How to Connect Your PS3/Xbox 360/Wii to a Computer Monitor and Speakers

Connecting your PS3, Xbox 360, or Wii to a computer monitor is a great alternative to buying an expensive and clunky TV. Monitors have many advantages over TV’s: they’re easier to put on desks, they’re far more versatile, and they’re way cheaper. You only need a few items to connect your console to a computer monitor, so let’s get started!

There are two aspects of the console you have to configure – the video and audio. First, you should check to see what kind of video inputs your monitor or prospective monitor has. For the PS3 and Xbox 360, there are 3 ways you can connect your console to a monitor – VGA, DVI, and HDMI. Wii’s don’t have HD, so they only run in VGA. DVI and HDMI both run in high definition, while VGA usually runs at a lower quality; you should decide which you want before you buy anything. Most new monitors don’t have VGA, because it’s a bit outdated.

If you have a VGA monitor:

Use the cables to the right to connect your PS3/Xbox 360/Wii to your VGA monitor. They’re pretty self-explanatory, but might have less quality potential compared to the other video options. Note that if you don't have a sound system that you can plug in your red and white audio cables into, you'll have to buy an additional audio adapter (most speakers need one). Refer to the bottom of this page for this.

If you have an HDMI monitor:

This is the most straightforward and versatile video connection, in addition to being the highest quality output. Simply buy any generic HDMI cable, and attach your console to the monitor. The problem is unlike with TV’s, the HDMI cable doesn’t double as an audio adapter – for how to connect your audio system, look at the bottom of the page.

If you have a DVI monitor:

The way to connect your console to a DVI monitor is exactly the same as the HDMI one – you just need to convert your HDMI into a DVI input. This can be done two ways. If you already have an HDMI cable, then you can buy the adapter, but if you don’t have it, you can buy a HDMI to DVI output cable. I like to use the adapter, because then I can use the HDMI cable for other things if I need it (the HDMI to DVI cable isn’t very versatile, but if connecting the console to your monitor is its sole use, it’s fine).

For the audio:

To connect your console’s audio to speakers, you have to connect your red/white/yellow cable to an adapter that converts it into a single 1/8, which you can plug your speakers into. The Logitech adapter is perfect for it, and works for every console. Simply match up the colors for the inputs, and attach your speakers to the other side.