 6800 with the video in and I bought the Radio Shack a/v switcher. Would I be able to hook up my VCR through the switcher and watch cable tv using the vcr and computer monitor? If so, would this be the better way than getting a tv-tuner card?

You say that the Asus 6800 was last year's card. Is there a newer card (any company) that would be a better choice to look at?

Edit
Oh, I see...Asus has the 7700 series out. I overlooked them, thinking they didn't have vivo. I think that those cards might be the way for me to go. However, I will need to do some more research. Besides the Asus and the ATi cards, are there any other manufacturers out there that have similar setups?

 

[Oyeve]

Yep, to watch cable or just TV I use the VCRs tuner. Yep they now have a 7700 DLX model and I can only assume the ULTRA version will be out soon. Damn Nvidia and their 6 month cycle. I am already 3 cycles behind!

 

[mulder]

Thanks for the help. I really appreciate it. These are the answers I was wanting to find out today. I see that you mention a possible Ultra version of the V7700 card. Is this news you have heard somewhere (can I read more about it)? To your knowledge would this be the only Ultra card to use vivo? If so, then I think I have found the dream card I want.

 

[mulder]

Another question, if you don't mind. I was thinking about the use of a remote with this setup. I assume that you are using one based upon all the equipment you listed. How do you incorporate the remote? My speakers will be the ones running through the computer, so is there a way to adjust the computer volume using the remote? I know if I have the VCR, I can change channels via the VCR remote, but volume is what I am concerned about. BTW, what sound card are you hooking everything up to? Thanks for the help.

I think I made my decision on the video card. I went back to different forums and I am going to go with my original plan of getting the ATi Radeon 64MB VIVO version instead of the Geforce GTS.