Now entering the HD world. What about all my older game systems?

[N2x]

Yesterday I bought this sweet Samsung CRT with cabinet and DVD player for an unbelievably low price. So far I've only played the 360 on it, and it looks like a dream -- a 1080i dream.

I'm prepared for the eventuality that my other systems won't look nearly as technically impressive, but I'd nevertheless like to upgrade to the best display possible. So, regarding the GameCube, PS2, and original Xbox, what are the best outputs to go with: S-Video, component? I heard the PS2 doesn't handle component as well as it could have, so that's mainly why I'm asking.

**EDIT: And of that note, are first party cables the best, or is that Monster crap as good as purported?

Much appreciated, your guys' advice.

 

[N2x]

Oh, and I heard that the Wii component cables don't work with a GCN. Is it because of a physical input difference? Would I be able to buy Wii components right now and use them on the GCN, or is it physically impossible?

 

[jro]

Use component for everything and you'll be fine. The PS2 stuff will look as good as the hardware allows, basically, if that makes sense.

 

[Argentina94]

Yesterday I bought this sweet Samsung CRT with cabinet and DVD player for an unbelievably low price. So far I've only played the 360 on it, and it looks like a dream -- a 1080i dream.

I'm prepared for the eventuality that my other systems won't look nearly as technically impressive, but I'd nevertheless like to upgrade to the best display possible. So, regarding the GameCube, PS2, and original Xbox, what are the best outputs to go with: S-Video, component? I heard the PS2 doesn't handle component as well as it could have, so that's mainly why I'm asking.

**EDIT: And of that note, are first party cables the best, or is that Monster crap as good as purported?

Much appreciated, your guys' advice.

Since I also own an HD CRT, I have the best possible connections for all my systems and everything looks sensational.

For XBOX and PS2, I HIGHLY recommend component. I use Monster for XBOX and Sony-brand for PS2 and the difference is nil. But both look stunning in 480p (or higher depending if the game allows it, very few do). If you have God of War for PS2, wait till you set it to Progressive Scan in the menu. Night and day in my opinion.

For Gamecube, either component or S-Video will do nicely. While you need component for progressive scan and it certainly makes some games look nicer, I found that the video signal for the Gamecube to be the best of the previous generation. S-Video looks incredibly good and you certainly won't regret it. Myself, I use component so that all three systems are connected equally.

My Neo has JeffK's Neo Bitz so it's also component but other than that, all my low-res systems from Playstation and earlier are all connected S-Video (SNES, X'EYE, Saturn, Dreamcast, N64, PS1). S-Video on CRT is positively sharp and once you have one system connected that way, you'll want them all like that since composite (even on Genesis) makes the game look worse than it should.

Aside from the Dreamcast, since I don't use the VGA cable as my TV doesn't support it, all my systems use the best possible connection and on a CRT, it's well worth the hassle/investment.

Take it from someone with first-hand experience.