I like having front input's like RCA's S-Video.
I don't see any in the pics? Just curuious.

Craig

There has been no indication of front inputs. The layout so far has been somewhat similar to the 1050, which also did not have front inputs. We won't know for certain until we see pictures of the final product, though (the alpha unit's rear panel doesn't match the reported specs on number of A/V inputs, so it seems safe to assume they've rearranged things some).

------------------
Gonk

Thanks gonk< I need front inputs though, you know the kids and all there game machines. I use them on my A1 all the time right now.

Craig

I'm using the TV's front inputs for my Dreamcast at the moment. That or a VCR's front input could be good fall-back options for stuff like that...

------------------
Gonk

Yeah but I won't get the great sound If It's plugged into the T.V. andmy VCR Is pretty much obsolete. Come on Outlaw give me some inputs please!!!

Craig

My TV forwards two-channel sound coming from all inputs, including the front panel one, to the stereo out jacks on the back, which I have connected to the receiver for watching TV. It also works for watching VHS, although I can also use the direct link to the receiver. Depends on the receiver setting and doesn't seem to matter much. For the DVD it makes a big difference because then we're talking optical DD 5.1 vs. a downmixed 2 channel pro logic encoding, but I don't think that will be an issue for video games. :-)

There are a lot of games out there in Dolby Pro Logic already and some I'd assume In 5.1 If not now soon, without the inputs in the front I'm not going to get that through my T.V.

Craig

You mean you don't have every single solitary piece of equipment (no matter how old) hooked up to your receiver?

Seriously, I haven't ever used my TV's speakers (not since I set aside my old 19" TV from college) -- it has stereo audio outputs on it that go to the receiver, and the speakers in the TV are switched off in the TV setup. My VCR is also hooked straight to the receiver, so if you can hear anything at all from my system, it's coming from the "good" speakers by way of the receiver...

------------------
Gonk

A friend has a similar issue with a Sony (I think) receiver. He switches between Dreamcast, PS2 and N64, depending on what he feels like doing. He got a switch box, hooked up everything to the back and does it that way. If its convenient, you could do something similar and locate it away from your equipment, so it doesn't clutter everything up. Another tip was to get 2 optical cables and a connector, mount the connector and cable connected to the receiver somewhere easy to access. That way, when it comes time to disconnect the PS2, you only pull out of the connector, not the back of the receiver. I'm not sure if any receiver on the market has an optical input on the front, but it could be a great idea.

Not a true solution, but maybe a good (cheap) compromise.

S.

Thanks gonk and Mrandman, I know Harmon Kardon's new recievers have toslink and coax on the front, cool!!!

Craig

MrSandman has some pretty good ideas, actually. For some trivia, there are at least a couple Yamaha recivers (RX-V520 being at least one of them) that have an optical input on the front.

------------------
Gonk

<>

That's good to know. In my mind, it helps indicate that some newer more portable products (camcorders, MP3 players or things left yet to be) may be intending to move to the digital audio domain.

Thanks for mentioning that there are some out there.

S.