My XBox needs surround sound - but how?

[JoyMonkey]

I've got a bit of a problem here.
My surround sound receiver is a few years old now and only has one optical input (which I'm using for a PS2) and one SPDIF input (which I'm using for a DVD player).
My receiver doesn't have component video connections, only composite and one s-video.

Right now, I've got a PS2/XBox component cable hooking the consoles directly up to my TV, so I get great picture, but no surround sound out of the XBox.
The XBox doesn't have individual outputs, so I need to use one cable for everything for it.

What do you think is the best way for me to get everything hooked up?

(and no, I can't afford a new receiver right now)

[Nyrine@Work]

Get yourself an optical switcher :

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=71585&item=5786116688&rd=1

I used to use one of these - its a manual switch, so a pain sometimes in that you have to get up and manually switch it over, but it does the job.

Or an electronic one :

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=64596&item=5787251971&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=64596&item=5787259398&rd=1

Search on ebay for Optical Switch

[Minwah]

Throw your PS2 in the bin!





(sorry, couldn't resist  )

[JoyMonkey]

Throw your PS2 in the bin!
(sorry, couldn't resist  )

I dunno, I'm yet to be convinced of the XBox's superiority; Modding-wise, I know the XBox kicks ass, but I've been playing Burnout3 on it (which I already played to death on PS2) and although it looks identical on XBox, it plays a lot better on PS2 (collision detection and enemy AI aren't as accurate on XBox), and after two hours the stupid XBox controller has given me wankers cramp in both wrists!


Anyway, not to turn this into a battle-of-the-consoles thread;
It looks like I'll end up getting one of those optical switches Nyrine suggested and a manual rca switch for the component video. I thought there might be something out there that could switch both, but all I can find are those $80 remote controll switch boxes.
Looks like I'll need to get another cable for the XBox too, since it doesn't have indiviual optical-out.

[Minwah]

I dunno, I'm yet to be convinced of the XBox's superiority; Modding-wise, I know the XBox kicks ass, but I've been playing Burnout3 on it (which I already played to death on PS2) and although it looks identical on XBox, it plays a lot better on PS2 (collision detection and enemy AI aren't as accurate on XBox), and after two hours the stupid XBox controller has given me wankers cramp in both wrists!

Really?  I didn't notice any difference, but then I've only played the PS2 version on my friends' consoles so haven't played it as much as my Xbox version.

Anyway, not to turn this into a battle-of-the-consoles thread;
It looks like I'll end up getting one of those optical switches Nyrine suggested and a manual rca switch for the component video. I thought there might be something out there that could switch both, but all I can find are those $80 remote controll switch boxes.
Looks like I'll need to get another cable for the XBox too, since it doesn't have indiviual optical-out.

Pretty annoying that the optical out is in the AV port really.  In fact, it's annoying that all console manufacturers have their own connectors.  I wish they'd make consoles like hifi seperates, with just standard RCA (or toslink optical) connectors for audio, and composite/s-video/scart/component/whatever connectors for video.  Of course then you wouldn't have to pay for the manufacturers overpriced cables...

[JoyMonkey]

Pretty annoying that the optical out is in the AV port really.  In fact, it's annoying that all console manufacturers have their own connectors.  I wish they'd make consoles like hifi seperates, with just standard RCA (or toslink optical) connectors for audio, and composite/s-video/scart/component/whatever connectors for video.  Of course then you wouldn't have to pay for the manufacturers overpriced cables...

I know what you mean, everytime I move a console to a different TV I need to dig out a different cable. Hopefully one day consoles will all be the standard stereo component size, so they'll fit neatly into our home theatre systems. I thought things were headed this way when the PS2 first came out and was nice and flat like a DVD player, but now the next-gen systems are going all curvey again 

[Pilot143]

hows $100 sound?

http://hardware.gamespot.com/Story-ST-17646-2011-x-x-

this is one of the best combos I've ever seen... covers just about everything on the market right now as far as a/v conectors go.

[shmokes]

I have that and it works really good for the most part.  It'll even act as a quasi network hub so you can switch not only video (including component cables) and audio, but network as well.  The one thing I hate about it is the lack of an ability to be controlled by remote control.  You do get a lot for your money, though.  I believe I picked it up for $80 at Gamespot.  Mine's black, but I think it's the same model.

[JoyMonkey]

Nice! Overstock.com has them for $65 too.
I can stop saving for that new receiver now!

[toyfiend2004]

I know what you mean, everytime I move a console to a different TV I need to dig out a different cable. Hopefully one day consoles will all be the standard stereo component size, so they'll fit neatly into our home theatre systems. I thought things were headed this way when the PS2 first came out and was nice and flat like a DVD player, but now the next-gen systems are going all curvey again

here is a cable that i bought several of.

[crashwg]

http://www.ncsxshop.com/cgi-bin/shop/CY-SAVS-BK.html?id=IBaWmdH6

That's the one I plan on getting eventually.  It's pretty expensive but you can hook up a butload of stuff and switch between it all from the comfort of your favorite cushy spot! 

[edit]
Just realized that inputs one and two don't have component input...  That may change my mind although I'm not completly decided yet.  If all the inputs had SPDIF or inputs 1 & 2 had component it'd be a no brainer but only havig one input with component and SPDIF kinda turns me off from it a little. 
[/edit]

[richms]

[edit]
Just realized that inputs one and two don't have component input...  That may change my mind although I'm not completly decided yet.  If all the inputs had SPDIF or inputs 1 & 2 had component it'd be a no brainer but only havig one input with component and SPDIF kinda turns me off from it a little. 
[/edit]

Yeah, but they have d terminal which is basically the same thing (from what I have being told) - so you just need a dterminal cable for the ps2 and gamecube and then your done