I've got a game room to set up where we'll be setting up 2 x 50" Pioneer Plasmas side by side, 7.1 system, 2 x X-Boxs, 2 x DVR's, DVD. This is the first gaming setup with real teeth that I've had the opportunity to work with.

Occasionally they want to connect both boxes for 8 total players (4 per screen - Halo etc). Otherwise both boxes connected for racing side by side on both TV's. Anyone done this setup before? I'm thinking that the TV's could sport wireless headsets as well for the gaming - whatever would be most practical and fun for them.

Thanks for any suggestions

You need a component video matrix switch. Check these out:

cheap:

[Link: avtoolbox.com]

intermediate, but overkill:

[Link: keydigital.com]

Wireless headset support is built into the good (wireless) controllers. I've been using mine since the week the thing came out with great satisfaction.

You'll need to plug the Xbox into the Plasma on each one!!!

There your done..........Unless you want the opportunity to watch each box on both TV's but that would be overkill.....With people sitting in front of both at one time the 2 Tv's playing the same thing would be confusing at best.

Honestly it sounds too easy, but the split screen in the boxes does the work when you select 2 players it goes split screen, and when you choose 4 players it goes quad screen..........

Make sure you have 4 controllers (the wireless logitech work great) for each box for a total of eight controllers.........

Also make sure you have a cat5 for each box back to the network...
This allows each box to access Xbox live as well as the other box for head to head play.....

Its not rocket science on this one.......

If you were to use the recommendation of the matrix switcher that would require 8 xbox360's and that would be ridiculous.....

Take care to vent the 360's as they run very hot.........if you mount them in a rack get a Zfan or other fan to help them stay cool and the games will not crash after overheating the box....

Have fun and make sure you leave time to TEST these when your done.......The 360 has graphics that are incredible.........

CI

only problem i see is burn in on the plasma's, but lets be real these are more like movies than video games


ed

I was dissapointed with the "degraded mode" of operation on my 43 inch Pioneer. Once it went in to "degraded mode" it was more like this washed out non viewable fuzzy image. Totally useless for gaming.

I only experienced it once and this is when I had the Pioneer on a multicast channel watching a thunderstorm front move thru on the Radar.

Like you say the new games are more like watching a movie and this Radar Image was not changing very quickly.

-DonB

Headphones would be ok but the XBox uses it's own headphone system with a built in mic so that as you are playing some one else whether they are in the same room or over the internet you can talk back and forth.

I suggested the matrix switcher because I misunderstood and thought that occasionally they would want both displays to show the signal from the same Xbox.

One other thing, Mount the consoles SOMEWHERE OTHER THAN RIGHT NEAR THE GAMING AREA! The fan inside is unbelievably loud. You would be well served to put them inside a (well ventilated) cabinet.

They have a new version coming out with supposedly a smaller processor (size wise, not speed) and a better ventilation, cooling system than previous....Also Ive heard rumors of 100$ cheaper in the premium package.

The controllers are all wireless on the premium packages as well as the ones you should buy are also.....30 foot range nice control...keeps the mount in the shelf from having the octopus of cables strewn about from the face of the rack.....

Cable options have opitcal for digital out, as well as VGA capabilities on other cables..............



Question, how do you choose who gets to listen to what box.....Audio has to be one or the other...........Thats where wireless headphones would come in handy..........

many thanks for the gamer tips. Is there a site where I can see some basic diagrams/instructs on how to connect the two x boxes. Or if you can put one of your kids on to explain it to me... I know it's not rocket science, I just haven't done it yet.

Steve, the easiest thing to do conceptually is to imagine that you are hooking up two DVD players. Each has Component Video, Analog Audio and Optical digital audio. The only other connector you need to take into consideration is is the network jack on each one that needs to be hooked into a router.

Make sure he gets the top end 360 package, im pretty sure the lower end one doesnt come with wireless controllers or component/optical cable... 7 out of 10 theaters we do have some sort of gaming console in them, its really bad ass... The 360 on the other hand, its like directing your own discovery hd show AWESOME...
Mike

I believe I've got the 360 design down. No problem.

With the Yam 7.1, 2 Pio plasmas, 2 DVR's, 2 XBox's, DVD and an MX 850 in the room, most likely they will want these scenarios side by side:

DVR1 and DVR2 (one for each TV, sound from either)
DVR1 and XBox2 (sound from either)
XBox1 and DVR2 (depending on what they fired up first - not essential)
XBox1 and XBox2 (sound from either + headsets)
DVD and XBox2 (this is impractical but it's a kids room - so why not?)
DVD and DVR2 ( " )

DVR1, XBox1 & DVD will be routed thru the Receiver to TV-1, DVR2 & XBox2 video will connect directly to TV2, audio will connect directly to audio only inputs of receiver so picture won't switch on TV1 when selected.

I've done several 2 and 3 TV systems that work great (minus the game).

I'll use a Yam RX-V659 or the RX-V1600. The 659 is a more desireable choice because of the integrated Ipod dock.

I've never used a matrix switcher. As I understand it, it only gives you the option of swapping screens over this more conventional design.

Any thoughts or concerns you guys might have?

Steve, shame on you for using the MX-850 still after going to the training on the 11th.
You should use the MX-900. Much faster program time and is real easy to use.
Send me an e-mail with your phone# and I can help you and tell you some other really cool things to do with the 360.

The 900 would be cool but I need the 850's 10 button LCD to keep the navigation simple. I'll be using the FAV button for misc options as well. I wish the other ones had the FAV.

With the page forward and backward buttons the 6 button lcd has worked well for me.
Create your own fav page on the 900. There is plenty of memory.