XBOX / PC One Monitor

fujintoro

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Jun 24, 2014
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Hey guy's I have a quick question. I just got an Xbox 360 today and bought a new monitor as well. The monitor supports full 1080p but the only connections are VGA and DVI. My GPU is currently taking the spot for the DVI. What I want to do is have both items hooked to the monitor through DVI so I wouldn't have to get up and switch both everytime I decide to switch over. I also wanna be able to keep both systems on when I can. Now what I was thinking is this. Could I get a DVI female splitter, connect my PC into one side, then get an HDMI to DVI converter and then plug the xbox in to the other split end. Is this possible? If so, could anyone link me to the CHEAPEST cords I could order? Thanks in advance guys. :)
 
Solution
You have two choices:
a) Powered HDMI switch http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011001&p_id=2786&seq=1&format=2 , or
b) Powered DVI switch http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011004&p_id=4069&seq=1&format=2

The mechanical version is cheaper and tends to have better compatibility, however I don't see the point in doing it that way since it's not much different than getting up to switch the monitor input.

*Some monitors will AUTOMATICALLY switch inputs if you turn off a device and another one is present or turned on. My dad's old Sony does, my newer Dell does not.

You'll also need the cables. I recommend an HDMI switch, and use the HDMI output from your PC if you have that or go with a...
You have two choices:
a) Powered HDMI switch http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011001&p_id=2786&seq=1&format=2 , or
b) Powered DVI switch http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011004&p_id=4069&seq=1&format=2

The mechanical version is cheaper and tends to have better compatibility, however I don't see the point in doing it that way since it's not much different than getting up to switch the monitor input.

*Some monitors will AUTOMATICALLY switch inputs if you turn off a device and another one is present or turned on. My dad's old Sony does, my newer Dell does not.

You'll also need the cables. I recommend an HDMI switch, and use the HDMI output from your PC if you have that or go with a DVI-> HDMI adapter or cable. Recommend the cable.

You'd need an HDMI->DVI cable or HDMI->DVI adapter + DVI cable to go to the monitor.

Other:
*Make sure your XBOX 360 works with the monitor, and that you have an AUDIO solution enabled. Without HDMI on the monitor you'd need to use whatever separate audio output the console has so that may be an issue.

Solutions:
http://support.xbox.com/en-CA/xbox-360/connections/connect-sound-system
and
http://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-360/system/connect-xbox-360-console-tv

*If you are switching the VIDEO input you also need a way to switch the AUDIO input. Unfortunately the ideal way is to have a monitor that supports HDMI, otherwise you may need to split the AUDIO input into desktop speakers which may cause issues with audio strength or noise by having multiple devices attached.

TOSLINK (digital) would be a better way if you have speakers that support this and perhaps have the XBOX on that, and the PC on the analog.

Summary:
Must think this out carefully for both VIDEO and AUDIO. If your monitor is inexpensive, perhaps get a replacement with dual HDMI, audio pass through (RCA), speakers, and ensure it can auto-switch between devices when one is turned off.

Example with new monitor:
BOTH the PC and the XBOX be attached via HDMI (2xHDMI inputs), and have the speakers attached to the likely RCA output (may need a simple RCA->3.5mm adapter). DisplayPort may work with audio in some cases but it must be supported on both ends (sound card output, and monitor input).

Further, the monitor would auto-switch if one of the devices was turned off.

 
Solution