RGBHV Switcher?

[MikeTV]

I am thinking of getting an xbox360 which supports 1080i via components. My display (an old Mits) only has just one RGBHV input, which is currently in use by my PC. The TV has a component input, but I don't believe it supports 1080i.

So I am a bit confused as to what I might need to connect the xbox, and open to suggestions and recommendations. One the face of it, perhaps I just need a transcoder for the xbox (to output RGBHV), combined with a switcher of some kind. But I am worried about ghosting artefacts, etc.

So has the time come to get a separate scaler, to allow me to connect various sources to the TV. However, I am reluctant to spend thousands on a scaler, when I could buy a new plasma display for similar money.

So it is a dilemma. Any thoughts?

I guess in the short term I could run the xbox at 480p (perhaps?) and use a direct component connection, but this would be shame.

Also, I am based in the UK, which just ceates another headache, because the TV is 60hz (US).

So far I have been able to cope, by using the PC as a scaler. But obviously this doesn't help with 1080i sources.

I know very little about the range of commercial scalers available, and prices, and any advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks,

Mike.

[hornydragon]

the Xbox 360 has a VGA cable (RGBHV output) available so you just need a D-sub socket to 5 BNC cable

[MikeTV]

Cheers. I have read though, that it only supports PC resolutions (not 1080i), and so you need the component cable for 1080i.

[hornydragon]

does it not do 1080i thats a pity well a secnhand iscan ultra would do the trick and not break the bank it will convert to RGBHV for ouput and deinterlace as well if you want it to but when you get Iscan HD lumagen HDP money you can buy a plasma for the same money a lumagen vision secondhand (about £300) would aslo do the trick

[MikeTV]

...and even if it did do 1080i (via a patch or something), I'd still need a RGBHV switcher, because I'm already using the TV's input. I'm off to look at ebay.

[hornydragon]

AS RGBHV is effectively VGA you can use an old fashioned KVM tyoe switch or speak to JoeF who can provide an RGBHV switcher Extron do em but are pricey i have seen but never used some chapey ones but if you buy an older scaler it will have bypass RGBHV (VGA plug) or normally 2 inputs for RGBHV/component anyway

Iscan ultra has RGBHV passthrough and 2 component inputs see here http://www.dvdo.com/pro/pro_isu_spe.php
Lumagen vison has fewer inputs IIRC

[MikeTV]

I have a cheapo VGA switch - but it's useless because it causes obvious ghosting. RGBHV/VGA seems very susceptible to it. I have memories of blurry monitors in server rooms...

[hornydragon]

cheapo any switch will be poor extron are very very good but they come at a price

[MikeTV]

Cheers. It does sound like a decent switch is the answer. I'll check out extron.

[MikeTV]

This is getting worse. Some more investigation has revealed that component to VGA/RGBHV transcoders are neither widespread, nor cheap. Especially when you add the cost of decent cabling, a switcher, and the xbox HD adaptor itself.

How did the act of connecting a console to a telly become so complicated? I guess it's the price you pay for HD.

[hornydragon]

iscan ultra £200 secondhand if your luck is the best bet.........

[Joe Fernand]

MikeTv

The NEW Zektor HDS4.1 (UK SRP £199.95) may solve your problems and is flexible enough to be used in future set-ups as you add new sources.

The HDS4.1 is a 4.1 Component Video + Digital Audio switcher.

Each Input has Six passive channels (all RCA) and can be used with YUV, YUV+LR Audio, RGBHV, RGB+Composite sync (ideal if you need to switch multiple SCART sources into a Video Processor), S-Video and Composite video.

The Passive Inputs can also be used to switch Multi-channel audio sources such as SACD and DVD-Audio.

Alongside the Passive Inputs there are Four Coaxial and Optical Digital Audio inputs plus Three Mirrored Digital Audio Outputs with full cross conversion between Coaxial and Optical on all Inputs.

See http://www.zektor.com/hds41/index.html

Best regards

Joe

[ukdan]

I do have an iscan ultra in the classifieds for £210 if your interested....

[JamieD]

Originally Posted by Joe Fernand

The NEW Zektor HDS4.1 (UK SRP £199.95) may solve your problems and is flexible enough to be used in future set-ups as you add new sources.

The HDS4.1 is a 4.1 Component Video + Digital Audio switcher.

Joe, I'm looking for something that has two component outputs and the Zektor 4.2 seems to be it, but how come it costs another £110 for the additional component output?

In your opinion would a HDS4.1 and a JS Tech Component Buffer be a more cost effective proposition?

[Joe Fernand]

Hello JamieD

Zektor have just started a transition from one range to an all New range so they have a certain amount of 'duplication' and a certain amount of 'coming soon' products that my interest you.

Currently available are the:
HDS4.1 (New) 4.1 Switcher
HDS4.2 (Old) 4.2 Distribution Switcher (Mirrored Output)

And coming soon are the:
HDCV4x2 (New) 4.2 Matrix Switcher (Discrete Output)

If budget allows then the HDS4.2 or HDCV4x2 are your best option - where budget dictates otherwise then combining an HDS4.1 with a JS Tech Active Component Buffer is a viable option.

The HDS4.2 doesn't simply use a low cost internal signal splitter - you get identical quality on both outputs and keep in mind Output 02 is 'driven' so works with long cable runs - often we find folk have a requirement to run One Short + One Long Output cable.

Best regards

Joe

PS And just for fun we just received a full production sample of the NEW Neothings Avalon 4x2 Matrix switcher - see http://www.neothings.com/