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Anyone recommend a good way to hook up multiple consoles?

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Anyone recommend a good way to hook up multiple consoles?

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Old 10-01-02, 05:28 PM
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Anyone recommend a good way to hook up multiple consoles?

I have a tv with a video A, B, and C and it works good for the PS1, N64 and Super Nintendo (this is for the classic games). But I need something that would allow me to switch between closer to 6 or more. Any ideas?
Old 10-01-02, 05:41 PM
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You could get a switcher.

I got one made by Pelican from Best Buy for pretty cheap... $20-30, I think. Basically, you plug a bunch of systems into it, and you have one set of outputs that you can send to your TV and/or receiver. There are switches on the switcher (imagine that) that let you choose which system you want to be "active."

Here's an example of one from MadCatz:

http://www.xbreporter.com/eb.php?pid=213661

It doesn't matter that it's an "X-Box" switcher... it'll work with any system or A/V equipment, whether or not you have an X-Box.
Old 10-01-02, 05:45 PM
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Originally posted by Static Cling
You could get a switcher.

I got one made by Pelican from Best Buy for pretty cheap... $20-30, I think. Basically, you plug a bunch of systems into it, and you have one set of outputs that you can send to your TV and/or receiver. There are switches on the switcher (imagine that) that let you choose which system you want to be "active."
I have the same one, it switches s-video and composite. I've used it for a few months and it has worked great so far.
Old 10-01-02, 05:54 PM
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I got the Pelican switcher at Best Buy. If you have one of the $5 off $19.99 coupons you can get it for $14.99. It works great and has made switching games a heck of a lot easier.
Old 10-01-02, 06:01 PM
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The switcher's work pretty well. Another option is to get a good surround sound receiver with multiple A/V inputs.
Old 10-01-02, 06:37 PM
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I had a Sony switcher and it didn't work. It soured me. Simple piece of equipment and it didn't work. Stupid Sony. Okay, I will try it again, I suppose.
Old 10-01-02, 06:56 PM
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I too have the Pelican switcher, and have been using it for 3-4 months, and it works great. The only annoying thing is I have S-Video for my consoles and DVD, but not my VCR, so whenever I want to use my VCR(quite often for old horror movies), I have to pull out the TV, unplug the S-Video, plug in the composite, then pull out the switcher, unplug the S-Video output, and plug in the composite. It's a pain in the butt to say the least......
Old 10-01-02, 07:07 PM
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Why not get a composite to S-Video converter? You're not going to get as good picture quality as you are with S-Video (but I'm sure you know this ), but here are some to check out http://www.videocapturecard.com/rcatosvideo.html
Old 10-01-02, 07:52 PM
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You can try and build this
Old 10-02-02, 09:16 AM
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or this.



Universal S-Video Cable::


Mad Catz makes connecting to multiple systems easy! The Universal S-Video/Audio Cable enables you to take advantage of brighter colors and sharper more detailed pictures through your game console. The durable 6-foot braided cable and high -performance connectors plug directly to your television or home theater system to ensure the clearest signal possible for maximum visual resolution and audio clarity. Compatible with Playstation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Playstation, PS one and Nintendo 64, this is the only S-Video/Audio Cable you will ever need!

MSRP:: $9.99
Old 10-02-02, 01:20 PM
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Radioshack has good switchers..they work great.
Old 10-02-02, 01:26 PM
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Originally posted by goLUCKY
or this.



Universal S-Video Cable::
I don't think that would work for KingSmoth's problem though. This probably has both an s-video and A/V cable output on it. It can do s-video to s-video or composite video to composite video, but if you take composite video from your VCR on one end and connect the s-video to your switcher on the other end, you'll just get sound with no picture
Old 10-02-02, 02:07 PM
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Static Cling and/or others -

I have that MadCatz switch box, but when I run the PS2 or Xbox through it into my receiver, using the S-Video connections, the picture looks significantly worse than when I connect one console directly to the receiver. Any ideas as to why this would happen?

stoolie
Old 10-02-02, 02:32 PM
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Originally posted by Stoolie
Static Cling and/or others -

I have that MadCatz switch box, but when I run the PS2 or Xbox through it into my receiver, using the S-Video connections, the picture looks significantly worse than when I connect one console directly to the receiver. Any ideas as to why this would happen?

stoolie
This is the main reason that I don't like switchers.. when I run things through the switcher it never looks as good (or even close) to a direct connection.
Old 10-02-02, 02:52 PM
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Not sure. My signal looks just fine through my Pelican box. Perhaps they're constructed differently... less shielding, or something? I am not very electronically-minded, sorry.
Old 10-02-02, 07:12 PM
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What do you guys use (if anything) to add older systems that don't have RCA jacks, etc. to these (like the Sega Genesis, etc.)?
Old 10-16-02, 06:33 PM
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Does anyone know of a switcher that will take mroe than 3 systems?
Old 10-16-02, 06:41 PM
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http://www.usa.denon.com/catalog/pho...ront%2Ejpg&c=2
Old 10-16-02, 06:55 PM
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kvrdave. Most switchers will take 4 imputs. I purchased 2 switchers and daisy chained them so I can use 7 systems (6 running now - PS2, GameCube, XBox, PSOne, Dreamcast, N64/SNES) all hooked up. Terk makes a good cheaper model of the Sony switcher.
Old 10-16-02, 08:29 PM
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Mine takes 5 systems, and I see no signal degradation.
Old 10-17-02, 09:30 AM
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http://www.radioshack.com/category.a...1%5F000&Page=1
Old 10-17-02, 10:42 PM
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Originally posted by Quake1028
Mine takes 5 systems, and I see no signal degradation.
Fill me in on what type it is, man.
Old 10-18-02, 01:40 AM
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Doesn't InterAct make a A/V switch box with five inputs?

http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/categorie...p?pf_id=210014
Old 10-18-02, 02:48 PM
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The Radio Shack ones work great. I have the S-Video one with my PS2 and N64 hooked in due to my TV's being filled with (1) DVD Component Video (2) Nintendo 8 bit (3) Satelite. No degradation in signal for me. I have a 36 Toshiba TV.
Old 10-18-02, 03:16 PM
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Originally posted by Pasco
Doesn't InterAct make a A/V switch box with five inputs?

http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/categorie...p?pf_id=210014
PERFECT. Thanks. $13.99 with free shipping at buy.com


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