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Author Topic: Hi Definition Cable Hub?  (Read 135 times)

Sweenerdog32

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Hi Definition Cable Hub?
« on: April 15, 2006, 11:53:00 PM »

I just got a 42 inch plasma tv for $2000 (that's Aus dollars folks-for a Samsung panel) and am itching to play my 360 in hi-def. Only one problem, all the hi-def ports on the TV are full of other stuff (set top box, dvd recorder. Is there a product out there in the form of a hub to which the cables connect? Like an AV hub, but with the RGB cables. I have an xbox mag with an ad on the back from Joytech, which seems to have the perfect solution. The Control Center 540C for Xbox 360. Once again, a problem. It dosen't seem to exist yet. I checked on the website (www.joytech.net) and it's not there. Can someone give me a suggestion here. Gonna get Oblivion tomorrow and want to see it all in high def glory.(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Sweenerdog32 out (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) (always wanted to do that)

PS Happy Easter!
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lostboyz

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Hi Definition Cable Hub?
« Reply #1 on: April 16, 2006, 02:50:00 AM »

go to any electronics store, there are plenty of them. depending on quality and accesory options they are anywhere from $50-$200
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twistedsymphony

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Hi Definition Cable Hub?
« Reply #2 on: April 16, 2006, 08:27:00 AM »

moving to AV Technical,

I started a topic on this here: http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=501250
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picopir8

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Hi Definition Cable Hub?
« Reply #3 on: April 16, 2006, 05:27:00 PM »

Just use a composite AV switch, they are much cheeper.  Plug red into red, green into yellow and blue into white.  Granted you cant switch audio that way but most people I know pipe the audio directly to their receiver anyway.
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Sweenerdog32

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Hi Definition Cable Hub?
« Reply #4 on: April 16, 2006, 06:22:00 PM »

Alright, thanks guys, and sorry for posting in the wrong forum.  (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

So you can still get a hi-def picture if you plug the RGB cables into the AV socket? Cool.
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DaShiZNiT

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Hi Definition Cable Hub?
« Reply #5 on: April 16, 2006, 07:40:00 PM »

I scored this at a Samy goody that was going out of business, on the cheap.
(IMG:http://www.the-console-corner.com/coolpelsysselpro00001b.gif)

I think the original price was 24.99 US, but I got 30% off.
It has its downfalls though, like no digital audio, and its not really an internet hub or router, once you switch the AV modes, the net gets kicked from the one you switched it to, but hey gets the job done.

360, Xbox, Ps2, and gamecube all runnin hi-def with internet..
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Sweenerdog32

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Hi Definition Cable Hub?
« Reply #6 on: April 16, 2006, 08:16:00 PM »

Yeah that's pretty much what I want. I guess I'll have to look around for one.

Off to try Oblivion! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)
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twistedsymphony

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Hi Definition Cable Hub?
« Reply #7 on: April 19, 2006, 01:48:00 PM »

they sell that one at Best Buy and gamestop for $20-$25

I'll sell you one cheap if you want it, I'm getting rid of it because one of the inputs stopped working after a few months and all the ports on the back are loose (and it just friggin sits there).

If you're looking for a high quality switch, and cost is no object, I'd highly recommend the Audio Authority 1154a. It goes for about $200, and auto-magically switches inputs for you. It's got component video, analog and digital audio in both coaxial and optical forms. So you can tuck the whole switch behind your display and forget it even exists

If you're looking for a mid-grade switch, and want remote control, I'd recommend the Psyclone PSC01, available at best buy for about $80. It's got 4 inputs and does composite video (or coax digital audio), s-video, component video, analog audio, and optical audio. it matches the home theater device layout and has an LCD that displays the currently selected device. I recently went through SEVERAL switches to find a nice new one and decided on this one, it has fantastic signal quality (much better then the pelican switch above)

If you're looking for a low-grade / cheap switch, there are a number of options. NONE of these switches will do optical audio as that would require power, if you get a powered switch make sure it's a high quality one or the power will introduce lots of interference.

I would also recommend AGAINST using composite/audio switch for component video as suggested above. Certain video types require different standards. So it'd be hit or miss if the switch you picked up didn't meet the required standards for your signal. Considering MOST cheap "HD capable" component switches don't even meet the minimum required specs I'd say only get a cheap composite switch if you really just don't care about your video quality.
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MadPerry

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Hi Definition Cable Hub?
« Reply #8 on: April 20, 2006, 07:55:00 PM »

i used that pelican box for awhile and would recommend it.  it's obvious negatives are no digital audio, and you have to manually change to each component.  i upgraded to the joytech box that has 7 outputs, 4 of which have optical digital.  it is remote controlled and each output also has an ethernet connection.  cost about $90.  it has a backlit lcd that displays what each component is as you scroll through them.  it has been problem free for me and i can see no signal loss.
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autoxerFSP21

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Hi Definition Cable Hub?
« Reply #9 on: April 20, 2006, 11:43:00 PM »

I had that pelican box originally and it had noticable signal loss. I switched to the Pelican Pro System Selector 2.0 and I have had good luck with it (though TwistedSymphony had some minor problems with ghosting on it).
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twistedsymphony

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Hi Definition Cable Hub?
« Reply #10 on: April 21, 2006, 09:40:00 AM »

I can't find it right now but there's a huge thread over on the AVSForums about this.

Basically as far as powered switches go

-Pelican/Score Pro 2.0 - Good if you get a good unit but a large portion of the units have either dead ports or messed up video circuits that damage the image on the screen. The switcher seemed hit or miss, also people with DLP based displays seemed see more interference then other. you can get it for about $100

-Joytech - some units have problems accepting signals in 480i with component cables, particularly with PS2 and Gamecube consoles. Also some units have syncing problems with bright images.  you can get it for about $90

-CE Labs - a good solid unit, only problem is that it doesn't do optical audio. you can get it for about $130

-Psyclone - the biggest problem anyone had with this was that the remote only had 2 buttons, forcing you to scroll through the inputs, it also makes it difficult to control with most universal remote (harmony's arn't a problem because it has a macro/memory abilities), one person commented that they saw wavy lines with it but then realized he was using the LR audio ports to switch two of the component video cables, using the right ports fixed the problem. you can get it for about $80

-Audio Authority 1154a - the only problem people had was that it felt like it was cheaply made and was ugly to look at, but it auto switches devices so you could easily hide it and forget about it. you can get it for about $200

This post has been edited by twistedsymphony: Apr 21 2006, 04:42 PM
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photoman

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Hi Definition Cable Hub?
« Reply #11 on: April 21, 2006, 11:47:00 AM »

I have the Pelican one from Best Buy also. The cheaper one. So far it was worked for what I wanted it to. Cheap, I don't need digital audio right now, and it "works" as a network hub-ish thing. Very technical I know. Anyways I recommend it if you just need a basic switch. My wife likes it becuase it cost less then $30.
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