I know there's a recommended section in this forum; but i doesn't cover what I'm going to cover! (I'll mention before hand, this thread might be pointless to some, and everything in here, can be purchased at WalMart)
I've gone through some different exploits in my room to make it gaming safe; and as such; I would like to share suggestions, and even give some advise on where to pick up stuff for decently cheaper prices.
Firstly, to make your room gamer safe; you need blinds on all the windows; this will reduce lighting, but won't get rid of glares. (Matter of fact it'll make glares worse, cause they'll be in lines). Most people probrably already have blinds; so I won't tell you where to get them. (walmart)
Secondly, you'll need Black Out curtains; I think they're called Solar Shields in some places and other silly names. The point is, you need curtains that are thick enough to blot out the sun completely; making your room DARK, eliminating all glares that could possible show up on your TV. These are a MUST. They're cheap and easy to throw up! And if you're feeling really cheap; then simply grab an old blanket; and nail or staple it over your windows. (This will also help keep your room cool in those hot summer days). You can grab these curtains at almost any home improvement type store, and most major retailers, walmart, sam's,target, costco so on and so forth.
Next, you'll want an HDTV of somekind; that's atleast 24". If you're in a smaller room, 24" will be perfect for you, if you need a little bigger a 26" works just fine too! (Mine is a 26"). Alot of people say silly things like "HD is overrated" or "You don't need HD to play games.". These people; in short, are stupid. If you play Condemned there are parts in the game where you have to do forensics and you have to pick things that come up on the screen. The typing for these are SO SMALL on a non HDTV, that you won't be able to read them! (I had a 20" SDTV before my HD, so I know you can't read it). In metal gear, the "Stress" bar, looks like a bunch of garballed characters; so trust me, HD; is a must. Now depending on your budget will determine where you shop for this. If you're like me, still a kid (I'm 22 and yes I admit i'm still just a kid) then you'll want to hit Walmart for this addition to your gamer room. Why? Best Buy doesn't carry Vizio, and Vizio makes low budget HDTVs that pack a punch. If you have the cash head on over to Best Buy and grab a SamSung/LG/Panasonic, as I'm sure they are better overall. (And look for audio outs...I'll explain my horror story when I get to the "cables" section of this post.
Now, you need surround sound; nothing huge, you don't need 7.1 channels, and you don't need 3 bazzillion watts. Honestly, a nice little 5.1 or 5.0 surround system will do your PS3 justice, and still make your room rumble. (I have a small 5.1 myself). Why do you need surround? CAUSE THE GAMES ARE MADE FOR SURROUND SOUND! Seriously, they are. Don't you want to hear the bullets whizzing by? Don't you want to hear that monster breathing behind you just before it pounces to make that kill? Ofcourse you do. Now for this, you can again; goto Walmart. They have both advanced and cheap systems for your room. Going as low as 50 bucks for some of the ultra low end ones. (read my "cables" paragraph for complex instructions). Now if you want a GOOD, beefed up system, I have to suggest you look online and find one that has HDMI in and HDMI upscale out. Why? So when you plug your HDMI cable from your PS3 into the Surround, it'll play the sound. If you simply get HDMI in Bypass, it won't play the sound through it. (Mine doesn't have it...and I have a complex setup).
CABLES:
You need to buy all of these cables, they are ALL a must have so that you can always be prepared.
Two Six Foot HDMI Cables.
One Sony Brand Component Cable Pack.
One long USB cord.
"Wait, did he say buy the component cables AND Hdmi? Dude that's too much". Yes, it will cost you around 50 bucks to get all these cables; but I assure you, you'll want them. Here's why:
If you get an HDTV like I suggested, you WANT HDMI to go from the PS3 to the Tv, trust me, you want that. If you get a HDMI in AND out Surround, you'll need two HDMI cables, one going from Ps3 to the Surround and one from the surround to the Tv. This is the easiest set up ever. Will honestly HDMI from Ps3 to the TV is the easiest...but meh, you need surround baby.
Now why do you need the component if you have HDMI? Let's say you bought a cheaper surround sound, like the one in my room. If you did, it probrably doesn't have HDMI in or out. That's where component comes in. You plug the HDMI cable from your Ps3 to the Tv and your compent audio cables to the AV in on your surround sound. Turn on the TV, turn on the ps3 and you'll get a screen saying. "HDMI detected, do you want both audio and video to come through HDMI?" Press YES; then go over to system, Audio Options, and change the Audio to come through the component/composite. Now you'll have an HDMI picture on the screen, and surround system sound. No sound from the TV though....but you won't notice; or care for that matter.
Wait, if you're not using the PB,PR,and Y cables on the component, then why the HELL did you buy it? You bought it because it comes with a nice, long USB cable; with 24krt gold plating, and a threaded cord. This alone would cost you the same 20 bucks you just paid to get TWO things. (The component also has 24krt gold plating on the ends).
Obviously the last USB cord is for player two....duh.
You should be able to find ALL these cables at Walmart. DO NOT buy the Sony Brand HDMI cable, it's 80 FREAKING DOLLARS. Goto walmart and grab some phillips brand HDMI cables.
Last thing you'll need, is a comfortable computer chair, or lazy boy recliner. Most of us kids these days have the first of the two because we have a computer in our room, and our butts are always in them, so they're comfortable. This is a must; if you're playing that scary game, this will allow you to be more relaxed, which increases the scare factor of something breaking through a wall and trying to cut your face off (which you'll think is really happening cause of you're surround sound, eh!? EH?!)
.......Now that you've readied your room; grab something to drink, kick back, and game on.
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