Multiple HD gaming consoles and switch boxes

tjones · 10-30-2006, 04:15 PM

So, I have a HD TV (Panasonic 42") which has two HD inputs as far as I'm aware, which are filled - HD cable and Xbox 360.

My basic question is, can anyone recommend a 3x1 HD switch box, for which I certainly don't mind manually switching. The purpose being to run all 3 HD consoles - Xbox, PS3 and Wii.

Having done some searching on the internet, I found this option which seems to be exactly what I want -

http://www.studio1productions.com/switch-boxes.htm

(excuse me if I'm not supposed to link to other sites)

Yet, in my researching I was amazed to see devices in excess of $150 to $500. Now some of these were what I would consider routers, allowing different inputs to go to different outputs, but even so I was surprised at the costs involved.

Is my $60 choice going to be good enough for what I want?

thanks in advance for all and any input.

Bigloww · 10-30-2006, 04:18 PM

Well that depends what you are using and want to use. PS3 HDMI, 360 VGA or component and Wii component. How many component inputs do you have? You should have 2 or 3. List you TV model #.

tjones · 10-30-2006, 04:35 PM

Thanks for replying. I have a Panasonic TH-42PX6OU, which I believe has 2 x HDMI and 2 component video.

Based on what you said the PS3 will connect via HDMI, which leaves the Wii, meaning I may only need a 2x1 switcher?

(We have HD cable coming into 1 component set).

Either way, are passive switchers just as good as these high priced ones? I'm not really seeing any value in the others (Gefen stuff) although perhaps that's because I don't have a need to utilise all the functions they offer.

Razor05 · 10-30-2006, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjones

So, I have a HD TV (Panasonic 42") which has two HD inputs as far as I'm aware, which are filled - HD cable and Xbox 360.

My basic question is, can anyone recommend a 3x1 HD switch box, for which I certainly don't mind manually switching. The purpose being to run all 3 HD consoles - Xbox, PS3 and Wii.

Having done some searching on the internet, I found this option which seems to be exactly what I want -

http://www.studio1productions.com/switch-boxes.htm

(excuse me if I'm not supposed to link to other sites)

Yet, in my researching I was amazed to see devices in excess of $150 to $500. Now some of these were what I would consider routers, allowing different inputs to go to different outputs, but even so I was surprised at the costs involved.

Is my $60 choice going to be good enough for what I want?

thanks in advance for all and any input.

Yes, your $60 choice will work just fine. There are probably a few vendors out there selling the same thing, so you might be able to find a cheaper one (unless of course you are happy with that one). Since your TV has 2 component inputs (not sure of model) this box will give you a total of 4. I ran into the same problem, and bought an auto switcher. Let us know if you get all 3 consoles (you'd be very lucky if this year). And BTW, it's good to have an extra input or 2...you know, just for down the road.

Bigloww · 10-30-2006, 04:54 PM

Yeap, it looks like 2 HDMI and 2 component.

That switch will work fine. Here is 1 that also has Digital Optical outs (fiber) if you use that for SS. Does your Cable box have DVI or HDMI? If so, you can use that for 1 HDMI input, PS3 for the 2nd HDMI input, 360 for component 1 and Wii for component 2... Since you can use the PS#/360 for your DVD player, that should do.

http://www.impactacoustics.com/produ...1002&sku=40324

VegasFlyby · 10-30-2006, 05:01 PM

^^^

Here's the same one...but cheaper. I just bought it from this company about a week and half ago and it's working beautifuly.

https://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec...0&RSKU=3755430

tjones · 10-30-2006, 05:18 PM

Guys - thanks for the replies - totally cleared that up for me, and confirmed my own suspicions.

I'll probably get the 3x1 for that extra set, for "down the road"

I don't need the Remote Control version, since I can't imagine sitting down and playing more than 1 console in a "game sitting", but thanks.

If I do manage to get all 3 consoles this year, you definitely WON'T be hearing from me

but I do suspect that won't be the case. I tend to buy on the second batch since waiting outside Best Buy till midnight or whatever is not something my 38 year old bones enjoy, and I suspect my wife might have some choice comments too

Thanks for the mwave pointer too.

Thanks again guys ! appreciate it.

10-30-2006, 04:15 PM	#1
tjones What is HD? Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3	Multiple HD gaming consoles and switch boxes So, I have a HD TV (Panasonic 42") which has two HD inputs as far as I'm aware, which are filled - HD cable and Xbox 360. My basic question is, can anyone recommend a 3x1 HD switch box, for which I certainly don't mind manually switching. The purpose being to run all 3 HD consoles - Xbox, PS3 and Wii. Having done some searching on the internet, I found this option which seems to be exactly what I want - http://www.studio1productions.com/switch-boxes.htm (excuse me if I'm not supposed to link to other sites) Yet, in my researching I was amazed to see devices in excess of $150 to $500. Now some of these were what I would consider routers, allowing different inputs to go to different outputs, but even so I was surprised at the costs involved. Is my $60 choice going to be good enough for what I want? thanks in advance for all and any input.

10-30-2006, 05:01 PM	#6
VegasFlyby Serenity now Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Fabulous Las Vegas, NV Posts: 694	^^^ Here's the same one...but cheaper. I just bought it from this company about a week and half ago and it's working beautifuly. https://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec...0&RSKU=3755430 __________________ Sony KDL46S2000 DirecTV / HR20-100 / Sony STR-DG810 Toshiba HD-D2 Xbox 360 / Nintendo Wii / PS3 Harmony 880 Remote

10-30-2006, 04:18 PM	#2
Bigloww Chi Town Baby.. Da Bears. Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: In a van, down by the river. Posts: 5,100	Well that depends what you are using and want to use. PS3 HDMI, 360 VGA or component and Wii component. How many component inputs do you have? You should have 2 or 3. List you TV model #.

10-30-2006, 04:35 PM	#3
tjones What is HD? Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3	Thanks for replying. I have a Panasonic TH-42PX6OU, which I believe has 2 x HDMI and 2 component video. Based on what you said the PS3 will connect via HDMI, which leaves the Wii, meaning I may only need a 2x1 switcher? (We have HD cable coming into 1 component set). Either way, are passive switchers just as good as these high priced ones? I'm not really seeing any value in the others (Gefen stuff) although perhaps that's because I don't have a need to utilise all the functions they offer.

10-30-2006, 04:54 PM	#5
Bigloww Chi Town Baby.. Da Bears. Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: In a van, down by the river. Posts: 5,100	Yeap, it looks like 2 HDMI and 2 component. That switch will work fine. Here is 1 that also has Digital Optical outs (fiber) if you use that for SS. Does your Cable box have DVI or HDMI? If so, you can use that for 1 HDMI input, PS3 for the 2nd HDMI input, 360 for component 1 and Wii for component 2... Since you can use the PS#/360 for your DVD player, that should do. http://www.impactacoustics.com/produ...1002&sku=40324

10-30-2006, 05:18 PM	#7
tjones What is HD? Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3	Guys - thanks for the replies - totally cleared that up for me, and confirmed my own suspicions. I'll probably get the 3x1 for that extra set, for "down the road" I don't need the Remote Control version, since I can't imagine sitting down and playing more than 1 console in a "game sitting", but thanks. If I do manage to get all 3 consoles this year, you definitely WON'T be hearing from me but I do suspect that won't be the case. I tend to buy on the second batch since waiting outside Best Buy till midnight or whatever is not something my 38 year old bones enjoy, and I suspect my wife might have some choice comments too Thanks for the mwave pointer too. Thanks again guys ! appreciate it.