Since our new extension is going to be finished in March (meaning June) it's time for me to choose anything I want to go in my new bedroom, furnishings etc. My plan was to consolidify my (HDMI) X-box and PC into one display and sound system and link them both up to the network (CAT5 I think). I also have my laptop which I use from day to day which would probably need a wireless signal which could be a problem since the wireless will be concentrated at the other side of the house. I was planning to have the laptop seated at a desk area with storage space for all my scool stuff and a workspace. The good news is I have lots of space, it's a big room, 10mx5m or something like that (I can check the exact specifications). The bad news is that I'll have to fit my almost-full-size pool table into it and since its at the end of the hose the ceiling slopes inwards and the full height walls have a large window and a couple of doors along them. Anyway, I need advice/suggestions on: - Connecting my PC and X-Box 360 up to a single display and audio system. - Some kind of music player (Media centre will probably do) - A way to store all my music both digitally and CDs - A way to store my games, both Xbox and PC inc normal DVDs - Workspace area and somewhere to store vast amounts of loose paper and books. - Shelves for a few books - Somewhere to put the hundred tons of gadget and random crap I've accumulated over time - Furnishings - Room decor, lighting ideas, carpet, wall colour etc. Just go wild with your ideas, theres bound to be some excellent solutions. The best ideas are usually the craziest. tldr; what would you like in your bedroom.
I have my xbox and PC hooked up to the same monitor. XBOX to VGA PC to DVI I then have each running to an old 5.1 surround sound system You could get some inspitation from the "room and computer" thread. Lots of pics there and you can see how a lot of people's stuff is set up. If I had a choice, I would do dark grey brown carpet, burnt orange wall paint with black highlights. Go to Ikea for the little stuff and for storage, just remember you get what you pay for there. Also, consider putting up Plexiglass sheets over the windows so they don't get broken out by pool balls (happens a lot in the properties I take care of) if you plan on having drunken friends over playing pool. I would get wall-mounted lighting to save on desk space and again not getting hit by pool sticks. I like a dark-colored room personally.
36ft x 16ft. hmmm. If you have't put drywall up yet, I'd run CAT5 and audio behind the walls. You could always install WiFi nodes to boost your wireless. 360 and PC I'd use HDMI if you have a tv that supports HDMI. Its simple and uses audio/video. Media player you could use your 360 or PC. PCs would require some extras (controller and receiver) Room decor you're really on your own. I have no clue what your tastes are. Modern (clean lines), traditional (patterns/molding)? If you plan on having lots of friends over, I recommend berber carpet. http://img525.imageshack.us/my.php?image=basicta8.png
What I'd do is get a big ass HDTV, with at least 2 HDMI ports, connect 360 to it via HDMI and PC via DVI-HDMI converter. Get a couple of nice freestanding speakers and a decent amp and connect both plus CD player and whatever to it. However if this isn't what you're going for and you're more interested in a desk setup, then you can easily connect both 360 and PC to the same monitor. If it's a cheap monitor with 1 VGA input, then it's just a matter of a VGA switchbox. I'd go for something pretty big and widescreen, I've not been paying much attention to the latest news on models but the Dell monitors are great. Only problem is that a PC widescreen monitor doesn't have the same aspect ratio as a TV. The Dell monitors generally come in a fancy pants version and a stripped down version. Fancy pants version allows you to add little black bars to the screen so the picture from the 360 isn't distorted. These monitors generally have multiple inputs which you can switch between quite easily. Ideally you'd want one with DVI and HDMI, or 2 DVI ports (using a HDMI - DVI converter on your 360). Alternatively, DVI and VGA (using VGA cable for 360) would work too. For sound, you've got a couple of options, what I do is connect my 360 to a second monitor via VGA, and I have a converter (that comes with the official VGA cable) that allows you to convert the 2 RCA audio cables into a 3.5mm cable like PC speakers use. I have that connected to the line in of my PC, so my sound goes to the speakers via my PC. It means that I need to have my PC on, but I do this most of the time anyway. Alternatively, some PC speakers allow you to plug RCA leads into them, or you could use a combination of splitters and cables to plug both the PC and 360 directly into, well I suppose, plug the speakers directly into the PC and 360. For a desk you can't go wrong with this one: http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/40079218 Brilliant desk, big, simple, sturdy and pretty cheap. I have my 360 (lying flat), mouse and KB and 2 19" monitors on there as well as my laserjet printer and there's still quite a lot of room left over, enough for painting some warhammer which requires a lot of space. Room underneath for drawers or whatever, you can buy a monitor stand to allow storage space under your monitor too. I've got some (but I'm not back at that house yet so haven't used them yet) so I can put my 360 under my monitors to give me extra room.
Well If I play XBL then I usually plug the XBox in through LAN anyway. I've got a couple of large 75W free standing Wharfedale "506" speakers which are about 8-10 years old with really weird connectors, does recon those are usable at all? In terms of electronic equiptment I am limited in budget to around £200-300, so enough for a good monitor and some other stuff. Most other stuff my parents will probably buy for me.
I've just run into this situation for my dorm room next semester. The planned setup will be a 32 inch TV( 720p) Xbox connected to that via HMDI, and then sound going from that do a reciever then out to two speakers. The Xbox will be connected to my computer via the local network so i can stream media from said computer to the TV(great for downloaded shows) then I'll have my computer with its speakers and the laptop on a hardline connection or wireless(it will be plugged in while in the room so hardline isn't much of a stretch.)
If they're anything like normal Hi-Fi speakers they don't really have a proper connector. You get speaker cables (usually 2 cables in 1) and strip the end off so you have the wire bare then the speakers have a sort of clampy/screw thing to secure them to the contacts on the speaker. To get ones like this to work you'll need an amp. Advantage of this is you'll be able to very easily connect multiple devices to the speakers through the amp.
Thanks, that sounds exactly like what the connection looks like although I don't see any way of grounding the speakers. What kind of amp does one usually use? EDIT: It appears all but one of the connectors are broken. The question is how to connect the remaining stumps up?
might wanna get something like the benq e2400HD for the monitor - it's a full hd 24 incher and a decent logitech surround sound.
Does anyone have any good ideas for hiding/storing my main rig. The case is as big as ****, 600x590x230, and I'd like to have it somewhere nice where I can also access the back easily. I may also use an m-ATX emachines which is just fugly (I may recase it) as a sort of server. I'm planning on keeping the Xbox on top of some drawers next to or under the desk. I've currently got a good set which should come to about 60cm tall with the xbox on it so the same height as the computer. In terms of desk, I have this but I'm pretty sure it won't fit a 19" and a 24" monitor. The option is either to get a new larger desk or another desk to go beside my current one. In terms of furniture I was thinking older style down the end with the pool table while slightly more modern down the other end. The dimensions aren't as big as I imagined, more like 3.5mx7m which is still plenty large enough. I think I need a trip to Ikea. Pics with stupid captions for your amusement. (Only two of those pics are of my actual room)
Divide by zeroooooooooooooooooooooooooo. Crocodiles is a good idea though. Also I'll figure out a way of connecting those speakers but what kind of amp do I need?
I could just put in all manner of dangerous predators and have them battle it out. Only the winner would then be deemed worthy of the moat.
