Calling all TV A/V input experts

[Jimmy the Greek]

I am considering purchasing a Philips 27" TV, and was wondering how many video game consoles I could have in the TV's A/V inputs (via the yellow, red, and white input cables that come with PS2, GameCube, etc.) simultaneously under the configuration depicted in the image below:

What do the inputs in the 1st column (Monitor out) & the green and blue inputs in the 2nd column represent?

 

[OdinsDream]

Monitor connections aren't inputs, they're outputs. You hook things into them that let you "monitor" what's going on in the program... like external speakers, or an external video device (like a DVD recorder, or a VCR)

The middle row is just input of a different type. The green-blue-red connectors are all designed to carry parts of a single video signal, if I'm not mistaken. I'm not familiar with devices that output that kind of video signal, but it looks like it also doubles as a standard 3-wire Red-White-Yellow Component input section.

So, to me, it looks like you'd be able to put two separate input devices into the TV. The far right input seems to be either S-Video or Composite, but not both. I'm not counting the coaxial cable as one of the available inputs, since I'd assume that would be reserved for your cable.

Now, of course, input device switches from radio shack are available that can double that number, triple it even... I wouldn't exactly rule out the TV on the inputs alone...

...unless it just didn't have any.

 

[Pack Rat 24]

Ok, you have 2 inputs for anything with RCA inputs...those are on the right side of the picture...The round socket would be for either a S-Video input or output...I'm not sure which it is on that one...

The monitor out will connect anything that has video in with RCA's, like a TV, VCR, DVD player, etc...

The Red, Green, and Blue connectors are called component, and are of better quality, but more expensive...That is also considered an input, but you can only have either the RCA or the component plugged in there...

Bottom line is, 2 video game systems at the same time...

I hope that helps!

EDIT!: Darn, beat me to it...

 

[Bitchnmoan]

If you have an A/V receiver, you can greatly increase the number of individual video inputs, since the receiver will likely have more than only the two inputs offered on the back of your set. IIRC, some of the consoles offer component video output (the red, green and blue plugs), so for a better gaming picture you could use that connection. Better DVD players will also have component video, though component is becoming more and more standard for less money. Since some consoles double as DVD players, you'll also be better served by using the component connection for the console that you play DVDs from.

In order of picture quality, Component > S-video > RCA.