Alternative ways to connect the Console

"zeontestpilot" (zeontestpilot)
12/07/2015 at 06:33 • Filed to: Video game

Lately I’ve been itching to play some video games, specifically M-rated games. But as a parent, I don’t want my kid viewing the violence or the language, so I’m looking into alternative ways to connect my xbox 360.

I’m connecting the 360 through the hdmi cable, since the component/composite cable somehow broke. I’m currently using a flat screen tv, but it’s the same tv that we have Netflix connected to, and my kid (she’s 2.5) uses that tv. So if I play on that screen, she’ll see the game, which is the opposite of what I want.

I do have two computer monitors, both which have VGA connections, which is why I think a HDMI to VGA adapter would be beneficial. Although I then realized that, to my knowledge, there may not be sound since the sound is pumped through the hdmi cable, but VGA is picture only. So getting the sound split from the video would have to be considered.

So any thoughts oppo? Am I approaching this the right way with the adapters? Tvs are expensive (to me at least), so I’m really seeking out alternative ways to connect the console, so I can still game. Thanks!

DISCUSSION (27)

jariten1781 > zeontestpilot
12/07/2015 at 06:45

They make a vga out for the 360. The off brand versions are super cheap. That’ll give you L/R RCA audio as well that you can plug into a receiver or powered speakers (cheapo used computer speakers work fine).

traitor joe > zeontestpilot
12/07/2015 at 06:51

You can buy a VGA cable that plugs into the xbox component output. It has L/R audio outputs which can be converted to a standard headphone jack.

Nauraushaun > jariten1781
12/07/2015 at 06:52

This sounds awesome.

zeontestpilot > jariten1781
12/07/2015 at 07:04

Huh, never heard of that. Is it called something special then? Or do I just search for 360 to vga?

zeontestpilot > traitor joe
12/07/2015 at 07:05

Will have to look into this...

Toby F., Manager > zeontestpilot
12/07/2015 at 07:09

Hit up Craigslist for another TV? Sometimes you can score them for free.

jariten1781 > jariten1781
12/07/2015 at 07:12

Replying to myself from a desk:
Here’s the setup I’d do if I was trying to budget connect a 360 to a monitor (did not check the reviews on these guys, just examples)

Cheapo VGA out:

http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-6-Fee…

Cheapo Computer Speakers (get ones with 3.5 out so you can headphone if you want):

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-980-0…

and cheapo RCA to 3.5mm female to female to connect:

http://www.amazon.com/Manhattan-inch…

Go used where possible Goodwill/thrift shops might have some used computer speakers for <10 bucks. You can try going straight from RCA to headphones without the speakers, but volume will suck and probably be a pain to adjust in game or in the console...powered speakers are good to have in your collection anyway.

jariten1781 > zeontestpilot
12/07/2015 at 07:13

See my reply to myself. Missed the edit window.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > zeontestpilot
12/07/2015 at 07:18

http://www.lightinthebox.com/hd-vga-cable-f…

something like that, the 360 proprietary connector is component video, so is VGA. So it’s just a plain adapter.

a HDMI to VGA converter would be changing the signal from a digital HDMI to an analog component/VGA signal so it’ll be more expensive. The upside is you wouldn’t be limited to just using that converter on the 360... but you’ll still need a 360 proprietary to audio out cable for sound, which you might already have in your box, they used to come shipped with them way back in the day.

way way back in the day I had a 360 to VGA to DVI with component audio to 3.5mm audio jack to get it to run on my Monitor and PC speakers.

zeontestpilot > jariten1781
12/07/2015 at 07:22

Thanks! I think I have extra speakers, but they aren’t powered.

I really feel like my little one shouldn't be exposed to this stuff, not yet. At least, especially when she easily picks up new words and such, :/.

zeontestpilot > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
12/07/2015 at 07:24

Ha, this 360 model is a bit old, so I no longer have the box. But it's good to know the VGA is component though.

jariten1781 > zeontestpilot
12/07/2015 at 07:32

Do you have an old boom box or mini-system or something sitting around? A lot of those will have either RCA or 3.5mm in.

You can try non-powered speakers but they’re usually more a pain than they’re worth at controlling volume. They’re essentially just big headphones.

I haven’t got rid of any working electronics since ~1997 and I’ve kludged together lots of these ghetto-rigged setups over the years (hooked an N64 up to a TV/VCR combo in a minivan for my niece on a roadtrip...in 2013... with just shit I had sitting around in the attic...haha).

zeontestpilot > jariten1781
12/07/2015 at 07:35

I have lots of spare parts lying around, and I also refuse to throw out electronic stuff, lol.

zeontestpilot > Toby F., Manager
12/07/2015 at 07:36

But a flat screen with hdmi? I’d imagine people would like to keep those. I have a extra 39”-42” tube tv nobody wants! :/

TheRealBicycleBuck > zeontestpilot
12/07/2015 at 08:13

If you are willing to do a little hardware hacking, it is possible to connect the HDMI and the RCA audio at the same time. This is how our XBox is connected. We use a computer monitor and a separate set of powered speakers. The XBox HDMI connects to an HDMI-DVI adapter for the monitor. The RCA connects directly to the external speaker boxes.

http://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/62…

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-To-Xbox…

You can also set up parental controls on the XBox.

https://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-360…

With parental controls on our Cable box, TV, XBox, Wii, XBone, and router, our house is under perpetual lockdown. Bedtime? No problem. All handhelds must go to the charging area and the wifi blocks all access for the kids. Problems with kids watching videos instead of doing homework? No problem! The router blocks all video sites for the kids’ accounts Monday through Friday.

It’s just a matter of buying the right hardware and taking advantage of the controls you already have.

Mattbob > zeontestpilot
12/07/2015 at 08:19

you could use one of these http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key…

I used one to get audio out of my HDMI stream because my tv didnt have an audio out. Also, how is bioshock infinite? I played for like 20 minutes when I got if from XB gold, but I couldnt get into it.

zeontestpilot > TheRealBicycleBuck
12/07/2015 at 08:23

When she gets older, I’m just going to put the games in places where she can’t find them.

I’ve decided that I’m gonna be “that parent”, who wants to know what they are watching, reading, playing, etc. There are some things I don’t really care about having under our roof. I like vid games because I majored in that at college, but I like fantastic stories too, which tend to be the M-rated games. Haven't bought any new games in a while, so I'm playing what I have.

zeontestpilot > Mattbob
12/07/2015 at 08:32

I absolutely loved it, but I’m also a big bioshock fan. I love the story/plot, it was engaging enough to get my wife interested, and she could care less about the games I play.

The dynamic between Booker and Elizabeth is fantastic too. For me, it didn't feel like a chore having her around.

I play/buy games for either their narrative, or they bring something new to the FPS genre. I’m not a online player at all.

TheRealBicycleBuck > zeontestpilot
12/07/2015 at 08:35

“When she gets older, I’m just going to put the games in places where she can’t find them.”

Thanks for the laugh. She MUST be your first. You will learn that this line of thought is futile.

I’ve done my best to avoid exposing the kids to mature things, whether they are games, movies, or books. Despite my best efforts, there have been moments where they saw something they shouldn’t have. Those become teaching moments. It’s all part of parenting.

bob and john > zeontestpilot
12/07/2015 at 08:39

the ending from Infinite totally blew my mind. I sat at the computer screen or another 20 minutes trying to make sense of it.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > zeontestpilot
12/07/2015 at 08:41

You could get creative with a soldering iron and splice together an old vga with the factory 360 component cable. The signals aren’t exactly the same so it only works on devices that can send as vga.. So not an old vcr or something.

Mattbob > zeontestpilot
12/07/2015 at 08:45

I am the same way with games these days. It’s got to have a good story. I just can’t keep up with the 12 year-olds online anymore. I am currently about 80 hours into Fallout 4, so it will be a bit before I get to it, but Bioshock is now next on my list.

zeontestpilot > TheRealBicycleBuck
12/07/2015 at 08:58

Lol, yep, my first. I know I can’t ‘protect’ them from everything, but it's something.

zeontestpilot > bob and john
12/07/2015 at 08:59

Agreed, I didn't see it coming either. But that's part of its charm, I think, to keep it fresh, :).

zeontestpilot > Mattbob
12/07/2015 at 09:03

I just started Fallout 3 the other day, for the first time. The language and violence in-game is what inspired this post.

I’m not crazy about the game, but it is fascinating because you have a lot of freedom. I particularly want to test those limits. I find it interesting to see how the game punishes a player for doing ‘bad’ things, :).

Mattbob > zeontestpilot
12/07/2015 at 09:11

Yeah, I totally understand not wanting a 2.5 y/o to hear that language.

I usually am good just long enough to where my character doesn’t need to rely on people. Then I become real evil. I killed some cult leader the other day because I didn’t want to go through his dialog.

zeontestpilot > Mattbob
12/07/2015 at 09:35

I was in Arefu, and discovered that this one lady was, let’s say ‘simple’. She was absent-minded, and wanted to know if her magazine subscriptions were in. Her son was a jerk and kept dropping the f bomb. So I thought, what happens if I kill her son? Will she still be simple, or freak out? I was really curious, so I VATS shot him in the face...repeatedly. This is also when I discovered the gore of the game, as the top half of his head blew off. The mother did freak out though, which I thought was a shame. I really wanted her to keep being in character of an idiot or something.

I also quickly discovered ammo and health items are frustratingly scarce. So, I think I’m gonna play as someone who kills people they think are the scourge of society (canibals, jerks, etc) and then some. I’ll be the deadpool of the game, I’ll do what I want.