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Game Consoles on Your Monitor?

Posted by Cliff on from the better-video-quality-than-composite dept.

steddyj asks: "With the release of the Gamecube and X-Box, along with the slew of games for said consoles, I've been contemplating whether or not to buy one, and keep running into one major roadblock: the TV in my room is on top of the hutch of my desk. This is not only the only place I have room for it, but also the best place for viewing. But, at a mere 13", having the screen 4 feet away and 3 feet above eye level makes gaming all but impossible without standing. However, my computer monitor is considerably larger and, of course, in a much better position for viewing the details needed to play modern games along with the occasional productive stuff." I know that the X-Box supposedly supports VGA out, but do you need an adapter for it? There were adapters available for Dreamcasts to output to VGA, and I'm not quite sure whether such things were relased for the PS2 or the Gamecube. Has anyone used such adaptors, if so, how have your experiences been?

"I remember a time when monitors used to include composite inputs, and my grandfather had his Nintendo (that's the original *8-bit* system) hooked up to his. But alas, those days are long gone. Does anyone else know of any hack or device that will allow me to hook a game console to my monitor? Barring this, I cannot justify the $300 for a system I can't enjoy, and I want to play Obi-Wan and Starfighter!"

2 of 27 comments (clear)

  1. Excellent Question.... by zpengo · · Score: 5, Informative
    Many video cards these days have TV capabilities...it would be entirely possible to feed it the video line from a console (instead of, say, a VCR or antenna) and play it right on the monitor (and even record it, fiddle with it, etc.)

    I've done this before, and had a reasonable amount of luck with it.

    --


    Got Rhinos?
  2. How I do it: by Ieshan · · Score: 4, Informative

    I use an ATI TV card in my College Dorm room, and it works great. I shoot the cable into my monitor, and can play video games thruogh the connector it has. It can record as well.

    The picture is pretty darn good, all things considering. I can send you some screen shots if you like, my email is ieshan@aol.com. No, I don't actually use AOL.

    I suggest doing this. Firstly, you can get rid of your little tv in favor of a cable-tv-on-your-comp, and secondly, you'll have a place to plug in your consoles.