Best game console for an old TV
August 6, 2015 9:32 PM Subscribe
I've got an old "HD-compatible" LCD TV that I want to hook up some kind of gaming console to. The connections I have appear to be component video, composite video, S-video and coax. This TV predates HDMI.
So what are my options for gaming consoles? What is the most recent hardware I can use with this? Please factor in availability of great titles, the merits of the type of console of that generation (like Playstation vs Xbox for instance) and whatever else. I don't know anything. Games would be sports games & FPS games. Thanks!
So what are my options for gaming consoles? What is the most recent hardware I can use with this? Please factor in availability of great titles, the merits of the type of console of that generation (like Playstation vs Xbox for instance) and whatever else. I don't know anything. Games would be sports games & FPS games. Thanks!
Every console will have component connections available, if only via aftermarket cables, which are cheap. I recommend an Xbox One. Best variety of titles and extra services, and strongest, easiest UI to use. You'll get plenty of people saying otherwise, though, and they can certainly make a valid case. But that's my opinion.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 10:42 PM on August 6, 2015
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 10:42 PM on August 6, 2015
Use component cables, only those and HDMI allow HD signals to be displayed, and even disregarding that, it's higher image quality than composite and S-video.
I don't think the Xbox One and PS4 natively support component output, you'll have to use a transcoder, like a HDFury.
posted by Bangaioh at 12:46 AM on August 7, 2015
I don't think the Xbox One and PS4 natively support component output, you'll have to use a transcoder, like a HDFury.
posted by Bangaioh at 12:46 AM on August 7, 2015
Response by poster: Cool Papa Bell, can you point me to the type of cable I would need to get from hdmi to component? What I'm seeing on amazon says you need some kind of converter box also?
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 6:23 AM on August 7, 2015
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 6:23 AM on August 7, 2015
It might be worth googling "[manufacturer and model] display lag" before you buy anything, lest you find that no console is playable on your tv.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 6:54 AM on August 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 6:54 AM on August 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm still a fan of the Xbox 360; they're cheap and there's a huge back catalog of games that can be had for next to nothing now. But the Xbox One is now backwards compatible, so there's some sense in getting the latest and greatest, assuming it runs on your TV.
posted by craven_morhead at 7:46 AM on August 7, 2015
posted by craven_morhead at 7:46 AM on August 7, 2015
Ideally you'd want the HDFury Gamer 2 Component, a lagless, high-quality transcoder that works with all consoles, but you may be satisfied with something much cheaper.
Be aware of HDCP decoding and get a device that supports it if your intended use patterns require it.
posted by Bangaioh at 8:58 AM on August 7, 2015
Be aware of HDCP decoding and get a device that supports it if your intended use patterns require it.
posted by Bangaioh at 8:58 AM on August 7, 2015
If you go with a Wii there is a component cable option; wasn't included in the initial generation but you can buy them aftermarket. Wii U might not be the best choice but the prior generation has lots of games available thanks to the longevity of the system.
posted by caution live frogs at 11:57 AM on August 7, 2015
posted by caution live frogs at 11:57 AM on August 7, 2015
What sports games? If you like baseball, you will want to get a Playstation 4. Otherwise, no real difference between Xbox and Playstation (Wii/Wii U is no good for sports games, unless you are only interested in casual sports games like Wii Sports). For FPS, unless you are a Halo (or Gears of War) fan, there isn't much difference between the two, although new content for Call of Duty will come out on PS4 first.
posted by EatenByAGrue at 5:22 PM on August 7, 2015
posted by EatenByAGrue at 5:22 PM on August 7, 2015
The reasons to own any particular console always come down to that one title (or several) that's exclusive to (WiiU being the clear winner on that metric) or significantly better on that system.
Since stupidsexyFlanders doesn't mention any specific titles, just sports/FPS games in general, the choice is simple: 360 for last gen, PS4 for current, as the superior version of multi-platform titles will, with some exceptions, be for those two.
Many others factors may influence the decision, like a PS+ subscription with its monthly free games being very attractive, which system your friends own, preferring a controller over the other, wanting a Blu-Ray movie player as well (the PS3 is but the 360 isn't), etc. But all other things being equal, for sports/FPS either a 360 or PS4 are the ones to get.
posted by Bangaioh at 1:45 AM on August 8, 2015
Since stupidsexyFlanders doesn't mention any specific titles, just sports/FPS games in general, the choice is simple: 360 for last gen, PS4 for current, as the superior version of multi-platform titles will, with some exceptions, be for those two.
Many others factors may influence the decision, like a PS+ subscription with its monthly free games being very attractive, which system your friends own, preferring a controller over the other, wanting a Blu-Ray movie player as well (the PS3 is but the 360 isn't), etc. But all other things being equal, for sports/FPS either a 360 or PS4 are the ones to get.
posted by Bangaioh at 1:45 AM on August 8, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 10:07 PM on August 6, 2015