Not Truck Related - PS2 Component Cables

[melbertbloosfan]

Knowing lotsa folks out there have a PS2, I thought I would give my thoughts on this product:

 

Product Name: Interact (I think, blue box: "Pro Component Cables")

Manufacturer: Interact (not endorsed or approved by Sony)

Purchased at: Toys R Us (NOT on their website)

Cost: $19.99US + tax

 

Skill Level: Very Easy

Overall Rating: 9.00

 

Massive, huge difference over the stock (yellow, red, white) composite cables...  Much better color saturation and sharper, crisper images.  Had to turn the sharpness way down.  Much brighter picture also (had to turn contrast way down, too).  One caveat, you must have component (green, blue, red) inputs on your tv.  These are the inputs you generally use for a DVD player.  Luckily I have two sets on my 50" Toshiba HD RPTV .

Anywhoo, well worth the $20US for these babies.  Only gripe is the proprietary end that goes into the PS2 - it doesn't seem "as tight" as the supplied composite Sony cable.  But tight enough, I think.  

Do yourself a favor and buy these for your PS2, you won't be sorry.  Especially if you use the PS2 as a DVD player -  these are a must have item.

 

PS- I know Monster Cable makes a $60 set that are probably superior, but with gaming, I feel Monster might be overkill.

 

 

   

 

Edit: changed name of mfg.

[timk49]

I went with the Monster cables on my PS2. Bought them at Circuit City cant remember the price. There was a very noticible increase in pictuer quality. I play Medal of Honor and there are alot of soldiers hiding in dark places that are hard to see. With the Monster cables the improvement was immediately noticable.

 

The best mod to my system was the Logitec wireless controler. It Works great and no more wire and wire extention to fool with. If you play a lot get this one. The unit is a little larger than the regular game pad but my wife and 10 year old son use it with no problem.

[Z71GUY]

Now that you have increase your video quality, dont skimp out on the audio.  Run a good digital TOSlink "optical" cable into a Dolby Digital/DTS receiver w/ some quality speakers...you'll find yourself with a HUGE smile on your face.  Something that is overlooked by most consumers...

[MarkD]

Does the PS2 or X-box have digital coax out or just fiber (toslink)?

 

If you can use a digital Co-ax (RCA cable) you will still get the audio improvement without the drawback/risk of the toslink (cost, fragile).

[melbertbloosfan]

Now that you have increase your video quality, dont skimp out on the audio.  Run a good digital TOSlink "optical" cable into a Dolby Digital/DTS receiver w/ some quality speakers...you'll find yourself with a HUGE smile on your face.  Something that is overlooked by most consumers...

Yeah, if I had a digital receiver I would be set.  Alas, a 6 yr old pro logic is all I have!!  No optical inputs at all.  #### thing will..not..die!!!  I am wasting my good paradigms with this boat anchor.  Anybody know how to kill one quietly with no incriminating evidence for the prying wife to find?  

Wireless controller and SOCOM (480P) will be my next purchase (hopefully within the month)  Home theater really cuts into the 'ole truck customizing budget :popcorn:

[Z71GUY]

Does the PS2 or X-box have digital coax out or just fiber (toslink)?

 

If you can use a digital Co-ax (RCA cable) you will still get the audio improvement without the drawback/risk of the toslink (cost, fragile).

PS2 only has optical.  Not sure what the XBOX has...I'll have to check with my brother who has one.

 

As far as TOSLink (optical) being that fragile, I'm using three optical cables for my system and have not had a problem with the cables.  I like this cable because there is NO way any kind of interference is going to effect the cable signal.  The only benifit that digital coax has over TOSLink IMO is the connectors.  You just have to make sure you keep the optical connections CLEAN.

 

I know this is a life long dispute over at the home theater forums.  

 

As for killing a receiver without the wife knowing....Hmmm.  I would suggest a small glass of water "accidentally of course" being spilled on the receiver, near the amplifier section.  If you dont like this route, just open it up, disconnect anything you see.  This way you can "go get it fixed" after you buy your new DD/DTS system and sell the old system or keep it.  

 

After playing Grand Theft Auto Vice City in real time DTS, I can only hope every game coming out will have real time DTS encoding.  It really sounds good!

 

Eric

[MarkD]

I prefer digital coax over toslink for several reasons.

 

1.) the price- usually about 1/2 to 1/3 for higher quality parts

2.) I have an 11 month old, and no matter how much we try, he finds ways into areas wea are sure we blocked off. (He will be free-lancing as a safe cracker next month   )

3.) The connectors of the toslink are also a problem for me.

4.) The most you can bend a toslink cable is a 1" radius.  More than that, and you have a paperweight.  With my entertainment center, and the proximity of my equipment, I fear, I may exceed this limitation.

 

Having said all of that, Fiber Optics are great for digital communication.  Very low, almost unmeasurable interference, no worry about conductance, and aparently the only choice for digital in gaming consoles.