Cables, Smables, Gables...

I was watching Star Wars Episode V on my LCD TV earlier this evening and I realised that even without the much fancied S-video cable, the picture quality using normal AV cables was pretty good. Sure, there were some scenes whereby the dark side...I mean dark portions were simply too dark but there was nothing a display mode change couldn't solve.

Since S-video cables are rather expensive, a sales man quote RM 100 a piece, I might just pull off purchasing the cable for the time being. However, I'm more concerned about the picture quality coming off from my PS2 using the normal AV cables. The visuals are just okay at best and apparently I need to use composite cables with the PS2 and LCD TV.

Gamers Hideout at Cineleisure, Kota Damansara is selling a 3rd party PS2 composite cable for RM 39 but with all due respect to the owners, the cable looks really "cheap". Even though I don't like sound like I'm judging a book by its cover, the appearance was already a turn off (note to person in-charge of marketing for said 3rd party product). It just goes against one of my personal rules on buying stuff....buy only the item that you are comfortable with (in terms of looks, price, etc.).

On the other hand, Play-Asia sells a composite cable from XCM for RM 70 and the reviews for this product average 5 stars out of 5. Did I mention that the XCM composite cable is multi-console and supports the PS2, PS3, Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii? Now that's what I call value for money and I'll most likely order it in early February.

Interested? Visit Play-Asia (here) for a look at the specs.

Not So Little Black Dress..I mean LCD TV...

Shopping for a LCD TV can be quite a daunting experience. as I've experienced it myself when I bought my Samsung LA32R71B yesterday. Electronic stores tend to stock a variety of sizes but with 40 and 50 inch TVs hogging the shelf space, their sheer presence makes everything else look small.

I'm glad I made the right decision in buying a 32 inch LCD TV though, as it looks rather huge in my living room.

More on the Samsung. Basically it is in black and has rather sexy curves, like a little black dress for the living room, and is bound to turn heads. I'm not a LCD TV maven so instead of talking bout the technical specs, lets just say the picture quality looks nice (but can be better with the proper cables) and the surround sound combined with the Game mode makes this pretty number a rather good LCD TV for gaming.

All it needs now is a handbag.. I mean an Xbox 360, to complete the whole get-up.