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trent222
Joined: 03 Jun 2010
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 4:57 am Post subject: Xbox 360 and HTPC |
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So i am about to acquire a GE Imager 901 which is basically a nec 9PG. I have a HTPC now and will hook that up to projector via VGA to BNC connector. I want to get component into HTPC and out to projector somehow i was thinking an inexpensive capture card but my HTPC is a slimline case so it will have to be half size card... Is there a better way to do this? I don't really want one of those processing devices to hook up component of Xbox to... Thanks for any suggestions.
Trent
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JustGreg
Joined: 07 Mar 2006
Posts: 3098
Location: Kenosha, WI
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| Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 5:39 am Post subject: |
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Hi Trent,
A similar question was asked a short while back except it was a laptop and the general concensus was that it won't work. PC's are output only except for capture devices. Capture means just that. They will capture to the HD for later conversion/manipulation/viewing. I don't think you could take the HD out of the loop. (I didn't research that comment) Even if you got a capture card to work the processing time to turn the stream around and send it back out would be horrendous. Game play would absolutely suck.  That isn't to say you couldn't get a passthrough type card but if you could it wouldn't be a $20 ebay win.
Keep in mind that when you add equipment to the video stream from any source they have the potential to degrade bandwidth and corrupt the quality...UNLESS they are designed to specifically transcode (convert). When that is the case great care is taken within the device (talking quality transcoders) to not just pass through the signal and output it to a different type of connection scheme but most times will clean up the signal, offer gamma correction, provide for long cabling runs to name a few features, and do it all in as close to 1:1 real time as you can get.
I don't know anything about the Imager/9PG; specifically if it provides for component input. I'm sure you already know but I have a feeling that to get the most out of your new pj you're probably going to have to pull the trigger on one of the products offered here. There are some great price reductions going on lately so now is a great time to buy a solution here.
_________________
Greg
"Is it ignorance or apathy? Hey, I don't know and I don't care!" --Jimmy Buffett
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trent222
Joined: 03 Jun 2010
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 6:13 am Post subject: |
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| JustGreg wrote: | Hi Trent,
A similar question was asked a short while back except it was a laptop and the general concensus was that it won't work. PC's are output only except for capture devices. Capture means just that. They will capture to the HD for later conversion/manipulation/viewing. I don't think you could take the HD out of the loop. (I didn't research that comment) Even if you got a capture card to work the processing time to turn the stream around and send it back out would be horrendous. Game play would absolutely suck. That isn't to say you couldn't get a passthrough type card but if you could it wouldn't be a $20 ebay win.
Keep in mind that when you add equipment to the video stream from any source they have the potential to degrade bandwidth and corrupt the quality...UNLESS they are designed to specifically transcode (convert). When that is the case great care is taken within the device (talking quality transcoders) to not just pass through the signal and output it to a different type of connection scheme but most times will clean up the signal, offer gamma correction, provide for long cabling runs to name a few features, and do it all in as close to 1:1 real time as you can get.
I don't know anything about the Imager/9PG; specifically if it provides for component input. I'm sure you already know but I have a feeling that to get the most out of your new pj you're probably going to have to pull the trigger on one of the products offered here. There are some great price reductions going on lately so now is a great time to buy a solution here. |
That makes sense about real time processing issues... I think i'll just go with s-video until i can't deal with resolution anymore... Anyone want to chime in on limits of s-video? 480p? Its hard to play some of the games at those resolutions... We'll see i guess...
Thanks!
Trent
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JustGreg
Joined: 07 Mar 2006
Posts: 3098
Location: Kenosha, WI
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| Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 6:39 am Post subject: |
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S-video is capable of max 720 x 576. (480 NTSC): Full CCIR-601 , or CCIR-601 D1. It is the Full PAL/NTSC Studio resolution.
Better than composite...but just barely. 
I know money is tight everywhere, for most everyone but if you can spring for it, get the Fury GamerEdition. It will do everything you need it to. I bought that and the GammaX and have them paired.
While researching options for you I noticed conflicting configuration I am using with the two items I listed above.
...the ad for the Gamer Edition on one ad page states:"The Gamer Edition is only to be used for connecting a PS3 or XBOX360 directly to your display." but on another page in the ad for the GammaX it states:"Simply connect the Gamma-X directly into the HDfury3, HDfury2, HDfury, HDfury Gamer Edition, or any device with RGB output and enjoy a more vibrant picture with perfect shadow details!
Now I'm confused.  Which ad is correct?
That aside the Gamer Edition is 'only' $129 USD now. When I got mine I paid the full price.
_________________
Greg
"Is it ignorance or apathy? Hey, I don't know and I don't care!" --Jimmy Buffett
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akajester
Joined: 09 Jul 2008
Posts: 934
Location: Wisconsin
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| Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 2:35 pm Post subject: |
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I use an extron vga switch and do vga for both the htpc and the xbox 360. If you don't have the money for a switch just swap the cables yourself for now. The xbox looks crisp and amazing at 720p over vga. I run the htpc at 1080i@96hz. have fun!
I just recently added the gammax in the video chain and the change is amazing! but that can be added later. The gammax can be powered by other devices but a seperate power supply works better. It's really just a 5v usb power adapter with a special cable. The difference was amazing though. They are right when you see the screen shot examples of the change, it's that dramatic!
-dale
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