Plasma V Projector

[NeilMcRae]

Spatial what consoles do you want to connect?

[Spatial]

X-box (PAL Chipped ), PS2 (PAL) and Gamecube ( NTSC and PAL )

[NeilMcRae]

thats all?
Do you have 2 cubes?

[Spatial]

Yep, but when I want to use one and not the other I usually just swap them over and plug in the cables ( the back of my entertainment unit is a cabling nightmare tbh ).

Oh, I'll probably want to hook up a DVD player as well

[nonny]

Would I be right in thinking the VDIGI needs a mains power supply? And does it connect via component cables whereas the X2VGA connects with a monitor cable? Also curious as to why you recommend both when the VDIGI does X-box anyway...

Because both of them offer the same great input quality? If you only have an xbox and PC then the Neoya is just as good as the VDIGI, it doesnt need an extra power adaptor either.

[NeilMcRae]

OK here is how I'd do that:

1: Onboard VGA port for PC
2: Additional VGA port for consoles with VGA->RCA cable and switcher [I recommend AA switcher from www.copperbox.com]
You will also need to get
a: Nintendo Component cable available from Play-Asia
b: Sony component cable available from Sony UK website or the IXOS one.
c: Xbox Hi-def component cable available from www.dvdboxoffice.com

[or if you can find a source the monster cables for PS-2 and XBox].

3: SCART socket for DVD player / other normal stuff.

Remember you'll need speakers also.

Regards,
Neil.

[Spatial]

Excellent ! Thanks Neil.

I now have a handy ( and heafty ) shopping list.

[Treble]

Spatial: you are looking at the same model and asking pretty much the exact same questions as me ^_^
As long as you are using mainly consoles, you want extra component inputs on top of the SCART socket, I guess, plus the switcher Ion recommends (or just a composite switcher - I doubt there's a lot of difference. RCA jacks are pretty basic in the first place).
Neil: do you need to use an upscan to connect your PC as above, then, or do plasmas accept VGA through their D-Sub as standard?

[Pij]

They accept VGA through the D-Sub as standard, same goes for DVI.

[Treble]

Cheers. The question I have, then, is: wouldn't it be better to run a standard RGB signal through upscan to force it into a VGA signal, then put it through D-Sub, rather than use the plasma's native RGB socket? In other words, wouldn't an upscanned RGB signal have more clarity than a standard RGB signal? Or does the terminal board faff about and upscan the signal anyway?

[NeilMcRae]

Treble,
The plasma's native RGB socket is Dsub VGA. You are confusing connectors with signal types.

You don't need the upscanning device. RGB is RGB. VGA runs at twice the frequency thats all because the CRT frequency to do a higher resolutions needs to run at this speed. On a Plasma there is no CRT so you can pump in a signal at 15.5kHz or 31kHz.

Worse case if you get the screen and you don't like it you can add it later but I doubt you will.

Regards,
Neil.

[ExpertKing]

I recently picked up a Philips plasma ( the actual model was released in 2000 , but the set is only 2 years old ). Its in great condition and the picture is pretty impressive.

Now I know Philips are not revered by a lot of home cinema goers for their plasma ranges, but for ?1100 I'm quite content with the unit as an entry level.
One gripe though ,Is it doesnt have any components inputs on the external receiver.Only VGA input , 3 RGB scart sockets.
So in order to get 1080i on the monitor I assume I would need a component to VGA adapter ? ( via the Xbox Hi def pack ).
Would this work at all?

Any help appreciated..

[NeilMcRae]

You need a component to VGA adaptor yes.

AA do one that is well regarded:

http://www.audioauthority.com/aaccon.../9a62detc.html

Regards,
Neil.

[NeilMcRae]

and the xbox hi-def pack, but unless you have a US console [or a modded/hacked one] you won't be able to use the hi-def modes. I think only one games supports 1080i and I doubt that the plasma has 1080i resolution, maybe 720p.

Neil.

[ExpertKing]

Thanks for the link Neil.

Fortunately I have a Japanese modded Xbox so im safe with the Hi-def situation.Although I am familiar with the enigma NTSC-PAL video switch app.

In the past ive used a Micomsoft XRGB2+ with gamecube component cables on a Hantarex data monitor.So I guess this is the same process.

Possibly I should consider the XRGB2+ again.. Thanks again.