Best solution to run Consoles through pc/ monitor

[angelx]

Hiya peeps, now i have a predicament i have no spare television at the moment for gaming so now i do have a spare flat monitor, philips one, quite old `now & a toshiba laptop with widescreen. So what I'd like to know from you very brainy guys is , is there a usb 2.0 tv input device fast enough to deal with a console, or a vga adaptor for said monitor?

I thank you in advance for any help given

any good?

[Lyris]

I think your best bet is to look for a device made by Key Digital that converts Component Video to VGA. (I have the one that goes the other way around and it's excellent). That will cost $200 at the very least. If any brave soul wants to try the 13.99 device and tell us how it is...

The biggest problem is that you are using a progressive scan monitor. That either means you won't be able to view interlaced video at all, or that any device you buy will do a (probably shoddy) job of deinterlacing. It really depends on, what consoles are you using it for?

With all that in mind, you might be better off finding a video capture card (I personally don't trust the USB 2 devices but I've never used one either) with an S-Video input and using Dscaler to view the incoming video. (Dscaler does a good job of the deinterlacing).

[angelx]

ty lyris, im hoping to find something around the lower range i.e under 50(yes yes im cheap!) sorry about that link, i didnt know it was going to be a costly exercise. Is that not the kind of range for this technology?, btw there is no actual pc to use a capture card in, but pcmcia and usb2

[neoglow]

With all that in mind, you might be better off finding a video capture card (I personally don't trust the USB 2 devices but I've never used one either) with an S-Video input and using Dscaler to view the incoming video. (Dscaler does a good job of the deinterlacing).

I'd second that, before I invested into an LCD TV, capture card into the PC was the best option by far. Those cheapo VGA convertors found on the 'bay, import sites and the like are utter poo poo. Believe me, I sampled 3 in the end and all of them were equally ****e. Lyris's idea of a Key Digital is a good idea but unfortunately is also expensive, but its the old saying of you get what you pay for. Anyway, definately consider a capture/tv card in the PC and Dscaler, unfortunately you will have to have the PC on in order to play on the flat screen but quality wise, Dscaler (http://www.dscaler.com) did a far better job than those cheap convertors. Stay away from USB capture cards because you will experience lag between the picture on screen and the button you press on the controller if you know what I mean. Choose a decent PCI card from makes like Pinnacle, Hauppage, Leadtek etc....

And you can record your games too......oh and watch TV on your PC!

Hope that helps.

M.

[Cobertizo]

I think it really depends on how you define "utter poo poo". I have a ProV 200 tv tuner/upscaler which I've used with a PS2 and PSone via s-video, and that has been very acceptable. Except for the fact that it doesn't like PAL60, which is rather a shame. And it was only ?30 or so on Ebay.

From the sounds of things there is no point recommending PCI cards, since they won't work with a laptop... It is true that many USB2 tuners are a no-go though, since if they have hardware compression (most have MPEG2 compression) then that introduces significant latency.

[neoglow]

From the sounds of things there is no point recommending PCI cards, since they won't work with a laptop...

Good point, didnt see that, however a PCIMIAIMMMIAIAIIIAAM... (or whatever its called) capture card into the laptop is still an option. You know, the slot on the side thingy.

M.

[angelx]

btw there is no actual pc to use a capture card in, but pcmcia and usb2

yes, one of them so, more like this kinda thing?
I really am looking to do it on a budget just due to the fact its a temporary solution.