Switch boxes?

[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.......  

[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?

[TDIRunner]

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?

Good question.

No you don't need the remote, which is important because the remotes are pretty hard to come by when they are used.  It is sort of tedious to program the names in, but you only have to do it once for each system.  If you ever get one and have trouble programing the names, let me know. 

Also, if you have multiple units like I do, the remote doesn't realy help because it will try to operate all of them at the same time.   So I wouldn't worry too much if you find a good deal on a unit with a missing remote.

[Jeff]

Good question.

No you don't need the remote, which is important because the remotes are pretty hard to come by when they are used.  It is sort of tedious to program the names in, but you only have to do it once for each system.  If you ever get one and have trouble programing the names, let me know. 

Also, if you have multiple units like I do, the remote doesn't realy help because it will try to operate all of them at the same time.   So I wouldn't worry too much if you find a good deal on a unit with a missing remote.

Alright, thank you. I wasn't sure if the remote was essential, I'm fine with pressing a button. There's one on amazon for $50 without remote, which is a price point I was expecting. Good, bad deal?

[TDIRunner]

That seems to be a normal going rate.  Like I said, I've never paid more than $30, but those deals are pretty rare.  If you are patient, you can get a better deal, but if you need one now, it's not a bad deal.

Does it come with the A/C adapter?  If it's missing, keep in mind that it will be about $10 to replace, so that should figure into the price.

Here is the last one I bought.  I got pretty lucky with this deal. 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/201102056727?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[TDIRunner]

It's difficult to get a good picture of the LCD screen, but here's something.

[Jeff]

You were super lucky on that one! I don't like dealing with ebay auctions though.
It comes with an AC adapter, and the price includes shipping. I would rather have one now than wait, I barely touch my consoles anymore because they're a hassle to set up. Thank you for all of your help!

[TDIRunner]

Good luck. 

[Polygon]

Right now I'm using two Pelican composite switches. I've noticed no signal loss or degradation with the usage of these. They also do S-Video which is nice since I will be using that for a lot of my retro systems once they're back on a CRT. No S-video on my LCD.

I also have all my modern systems on an HDMI switch. Also, no loss in signal quality. However, I notice that sometimes it has problems switching. Though it could be an issue on my receiver as well. I'm looking for a component switch for some of my other systems as well.

I'm using Psyclone Source Selectors.  They only have 4 inputs each which is why I have 5 of them.

I've been wondering about these. I need a good component selector for those "middle child" consoles. I was looking at one from Pelican which seems to be a really good one, but they're hard to find. I might just break down and buy one of these.

Thanks!

[TDIRunner]

There's one more point I forgot to mention.  All of the inputs are straight pass throughs.  That means that you can actually hook up more than one system to an input as long as they don't use the same types of inputs.

For example:
 You can hook up a PS1 with s-video, and anaolog audio
 You can also hook up a PS2 with component video and digital optical audio
 Both PS1 and PS2 in the same input!

[Jeff]

It arrived today. No signal loss from what I can tell, I love it  Eventually I did figure out the labels.

Also, I just realized it matches my genesis perfectly.