XBoX on a Monitor

[GerrFel]

I've got my entertainment center all in my basement, my computer as well. I've got a CAT5 cable coming out of the ceiling above the computer, but it DEFFINITLY won't reach over to the XBoX(Live). Is it possible to play my XBoX on my monitor if I brought the system over here? What would I need to buy along the lines of adaptors, and do you have an average price range on this?

[andyl33t]

i tried it on a tv tuner card and the picure quality is pretty crap - lines around the place. Unless your mointor has a scart input you could hook it up to that. Otherwise you could get a vga box adaptor.
http://www.lik-sang.com/list.php?nav=left_sub&category=222&
im not sure which one is the best tho.

[jabaro]

What monitor do you have? I would imagine if you have composite inputs on your monitor the picture wouldn't be too bad. You'd have to hook up your sound some other way though. If your problem is the CAT5 cable why don't you just get a longer cable? CAT5 is super cheap. You can get like 150ft for under 20 bucks easy.

[GerrFel]

Well is the a coupler I can buy to attach to lengths of CAT5 together? I've got a 50 footer running into the basement, the XBoX is another 20 feet away.

[Keiron]

Here you go (http://www.trianglecables.com/310-039.html)

[d94]

you can play on your monitor and it'll look awsome
you need a vga adapter (http://www.lik-sang.com/list.php?nav=left_sub&category=221)
when i was in military school and we had 17" monitors i certain individuals new how to hook up their ps2's and xbox's to their monitors :D

you can get one off ebay for $35
but my uncle went all out and got the best one, made by viewsonic. it was the NextVision N4 Input Adapter (http://www.viewsonic.com/products/tventertainment/tvvideoprocessors/nextvisionn4/)
very nice and even has a remote, cable input s video input and more
but it runs for around $100. not really worth the extra $ if you just want to play xbox on your monitor

hope this helped!
-d94

[GerrFel]

Thanks alot to both of you, I'll look into either of these options, as using my monitor as a TV might be cost effective and space effective for college. =D

[ajrettke]

What I would do is this,
Get a component output for the Xbox...they make em I'm sure, then get a component to VGA adapter from ebay...that would be less than 40 bucks total and be excellent quality. You can get RCA-VGA but it might not look as good.
And for college, definetly get a TV tuner card....and dual monitors! It's so nice when doing reports and stuff to have 2 windows open at once instead of flipping back and forth.

[Elif Tymes]

(Why does no one else suggest getting a 4 port 10/100 hub, and running 2 cables, one to X-box, one to PC?)

I mean, its not gonna bottleneck you, and as long as you have a router(either their or upstairs) your not going to have to worry about IPs, just plug the line coming downstairs into the uplink.

Might be cheaper/easier than trying to play your XBox on a monitor.

If you are going with a TV to PC adapter, Another thing to consider is audio, you'll need an RCA->1/8" adapter + 1/8" Y(3 female) cable to plug your X box into one of the Y's, then your PC into the other end of the Y, and your speaker system into the other end.

Hope that heps!

[Jex]

I would definately suggest tv tuner card, especially considering that you are going off to college. I had my tv and computer and after getting a tuner card i saved a bunch of space. I got this one (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-122-180&depa=0). It does great for tv and inputs. I have even hooked video cameras up to it. Quality card with remote and such. It would solve your problem and be great when you go college bound. :cool:
Good Luck with it and merry Christmas! :santa:

[hduong]

Using your tv tuner card for xbox or any video game system isn't recommended unless it's a must and an absolute last resort. I have hooked my Dreamcast and PS2 to a tv turner card with a s-video connection and the picture is bad. Regular satellite tv looked fine though. I would also recommend a vga box. I have a DC vga box and the quality was great. Especially games that supported VGA box.