September 5th, 2011
If you own a Nintendo Wii then you will be aware that the output cable that comes as standard is the basic three-colour AV cables (White, Red, Yellow) The problem with this cable is that the produced picture display lacks clarity and vividness, especially when considering the meteoric capabilities of HDTV flat screens and their dominance in the average home.
Although the Nintendo Wii does not support HD capabilities (producing a maximum output of 480p) listed below are three options to help you connect your Wii to you HDTV for maximum display quality. Which Nintendo Wii Cable you’ll need depends on one thing: what inputs your television and speakers have available. All items are available now from GamingZap!
The Nintendo Wii Component AV Cable is the easiest solution out of all the Nintendo Wii Cables available. Supporting Audio and Video content at a much higher capacity, this cable can only be used with HDTVs which support component video inputs (see below for labelling) Simply connect the A/V port to your Wii console and the corresponding colour jacks to your HDTV. Also, be sure to check that your Wii output settings are adjusted accordingly.
If your HDTV does not support component cable inputs then your best option is the an AV to HDMI converter. This simple little adapter connects to the AV port of your Nintendo Wii console and allows you to connect your Nintendo Wii to your HDTV using an HDMI cable. The Nintendo Wii AV to HDMI Converter then converts and up-scales your picture quality automatically to the highest posssible output of 480p – producing crystal clear images and vivid colour contrasts. HDMI Cables and accessories can also be found at GamingZap.
Of course, if you do not own a HDTV and need to connect your Nintendo Wii to a standard definition model then the classic choice would be the Nintendo Wii RGB AV Scart Cable. This connection cable is technically no different from the standard cable which comes with the Wii, as they are both RGB supported inputs. The connector however is designed specifically to connect with Scart ports typically found on older TV models.
Don’t forget to visit GamingZap for a wide range of Nintendo Wii Accessories, Xbox 360 Cables, and PS3 Cables amongst a wide range of must have console accessories!
August 26th, 2011
Which cables you’ll need to depend on two things: what inputs your television and speakers have, and what outputs your Xbox 360 has.
Let’s look at the back of your 360 first, and see which version it is. If you already know, skip ahead to the next section.
Launch Version (2005)
This is the back of the launch version of the Xbox 360. It comes with the least connectivity options, and you’ll note that there are no HDMI ports anywhere in sight, just a lone A/V output.
Refresh Version (2005)
This is the back of the refreshed version. It’s the same shape as the launch version, but inside the box a few changes were made to stop overheating and, most importantly, an HDMI output was added below the A/V output.
Slim Version (2010)
This is the back of the latest Slim or S version of the Xbox 360. The case is smaller and the outputs have been changed around, but A/V and HDMI ports are still present.
Here’s a table showing the connectivity options. Yes means the port is on the 360 itself, Via A/V means it is available with the A/V cable, and No means the port isn’t available.
Now that you know which type of Xbox you have, we can move onto what cables you’ll need to hook up the system. Let’s go through each connection, starting with the highest quality connections first.
Video Cables
These cables get the picture from your Xbox 360 to your TV. Here are the options available, from best picture quality to worst.
HDMI: This digital connection is the best available, and should always be used if it’s available. As well as 1080p video, the HDMI connection can also transfer audio.
Compatible with 360 Refresh Version & Slim Version:
VGA: This type of cable is usually used for computer monitors, but can also be used for the 360. It’s an analog signal, about equal in quality to Component, and is usually used when you want to hook up your Xbox 360 to a computer monitor.
Compatible with all 360s:
Component (Green, Blue, Orangered): This analog cable should be used preferentially if an HDMI connection isn’t available. It’s much better quality than Composite.
Component cables for the 360 also contain component plugs, making for six plugs in total: Three for the component video, one for composite video, and two for audio. You’ll only plug in either the component plugs or the composite plug, depending on what your television supports.
Compatible with all 360s:
Composite (Yellow/Red/White): This is the worst analog video connection, and is only capable of SD performance. It should be used only if every other method is not available. All component cables sold include composite connections, so you’ll just buy a component cable.
Compatible with all 360s:
Audio Cables
These cables get sound from your Xbox 360 to your television or speaker system. If you’re not using a speaker system, then you can just use the HDMI or component cables you’ve used for the video connection. If you’re looking to connect up surround sound speakers, you’ll need a dedicated cable.
Optical S/PDIF: This digital cable can be used for high quality surround sound, e.g. 5.1 or 7.1. This is the best quality connection, and is often the most convenient way of providing 5.1 to home entertainment speaker systems.
If you’d like to use HDMI and Optical S/PDIF together on a Refresh Version 360, you might find that you can’t plug in the HDMI and A/V ports simultaneously. You can get an A/V Audio Adapter with Optical and Composite Audio out to solve this problem.
Compatible with all 360s:
HDMI: As stated earlier, HDMI can carry your audio as well as video on its digital connection. HDMI is capable of surround sound, but if it is plugged directly into a TV then you are likely to only get 2 channel stereo sound.
Compatible with 360 Refresh Version & Slim Version:
Composite / Stereo Phono Cables: This analog connection is capable of stereo sound, which is generally enough if you’re playing sound through your TV. If you’ve got more than two speakers, you’ll want to use HDMI or Optical S/PDIF instead. These connections are found on component cables.
Compatible with all 360s:
Network Cables and Adapters
These devices allow you to connect to Xbox Live and your local network.
Ethernet LAN: This cable is used to connect your Xbox 360 to your router, allowing you to go on Xbox Live or connect over LAN to another Xbox 360.
Compatible with all 360s:
Wireless Adapters: If you’re using a Launch or Refresh version 360 instead of the Slim version, you’ll find you don’t have built-in wireless. Luckily, you can get a USB adapter that will give you wireless connectivity.
Compatible with 360 Launch and Refresh Version:
Power Cables
These cables provide power to the Xbox 360, and are different depending on which Xbox you have. If you have a Launch or Refresh Version power supply, you can plug it into a Slim Version 360 by using a converter.
Compatible with 360 Launch and Refresh Version:
Compatible with Slim Version:
Controller Charging Cables
These USB cables plug into the front or back of your Xbox 360 and recharge your wireless controller.
Compatible with all 360s:
August 19th, 2011
Here at GamingZap we are lucky to have received a new shipment of fantastic Sony PSP Accessories for portable gaming enthusiasts to keep your Sony PSPs protected and fully charged. Here we’ll take a quick look at two of our favourite new products.
Universal Gaming Car Charger
The universal gaming car charger is a perfect product to keep your PSP charged during long car journeys. Not restricted to use as a Sony PSP Car Charger, this charger contains 4 different connectors, allowing it to charge other portable gaming devices such as the Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, as well as phones and other devices which contain a microUSB ports.
The charger simply plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter socket and charges the console using the 5v power supply from the car, making this a perfect product for keeping your console full charged during long car journeys.
PSP Travel Carry Case
We understand that there is already a huge range of Sony PSP Cases available on the market already but the PSP Travel Carry Case offers unbeatable price performance for what is a really well made product.
The console fits perfectly into the reinforced clamshell design and a robust zip and pull tag keep your PSP securely preotected against scratch and impact damage. Inside the case an interal seperator folds over the console to provide and extra internal layer of cushioning and to protect the screen further from any damage. Mesh pockets are located on the top side of this seperator and on the interior of the clamshell to provide storage space for up to 6 PSP UMD discs and 6 memory stick DUOs.
Furthermore, included with the case is a carabiner for securely attaching the case to bags, clothing, or the looped carrying handle also provided. This makes carrying the Sony PSP Case comfortable and secure.
Be sure to check out our whole range of Sony PSP Chargers, Sony PSP Car Chargers and other accessories at GamingZap – The first place for gaming accessories!
August 19th, 2011
When you have the original Xbox 360 or Elite, in other words, not the Xbox 360 Slim, you will need to have connection set up to your Internet – some people go wired, but the majority buy an Xbox 360 wireless adapter. A lot of people choose the official Microsoft version, which can be seen here: Microsoft Wireless ‘N’ Adapter and is pictured below.
Now, a lot of people naturally put their trust into this product because Microsoft are such an established, trustworthy brand. However, with a Microsoft product comes a Microsoft price tag, and most feel more than a little hard done by when they have to spend the £59.95 just to get their Xbox 360 console onto Xbox Live.
Just because we have scrutinised the price, it doesn’t mean that this isn’t an excellent product. You can always rely on Microsoft to deliver high-quality products, but we believe (and have found) that there are cheaper products out there that do the same, if not better, job.
This Datel Xbox adapter does all of the same things as the Microsoft version, plug it in to your Xbox 360 console through the USB port on the back and attach it to the back of your console and you are away and living the online dream! There isn’t much we can say about it really, it does the job extremely effectively, and is almost 40% cheaper than the Microsoft version.
This is the Xbox 360 adapter that we would recommend more than any others, as Datel have done a really good job in providing a cost-effective alternative to the official version. Oh, and not forgetting the fact that can stream full HD picture at 300MB/s! Here are just a few things that people have said about it:
- “The little instruction card helped me through the quick and easy set-up. Took less than 2 minutes!”
- “It worked first time, no fuss, no hassle, and best of all – all 4 bars of reception.”
- “I bought this for my son and it worked a treat”
If you need any other Xbox 360 cable or Xbox 360 cables then be sure to check out our site – we’ve got it all!
July 22nd, 2011
The 3DS Battery has proven to be somewhat of a dissapointment, in previous DS models we have seen battery life vary from 10 hours to a whopping 19 hours, and even the big screened moster the DSi XL achieves a respectable 17 hours, so what happened with the 3DS? 4-5 hours battery life from a ‘next gen’ console just does not seem right.
Nyko have solved this problem and manufactured an extended battery called the Nyko Power Pak, this extended battery will double your gaming time to a more respectable 10 -12 hours thanks to its high capacity Lithium Ion Polymer cells.
The Nyko Power Pak 3DS also comes in a bundle that includes the Nyko 3DS Charge Base for quick and easy charging, by simply docking your 3DS into the specially designed base station you can be sure your 3DS is always ready to play.
But the Power Pak + is not the only 3DS battery extending device Nyko have manufactured, there is also the Nyko Shock N Rock, this allows you to immerse yourself in all your favorite 3DS games. The Shock n Rock enhances your 3DS experience by adding 4 powered stereo speakers and force feedback to the system. The 4 additional speakers and vibration are powered by a 3DS rechargeable battery housed inside the Shock n Rock that works in conjunction with the 3DS’ internal battery to provide a respectable 8-10 hours battery life.
Close on Nyko’s heels are another 2 companys capable of boosting your 3DS battery life. Hyperkin offer the Powerplus 3DS Extended Battery, a 1800Mah rechargable battery capable of offering you an extra 4-5 hours of gameplay from a single charge.
The Hyperkin Powerplus simply clips into place and weighs just 2.2 ounces so is really lighweight. Once installed onto the back of the 3DS system, the battery pack provides almost double the capacity of the stock battery while also giving the system a textured grip, perfect for extended game play sessions.
Mugen have a fantastic reputation for creating high powered batteries for electronic devices, such as mobile phones and laptops and they’ve taken their expertise and created a 3DS Mugen battery, capable of giving you 4.5 times more capacity than your standard 3DS battery.
Mugen batteries are designed to keep your device running for longer than when using the standard 3DS battery. The standard battery fitted in your 3DS is only 1300mAh – so by adding the Mugen you get a massive 4500mAh extra, this means that the 4-5 hours of gameplay you currently get will turn into over 16 hours!
July 8th, 2011
At GamingZap we are self-confessed gaming geeks, and we love recording our awesome gameplay footage on our Xbox 360 capture card or PS3 capture card, uploading it to our MacBook Pro (which most of use for editing) and editing the clips into montages or mini-movies.
Now, there is one problem with this. All MacBook models are pretty expensive as they carry the renowned Apple brand, and if they were to get damaged it would be really hard to take – both emotionally and financially. Our sister site GearZap have a great range of protective products, and if like us – you find the MacBook Pro best for editing due to its large storage space – you may want to consider a MacBook Pro case.
This case is available for the MacBook Pro and is also available as a MacBook Air case, and we know that a lot of people out there do use the MacBook Air for editing, and is called the Speck SeeThru Satin Hard Shell.
One of the greatest things about this case is that it actually looks like it is part of your MacBook – the MacBook Air isn’t available in black yet a lot of people have had to do a double-take when looking at the Air with the case on, as it genuinely does look part of the device thanks to its excellent form-fitting qualities and slimline design.
Slim and sleek design aside, this case is actually one of the best protective cases in the market at the moment. It is a hard-shell which means it is tough enough to prevent scratches and damage even if dropped or knocked with excess force. It also allows you to use all of the ports on the MacBook whilst it remains in the case, meaning you always have USB or FireWire access in order to transfer files (we prefer FireWire due to its faster speeds and lessy-compression).
The case is also available in red, aqua, purple and now has a new summer range of colours including aubergine, raspberry and clementine.
July 1st, 2011
Gaming Joysticks or ‘Fightsticks’ as they are otherwise known have been around for a while, the idea of bringing the arcade to your living room is one many gamers revel in and whilst the vast majority of fightsticks offer superb playability and comfort Hori make some of the best.
Hori have just announced two new fightsticks due for release in July, there is a PS3 offering known as the Hori Fighting Stick V3 & an Xbox 360 version, named the Hori Fighting Stick VX.
Both sticks offer the build quality and performance we all know and love from Hori but unlike other fightsticks the V3 & VX feature Turbo mode with selectable speeds. A 10 times/sec and 2o times/sec option is switchable via 6 small toggle switches that relate to the 6 arcade style action buttons below them. The PS3 offering also features a stick control toggle switch, this allows you to direct the controls to your PS3 controllers D-pad, the left stick or right stick controls, although it does not support analog input.
The sticks have been designed to offer a more authentic arcade experience and as with most Hori joysticks, the Hori Fighting Sticks are able to be taken apart and customised with relative ease. This lets you change components or add personal touches to the styling of the sticks. Both sticks have a heavy weighted base and wide body that provides a superb stable platform for when you are really hammering away at the buttons for extreme combos.
We offer a whole range of Xbox 360 Joysticks and PS3 Joysticks all with different features and benefits and at price points to suit every pocket, so why wait? Order one today and play tomorrow.
June 28th, 2011
We all love the Kinect, jumping and chucking yourself around your living room is no doubt the most fun you will ever have playing a video game, but can the Kinect get any better? We don’t think it can, however we do have 5 accessories that will making using the Kinect a whole lot simpler.
The Xbox 360 Kinect Power Supply
The Kinect Power Supply Adapter is the perfect solution for anyone wanting a spare power supply for the Kinect or wanting to use the Kinect on an original model Xbox 360. Kinect power supplies are necessary for anyone wanting to use the Kinect on an original Xbox 360 as it does not have the correct socket to use with the Kinect on its own.
As the Kinect bundled with the new Xbox 360 S does not have this Kinect power adapter, you are unable to use this on an older Xbox. With this cable however, you can use the Kinect on an original Xbox 360 console and it will be 100% compatible. The Kinect Adapter is ideal for anyone looking to replace the power supply or wanting to use the Kinect on an older console.
Xbox 360 Kinect Wall Mounts
The Kinect Wall Mount and Wall Bracket provides a quick and easy solution for mounting your Xbox 360 Kinect Sensor to the wall.
Designed with convenience in mind, the Wall Mount detaches easily from the wall plate so that the Kinect and the Wall Mount can be stored when not in use. If you do not have enough cable to extend your kinect to the wall, we can also supply a Kinect Extension Lead.
The Nyko Xbox 360 Zoom Lens
Decrease the space needed to play your favorite Kinect games with Nyko’s Zoom for Kinect. The Zoom reduces the play range required to enjoy Kinect software by up to 40%, allowing you to play closer to your TV. Zoom’s wide angle lens also enables two people to play in an area normally only suitable for a single player making it ideal for those in smaller apartments or dorm rooms.
Specially designed optical lenses fit over the Kinect sensor and clip into place making set up a breeze with nothing to plug in. No additional software or calibration is required. The design of the Zoom blends seamlessly with the look and feel of the Kinect. The Zoom opens up a whole new world of Kinect play to those who previously lacked the space required to fully enjoy it. The Nyko Zoom Lens is due for release in August but is already proving very popular.
Xbox 360 Kinect Stands
With a large tripod base and secure locking mechanism, the Kinect Stand is designed to allow the Kinect Sensor to be elevated above the floor to help protect the Kinect from foot traffic and dirt when playing your Xbox 360.
The Kinect Floor Stand is the only official floor stand and has been fully tested with the Kinect sensor. Use the floor stand to position your Kinect at just the right height and distance to ensure you have the most fun when playing your Xbox 360.
The Xbox 360 Kinect Extension Cable
The Xbox 360 Kinect Extension Cable will allow you to extend the distance between your Kinect and Xbox 360, allowing you to place your Kinect virtually anywhere in your living space.
The extension is fully compatible with both models of Xbox 360 and will carry audio, video and power in one cable. This is ideal for large living areas as well as entertainment centres also if you Kinect sensor is on your wall, above a fire place ect.
So that’s out Top 5 Xbox 360 Kinect accessories, we have many more available just visit our Kinect accessories catagory to see the whole range.
June 9th, 2011
If you’re one of the many people who would love to own a Microsoft Kinect and go nuts jumping and diving around, but sadly don’t have the space in your room to play, then Nyko have come up with the perfect solution for you; the Nyko Kinect Zoom Lens.
Having listen to the cries of frustration of people who want to play with the Kinect, or who have bought one, but feel cramped inside their living or bedrooms, Nyko have created the perfect solution with the Kinect Zoom. The lens, which fits to the front of the Kinect, reduces the required space need to play on the kinect with its custom designed wide angled lens. The zoom lens allows you to play much closer to the TV, gaining precious feet, which you might not have in a smaller room.
So if you’re one of those people who dont’ have enough space to play the kinect, this is the perfect product for you. Don’t forget we have a wide range of kinect accessories including a kinect adapter which allows you to use the kinect on an old xbox and very useful Kinect TV Mounts too!
June 7th, 2011
GamingZap.com has just announced a new product which allows you to use your Microsoft Kinect with the old style Xbox 360s. The Microsoft Kinect adapter solves a big problem that a number of gamers were facing, now allowing you to play your Kinect on any xbox you like.
The UK 3 pin Kinect adapter, has specially been designed to power the Kinect and link it to the older xbox 360. The cable and plug retail for £10.95 and are available with same day dispatch if ordered before 6pm.
GamingZap.com is an online retailer of the best gaming accessories, including other Kinect peripherals such as a Kinect TV Mount and the Kinect Extension Cable.
