Extron A/V Gear question

[Bear78]

Hey guys, I have some questions about this Extron gear.  I've seen the switched discussed here before so I figured this might be a good spot to ask. I know the bottom switch (crosspoint 88HVA) is the real score here but I don't know much about the other components. I have a Toshiba 32AF45 so no fancy PVM or anything in my setup. From what I can find, the VSC 300 can be used to convert VGA to component I believe and I'm not exactly sure what the RGB 160xi does. I know some basic A/V stuff but this is mostly beyond my knowledge.  Anyway, the best my TV can do 480i (SD) so I don't know if the other 2 would even work in my setup.

[TDIRunner]

I can't speak to either of the two top boxes, but I'm happy to help with any questions about the switcher itself if you have any later (including my homemade RCA to Phoenix adapters for audio).

I also have a Photoshop template that is a perfect fit for the label, so all you have to do is drop in the consoles you plan to use and print it out. 

[Bear78]

I can't speak to either of the two top boxes, but I'm happy to help with any questions about the switcher itself if you have any later (including my homemade RCA to Phoenix adapters for audio).

I also have a Photoshop template that is a perfect fit for the label, so all you have to do is drop in the consoles you plan to use and print it out. 

Thanks man.  Yeah, I'm looking into the Switch.  Its an 88HVA so it's got 8 inputs and 8 outputs.  Currently, my setup has 13 devices plugged into 3 different switches (1 composite, 1 S-video, and 1 component) so as cool as this thing is, I don't really know if I'd gain anything by sticking it into my setup.  I'd still have to use another switch to get it all hooked up.

Here's my setup for reference:

[Bear78]

Well I found some interesting stuff on the VSC and RGB boxes.

http://scanlines.hazard-city.de/

[TDIRunner]

I was torn at first before I bought mine because my setup already worked pretty well as it was.  However, I liked the idea of changing from 4 switch boxes to 1, and I liked the idea of being able to send multiple signals to different TVs at the same time if needed.

Here are a few things to keep in mind.

If 12 inputs aren't enough, you can always keep an eye out for a 16 switcher.  My unit is 16 inputs and 8 outputs.  I currently use all 16 inputs and 4 of the outputs.  The only systems that don't run through my switch are my HDMI systems and my RF only systems.  

Also, does the unit come with the Phoenix connectors for the audio?  Back when I bought mine, I was having a hard time finding a source for replacements.  This was important because only about half of the units I saw for sale included these.  Since I couldn't find replacements, that figured heavily into which one I bought.  Luckily, finding RCA to BNC adapters is pretty easy and cheap.  

With that said, don't forget to price our all of the RCA to BNC adapters, along with the cost of whatever you plan to use to run audio through the system.  It can add up quickly if you aren't careful.  

[Bear78]

Yeah, If this was a 16 or even a 12 port option I'd be all over it.  It has the ports for the phoenix connectors and a few of the connectors.   I'm only outputting to 1 TV also so I'm not gaining a ton there. 

The VCS on the other hand might me something cool to mess around with.  It's a downscaler so I could plug a VGA source into it and get 480i though component. 

[TDIRunner]

Yeah, If this was a 16 or even a 12 port option I'd be all over it.  It has the ports for the phoenix connectors and a few of the connectors.   I'm only outputting to 1 TV also so I'm not gaining a ton there. 

The VCS on the other hand might me something cool to mess around with.  It's a downscaler so I could plug a VGA source into it and get 480i though component. 

Oh, I missed the part where you said it only had 8 inputs.  I forgot that some models have more buttons on the front than inputs on the back.  Mine is that way as well.  The buttons on my front are for 16x16, but on the back only has connectors for 16x8. 

[wiggy]

The VSC300 is an analog-to-analog upscaler.  Not sure exactly how one could use it at this point.

The 160xi is a video signal converter. Again, it’s for analog signals only, and it’s more like a down-scaler, taking various VGA resolutions and making them acceptable to old as dirt TVs and projectors.

[Tech13]

so I feel ignorant when it comes to these, and I would like to know more and understand why they are so sought after.

Currently I am using consumer grade system selectors. I have checked their impedance with a multi meter and all of them are fairly low ohms, but I am always willing to learn more.

Anyone willing to give a crash course?

[Bear78]

so I feel ignorant when it comes to these, and I would like to know more and understand why they are so sought after.

Currently I am using consumer grade system selectors. I have checked their impedance with a multi meter and all of them are fairly low ohms, but I am always willing to learn more.

Anyone willing to give a crash course?

I'm sure someone can give a more in depth answer but more or less, the Crosspoint can act as a single switch for all composite, S-video, Component, and RGB hook ups and can output to multiple TVs at the same time if wanted.  So some people that use both a CRT and a modern TV in their setups can send signal to either or both at the same time all though one device. 

[TDIRunner]

so I feel ignorant when it comes to these, and I would like to know more and understand why they are so sought after.

Currently I am using consumer grade system selectors. I have checked their impedance with a multi meter and all of them are fairly low ohms, but I am always willing to learn more.

Anyone willing to give a crash course?

I'm sure someone can give a more in depth answer but more or less, the Crosspoint can act as a single switch for all composite, S-video, Component, and RGB hook ups and can output to multiple TVs at the same time if wanted.  So some people that use both a CRT and a modern TV in their setups can send signal to either or both at the same time all though one device. 

Right.  If anything, it's overkill.  You really shouldn't feel obligated to upgrade to something like this unless you are nuts like the rest of us.   

[Tech13]

so I feel ignorant when it comes to these, and I would like to know more and understand why they are so sought after.

Currently I am using consumer grade system selectors. I have checked their impedance with a multi meter and all of them are fairly low ohms, but I am always willing to learn more.

Anyone willing to give a crash course?

I'm sure someone can give a more in depth answer but more or less, the Crosspoint can act as a single switch for all composite, S-video, Component, and RGB hook ups and can output to multiple TVs at the same time if wanted.  So some people that use both a CRT and a modern TV in their setups can send signal to either or both at the same time all though one device. 

Right.  If anything, it's overkill.  You really shouldn't feel obligated to upgrade to something like this unless you are nuts like the rest of us.   

Yea I think I am already Nuts and overboard.

[TDIRunner]

I have that exact same distribution amp (I feel like we've had this conversation before  ).  I still own the amp, but because of my matrix switcher, I no longer use it in my current setup. 

[Tech13]

I have that exact same distribution amp (I feel like we've had this conversation before  ).  I still own the amp, but because of my matrix switcher, I no longer use it in my current setup. 

We did when I featured the item in a monthly pickup. I still am waiting for Walmart to close a store close by and see if I can snag one of their signal distributors for cheap. Not the one they sell, the one that you can see behind their display televisions. 

[wiggy]

so I feel ignorant when it comes to these, and I would like to know more and understand why they are so sought after.

Currently I am using consumer grade system selectors. I have checked their impedance with a multi meter and all of them are fairly low ohms, but I am always willing to learn more.

Anyone willing to give a crash course?

There are many reasons why they're sought after.

• They aren't passive switches.  These are powered units and maintain, if not boost the output signal.

• They're built like tanks.  These were used almost exclusively by industry professionals and they needed to work every day, all day.

• Price.  The fact that they can be found for so little in the second hand market is a godsend.  New Extron units spilled well into the four-figure price range, and were all built to order (which is why you'll see many units with the 12 input selector on the front, but fewer outputs on the back).  I have a number of Extrons sitting around.  None on them cost me more than $100.  When you consider how much a 3-4 output passive switch costs, these things are an absolute steal.  Not to mention the space they save versus a bunch passive switches, daisy chained.