Josh needs help with his Wii!

[Joshkdmw]

The cabling, to be specific.

See, my HDTV only has one component in, so I have to keep switching my 360 and Wii cables manually (the cheapest component switch box I can find is like 70 dollars). The tv has HDMI inputs, but my 360's old enough it doesn't have HDMI out.

So, my only option to avoid constant cable switching and not spending too much money is to use the TV's S-video in. I know the wii's not a "true" HD console. Will using S-video be a noticeable downgrade in quality? The TV's not top-of-the-line or anything - 32 inch 720p. Can I just spend twenty bucks and be in good shape?

[TheKeck]

My wild guess is that you might notice some slight difference but I honestly have no idea.

[EmersonSchmidtPI]

Gamestop sells universal component cables (360/PS3/Wii connectors on the end) for somewhat cheap, that might be a good solution for you before switching to S-Video only. On the Wii there is a noticeable difference in image quality, but not as huge as it would be on one of the other consoles.

[Talanvor]

Does your TV have a VGA input? You can get a VGA cable for your 360, that'd free up the component input.

One problem I found with using component switchers is the Wii's signal isn't as... I don't know, strong? as the other consoles. When I was using one it would, at times, not even see the Wii's signal. But other times it would work. Really irritating.

[muddi900]

RCA Y-cables. 5 of them. Problem solved.

[Joshkdmw]

Does your TV have a VGA input? You can get a VGA cable for your 360, that'd free up the component input.

One problem I found with using component switchers is the Wii's signal isn't as... I don't know, strong? as the other consoles. When I was using one it would, at times, not even see the Wii's signal. But other times it would work. Really irritating.

No VGA input. 3 HDMIs, but no damn VGA.

RCA Y-cables. 5 of them. Problem solved.

Would that really work? As long as only one console was on at a time?

[biosc1]

Would that really work? As long as only one console was on at a time?

No reason why it shouldn't...it would be interesting to see what happens if both consoles are on, but your TV is essentially stupid and will display what it is sent to it. It wouldn't know about the Y-adapters.

[Wally]

If both video sources are on you will get unusable video. Essentially you are summing the two signals and passing through the result.

Should work fine with only one source at a time.

[MachEnergy]

The Y cable setup sounds plausible. Otherwise, I've got a Pelican System Selector Pro 2 that I may be willing to part with. It supports 5 inputs, and the hoarder in me wants to keep it for the mythical day when I hook up all my old systems to one tv. Still, I like helping people with A/V needs.

[evilgoodwin]

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011007&p_id=3027&seq=1&format=2

70 bucks? How about 20?

[MachEnergy]

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011007&p_id=3027&seq=1&format=2

70 bucks? How about 20?

I'm ashamed I didn't offer this up as an option! When in doubt, Monoprice!

[Joshkdmw]

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011007&p_id=3027&seq=1&format=2

70 bucks? How about 20?

That, uh... That's pretty nifty. I tell you what. With a money back guarantee! So if it doesn't detect my Wii's signal, I can return that shit.

WOOOOOOOOOOO

[evilgoodwin]

Monoprice has made me very happy in terms of cables and switchers.