CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

[AJStevens]

I've looked at the other two posts I found in a search, but thought it best to just start my own.

Ok, let's see, firstly, I'm in the UK, and using PAL equipment (no imports).

I have a Panasonic Plasma HD 40", but it's an older one, only does 1080i max. However I have a similiar setup upstairs with a 37" Panasonic, which does full 1080P, eventually I'll get around to replacing the one downstairs, once there's a nice looking one on a good deal, maybe.

Anyway, I've got my Xbox and other consoles currently going into a Joytech 245C Component/Composite AV Switch. Here's the specifications:

Connect up to seven AV or game console devices to your TV
AS-HD technology maintains optimum signal clarity
6 component video inputs
7 composite video, S-video and stereo audio inputs
4 digital optical inputs
3 port Ethernet LAN Hub
Front panel inputs for quick AV connection
Fully programmable LCD Display
Remote Control and Cables included

I've got what I can connected to it via Component, and the component output to the Component input of the TV. I also have the composite output connected to the TV, and one or two things connected to it via composite.

Interesting setup, but basically allows me to use the same switch and flick to the composite input on my TV, then flick any composite input on the switch, I then flick to the component input of the TV, and flick between the component inputs. Very handy.

Here's a piccy (I've got the silver one though, but same spec):

The PS3 bypasses this and goes into the TV via HDMI (1080I downstairs, 1080P upstairs).

I do have a Pioneer DVR-5100H, which I have connected to my Sky (Satellite TV in the UK) via Scart, for saving recordings off the disk, and making my own DVD series collections, until the official ones come out, I then erase them and reuse them.
It also has a couple of Composite/S-Video inputs, which I think I've used in the past for some one off recordings, or unplugged the scart and used that, a bit messy.

I'd like to just wire it up permanently, so I can still play with the best picture, but be able to capture gameplay, at the moment it's for getting onto a PC, adding a voice-over and sticking on YouTube, but I'd like to be able to save it to DVD or Blu-ray (Blu-ray Recorders now, yay!).

I've seen talk of these Hauppage things, I'm guessing even though they're called a PVR, there's no mention of a HDD or the size, so I'm guessing you need a PC on and recording... that sucks, I want a HDD device that can record the "raw" footage, and I can sort it out later (that's why I like my DVD Recorder, stick it on a DVD-RW, copy the .vob files and edit into a new file, add voice-over, and then produce, well that's the plan anyway).

Obviously the HDFury2 is a must, along with a HDMI switch, so it can continue to the TV, while getting a component output to stick with the others for recording. I'm pretty sure there's a spare port on the Joytech (if not, can sacrifice the Deamcast or N64 still plugged into it *blows the dust off them*, yeah I kinda collect consoles, sold my old SNES, regretted it, but now got most of the important titles from Wii Shop, had to pay again though...

Then I guess something like a Hauppage between the Joytech and the TV? Will I also need that gamma x add on and the VGA to Component box?