First, let my list the devices that I have:
-PS2
-Xbox
-Upconverting DVD Player
-HD Set Top Box

My TV has 2 Component ports, 3 HDMI ports, 1 PC port, and 1 AV port. The Upconverting DVD Player has to be hooked up via HDMI in order to upconvert. I hooked up the Xbox via Component. I used to have the PS2 hooked up via the 2nd Component port, but since I got the HD Set Top Box, I used the other component port for the STB. I tried hooking it up via HDMI, but the picture was worse on SD channels because those set top boxes don’t support HDMI. So, since the Component cables give me better picture and I rarely play the PS2 now, I used the 2nd component port for the STB. Now, I don’t have any other port to hook up the PS2. For now, I’m using the AV port, but the picture looks real fuzzy. It was MUCH better when it was hooked up via the Component port.

Is there any other way I can hook up the PS2 or Xbox so I can free a Component port? I still have 2 HDMI ports and 1 VGA port free. I tried researching for HDMI or VGA adapters for these consoles but I couldn’t find anything. I hate to have to spend an extra $50 on a switcher. Any ideas?

There are trans coders out there that can be used to convert component to VGA, they will cost more then a switcher though.

Thanks. I guess my only other options are: buy a switcher or ditch the PS2. But I'm leaning towards the latter as I rarely play video games now.

Can't you just unplug the STB and plug the PS2 in when you want to game?

Can't you just unplug the STB and plug the PS2 in when you want to game?
I hate doing that.

Hook up the Xbox using HDMI?
http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-HDMI-AV-Cable/dp/B000UODATY

Or from Monster if your prefer:
http://www.amazon.com/Monster-Cable-HDMI-Xbox-360-feet/dp/B000RHG09G

Hook up the Xbox using HDMI?
http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-HDMI-AV-Cable/dp/B000UODATY

Or from Monster if your prefer:
http://www.amazon.com/Monster-Cable-HDMI-Xbox-360-feet/dp/B000RHG09G
I appreciate the input but I have the "old" Xbox, not the 360. I looked all over and I couldn't find any HDMI cable for the Xbox.

Depending on your model of XBOX - assuming it is a 360 -new models are HDMI out or the older models have the ability to plug into the PC/VGA input on your LCD. Use one of these to do that http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-VGA-HD-AV-Cable/dp/B000B6MLTG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1231352546&sr=1-1

I believe your TV's native resolution is 1366 x 768. You should be able to set the 360 to 1366x768 with the VGA cable or the HDMI cable.

Sorry posted after you posted about the regular XBox.

If you want to use all those devices on component, I'd just plug and unplug. You might try the PS2 on S-Video and see what it looks like to you. Doesn't your tv has a side port with s-video?

Doesn't your tv has a side port with s-video?
Yes, it does. But doesn’t s-video also deliver poor results on an HDTV?

Converts to VGA:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Video-to-VGA-Converter-xBox-PS2-PS3-Wii-HD-TV-BOX-Tuner_W0QQitemZ220330467617QQihZ012QQcategoryZ3759QQcmdZView Item

Yes, it does. But doesn’t s-video also deliver poor results on an HDTV?

That's why I said try it and see if it is to your liking. Solves your problem of not enough ports, but may not solve your probelm of wanting the clearest appearing picture. S-video will output only 480i to the tv so you may not like it.

Do you have a Home Theater Receiver? I just hooked up my parents system and they have a 2 year old Yamaha Stereo that has 3 component inputs (and 3 digital audio inputs).
You'll spend more than 50, but you will get better sound.

Try this: http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=68816

You'll still have to switch the connecters between the PS2 and the XBox, but at least you won't be unplugging from the back of the TV anymore.

If you are leasing the STB from its supplier tell them to replace it with one that has HDMI or at least DVI output. The one you have sounds like it is pretty old since it is not.

If you are leasing the STB from its supplier tell them to replace it with one that has HDMI or at least DVI output. The one you have sounds like it is pretty old since it is not.
It has HDMI, but the picture is worse because it doesn't support 480i. So, the SD box has to de-interlace the video and output a 480p signal, which it does a poor job at. So, I use Component cables and it outputs 480i, letting my TV do the upscaling, resulting in a better picture.

Converts to VGA:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Video-to-VGA-Converter-xBox-PS2-PS3-Wii-HD-TV-BOX-Tuner_W0QQitemZ220330467617QQihZ012QQcategoryZ3759QQcmdZView Item
Wow, that's expensive. Might as well get a switcher then.

I'm so annoyed that the Xbox or PS2 don't support HDMI or VGA. It's ridiculous. This is one thing that makes HDTVs worse than SDTVs. Running out of ports was never an issue with SDTVs.

but since I got the HD Set Top Box, I used the other component port for the STB. I tried hooking it up via HDMI, but the picture was worse on SD channels because those set top boxes don’t support HDMI.

I don't really understand what you mean here. If you can hook up your HD box over HDMI then it supports HDMI. Do you just mean that the standard def channels don't look as good if you have it hooked up over HDMI as they do if you hook them up over component?

What cable box do you have? Are you upconverting the standard def stuff with it, or are you having your TV upconvert the standard def material? Have you tried both ways? I just don't understand why you couldn't use the HDMI port on your cable box if it has one.

I don't really understand what you mean here. If you can hook up your HD box over HDMI then it supports HDMI. Do you just mean that the standard def channels don't look as good if you have it hooked up over HDMI as they do if you hook them up over component?

What cable box do you have? Are you upconverting the standard def stuff with it, or are you having your TV upconvert the standard def material? Have you tried both ways? I just don't understand why you couldn't use the HDMI port on your cable box if it has one.
Component- outputs 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i
HDMI- outputs 480p, 720p, 1080i only

After several tests I did, I conclude that this box has a horrible upscaler. My TV does a better job at it, so I don't want the box to do any converting. Since SD channels are 480i and the HDMI output doesn't output 480i, it has to convert the signal to 480p, which it does a poor job at. My HD box is: Samsung SMT-H3050. There were a couple of threads about this box and many have concluded that using Component with this box gives better results than HDMI and I strongly agree with them. Therefore, I use Component because it gives better results.

OK, didn't know you couldn't do 480i over HDMI. So I agree stick with component for the cable box.

If you want everything else hooked up over component still I think you are going to have to have a switch.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10112&cs_id=1011201&p_id=3027&seq=1&format=4#feedback
http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-playstation-gamecube-nintendo-wii/dp/B0006TIA7K/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1231364293&sr=1-5

Manual switches usually seem to cause less video degredation.

OK, didn't know you couldn't do 480i over HDMI. So I agree stick with component for the cable box.

If you want everything else hooked up over component still I think you are going to have to have a switch.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10112&cs_id=1011201&p_id=3027&seq=1&format=4#feedback
http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-playstation-gamecube-nintendo-wii/dp/B0006TIA7K/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1231364293&sr=1-5

Manual switches usually seem to cause less video degredation.
I may try those, but the Amazon seems to have poor reviews.

My Motorola HD STB supports either 480i or 480p over HDMI i assume that it does so since they are both ATSC formats.
What make model STB do you have.

My Motorola HD STB supports either 480i or 480p over HDMI i assume that it does so since they are both ATSC formats.
What make model STB do you have.
Samsung SMT-H3050

Your configuration is complex for sure.
Is there any way you can resolve your issues by Not using the upconvrerting feature of your DVD player and use the upscaling built into your dispaly since it apparently restricts your interface options?

He has the DVD player hooked up with HDMI. He is short of component inputs so the DVD player is not a problem.

I know a Universal component connection may be pretty simpleton of an idea, but sin't simplicity sometimes the best way to go? You'd have one set of cables all the way from the TV to the gaming systems, instead of a whole mess of wires going to and from a switcher. Since the PS2 isn't used all that much anyway, you wouldn't have to make the switch all that often, and it's not that hard to do when you need to.

just buy one of those generic ps2/xbox/gc component or composite hookup cables. You can hook multiple systems up with the same cable at the same time as long as the systems are located fairly close together.

just buy one of those generic ps2/xbox/gc component or composite hookup cables. You can hook multiple systems up with the same cable at the same time as long as the systems are located fairly close together.
You mean the Universal cables that bluejayrock just mentioned? Yeah, I've seen many of those, but all the ones I found don't allow you to hook up two systems at the same time. They only allow you to hook up one. It's kind of ridiculous if you ask me. Is there one that DOES allow you to hook the PS2 and Xbox at the same time so I don't have to bother hooking and unhooking? If so, can you provide a link?

He has the DVD player hooked up with HDMI. He is short of component inputs so the DVD player is not a problem.
Correct. I have two free HDMI ports. I'm only short of Component.

RCA has a component video switcher for less than $40.

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=h0&oq=rca%20&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GWYE_enUS306US222&q=rca+component+video+switcher

The switches I posted links to were just examples. I know Pelican makes a pretty decent cheap model, most video game stores carry it.

I will warn you though, I have not had good luck with remote controlled component switches. I tried the ones from Joytech, Psyclone, Pelican, and a couple others, and none of them could pass 1080 without causing issues. However my old Pelican manual switch works fine.

The component cables that have ends for the PS2, Xbox, Gamecube only allow you to plug in one component at a time. If you have more than one plugged in at a time the signal can be degraded, or if both machines are turned on at the same time it can overload your TV and cause damage.

The switches I posted links to were just examples. I know Pelican makes a pretty decent cheap model, most video game stores carry it.

I will warn you though, I have not had good luck with remote controlled component switches. I tried the ones from Joytech, Psyclone, Pelican, and a couple others, and none of them could pass 1080 without causing issues. However my old Pelican manual switch works fine.

The component cables that have ends for the PS2, Xbox, Gamecube only allow you to plug in one component at a time. If you have more than one plugged in at a time the signal can be degraded, or if both machines are turned on at the same time it can overload your TV and cause damage.
That link from Amazon is a Pelican switcher. Have you tried that? Does it work well with 720p? I’ve seen that switcher before and I was considering buying it, but the bad reviews from Amazon make me hesitant. I don't mind manual switches so feel free to recommend some manual ones that you know are good.

I have the same problem, with 6 devices, going to a projector. For now, I solve it using a 5x1 switch box, but I hate this. At the moment, the 6th device on on a separate tv.

I was hoping to solve this with a better HT receiver, but even that crazy huge Denon receiver only has 5. I'm not anywhere near that price range.

I have one similar to this one (a Mad Catz but with the GC instead of 360 connection) and it allows me to hookup two of the systems at the same time (the gc would also hookup but the cable won't reach).

http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=68816

I have the same problem, with 6 devices, going to a projector. For now, I solve it using a 5x1 switch box, but I hate this. At the moment, the 6th device on on a separate tv.

I was hoping to solve this with a better HT receiver, but even that crazy huge Denon receiver only has 5. I'm not anywhere near that price range.

You can always look for used Extron RBGHV switchers on ebay, like the SW 4AR MX. These have 4 inputs and can be daisy chained without affecting HD image quality. Two of these will give you 7 inputs with 1 output. Switching is done manually using front panel buttons.

You'll need at least 4 BNC connectors per input. Use 3 for component video, 1 for digital audio (coax). For RCA cables, get a bunch of BNC / RCA adapters (4 per each input and 4 for the output), available at Radio Shack or on line.

I have used this on my system: http://www.hdtvsupply.com/41auaucovisw.html

It was perfection when I needed to plug up 4 devices to a tv that only had 2 inputs. Auto-sensed the devices as they were powering on.

I have used this on my system: http://www.hdtvsupply.com/41auaucovisw.html

It was perfection when I needed to plug up 4 devices to a tv that only had 2 inputs. Auto-sensed the devices as they were powering on.
Price: $219.00, lol. Any other alternatives? Like I said, a manual switcher will do. Anybody have any recommendations?

Provided you're not worried about how the audio will connect, you could try:
"Philips USA PH-61148 4 x 1 HD Component AV Selector"
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-USA-PH-61148-Component-Selector/dp/B000BVIBGI/ref=dp_cp_ob_e_title_1

$25


I haven't used it, but it's cheap enough to try out - and has decent reviews on the Zon.

I just scanned the thread again, and maybe I missed something, but doesn't your TV have composite (yellow) and/or s-video? PS2 and xbox can connect to either of those with the right cable...

I just scanned the thread again, and maybe I missed something, but doesn't your TV have composite (yellow) and/or s-video? PS2 and xbox can connect to either of those with the right cable...
Yes, for now I have the PS2 connect via composite. However, the picture is fuzzy. It was way better when hooked up via component. I'll probably just leave it that way because, like I said, I rarely use it.

Small FS plug, I have an RCA Video switch, it's a manual switch that originally handled composite/s-video/stereo input and output, since it's manual it should not be particularly bandwidth limited. It should work reasonably well. It's yours for $15 shipped.

This is the one I actually used until I bought my new receiver.
http://www.amazon.com/Pelican-System-Selector%252d-Not-Machine-Specific/dp/B0002MHF22

I had no issues with it degrading picture quality.

Small FS plug, I have an RCA Video switch, it's a manual switch that originally handled composite/s-video/stereo input and output, since it's manual it should not be particularly bandwidth limited. It should work reasonably well. It's yours for $15 shipped.
I have a composite switcher, but I don't use it because I'm not short of composite. I used to use it for my SDTV.

This is the one I actually used until I bought my new receiver.
http://www.amazon.com/Pelican-System-Selector%252d-Not-Machine-Specific/dp/B0002MHF22

I had no issues with it degrading picture quality.
Darn, it's unavailable.

I have a composite switcher, but I don't use it because I'm not short of composite. I used to use it for my SDTV.

Does it have yellow, red and white? A simple non-powered one with mechanical buttons? If so, try and use it as a component switcher.

I'm embarassed to admit that is what I am using as a component switcher at the moment. Picture quality looks no worse than a single device hooked directly up to the projector. I do have HD and SD signals going through it.

Wouldn't hurt to give yours a shot..

Does it have yellow, red and white? A simple non-powered one with mechanical buttons? If so, try and use it as a component switcher.

I'm embarassed to admit that is what I am using as a component switcher at the moment. Picture quality looks no worse than a single device hooked directly up to the projector. I do have HD and SD signals going through it.

Wouldn't hurt to give yours a shot..
Where do you plug in your audio (red and white) cables then?

Can't you just unplug the STB and plug the PS2 in when you want to game?

This is an impressive answer:D

Where do you plug in your audio (red and white) cables then?

I guess I wasn't thinking about the audio. I use my switcher to switch the component video and go straight to the projector with the video. I separately send the audio over optical, coax or red/white as needed to the receiver.

So, I have to switch both the switchbox and the receiver to play a movie.