AV Selection question

[MrSparkle]

Hey so i have a question and im hoping someone here can help me out. Now at any given time i have 10-12 systems hooked up. Or i would like to have them hooked up but no one seems to make av selectors with more than 5-6 inputs. What im really looking for is a 10-12 input rca selector switch does anyone know of any?

[JunkTheMagicDragon]

i use a joytech system selector. it has seven inputs, but has one interesting feature.

four (or three, can't remember) of the inputs have composite/s-vid/component video and composite/coax/optical audio inputs while the rest have normal composite/s-vid connections.

the cool thing about the unit is that it doesn't transcode formats; it's just a switch (in other words you can't input an nes on composite and output over component). while that may seem like a bad thing, it means that on the four hi-def inputs, you can double up on systems. connect an nes to the composite connections and an xbox 360 to the component/optical connections on the same input.

so in essence you have an 11-1 switch. two or three of these buggers can tame most large collections of composite-level and up consoles while not overwhelming the number of inputs on most receivers.

i've only had one problem with the unit since i've gotten it. one time it wouldn't turn on from standby, but a quick power cycle fixed that. they can be a little pricey depending on where you get them ($30-70), but i'd still definitely recommend you look into it.

[Pantechnicon]

You could also just daisy chain a couple together. That's what I've got for a grand total of nine units. Just don't ask about the relative orderliness of the cables :shameful:.

[MrSparkle]

haha yea thats what im trying to avoid having a giant daisy chain, i saw a good hack a day article on how to build your own for as many inputs as you want but the rats nest of cable looked well beyond my capabilities. http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/13/how-to-make-a-solid-state-a-v-switcher/
maybe someone on here should start building and selling those things custom order i bet alot of people on the forums have more than 3 or 4 consoles ;)
thanks for the other reply ill definatly check that thing out sounds like it might be the best one out there (thats still made i cant tell you how many great ones i found pdf manuals for that i cant find anywhere lol.)

[KeyserSoze61]

Sadly, I'm a victim of the daisy chain phenomenon as well. I have 7 systems hooked up via 2 four port S-video/composite switches. The Xbox and PS2 occupy two component inputs on my TV, while the 360 is going in via HDMI.

It's actually fairly efficient; my bigger problem is what to do with all of the power bricks. I currently just have them all labelled and sitting next to a surge protector that is turned off. Whenever I want to play a retro system, I just plug in the appropriate brick (or 3 in the case of the Genesis/32x/CD). I would love a more elegant solution for that (that doesn't leave them drawing power at all times).

[MrSparkle]

I was under the impression they didn't draw power (any important amount at least) when they were off?

[Trebuken]

I was under the impression they didn't draw power (any important amount at least) when they were off?

true, but turning the surge protector off is good for fire hazard reasons and I think a surge protector off protects better from surges than one that is on...

Yeah 8 seems to be the limit with system selectors. I had to go daisy chain as well. I have three switched, one is an automatic switch which hooks the other two together so I do not have to switch between them.

Now finding an RF switch with more than 3 connections is also a stumper...

[JunkTheMagicDragon]

Now finding an RF switch with more than 3 connections is also a stumper...

i was under the impression that rf splitter/combiners (which i've seen with up to 16 inputs/outputs) could work for that, although they're not switches.

haven't tried it though.

[PaddyTheChump]

I was under the impression they didn't draw power (any important amount at least) when they were off?
They still draw power, around 30%? Not positive with that number, but it could add up.

[Greg2600]

They still draw power, around 30%? Not positive with that number, but it could add up.

Second that notion, power packs waste power like crazy when plugged in, not to mention you're shortening the life of them. I leave as many AV cables plugged in as I can, but store the systems and AC Adapters in a drawers. Less to dust.

[Soviet Conscript]

They still draw power, around 30%? Not positive with that number, but it could add up.

huh? 30% seems kinda steep. i've had alot of ac adaptors plugged in over very long periods of time and never noticed any drain or increase in the power bill. also *knock on wood* i have had some systems almost continuously plugged in for years and even decades and never have i had a ac adaptor die or a surge protector strip die.

i've heard so much contradictory information on the "phantom load" theories. the fact that those blocks get pretty warm when plugged in but they system is off does give it alot of validity but does anyone have acual statistics or information from a manufacturer?