Questions on PS3/Xbox and display compatability

[Superbeast]

I'm thinking of getting a console soon (yeah, I know - it's a bit odd posting on a gaming forum when I don't own anything newer than an Xbox and don't play non-RTS on the PC), but I have a few questions.

I'm pretty torn on whether to get a PS3 or a 360 - the 360 Elite is ~£100 cheaper, but I have to pay for online play and it has less memory; so the PS3 may work out cheaper in the long run (and I love Final Fantasy and want to get all 3 versions of 13). Sodding student lifestyle

However the choice really rests on a couple of non-gaming related questions:

1) How long until the "next" generation comes out? If it is only a year then I guess there's no point and I'll expand my PC game collection

2) Is there any point to getting one of these without an HD-TV? I may be able to get one in July (birthday/work over the holidays) but until then I'm stuck with non-HD.

3) Is there a way to connect either of the consoles to a Dvi-d or D-sub display input? I'd rather run them through a PC monitor instead of a TV to save space, so is it possible with adaptors? Also I may get an HD monitor instead of TV, so would I be able to connect to that?

If not, can the consoles be connected to SCART to play on a standard TV (links to above question)?

Many thanks if anyone can help out with these technical issues - I would have asked in GAME but I'm unable to get into town this weekend/next week.

 

[Pimppeter2]

1)Maybe 2015 or something longer?

2)I have an SDTV, some games have hard to read subtitles or games are too visually dark, which means you have to up the brightness. But its not that bad.

3)I am pretty sure, but don't know the specifics

 

[Mehall]

To answer one question:

The PS3 can use the same lead as a PS2, and in fact comes with an SD regular Red/White/Yellow compinent lead.

 

[rokkolpo]

xbox live is cheap as hell.

60 euro for a year of online fun.

that's like 1-10 of a months salary.
if your job sucks.

EDIT:as for your questions, no idea whatsoever.

 

[x0ny]

1)2013, assuming lifespan of consoles is around 6 years.
2)I've tried playing on an SD-TV, it's not bad, just some blurry fonts, certain parts of the HUD/UI are a bit too small (eg: minimap of Burnout Paradise) and unclear.
3)I think there's a box you can buy, but it's extremely expensive, about 80GBP, for a little extra you could get an HD-TV, which are decreasing in price at an alarming rate.

 

[Superbeast]

Ok been looking around.

For roughly £50-or-less more than the PS3 I can get an Xbox 360 and a decent sized (18-24") HD-ready monitor - so it looks like I'll probably be opting for that, unless I am sure I can get an HD TV later on in the year, despite my love of the Final Fantasy series (I know it's available on 360 but apparently the graphics in the cut scenes aren't anywhere near as good).

Lack of Blu-Ray might be a bummer, but still I can get an HD display and a console for only a small amount more.

If a monitor has a VGA and a DVI, I'll be able to connect the 360 to that somehow won't I?