[Walker]

I've posted this topic before but it's been quite a few months so am hoping some new displays hit the market.

I'm looking for a flat panel display with a composite video connector. I want to be able to hook up both a sony playstation 3 and a PowerMac G4 (VGA video card) to the same display. I realize there are third party products that would allow me to do this, but I'd like to keep the system as simple as possible.

I'm looking at the Dell 2001FP (older but posititve reviews) but am hoping there are some other displays out there with the composite video connector. I've done a lot of web searching but have had no luck.

Thanks,

lw

[mduell]

Dell 2007FPW, 2407FPW, and 3007FPW...

[PowerPc = Pwnage]

Wow, composite and s-video built in, sexy black good looks, dirt cheap compaired to Apple, starting to get a little jealous..

[Walker]

I should add that I want to keep the price to $300 or less....way less if possible. Used ones are fine.

[mduell]

Wait, for a PS3 wouldn't you want HDMI/DVI or component?

All that CPU/GPU power in a PS3 is going to be wasted if you degrade the image over composite.

[Walker]

Originally Posted by mduell 

Wait, for a PS3 wouldn't you want HDMI/DVI or component?

All that CPU/GPU power in a PS3 is going to be wasted if you degrade the image over composite.

Explain what you mean as I'm not really up on all the tech stuff. Are you saying not to bother getting a PS3 unless I use a HDTV or DVI monitor?

[tooki]

Well essentially every LCD has DVI and/or VGA inputs, either of which is light-years ahead of composite video. Since the PS3 also has a plethora of output options, why pick the lowest common denominator instead of the highest?

tooki

[Walker]

Originally Posted by tooki 

Well essentially every LCD has DVI and/or VGA inputs, either of which is light-years ahead of composite video. Since the PS3 also has a plethora of output options, why pick the lowest common denominator instead of the highest?

tooki

I was under the impression that the composite video was separately switched on the Dell Monitor. This would allow me to keep the computer connected to the monitor also.

I currently have a Gateway monitor that has both VGA & DVI ports. Are you saying it may be possible to hook up the computer via the VGA and the PS3 via the DVI?

[mduell]

Yes. Put the PS3 on HDMI (DVI with a different connecotr) and your Mac on VGA (or a second DVI port if your Mac's video card has it).

[Cadaver]

•Composite = worst picture quality (PQ). One cable w/ RCA connectors at each end. Whole video image crammed down one conductor. Think VHS quality.

•S-Video = one up from composite. Splits the composite signal into essentially a black & white signal and a signal for color information. Think good VHS quality.

•Component = very good PQ. Splits the video image into separate red, green and blue signals, each carried over its own cable.

•Progressive component = even better PQ. Some component devices allow a progressive (non-interlaced, i.e., better PQ)) signal to be sent/received, but to take advantage of this you need to make sure each device (source and display) will allow a progressive component signal.

•VGA = yet even better PQ. Essentially RGB component with a separate sync signal. Always progressive.

•DVI = best picture quality. Purely digital signal (all the above are actually analog).

•HDMI = DVI signal + copy protection/encoding. HDMI and DVI connectors are physically different, but an HDMI video signal without copy protection is the same as generic DVI. A $25 connector adapter is all that would be necessary. The copy protection is called "HDCP." DVI+HDCP = HDMI. HDMI cables can also carry digital audio signals, but as of now this is rarely used. High-def DVDs (BluRay and HD-DVD) require HDMI/HDCP compatible displays show show the high-def image, otherwise you're stuck with essentially standard-def (though still digital) PQ.

[EFFENDI]

I have a Cornea CT1702T 17" flat=panel, which I am interested in selling. Probably much closer to your budget. It has composite, s-video, and a co-axial cable input, along with VGA and DVI connections. it has a built-in TV tuner, and remote so you can use it as a television as well. I paid well over $600 new, and I'd sell it for aaround $275 shipped with all the accessories and cables.

[Walker]

Originally Posted by mduell 

Yes. Put the PS3 on HDMI (DVI with a different connecotr) and your Mac on VGA (or a second DVI port if your Mac's video card has it).

How does the display know which signal (the Computer or the PS3) to have on the screen?

[Walker]

Originally Posted by EFFENDI 

I have a Cornea CT1702T 17" flat=panel, which I am interested in selling. Probably much closer to your budget. It has composite, s-video, and a co-axial cable input, along with VGA and DVI connections. it has a built-in TV tuner, and remote so you can use it as a television as well. I paid well over $600 new, and I'd sell it for aaround $275 shipped with all the accessories and cables.

A previous poster said my current monitor should work fine (it has a VGA & DVI input) so I'm checking into this. If my current display doesn't end up working, then I'm very interested in your Cornea flat panel.

[vasu]

I would get one of the dell widescreen panels which have DVI, VGA, composite, and s-video.

Hookup the G4 via VGA, and hookup the PS3 via an HDMI to DVI Cable (they're about $20). If you hookup the PS3 via composite cable, it's going to look like garbage on an LCD. if you use a hdml-dvi adapter, and output the video digitally to the display, it'll look MUCH better, and you'll also retain the HD resolution. Using composite, you're limited to really low res video

-vasu

[Walker]

I think I'm going to give it a try with my current monitor. I'll do you like recommended and get a HDMI to DVI adapter to plug in the PS3.

Thanks for all the advice.

lw