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Switch boxes?
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Jeff:
I was wondering if I could get some personal testimonies from TCPers about switcher boxes. A while ago I bought one of these from best buy and now I'm nervous about signal loss from these things. It makes a weird ghosting outline effect, and if you use both s-video outputs it blurs the image way too much. Apparently ones without a power cable are garbage, correct?

Can anyone recommend a good switch box with s-video? I've been looking around online, and this one seems promising, but I would like to have second opinions.
Ozzy_98:
Wiggy and I both use Extron.  They're rack-mounted devices so they're big, but for $80ish you can get 16 port ones on ebay. 

The inputs are BNC and support component, composite, and s-video.  I've not had RF work on mine however.  They're full matrix switchers, so if you have 2 TVs, you can run on system to one, and a second system to the other, or show the same system on both.  Great for head-to-head playstation games with link cables for example.   You do, however, need RCA -> BNC adapters or S-Video -> BNC adapters for most.
Nacho3:
The A/V switchers without power cables are not garbage at all. In fact, I prefer them since there is no mechanical parts to fail on them.  I've had good luck with Pelicam brand switchers like this http://k-12.pisd.edu/avsystem/cta/images/avboxFRONT.jpg Currently I am using this that I found at Goodwill for cheap http://www.amazon.com/Pelican-System-Selector-Pro-Black-All/dp/B0002MHF22/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top This one does use a power cord but I like it because it can hook up 8 consoles at once and has both component and s-video.
TDIRunner:
I'm using Psyclone Source Selectors.  They only have 4 inputs each which is why I have 5 of them.  

Four of them are component source selectors which means they have four inputs of each of the following:
  composite
  analog audio
  s-video
  component
  digital optical
  ethernet

I also have one HDMI source selector which means it has four inputs of each of the following:
  HDMI
  digital optical

All five boxes look identical from the front which is nice if you like uniformity (I do).  They are remote operated and each one has a customizable LCD display which means you can enter the name of each of the inputs up to 8 characters each.  This makes it really easy to know which component you are selecting.  The LCD is a nice blue color and they look attractive.  They are the same width as standard A/V equipment.  They each require power adapters.  I believe they run around $100 new, but I've bought all of mine used for no more than $30 each.  

I have one more than what is in this picture and I'm looking for one more which should cover me for a while.......  8)
Jeff:
Thanks for the suggestions guys! The Pelican SS Pro looks like the best choice for me, but they're pretty hard to find now unfortunately. I'm seriously considering getting a Psyclone selector now. Runner, do you need the remote to reprogram the labels?
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