The Control Center 540C is predominantly designed to match an Xbox 360, featuring the same aesthetic build and colour scheme as Microsoft's console. Its front fascia is similarly interchangeable (Joytech will be releasing twin fascia packs to ponce up both machines in the future) but that doesn't mean it's exclusively for the use of 360-owners: there's enough connectivity around the back to satisfy the most vehement anti-games activist. Indeed, the connection for an Xbox 360 is actually hidden away on the back panel, utilizing a proprietary socket and lead, essentially free-ing up its four further connection banks for other equipment.
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Each of those banks has a set of inputs for component video, digital optical audio, S-video, composite video and stereo analogue audio, plus a hidden flap on the front of the unit reveals further composite video, S-video and stereo analogue audio inputs. An equivalent range of outputs are supplied, naturally, along with five Ethernet (LAN) inputs and one output, which run independently to the video switching – essentially, it's an added network hub, handy for Xbox Live, PS3 or Wii online, media PCs, high-definition disc players (second generation Blu-ray players are to have internet connectivity).
The 540C is HD Ready in the sense that the nature of the signal going into the box will be perfectly replicated throughout the chain and back out again, including 720p, 1080i and 1080p images. In addition, proprietary Advanced Signal Regulator Technology monitors the output channel for signal weaknesses and compensates suitably. This shouldn't be mistaken for internal picture processing, that's not what the Control Center is about, what you put in it is what you get out. If you feed the
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box composite images, it will only output via composite – there's no upscaling in evidence. As a spokeperson from Joytech recently told us, ‘Quality upscaling? A four component, four digital optical, six-port Ethernet, fully-programmable HD-compatible switcher hub for under $200 and you want upscaling? Why not take a pound a flesh whilst you're at it.' And, to be fair, he's got a valid point.
