Random concerns/babblings

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Jedi2016

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I'm bored. So methinks I'll babble on a while about ye olde (or ye newe?) next-gen stuffs, and things that I'm currently wondering about that may prove to be problems later in life.

All these next-gen systems use digital audio. But I'm out of digital inputs on my reciever! DVD player's got the coax.. PS2's got the optical... ain't no more! The PS3 will replace the PS2 on the optical port, but what about the Revolution, or if I get a 360 at some point? I think there are switchboxes out there that can handle digital signals, but those can get expensive...

When I first got the optical cable for my PS2, I had some issues with sound in relation to my reciever (which is also a Sony device). My reciever has to "analyze" the incoming signal to decide what it is before it starts decoding it. This resulted in the reciever dropping the signal if there was any silence in the game, any point where the PS2 wasn't outputting any audio signal at all. When sound resumed, it would take it a second to catch up, and you'd miss part of the sound. Annoying as hell. I fixed it by "locking" the Video2 channel on my reciever into PCM mode, so it no longer tries to analyze it, and there's no more missing audio. But what about next-gen, when it'll go to digital? My reciever will once again have to pick apart the sound before it can play it. As long as the developers program the game in such a way that there's always some sound coming through, this won't be a problem.. but it's a concern. Yeah, it may not sound like a big deal, but wait until you experience it.. it's utterly MADDENING. Any 360 owners having problems with this?

Hm.. what else...

I want an HDTV, but can't really afford it... I'm even pondering buying an extra PS3 for Ebay to fund one... it may not be entirely moral, but is it really wrong?

Thoughts? Opinions? Random thoughts of your own about PS3 and/or next-gen?
 
This should have been posted in the Electronics area.

The sound problem you're describing with optical out is a common one. To save on energy use and heat build up, the receiver acts like an audio gate. When no audio signal is present, it is shuts off to save energy use. When it detects an audio signal, the pre amp/ amp turns back on, and sometimes it misses the first half part of the first word, or whatever. It happens with mine all the time. The subwoofer makes an annoying "thump" sound, because it's a cheap model. You'll get used to it.

If you need more optical or even video inputs, buy a switcher. I just did for my HDTV set because I ran out of component inputs. They work great.
 
I'm in the same boat when it comes to HDTV problems. I'm fast approaching the purschase of a 360 (finally!!!), but it kinda isnt worth it without a good HDTV backup.

...I suppose the decision is up to Mom, as she said she owes me (in the neighborhood of $400) and wants to replace the upstairs TV. The only problem is, when the 360 comes in, I want to play it... And if it is upstairs, no one will be able to watch digital cable while I play (so sad...)

I was thinking about buying an HD LCD computer monitor that can double as a TV. They are a bit cheaper, and they should be able to replace one of my two TVs in my bedroom without a problem. I'm currently running a 26" RCA hooked up to the XBOX with a kicking stero, with a 19" RCA next to it so I can watch Fox News or G4 while I wait online for a room.

...The problem is, I cant foot the bill of the $500 360 (thats with one or two games and an extra wireless controller) and atleast $600-700 for a new HDTV... Maybe the 360 will have to be played on my Aunt's 32" LCD HDTV for a while...
 
$50 - $80 for a system selector (good one) will give you everything you need (aside from optical, but that's not a problem for you). Just hook all your other consoles to the system selector, then you only hook the selector to your reciever. Switch freely and viola. :)
 

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