Can you have an XBox and a reg DVD player hooked up at once?

[glorfindel02]

I have a DVD running through my stereo, and was thinking of getting an XBox. Initially I just want to hook it up in addition to the other stuff. I might retire my DVD player in the future if the XBox is better, but I dont know that yet.

How hard is it to hook both the DVD player and the XBox up to the home theater system at once?

Thanks,
Glorfindel

[mdubnik]

You can hook up as many things as you want to your stereo and TV, provided that you have enough video inputs to handle them and enough audio inputs on your receiver. I have more than one product hooked up now, so it can be done, just depends on the TV.

IMO, I would suggest retiring your DVD player and using the Xbox...not that it's really that much better or anything, but it does provide excellent playback and why use 2 things when you can use 1? Also, if you go with the Xbox, invest in the S-Video box and use monster cables...vast improvement over stock setup.

[glorfindel02]

I'm not certain that the XBox can play the SVCD discs I've been burning. If it plays everything I throw at it, I'll likely retire the other player.

My TV is older, so I'm not sure if it has the sort of inputs I'll need to have both hooked up. I suspect my receiver has what I'll need, it's pretty new.

BTW, do you know anywhere where I can find an XBox bundled with Halo? I've seen some bundled with games I'm not terribly interested in but not Halo or Ghost Recon.

[Wetmonkey]

xbox also has an optional component out muy bueno

[AndThenSome]

glorfindel02. I have a lot of components hooked up to my TV and I used a video/audio hub to switch between sources. You can pick these up at worstbuy or circuitcity and the like.

I think mine is RCA brand and has 4 Svideo/composite audio inputs. The box is hooked up to my TV via the Svideo with sound routed to my stereo. I am able to push a selector button and have the choice between using my Xbox, DVD Player, TIVO, or VCR with one box.

It works great and only costs bout $15-20 but is worth every penny considering how many times I used to crawl behind my TV to switch devices using the single Svideo port.

[LanEvo7]

Just pass the Xbox through you VCR's line in. Everytime you want to play xbox you'll have to have the VCR on, but if you don't have enough ports that's an option.

[margib]

If you have an HDTV you will want to get the Advanced AV kit from Microsoft (or equivalent third party). Without it you will not be able to play games in HD resolutions (not that there are a lot of them yet).

I definitely would not be passing through a VCR. This will degrade your signal greatly. Most decent AV receivers have multiple inputs/outputs.

As for replacing your current DVD, I would recommend against this also if you have a pretty good standalone. I have noticed the Xbox doesn't handle certain discs very well (skipping, etc.) where my Sony plays them fine. My Xbox doesn't play CDR media either (although I think some of the newer ones may), CDRW works fine.

[tonyp12]

$20 at bestbuy

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1051806653170&skuId=4320862&type=product


Or if you only have s-video on your TV.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1051806653363&skuId=4320924&type=product