Questions that do not deserve a thread

[Einzelherz]

Are the Sony multi AV receivers good for anything? My local thrift store has one with component connections, which are usable for me. Would it essentially be a base for wired speakers?

[CkRtech]

Sound quality of a random receiver aside, it does allow you to do things such as have the ability to switch inputs across various types and most likely gives you the option for utilizing digital output from your consoles (even by modding older ones such as SNES, Saturn, Playstation, Gamecube, etc) if you'd like.

If it is cheap and you have the space, you could integrate it. I use a home theater receiver for all of my systems, myself. Sound is underrated when it comes to classic gaming.

[FinalBaton]

Like Ckr said :

allows you to atleast toggle video inputs at the turn of a dial

+ chances are it's sound quality will be better with decent speakers than that of active pc speakers.
I myself value good sound for my games A LOT. It enhances the experience for me especially with good GEN/MD tracks, with their thunderous bass

If the receiver you speak of is part of the ES line, than grab it without thinking if it's cheap

[Einzelherz]

It look like this but had component ports, I think two sets, on the back.



It didn't have a huge amount of jacks on the back like some of the higher end pieces, either. I assume it's similar to the basic 5.1 surround dealy my parents have had for a decade that they never use.

Edit: fixed image but could only find the full setup.

[CkRtech]

Can't see the picture.

[bobrocks95]

I mean, it's an AV receiver alright. I wouldn't use one as an analog video switch if that's what you're looking at.

[CkRtech]

I mean, it's an AV receiver alright. I wouldn't use one as an analog video switch if that's what you're looking at.

Why not? It is a really convenient solution as AV receivers tend to provide a fair number of inputs for various types of analog AV.

And please don't say "lag." I think shmups believes that is some sort of terrible monster that exists and is only escapable by plugging the hardware straight into your brain.

[bobrocks95]

Nah, just that it sounds like it only has 2 inputs which isn't really useful at all, especially if that's a big factor in the decision. It's a pretty standard low-end AV receiver, the question is just whether or not he wants it.

And I have asked numerous times about lag info on AV receivers and it seems there's no sort of centralized source for any numbers, so might as well err on the side of caution
(I'd probably only actually be worried about newer models with 1 or 2 component inputs being converted to HDMI and upscaled)

[CkRtech]

Yeah. I guess it depends on how much component switching Einzelherz wants to do.

bobrocks95 - I know you and I have attempted the wild ride that is Audio Authority when it comes to component switching. Don't even know what I would recommend in 2016 if that is an important thing... (Seems like the Wii had...issues on bright screens with mine)

[Einzelherz]

I actually already use a 4 to 1 passive component switch that I run component and RGB through before it hits my monitors.

I guess what I was wondering was would this thing double as a speaker receiver and are they effective composite combs?

[bobrocks95]

Yeah. I guess it depends on how much component switching Einzelherz wants to do.

bobrocks95 - I know you and I have attempted the wild ride that is Audio Authority when it comes to component switching. Don't even know what I would recommend in 2016 if that is an important thing... (Seems like the Wii had...issues on bright screens with mine)

Didn't know you had an AA component switch as well. It seems they all boost the signal in some way- I get lots of dropouts/desyncs on the Wii with mine as well, a bit less with other systems but still noticeable and not befitting a switch that originally cost around $1,200 or so- I guess most of their customers were running a 100ft line or something?

I bought an Extron VGA switch for my 240p stuff on my CRT and I'm infinitely more pleased with it. 12 inputs, 2 outputs, looks perfect, uses a standard PC power cord so I didn't have to buy another adapter, and the auto-switching actually functions correctly. I wish it would be simple to use for component as well, but VGA to RCA dongles aren't really a thing so I think I'd have to make my own.

I don't know what I'd recommend at this point. Maybe an older AV receiver actually is the best option? I'm sure at some point they had 4 or 5 component inputs on there before DVI and HDMI became prevalent.

I'm hoping to ditch component switches entirely myself. Gamecube and Wii both have HDMI mods now, Dreamcast always had VGA, I'm hooking my PS2 up to my CRT because I'm tired of dealing with broken 480p mods on it, and in my case that just leaves the original Xbox hooked straight to the TV. That doesn't really solve the problem of not being able to recommend a good component switch though...

I actually already use a 4 to 1 passive component switch that I run component and RGB through before it hits my monitors.

I guess what I was wondering was would this thing double as a speaker receiver and are they effective composite combs?

Speaker receiver as in PC speakers or something? It of course works with regular passive speakers connected through speaker wire. PC speakers or anything else with a 3.5mm connector could be plugged into a headphone jack if it's got one- on my Sony receiver it's a 1/4" jack though so you'd need an adapter.
I probably completely misunderstood what you're getting at though, sorry.

Not sure what you mean by composite combs... Composite comb filters? The one built into it probably is just as good as the one in your CRT. If it's low-end like I think it is (looks more home-theater-in-a-box given the originally included speakers), the comb filter won't be all that great.

[BazookaBen]

but VGA to RCA dongles aren't really a thing so I think I'd have to make my own.

They aren't?

http://www.amazon.com/CableWholesale-Co ... B00JMC9CLK

[CkRtech]

Heeeey...I don't think I was the one that wrote that.

[Carmen]

So, just a quick question here as I am currently merely thinking of the subject. I am getting ready to switch apartments in a few months and I've been thinking about switching televisions as well. I currently am using a 29 inch random Chinese brand (SVA) TV, which at the time was kind of difficult to find as it isn't especially easy to find SDTVs with S-video. However, it certainly isn't the greatest (my late-era Toshiba SDTV in the States is a lot more vibrant) so I'm thinking of using the move as an opportunity to part with it and upgrade to an imported Wega or something (which are available here just at a price point). However, I've been kind of messing around with the idea of getting a broadcast monitor after reading this blog post http://www.bluegamer.net/nec-xm29-plus- ... -monitors/ Prior to this I had thought the highest broadcast monitors went up to was 20". I'm very used to playing on 30"-ish screens so any TV I'd want to get would have to be, at very least, like 26". I do realise that a larger broadcast monitor might be sacrificing clarity compared to smaller ones, but I'm assuming they'd all be a huge step up above consumer CRTs?

So I'm wondering, does anybody have a list of model numbers, aside from that XM29, of 26"+ broadcast monitors?

On that note I came across this listing for (I'm assuming to be a) Chinese brand broadcast monitor... https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a2 ... t=5#detail It says it is 625 lines/50Hz (PAL resolution) but that also outputs NTSC 3.58/NTSC 4.48 (on that note, my current TV here, while it says PAL, also has NTSC picture modes and runs my NTSC consoles all fine...). Are there any other questions that I should consider asking the seller?

Thanks in advance!

[Einzelherz]

but VGA to RCA dongles aren't really a thing so I think I'd have to make my own.

They aren't?

http://www.amazon.com/CableWholesale-Co ... B00JMC9CLK

I remember seeing RGBHV versions, too, while hunting down bnc cables this past week.

[Guspaz]

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=566

They obviously make shorter and longer ones.

[bobrocks95]

I knew about BNC breakout cables since I'm using one. I'd say it's maybe one too many steps of conversion at that point to be viable given that you also need 3.5mm to RCA adapters for the audio. Just a lot of little things adding up at that point.

My googling failed me for VGA to RCA female dongles though. Might be worth recommending an Extron switch for component with that?
I feel like somebody asking "what component switch should I buy" probably wouldn't want to hear "this VGA switch with two adapters or more per input" though. I'm still all-ears for good component switches if anybody has found one I haven't.

[Guspaz]

VGA to RCA doesn't really make sense as there are very few RGBHV devices with RCA inputs. But if you need to, you just lock these things onto the BNC plugs:

http://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=1 ... 1&format=2

BNC is a locking connector so you're essentially turning the BNC cable into an RCA cable.

[Shuco13]

1. Is there anything I can do about buzzing / hissing audio noise in SCART connections on higher volumes? Am I correct in assuming this is a general problem present on all scart connections? I read about grounding audio to a seperate pin, breakout audio cables or digital audio mods but I wonder if there's anything else I could do.

2. Ferrite cores /beads: Does anybody use them on SCART connections? Anybody ever noticed a difference with/without?

Thanks!

push

[bobrocks95]

VGA to RCA doesn't really make sense as there are very few RGBHV devices with RCA inputs. But if you need to, you just lock these things onto the BNC plugs:

http://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=1 ... 1&format=2

BNC is a locking connector so you're essentially turning the BNC cable into an RCA cable.

The VGA to RCA point was in the context of using an Extron VGA switch as a component video switch. It would be a bit much to have a short BNC cable and then a BNC to RCA adapter and then a short 3.5mm to female RCA cable, and all that for each input. It'd be nice if someone just knows of a better component switch I haven't come across.

[atheistgod1999]

Should I get Guitar Hero or Rock Band? I'm not going to be playing with anyone (unless it's against them). It seems like Guitar Hero is better for single player. Which one should I get? If I chose Guitar Hero, I wouldn't be getting the latest one, instead I'd get the one before that on PS3. If Rock Band, I'd get the latest one for PS4. I'm leaning toward Rock Band because I can get a brand new one with the Guitar right now on Amazon, while with Guitar Hero I'd probably have to scan eBay to find a guitar for the PS3.

[Guspaz]

I prefer Rock Band, but it's up to personal preference, really. Rock Band always felt like the continuation of the Guitar Hero franchise anyhow, since Rock Band was developed by the same studio that did Guitar Hero 1-2: Harmonix.

Rock Band always felt more like a platform than any individual game. IIRC, Guitar Hero only let you play the songs from a particular release, while every new release of Rock Band has let you carry your songs forward from prior games (with a few exceptions). I've got Rock Band 3 on my 360, and I've got with that all the songs that came with Rock Band 1 and 2 and my DLC. I understand that Rock Band 4 allows you to import your songs from Rock Band 1/2/3 providing that you had already imported 1 and 2 into 3.

[bobrocks95]

Should I get Guitar Hero or Rock Band? I'm not going to be playing with anyone (unless it's against them). It seems like Guitar Hero is better for single player. Which one should I get? If I chose Guitar Hero, I wouldn't be getting the latest one, instead I'd get the one before that on PS3. If Rock Band, I'd get the latest one for PS4. I'm leaning toward Rock Band because I can get a brand new one with the Guitar right now on Amazon, while with Guitar Hero I'd probably have to scan eBay to find a guitar for the PS3.

The hardware forum isn't really the place to ask, but if you're looking at it for just single player get Guitar Hero 3 or Rock Band 2. If you plan to buy a bunch of DLC maybe Rock Band 3 since plenty of the newer stuff isn't available in 2, but Rock Band 2 definitely has the most extensive single-player sense of progression.

Guitar Hero World Tour is pretty terrible, 5 is a bit better; maybe Warriors of Rock had a pretty good story mode? That's the only one I haven't played aside from the new one.
Rock Band 4 is missing an appalling number of features and basically launched incomplete, but might be fine for single player.
Instrument availability shouldn't be an issue, people are giving those plastic things away.

[BazookaBen]

Instrument availability shouldn't be an issue, people are giving those plastic things away.

Yeah, I see them in Goodwill almost every time I go.

[sixbynine]

I have two BKM-68X boards and both sometimes show the picture with a color tint. Took some time to figure it out but has to do with the 75 Ohm terminators I use to terminate the outs. If i slightly touch them the tint goes away. It’s very unlikely that 2 BKM-68X boards from different sources have exactly the same problem, so could it be the terminators? Can the be ›bad‹?

[atheistgod1999]

I have two BKM-68X boards and both sometimes show the picture with a color tint. Took some time to figure it out but has to do with the 75 Ohm terminators I use to terminate the outs. If i slightly touch them the tint goes away. It’s very unlikely that 2 BKM-68X boards from different sources have exactly the same problem, so could it be the terminators? Can the be ›bad‹?

If i slightly touch them the tint goes away.

Are you sure you turned them ~90 degrees clockwise so they locked on?

[Guspaz]

Gotta push them in before turning them 90 degrees, since the connectors are spring-loaded.

If you pull on a BNC cable or terminator and it comes off, then it wasn't plugged in right.

[BazookaBen]

I have two BKM-68X boards and both sometimes show the picture with a color tint. Took some time to figure it out but has to do with the 75 Ohm terminators I use to terminate the outs. If i slightly touch them the tint goes away. It’s very unlikely that 2 BKM-68X boards from different sources have exactly the same problem, so could it be the terminators? Can the be ›bad‹?

Yeah, they could be too cheap. I had some cheap RCA>BNC adapters that wouldn't make a proper connection unless you titled them a certain way. Like the signal pins were too small or something. So yeah, if you try some different terminators you will likely have better results.

[ZellSF]

Third party DVDO power supplies rated at 5A, when the official ones are 6/7A, bad idea? Fire hazard?

[Fudoh]

At least keep an eye on it when you're first using one. You can recap the originals though.