Play console video games on PC/monitor?

[Laogeodritt]

I've heard that it is possible to play console video games by hooking it up to the computer. How would I do this?

I've thought about possibly using an ATi All-in-wonder Radeon card that has a S-video in or RCA-in connector, or maybe a TV tuner card (if they have either of those connectors), but I'd like to know how to actually do this.

 

[darkswordsman17]

There are several ways to do this.

Some monitors (LCDs) support S-Video/component/composite inputs, but most don't.

You could use a VGA adapter made the for the console.

You could use a TV tuner card (not my recommendation as its blurry, washed out, and might lag).

You could get something like a video processor (such as the Viewsonic Nextvision N4/5/6). These would be the best quality wise, but are kinda expensive ($100+ easily).

If you only have one console then I'd go with a VGA adapter for it. It'll probably offer the best quality for the price.

Depending on what option you go for you also need to think about sound.

 

[imported_ultimus]

what LCD monitor has s-video?? sounds good.

 

[Daemonifuge]

My dell ultrasharp has an S-Video input mode. Would I be able to play games on it then?

 

[Oyeve]

I use an Aver TV card and an svideo switch-box and have a Gamecube, PS2 Two, a Hifi VCR and a Laserdisc hooked up to it via the svideo in on the card. I only use svideo connections as composite looks like crap. I was considering the Viewsonic Nextvision N4 as it is a straight thru directly to the monitor and theoretically must look great but I need to get more info. For now i'm happy with my hookup.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Daemonifuge
My dell ultrasharp has an S-Video input mode. Would I be able to play games on it then?

Absolutely.

- M4H

 

[Laogeodritt]

I have a PS2 and GCN, along with an N64 which I use less often. I currently don't have the S-Video cables for them, though, just the RCA cables included with the consoles. Would the MadCatz universal S-Video cable be as good as first-party cables?

I forgot to mention that I also wanted to sometimes watch television on my computer, so a solution with a TV tuner would be better. I think that the "Viewsonic Nextvision N4" would suit my needs perfectly, and costs just ~$30 CAD more than the TV Tuner I was going to buy. How many devices (such as game consoles) can you hook up at once using S-Video?

I'm probably going to get a video card at the same time (probably an ATi Radeon 9200, which is the best card in my price range), since this intergrated one isn't good enough. Unless the ATi Radeon 9600 is better?

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: Laogeodritt
I have a PS2 and GCN, along with an N64 which I use less often. I currently don't have the S-Video cables for them, though, just the RCA cables included with the consoles. Would the MadCatz universal S-Video cable be as good as first-party cables?

I forgot to mention that I also wanted to sometimes watch television on my computer, so a solution with a TV tuner would be better. I think that the "Viewsonic Nextvision N4" would suit my needs perfectly, and costs just ~$30 CAD more than the TV Tuner I was going to buy. How many devices (such as game consoles) can you hook up at once using S-Video?

I'm probably going to get a video card at the same time (probably an ATi Radeon 9200, which is the best card in my price range), since this intergrated one isn't good enough. Unless the ATi Radeon 9600 is better?

The Viewsonic Nextvision N4 has one svideo in so you would have to get an svideo switch-box like I use. Dont get the 9200, the 9600 is much better. i use one of those all-in-one svideo gameconsole cables and they work ok except I always have to unplug the PS2 cuz it is always on even when in sleep mode and affects the sound of my other consoles.

 

[Laogeodritt]

So a universal cable is good?

Thanks.

 

[Oyeve]

Yep, but like I said, the PS2 is always on unless you unplug it. As a matter of fact, I went to my local best buy to get a ps2 svideo cable and they wanted 10 bucks for it. On the next shelf, from the same company that wanted 10 buck for just the ps2 svideo connector cable, was an all-in-one svideo cable for xbox, ps1, ps2, gamecube, snes and standard composite for whatever else and they had it mrked down for 1.99!!! I verified with the cashier and sure enuf it was only 2 bucks for an all-in-one game console svideo cable. Works great except for the ps2 thing but my other all in ones did the same thing, damn you sony!

 

[Laogeodritt]

According to store.nintendo.com and futureshop.com (the only store that had a website and sold video game accessories that is in my area other than EBGames), the first-party cable for GCN is $25 CAD, while the MadCatz PS2/PS one and the MadCatz universal S-Video cable were $15 CAD each. EB Games also has them for $12.99 USD.

Uh... those prices are still a little high...