LX98Civic

Sorry if this is a repost. I'll delete if someone can post a link.

My friend had this box thing with 4 or 5 buttons lined up on the front panel. All his game systems were wired to this box or something like that. If he wanted to play PS2 he pushed a button. If he wanted SNES he pushed another, Dreamcast was a 3rd button, etc...... It's a pain in the ass to switch out the wires when you want to play one of the systems or watch tv.

This will be the perfect gift for my brother this X-mas. I can benefit from it too, lol! We have: PS2, Dreamcast, SNES, and N64.

What is this thing called?

Thanks for any help on this!!

jrobinson

a multiplexor?

uses logic gates to determine paths. I could draw out a diagram for you and have an ee or ce create it for you.

or

you could just buy one. maybe called A/V Selector, multiplexor, switch box

Good Guys: A/V Selectors $59.99

GameStop Universal System Selector $19.99

I use one from radioshack. very cheap. degrades signal quality. if you really want to get a good one, it will run you lots and lots of money...

LX98Civic

I appreciate the info. That's exactly what I am talking about. I don't want to pay "lots and lots of money" for this piece. You think there is any difference between the 2 you posted and the Radio Shack version?

The $19.99 one looks fine with me. It says: Platform: DC,N64,PSX,PS2 ....Does that mean the SNES or NES will not work on this thing?

Will the one from Radio Shack work with what I am looking for? What is the model # if you have it?

Thanks again!!

sdcrym

I remember a discussion about one particular device in this thread:

http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=328449

I think it's a little more expensive than what you're looking for, though.

LX98Civic

Yeah, someone posted that on another forum. A little out of the price range. The tv is an older 27" Sony anyhow.....

sniper308

Basically just determine if you are using S-Video, Composite or Component inputs on the TV and buy an appropriate switcher. I'm using an S-Video switcher which is a non powered model, meaning I have to press the buttons. These things can be had for under $30 often under $20. There are other models that run upwards of $100.

Here's a decent looking one that is powered (which means that it can automatically switch to the input that has a signal), has S-Video capability and is less than $30

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...537#long_descr

It is out of stock on the site but I have seen them in the store.

sniper308

Man, what forum on DVD talk have you been spending your time in?

It will work. Those labels do not mean anything. The important info is whether you are using composite, component or S video connections from the consoles to the TV.

focker

I have the one from Gamestop above and use it with my Dreamcast, N64, Gamecube, and PS2. I use all s-video connections and it works great. I've noticed no difference in quality. You can certainly hook up an NES or SNES, the box just doesn't come with SNES or NES labels for the buttons, so you might have to call one of them "OTHER" and one of them "VCR" or something. Or you could just leave the labels off and remember which button is which system. It's cheaper than any other solution I could find after buying one too many systems for my receiver to handle.

LX98Civic

Thanks! $20 sounds great! I'm stopping by the one in the mall tommorrow.

UAIOE

I have a couple of those Pelican systems selectors (has a design similar to the PS2) and those work great.

I have all my systems from NES up to Dreamcast (even my DVD player) hooked up to these and they work great. $20 a pop for each and all i had to do was make labels on them to say which switch goes to what.

Drexl

No SNES/NES labels = NO SALE

menaz

You can also buy it at Best Buy for $15 with the gamers coupon

Josh H

I have no problem with the $20 Pelican one (the gamestop one is identical, just has the store logo instead of Pelican).

I notice no signal degradation with RCA or S-video sources. I really think you have to be an anal videophile and really being hard core doing side by side comparisons to notice those things.

Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I'm much happier not knowing what to look for and just enjoying games, movies etc with out having the experience ruined by some grain, bleeding or other degradation.

Ignorance is bliss.

chanster

Radio Shack has S-Video ones..they work great. I got mine for like $15 bucks 2 years ago or so.

I don't notice any dropoff.

squi23

I got the Pelican version at BB a few months ago and it's works solidly.
Wish I had know about that one from Walmart though, b/c for $10 extra, that auto switch on signal would have been sweet!

But the Pelican still works great and does S-video also.
The AC adapter is only needed if you're gonna be doing composite/RF adapting, i believe.

Josh H

Yep, AC adapter is only required to convert composite or S-video to RF.

Static Cling

I noticed no signal degradation through my Pelican box when I used it, either. Now I use my receiver, though.

sniper308

or to have active switch over upon transfer of signal.

LX98Civic

I picked this up today from Toys R Us for $20: