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Game Console Organization?
chipster asks: "Between my kids' and my own game console setups, I have a hell of a time keeping things organized. Especially when three to four consoles are hooked up to a single TV. I am looking for some feedback on either your game console organization solutions, or ones that you have come across. Creative/homebrew console "rigs" are more than welcome. I am specifically trying to avoid the "toyish" look (see this product for an example). I am looking for more of a durable, and decent-looking organization solution. Any ideas?"
I wonder if there is anything to go wireless to connect these devices to the TV.
Consensus is good, but informed dictatorship is better
Jeez.
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two general categories of thought come to my mind:
regarding physical storage, it really shouldn't be hard to sort most of it out. use furniture that matches what's around -- beyond that, think drawers. games and accessories go well in drawers, and they're easily hidden from view. options here vary anywhere from a coffee table with builtin drawers, to filing cabinets, to plastic storage containers, to assorted other furniture. you might even find something with doors on the front and drawers inside, thus keeping up a nice look, if the room where you've got stuff warrants it.
as for the console units themselves, shelves and doors on the front will probably do you best. you can shove a primary connected controller alongside the console and away you go. to help, give each console one shelf section (physically separate two side by side, if necessary). this will help keep cables from getting tangled. also, don't cram stuff in there. leave extra space. this should help keep things from getting really jumbled up. i've seen many entertainment centers that would be able to provide this.
lastly comes how to deal with the cables routing into the tv. use a audio/video receiver. many, many offer basic composite video switching along with audio. if this system is also used for movies, then 5.1 surround sound might matter, otherwise, just pick up an old, used highend model that has lots of inputs (plus video) but might only be prologic capable. some models even include the ability to program the display for what's connected into it, instead of defaults like tape, vcr, phono, etc. i've got a sony that does this. i've had it connected to a computer or two in the past and have programmed the display to show the computer's names. same idea for the consoles.
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It would be nice to go fully wireless for the next game consoles. I'd pay extra for that technology.
1. I have no consoles, you have many.
2. You should go outside more often.
3. You smell.
If you're willing to mutilate your systems and a spare pc tower, you can always build this to save a lot more space than a game station will. I saw it on TechTV one day, and iirc, the guy stuffed a few consoles, including all of the current ones.
:|
Granted, I'd never do this because I love my gamecube too much and dont feel like toasting another motherboard...
Long answer: The best systems I've seen organize things like this:
"RF" systems (such as the 2600, Intellivision, etc) go in line, with the most frequently used closest to the TV (to avoid the inevitable signal degredation). (And yes, this can mess up cable reception.)
Systems which can use S-Video or standard composite cables go into a switchbox, such as this one . It's powered, but I've used it unpowered with good results. Depending on the number of systems you have, you may need to daisy chain a couple of these together.
Finally, I just plug one system in via component, because component switch boxes can be pricey. For me, it's the Xbox, because it's DVD capabilities are way better than the PS2's.
Storage-wise, most game systems aren't that deep, so I've found cheap shelves from anyway cna hold most of the systems. The real hassle is controllers, which get in the way, always look messy, and are tough to keep attached. A friend has all his hanging from hooks in his game room, I prefer to keep them all in a drawer (well, actually it's a little cabinet with a door, but the end result is the same -- it's pretty neat on the outside, no one sees how messy it is on the inside).
I keep the games in CD-holder type shelves, well away from the TV. There are ususally one or two games on the TV, but the TV space doesn't look cluttered.
I daisy chain three power strips for my consoles. The first has only the TV, VCR and Xbox on it, and I usually leave it on. The other two are for the other consoles.
Bottom line: shelves you like, a place to hide the controllers, and a way to keep the games from stacking up will usually result in a pretty nice set-up, even with six or seven consoles hooked up to your TV.
Dude, I think I can see my house from here.
I don't really have an answer to stuff going into the TV, but we have our stuff organized (or at least we try to) into tubs that we have in a closet near our TV.
:).
Our TV has 3 RCA style inputs so we use two of those for the GameCube and PS2. The GameCube port thingy is comparable with the N64 and SNES if we ever feel the need to play it. Our TV is on a rach/shelf that has our VCR and LaserDisc player (yeah!) Underneath we have a shelf where we can stuff stuff like controllers and games.
Our TV has an Svideo input but we don't use it cuz we don't have the cables, and I don't really think I need it. If I'd get one I'd probably get one for the GameCube because I play that more and I don't really care about the DVD quality on the PS2 because I don't play DVDs on it, plus the PS2 is my brother's and I don't think he knows what Svideo is, so he doesn't really care
Our games are then usually just lying around on the floor. My brother keeps his games all on the carpet because that's usually where he hangs out. My SNES and N64 games are in our closet and my PSX, PS2 and GCN games are on a DVD rack in my bedroom, along with any memory cards.
My mom has tried to organize all our junk (which resulted in the tubs), but it's kind of failed since we're too lazy to put stuff back in the tubs.
Connected to my TV is the NES, SNES, TG16, SMS, Xbox, PS2, Dreamcast, GameCube, N64, and computer.
:)
I have the Xbox and GC connected via component video to my Sony DE-585. I have the PS2, N64, computer, Dreamcast connected via Svideo to my switcher, which connects to my DE-585 consoles channel. The SMS/TG16 use RF to channel 3 on the TV. The NES and SNES use composite (one to the switcher, one to the TV front panel as I used up the switcher's 5 ports).
Everything is single push button, except that I have to switch between video 1 (svideo/composite input), video 4 (component input), and TV (RF input) on the TV.
I have all my consoles stacked carefully under my coffee table with a Monster Cable power bar (30$ CDN) -- it handles the wall-warts of my NES/SNES, as well as the smarter brick and brick-less ones (PS2/GC/etc). The Xbox and PS2 both have optical inputs, while the GC uses PL2 over the red/white analog stereo. If I move my coffee table, it's like I have a giant, dead, electric spider under it.
Here's an old picture from December. You can't see the TG16 or SMS well in it, but it's all there
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I don't own that many consoles, but I have used this device both at home and at work. I have hooked up a DVD, VCR, Cable box and NES to the same TV. No problem. To make it really easy (for the ones who can't remember numbers) you can even label what each number is connected to. Simple.
The only problem I can see is when the kids want to disconnect the console to take to a friend's house.
Is that a real poncho? I mean, is that a Mexican poncho or is that a Sears poncho?
A pop-up gaming coffee table.
You've probably seen the pop-up coffee tables in furniture stores and what not, that's where I got my idea.
Plan is to build a 3 x 6 foot coffee table, with another box inside of it. Inside there will fit all my gaming consoles as well as a video and sound switcher - leaving only 3-4 cables to be seen. 1 for the sound, 1 for video, 1 for ethernet and 1 for power.
I examined the way the pop-up tables work in stores, and it seems reasonably easy to build. I may even go for an electronic actuator with spring assist to raise the console section.
So, when I want to play a game I push a hidden button on the side of the coffee table. Center section slides up with all my gaming consoles sitting there. Pick the console, via the video/audio switch, plugin the game, and hit power. Then I can either lower the center section, or leave it up - either way it'll work fine.
In the end, it will look like this POP-UP TV stand, only in a coffee table form.
Side Note:
My actual design plans to take this a tad further, I plan on installing a Mini-itx system inside as well as my DVD, VCR, and CD players. Then using an RF blaster I can send commands to the respective player while the main section is closed. It'll give me this "hidden" technology look that I'm attempting to go for.
Looking for hardware (Currently need: Large Etch-a-Sketch) Have one? See my journal!
I've also had troubles with this as my secondhand console collection has grown. What I've done with the systems is to put each in one drawer of a plastic set of drawers with cables coming out the back (a tight fit, but possible if things don't close all the way). All the controllers for that system go in the drawer when not in use to keep things from tangling like crazy. I have a little plastic thing that holds all the carts. For cabling, I got one of these switches (except 5-in-1, I can't find it on their site) for $20 from Wal-Mart and it works great.
Omnes arx vestrum sunt adiuncta nobis.
Take up woodworking and build your own. All you need is a tablesaw, surface planer, jointer, several routers, drill press, drill bits, router bits, dado blades, a workbench, a shop in which to keep all your stuff, some drills (both the corded and cordless varieties), maybe a scroll saw, a belt sander, some random orbital sanders, wood glue, and a nail gun. With all that, you'll be amazed that you can build your own Console Organizer for the miniscule price of the raw materials!
How are you going to keep them down on the farm once they've seen Karl Hungus?
You just need THREE power tools to build something nice (in case all of the above would not fit in the garage / costs too much):
Jigsaw, Power Drill, Power Sander.
Having a router or radial arm saw would be nice, but not necessary. The above would allow you to build just about any piece of furniture (Home Depot and other DIY stores will cut wood for you in case you don't have a table saw).
You're right! I forgot to mention that you would need a radial arm saw and a laser guided miter saw! Oh, a good dust collection system is a must, too. And an HVLP gun for your lacquer and poly. Without all these tools you can't get anything useful done. And lots of clamps. Gotta have lots of clamps. And a biscuit jointer.
How are you going to keep them down on the farm once they've seen Karl Hungus?
You also forgot the milwaukee sawzall, a must for any toolbox (Don't even get me started on routers).
Someone talking about routers, but not the type that moves packets!
What is Slashdot coming too!
In order to reduce clutter (and have a nifty conversation piece) my friend and I have embarked on a journey to control his entire media center from his PC. Here's what we have done so far: -In his P4, we installed a Soundblaster Audigy 2 for 5.1 sound and an ATI 128 Video Card -We ran his digital cable box thru the video in and the video out and 5.1 sound out through a breakout box into the TV and receiver respectivly -Now comes the fun part... instead of the actual consoles (NES-SNES-N64-PS1-GameCube-XBox)we managed to scrounge up emulators with decent support. The hardest part was getting the BIOS files. Everything doesn't work spectacularly (and we haven't been able to find a PS2 emulator)but we troubleshoot a lot and are on the way to having one bad-mamma-jamma of a system, run entirely off of a PC! If anyone has sone something similar or had any advice, email me at decepty@sdf.lonestar.org -Nick
Be careful! Bears shouldn't consume large furry dogs.
Here's how to easily keep 'em organized:
Step 1. Sell game systems.
Step 2. Buy PC games.
Step 3. Buy PC game peripherals.
Step 4. ???
Step 5. Profit.