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[Xirix]

I was just wondering, I've got a 360 Elite, it's got the HDMI cable and the component/composite cable. I'd like to know if I can somehow connect it up to my computer's TFT monitor, and sound system?

My monitor only has the standard Blue connection, and the larger white connection, DVI I.. think, not sure. My graphic's card also has a cable for component video in.

I'm using a 5 speaker 5.1 setup, with a main control box with 6 phono inputs, Subwoofer, Centre, Left and right front and left and right rear, which take up the Orange, Green and Black ports of my soundcard. I'm excited about the prospect of playing my 360 on this monitor, with the surround sound, I just don't know if I have all I need to do that.

Any input would be apprechiated, I can try and find out extra details about my sound card and whatnot if it's needed.

Many Thanks

Xirix

[impimpin206]

You can use an RCA to headphone jack adapter to connect the audio to your "line in", but you won't be able to play in true 5.1. If by "blue connection" on your monitor you mean VGA, then you can get the xbox360 VGA cable to connect to your monitor. And your video card doesn't have component input. Maybe composite and s-video, but you don't have component capture unless you've specifically purchased high end DV hardware, which I doubt is the case.

[twistedsymphony]

First of all This belongs in the AV sub forum... so I'm moving it there now.

Next lets take this one at a time.

VIDEO
If you've got an HDMI equipped model you can connect to your monitor through DVI... they're essentially the same video protocol wrapped in a different shape connectors

buy one of these cables to connect it: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product....=1&format=2

If you want to have your computer and 360 connected to the monitor at the same time you have 3 options
1. Buy a DVI switch box
2. Buy an Official VGA cable for the 360 and use the VGA input on your monitor...
3. Connect the 360 over DVI and use the VGA port for your computer.

Technically the Qualty of VGA is lower than that of DVI/HDMI but the differences are small and out of the 360 it's quite likely you wouldn't even notice the difference.

AUDIO
In all likelihood you wont be able to use your speakers with the Xbox 360.

The 360 is a piece of home theater equipment and designed to work with home theater receivers, your Speakers are designed to work with PCs and nothing else. As much as the 360 "is a PC" in terms of it's soun output... that is not the case.

5.1 sound from the 360 is available in 2 different formats
1. Dolby Pro Logic IIx
2. Dolby Digital

The problem is that your speakers don't accept ANY FORMAT WHAT-SO-EVER... basically you've got 6 speaker and your PC is sending your speakers 6 individual audio channels.

In the home theater world you would have a receiver that not only provides amplification but it also provides "decoding" meaning that it takes the digital audio signal from the console or dvd player or whatever and then  separates it out in to 6 or more individual audio signals that go to each of the speakers.

Decoders are expensive and they're almost NEVER used in the PC world... the reason is simple though, your PC has lots of processing power to spare so rather than increase the cost of the speaker systems they'll sell the speakers at a lower price and then just utilize the PC for the decoding.

I'm sure your next question will be "Where can I buy just a decoder" and the short answer is: YOU CANT there were a few available but they've been discontinued... and unfortunately the few that are still floating around cost several hundred dollars a piece and in most cases end up costing more than the cost of a new speaker system. ... in any case stand alone decoders are made for people with systems in the thousands of dollars range... not budget gamers trying to repurpose their PC speakers.

Decoding through your PC is possible but you'll need a high powered sound card that is capable of decoding AND has the appropriate Optical INPUTS (I should note that optical ports, unlike other ports are one way only, unless you spent $200+ on your sound card it probably doesn't have an optical input). Again this can be costly and only high end sound cards support Dolby Digital Decoding.

A few other bad parts about using your PC
1. Since it uses software instead of hardware to decode there can often be lag, meaning that your audio output will be delayed and out of sync from the video
2. Since it needs your PC you'll have to have your PC running whenever you want to hear anything at all, and depending on the sound card specs decoding can be quite processor intensive so you'd be best to not run any large apps/do any processor intensive stuff while using it as a decoder.

.... and this is why I said you probably wont be able to use your speakers.

Alternatively there are many low end speaker systems available with a built in decoder that would allow you to connect your 360 AND PC at the same time...  If you really want the best setup possible for surround sound you'd be best served to sell the speakers you currently have and buy a new system that is compatible with your 360.

This post has been edited by twistedsymphony: Dec 6 2007, 10:01 PM

[Bandit5317]

Well said twistedsymphany, saved me a lot of typing   . Although that option is fairly expensive any way you cut it ($100+). The easiest and cheapest way to go is to just skip the surround sound and and just go with impimpin206's method. That's what I did, because I don't have a lot of money   .