iMac as xbox 360 monitor

[RubberShoes]

After looking around on the forums I've yet to find a clear answer to my question. Is there a HDTV tuner that will allow me to display a 1080i signal from my xbox 360 (through component or VGA) right onto the iMac display? I know Eglato makes the EyeTV but that's only a 480i composite plug.

I'm wondering if there are any other tuners that will allow me to do this, having an actual TV Tuner is not a big deal to me, just a simple component/VGA input to USB converter...

Any Ideas?

PS: I don't think it needs to be compatible with OS X either, I will be dual-booting Vista as well so I can use Windows too

 

[CanadaRAM]

I'm afraid that any converter will have too much lag for effective game play. A quality converter will also cost you more than a 19" LCD screen. Component/VGA to USB is not simple (internally), esp. not at 1080i.

 

[barr08]

Would a VGA box work? I don't know anything about them, I just know my roomie ahs one on his PC. If you are going to be using Bootcamp, it might be worth looking into.

 

[glennyboiwpg]

hmmmmm... you can't use a "vga" anything to use as the input for video and expect to get any kind of 1080i signal.


The only inputs that support HD would be HDMI, DVI (DVI IN) USB or Firewire I guess could but you would have to get some sort of HDMI to USB cable. (Or DVI to firewire, etc)

Or am I wrong?

 

[CarlsonCustoms]

Sorry you are wrong about vga not doing 1080i.. i used to have my xbox hooked up to my dell monitor with the microsoft vga converter and that was the only way to get 1080P out of the xbox at that time. Now they patched the xbox where you can get 1080p through component also.

But to hook up to your imac? i'm not sure but sounds like more work then worth. Sorry I couldnt help more

Zack

 

[iTeen]

try the eyetv line of tuners...i use my macbook with my 360 all the time.
good luck

 

[dannewell15]

try the eyetv line of tuners...i use my macbook with my 360 all the time.
good luck

Hey. I was just wondering, I have a Hybrid and a Macbook which I currently use with my PS2. What does the Xbox 360 look like and play like using the Hybrid? Is there any latency or lag?

If it wouldn't be to much hassle, could you post a couple of screen shots of native size for the window and full screen at 1280x800? Thanks!

 

[iTeen]

Hey. I was just wondering, I have a Hybrid and a Macbook which I currently use with my PS2. What does the Xbox 360 look like and play like using the Hybrid? Is there any latency or lag?

If it wouldn't be to much hassle, could you post a couple of screen shots of native size for the window and full screen at 1280x800? Thanks!

there is not horrible lag...but a little...not good for online play. i will post a few shots in a couple of days when i am back home

 

[crazzyeddie]

The ElGato hybrid has a "Game Mode" that is supposedly lag free. So any video input (composite or s-video) will work fine for games.

The only problem is that neither of these inputs are HD. They only support 480p, so thats the best resolution you can use. There are currently no HD input boxes for OS X (or Windows) that I know of.

 

[jimsoff]

You can use your imac as a monitor for your xbox 360 with this. The EyeTV EZ

http://www.elgato.com/index.php?file=products_eyetvez

It even says it's ideal for gaming because it has almost no lag. (In the milliseconds)

So there's your answer.

EDIT: Also, here is a link to an inside mac games review of the EyeTV EZ.
http://www.insidemacgames.com/reviews/view.php?ID=714

 

[drpiety]

Have to warm up this, the eyetv EZ seems unavailable anymore. Is there an alternative to use the Imac with the XBOX 360?

 

[Vylen]

http://www.kanexlive.com/products/item-id-3662.html

and just recently

http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/24/belkins-av360-mini-displayport-converter-lets-you-play-xbox-360/

 

[bearvsshark]

http://www.atlona.com/ATLONA-HDMI-MINI-DISPLAYPORT-TO-MINI-DISPLAYPORT-SCALER-AND-SWITCHER.html

it's $280 from the site, but can be found around $240 online at other places.

takes the 1080p signal and outputs it at 2560x1440 on your imac 27 inch.

IMO looks the best out of all the other ones that can only output at 720p, but I believe it would look best if apple allowed 1080p output on the imac.

 

[tuna]

http://arstechnica.com/apple/reviews/2010/06/kanex-xd-review-your-27-imac-now-plays-nice-with-your-ps3.ars

As others have said the iMac mDP input it limited to 720p, but that shouldn't be too much of a problem for the Xbox 360 as very few games run at 1080p native. Microsoft is a little "fraud-y" because most of the games that have the "1080p" badge on their case are actually running 1080p upscaled from 720p or less. For example, with Halo 3 they had the gall to write "1080p" on the back when the game was actually running at 640p native.

 

[BengalDuck]

...are the lag and the avoid online play warnings from a few years ago still valid with these upgraded, expensive converters?

 

[LPPanther]

http://www.atlona.com/ATLONA-HDMI-MINI-DISPLAYPORT-TO-MINI-DISPLAYPORT-SCALER-AND-SWITCHER.html

it's $280 from the site, but can be found around $240 online at other places.

takes the 1080p signal and outputs it at 2560x1440 on your imac 27 inch.

IMO looks the best out of all the other ones that can only output at 720p, but I believe it would look best if apple allowed 1080p output on the imac.

$185 here. I've done my research and this is the only way to get 1080p and this is the cheapest price I have found.

 

[ezzyregal]

could this work?

http://www.amazon.com/Mini-DisplayPort-HDMI-Adapter-Cable/dp/tech-data/B003OC6LWM/ref=de_a_smtd

xbox has an hdmi port so it should right?

 

[myselfdasilva]

IMAC 24 monitor

Guys, let me bring this issue on using IMAC 24" as an external monitor.

I do understand IMAC 24" (differently from the IMAC 27") doesn't have input port, therefore one would assume it cannot be used as external monitor. However, I have a MAC digital TV tuner which uses the USB port of my IMAC 24", so I can watch crystal clear realtime TV.

Why wouldn't I be able to display video from an equipment with VGA or DVI-A output on my IMAC 24" as long as I have VGA-USB or VGA-DVI-A converter?

I guess I would need also a driver so the IMAC would recognize the equipment.

Any thoughts?

Best regards,

 

[Jeevster]

I use this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kanex-HDMIM...OJKK/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1325794101&sr=8-5

Although I have the 27 inch imac, but it works perfectly! Command and F2 and you are away

 

[praza co]

How to Turn a 27” iMac into a Game Console Display

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/27-imac-game-console-display-124552

Boom.

 

[majkom]

all that works only with pre-thunderbolt imacs

 

[jonfarr]

is there anything that works with the 27" Thunderbolt Display?

 

[majkom]

is there anything that works with the 27" Thunderbolt Display?

AFAIK nope... or, there are some recording stuffs that may be used for just transmitting video signal from xbox to imac, but it is costly and I am not sure whether it works 100 %... only hope is next xbox with thunderbolt output.. how much possible is that, onl y ballmer knows (but I wouldnt put my money on it)

 

[jonfarr]

Thanks for the post. Not that big of a deal to me, but it would be cool to be able to do.

 

[ezekielrage_99]

You best bet would be BMD Intensity though the issue is going to be lag IMHO... I've tried it before with a PS3 and XBOX360, it's "playable" but can get a little laggy from frame drops for long use.

I'd recommend running at 720p as well.