xbox to pc question

[rhannahs]

alright, this is what i want to do. I want to be able to put my xbox next to my computer so i can play with both at the same time. I dont want to buy an extra tv, because it takes up too much space. i have thought of two ways to do this, either way i chose, i would like the xbox to have 0 lag, so i dont lose any frame rate while in the middle of a big halo battle or something like that:

1. buy a pci video capture device, and hook up the xbox video through that. however, im not sure my CPU has enough power to do that. i have a AMD athlon xp 2200+ (1.8 ghz) and 512 ram. I have a decent 256 ram video card. is this enough processing power to run the xbox on the screen and have simple programs open? (like AIM) i dont want there to be any lag, so thats my big concern and if we go this way, what PCI card would you recommend?

2. my other way of doing this is getting a VGA box, and a KMV switch.

something along option number one, i'm thinking about building a new computer and putting in this graphics card (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-130-195&depa=1) its a graphics card/tv tuner AGP 8x card, so maybe just upgrading to this video card would work... any ideas guys?

 

[fjbm97]

I would use the second option...

 

[TokenUser]

Option 2.

There have been some complaints about streaming Xbox content through a video capture card - most of these devices buffer the input stream, performs its calculations so it can display as a window, then outputs. Only a slight lag, but it can be frustrating.

 

[thegreatcerebral]

I would say get a second screen for your PC (for dual monitor) and put the 2nd on a KVM with vga box.

basically i would go the vga box route... cut the middle man (PC)

 

[rhannahs]

alright yeah, and i dont have to worry about an extra keyboard or mouse alright cool, thanks guys

 

[kkanon]

Just get a vid-card with Video-in capabilities. Connect the xbox to the pc, change the video input and -no lag.

 

[Catalyst]

Dell has some new monitors that have VGA and Composite connections...


You can hook your xbox and PC into it... there's a little button on the bottom of the screen that switches inputs for the monitor... There's also USB connections on the monitor that I think can be controlled through the screen as well.


http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=320-4111&category_id=4009

It's a Dell ultrasharp.... pretty sweet. I got one right infront of me here... I like it. But, I'm just using it for composite.

 

[l0thar]

My roomate has done just what you are looking to do. We have my modded box in the living room and he has his virgin retail box next to his computer in his room. He went with the method that Catalyst described with the Dell Ultrasharp and it looks great. If you've got the money, go with the new monitor and I highly recommend the Dell. If you don't, then I would suggest the second option you mentioned, you'll definitely see better performance than having to pass the video through the PCI bus. Remember, any input signal has to be processed in order to be rendered on the screen, so in essense you have to process the video twice (once by the xbox and once by the card).

 

[SniperRH]

i bought an x2vga, a while ago, it looks great, thanks for the input guys