I just got a Panasonic Plasma a few months back, and after spending alot of thought initially on my cabling needs which I ran through my walls before installing the Plasma on the wall I am now stuck. I am now wanting to buy one of the new Nintendo Wii Game systems(which isn't High Def, so it uses Component Video for 480p) for my son for xmas. I originally ran 2 s videos, rca, 1 component video cable, and one HDMI Cable. Unfortunately, my one Component Cable is being used by my DVD player. So I am trying to find a Component Video Y Splitter adapter if one even exists . I never have a need for both the DVD player or the Wii to be on at the same time and can use the same TV input. Does anybody make a Y splitter(Not interested in a hardware splitter box) or will a standard RCA Y splitter work in this application(If I bought 3 - 1 for eacjh of the comonent leads) - not sure if the 480p picture quality would degrade if I use regular audio RCA splitters for video. Can anybody give me any advice. Thanks
Do you have a home theater receiver with component switching? If not that might be a nice (not necessarily cheap) upgrade. I am not sure if the Wii will output 480p through a component cable with an RCA splitter at the end of it. I have a Wii and I don't know how it knows that it's hooked up to a component cable so you can switch to 480p. It would be relatively cheap to check, as RCA splitters are around $5. There are compnent splitters available, as I have read suggestions in other threads in the past (can't remember which ones).
I have a HT Reciever but it does not have Component ins so I have video input going right to the Plasma. The Wii will do 480p with Components only which is why I want to go that route (Not S video or composite). Unfortunately, I assumed my gaming consile would be Hi def since that is the thing now - so my HDMI cable is usless unless there is an adapter to convert to Component from that
Are you currently using your HDMI port? If not there are component to DVI cables and DVI to HDMI adapters available. I have not seen component to HDMI directly.You should be able to find them with a google search.
technically you can use a simple RCA splitter for the component cables and given that your not really transferring HD content on either the dvd player or the wii, you won't have any problems. In fact you wouldn't have problems even with HD content except maybe some wavyness to the screen if you have anything with RF interference near the cables. Component cables simply have higher conductive cables and better shielding but in theory are the same as standard composite (RCA) cables. If you want the best possible picture though you should replace the dvd player with an HDMI capable player and use component for wii and hdmi for dvd. Otherwise, i'd try my initial suggestion first and unless you notice interference to the point it bothers you, you will be fine. Don't be fooled by an expensive "component splitter". As i said before there is no difference between composite and component cabling except the quality of copper and shielding and thats not enough to make a noticable difference except to a machine reading the data. Your eyes couldn't tell.
Thanks for the info. Ultimately I will get an HDMI Dvd but am waiting for the HD DVDs to be more reasonably priced and more available. I probably will have issues down the road since I only installed 1 HDMI cable but I will probably upgrade my Hometheater receiver at that time and will be able to run everything through that. Thanks again
ah you can get an HDMI capable dvd player at walmart for 70 bucks... doesnt have to be "HD" capable. it will probably upconvert your signal though. not saying you shouldn't wait, just wanting to make sure you understand HDMI isnt only for HD content. HDMI just has a higher bandwidth capability.
I'm with you. I am currentlky using a DVD Recorder(Liteon - which is junk) that is less than a year old, so I am going to have to wait a bit before I upgrade. thanks for the info
