Using Nintendo’s Wii (or Xbox 360) with a Computer Monitor? Advice needed.

[PitViper]

I’ve never owned a dedicated gaming system, as I’ve been a PC gamer exclusively. My son is a freshman in college and will be talking Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) next semester. I’ve gotten him a 24” monitor with a 1920x1200 native resolution (for Christmas) to connect to this 15.4” laptop, mainly for the CAD application.

He’d like to take his Wii gaming system to school (he also has an Xbox 360) after the new year and use the 24” monitor instead of his 19” LCD TV. Is there any easy way to make this happen? The Wii has a 480i resolution with the supplied composite cables. It can reach 480p with available component cables. I believe aftermarket S-video cables are also available.

I was thinking of buying a USB TV tuner with composite (or other) inputs. Would the USB connection provide fast enough throughput for fluid gaming? What would the video quality be like with Wii’s maximum 480p resolution on a 1920x1200 monitor? Does anybody make aftermarket cables for a direct DVI connection?

Have any of you done this? How about the Xbox? Is the picture quality worth the hassle? Any specific hardware recommendations? All experiences are welcome. (My computer literacy is fairly high, as the last system that I did not build from scratch was one with a 286 processor.)

From Nintendo’s site:

Computer Monitors

Nintendo home consoles are designed for use through home televisions and VCRs, using standard A/V, or RF connectors. Computer monitors typically do not have these connections. There are however two ways a hookup to a computer monitor could be accomplished:

With a PC TV Card:
A TV card inserted into your PC may allow you to connect your system if the card has the proper connections (such as RF, A/V, or Coaxial). However, we have found that the image quality is not as clear as it is on a TV, in most cases.

With a Direct Connection (RGB or DVI Cables):
Nintendo does not manufacture any cables to make an RGB or DVI connection. While other companies may manufacture wires that can make this possible, we are not able to recommend them, as they are not licensed by Nintendo.

Thank you in advance for your help!

[Cubsfan]

If I'm not mistaken, you should be able to get an HDMI->DVI converter for the xbox 360. Just a word of warning, that will break the HDCP chain, so he won't be able to watch streamed NetFlix movies through it.

[PitViper]

The description is to go from your computer's DVI connection (output) to your TV’s RCA component connections (input). Will these work in reverse, i.e., from the Wii's component video output to the monitor's DVI input?

http://www.colordrives.com/component-to-dvi-converter-adapter.html

http://www.colordrives.com/dvi-to-3-rca-component-cable-10-foot.html

I’m sure there is no problem with the audio conversion to the PC, unless there is no audio in jack.

http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat%5Fid=118&sku=40645

[attgig]

what inputs does the monitor have? some monitors (from dell) have svid and composite inputs.

even better, what brand/model is the monitor?

[Devhux]

For the XBox, you can get a VGA cable, or use the HDMI --> DVI cable as previously mentioned.

I'd recommend against using a TV tuner card to hook up a Wii though -- very poor picture quality, and you'll notice it blurs a lot.

[PitViper]

what inputs does the monitor have? some monitors (from dell) have svid and composite inputs.

even better, what brand/model is the monitor?
Soyo DYLM24E6. Has only DVI and VGA inputs.

Product link. (http://soyo.com/product/LCD_Monitors/9/PEARL_SERIES_-_24%26quot%3B_Wide_TFT_LCD_Monitor/554)

Review of monitor at bjorn3d.com. (http://www.bjorn3d.com/read.php?cID=1299)

[attgig]

The description is to go from your computer's DVI connection (output) to your TV’s RCA component connections (input). Will these work in reverse, i.e., from the Wii's component video output to the monitor's DVI input?

http://www.colordrives.com/component-to-dvi-converter-adapter.html

http://www.colordrives.com/dvi-to-3-rca-component-cable-10-foot.html

I’m sure there is no problem with the audio conversion to the PC, unless there is no audio in jack.

http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat%5Fid=118&sku=40645

from this site:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10401&cs_id=1040113&p_id=2509&seq=1&format=2

i would say no.


I think you need something more like this:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10114&cs_id=1011407&p_id=4722&seq=1&format=2

[attgig]

and something like this for the audio:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10401&cs_id=1040107&p_id=2120&seq=1&format=2

[attgig]

oh, and at 480p, it won't look great on the monitor, unless you get yourself a scalar.

[PitViper]

What about this 28" monitor? I know it's an off-brand but its only $389.99 with coupon code EMCBBBBCC (Exp 11/17). Free Shipping. It has an HDMI connection.

Maybe skip the Wii and do the Xbox?

Hanns·G HG-281DPB Black 28" 3ms Widescreen LCD HDMI Monitor @ Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254026&Tpk=N82E16824254026)

Review @ benchmarkreviews.com (http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=125&Itemid=1&limit=1&limitstart=5)

[attgig]

at that point, I wonder if it's worth getting a cheap 32" or 37" 1080p lcd. I think there's a westinghouse 37" for $530.

Not sure what that resolution would do to a CAD program though, vs 1920x1200

[Jeffbx]

No, an LCD TV's resolution would not be appropriate for CAD (too low). Believe me - we've tried to make them work ;-)

I'd recommend the Ultrasharp Dell 2408WFP (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Monitors/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=320-6272).

Perfect resolution (1920x1200), beautiful display, and it has every input you can think of:
The new display port, HDMI, DVI w/HDCP, VGA, Composite, Component and S-video

Might be out of your price range - they're one of the more expensive 24" panels, but that's because it's also one of the best available. Retails at $690, on sale now for $517, and you can sometimes find them in the Dell Outlet for $450: http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/topics/global.aspx/arb/online/en/InventorySearch?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh

You can also check e-bay - even the prior generation is just as good (2407WFP). Check the date sticker on the back of the monitor - the standard warranty from Dell on these is 3 years, so if it's less than 3 years old you might even be able to get warranty coverage on it.

[PitViper]

No, an LCD TV's resolution would not be appropriate for CAD (too low). Believe me - we've tried to make them work ;-)

I'd recommend the Ultrasharp Dell 2408WFP (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Monitors/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=320-6272).

Perfect resolution (1920x1200), beautiful display, and it has every input you can think of:
The new display port, HDMI, DVI w/HDCP, VGA, Composite, Component and S-video

Might be out of your price range - they're one of the more expensive 24" panels, but that's because it's also one of the best available. Retails at $690, on sale now for $517, and you can sometimes find them in the Dell Outlet for $450: http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/topics/global.aspx/arb/online/en/InventorySearch?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh

You can also check e-bay - even the prior generation is just as good (2407WFP). Check the date sticker on the back of the monitor - the standard warranty from Dell on these is 3 years, so if it's less than 3 years old you might even be able to get warranty coverage on it.
The Dell 2408WFP looks like a great monitor and has very good reviews. But when you add another $31 sales tax, it ends up being $548 delivered. That would pretty much blow the entire holiday budget have set aside for my son. I would hope to have a few bucks left over for some other gifts for him. (My wife and daughter probably expect gifts as well.)

I found this 24” NEC monitor at Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824002359)for $370 delivered (no sales tax in my state). It has good, but not great, professional reviews. It even has the composite inputs as well as HDMI. The reviewers at newegg say it works well with the Wii and Xbox 360. Is anybody here familiar with this NEC monitor? I just may end up keeping the 24” Soyo for myself and go with the NEC for the college student.

Everyone here has been a lot of help getting me pointed in the right direction with the console gaming systems. (I did use my older brother’s Atari 2600 back in the 70's.) Thanks again.

[InfiniteNothing]

I don't see any speakers so you'll have to make other arrangements. It does have component inputs so you'll definitely want something like this:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10830&cs_id=1083001&p_id=3566&seq=1&format=2

[PitViper]

I don't see any speakers so you'll have to make other arrangements. It does have component inputs so you'll definitely want something like this:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10830&cs_id=1083001&p_id=3566&seq=1&format=2
It has a pair of rather crappy intregrated speakers, but that's true most monitor's built-in speakers. Good price on the component cable. I may also purchase a DVI to hdmi cable there as well.

[Cubsfan]

It has a pair of rather crappy intregrated speakers, but that's true most monitor's built-in speakers. Good price on the component cable. I may also purchase a DVI to hdmi cable there as well.

Monoprice is the best place for every cable I've ever bought.

[attgig]

Monoprice is the best place for every cable I've ever bought.

echo that. love that site for all cables/adapters.

[InfiniteNothing]

As a reminder, if the monitor has speakers it probably takes a 3.5 mm stereo plug as an input so you'll need the aforementioned adapter:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10401&cs_id=1040107&p_id=2120&seq=1&format=2