AV Selector Boxes

[scottw182]

I'm in the market for a good AV Selector Box, does anybody have any suggestions? These things seem to be getting harder and harder to find, no physical stores near me carry them anymore, and I haven't been able to find too many online. Maybe I'm not searching right, I don't know. Links to places to buy your recommendations would be helpful.

I would like for it to have 4 inputs minimum, but more would be great.

I probably just need one with RCA inputs, but one with some S-Video, maybe even component, would be an option as well (S-Video more than Component).

Wouldn't have to come with a remote, but it wouldn't hurt :).

Thanks!

[klausien]

I use 3 Radio Shack brand S-Video ones linked together. I don't generally recommend their products (had some wireless headphones basically just give up after light use, and they weren't cheap), but I haven't had any issues with the switch boxes. The nice thing is that they don't require additional AC power. Y-Splitters abound. For S-Video Y-cables, I recommend eBay. My setup is strictly SD though (Sony Trinitron 36' tube). If I had an HDTV, I would only use it for my 360 anyway.

[portnoyd]

We use this:

http://xbox.about.com/od/xboxaccessories/fr/sysselprorev.htm

And there is the 2.0 version as well:

http://gear.ign.com/articles/786/786517p1.html

Sadly, I don't have any links to buy either, as both are out of production. Highly recommend the 1.0. We've had no problems with it at all. Since it's powered, it really gives a great picture too. It may be more than you want to pay ($100 new, god only knows how much now) but it's the best solution imo (and it has a remote!).

[scottw182]

I checked out Radio Shack, they have a 2 input, 4 input, and 5 input. They look pretty good, they all have RCA and S-Video input and output. I would want the 5 input the most, but it has pretty terrible reviews compared to the other 2. Are you saying the boxes don't require AC power at all? Or the additional ones linked to the first one don't require additional power? What's a Y-Splitter?

I have 2 setups. I've got a plasma 42" with my 360, Wii, Blu-Ray, etc. Then, I have a 37" RCA that I'm wanting to hook my NES, SNES, N64, GC, and 1 other random system to.

[klausien]

I use the 4 input ones with 2 systems per input.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

A basic 3 or 4 input passive (not powered) switcher with one output, shouldn't really have any signal degradation. Any time you start adding y-splitters into the mix, you have a good chance of losing some signal quality though. I use an RCA model and a Terk on seperate TV's and they both look good. You may also consider purchasing a used A/V receiver, because a lot of them have A/V switching built in.

[aclbandit]

I checked out Radio Shack, they have a 2 input, 4 input, and 5 input. They look pretty good, they all have RCA and S-Video input and output. I would want the 5 input the most, but it has pretty terrible reviews compared to the other 2. Are you saying the boxes don't require AC power at all? Or the additional ones linked to the first one don't require additional power? What's a Y-Splitter?

I have 2 setups. I've got a plasma 42" with my 360, Wii, Blu-Ray, etc. Then, I have a 37" RCA that I'm wanting to hook my NES, SNES, N64, GC, and 1 other random system to.

Boxes requiring AC power often have an "auto-switching" feature, making a remote unnecessary. These will basically just switch to and output whichever one is "turned on", which is really rad.

A y-splitter is a cable that lets you either A) Plug 2 RCA jacks into one hole, or B) Plug one RCA jack into two holes. Make sure you know which one you're getting: the difference is in whether there are 1 or 2 male or female connectors.

I bought my autoswitchers at KMart, of all places, and the last time I was in they still had them in stock. I have a composite switcher for my old stuff and a component/s-video switcher for my new stuff (this one has composite too, but I don't use it for that). There are a crapload of those y-splitters involved too.

I keep all 14 of my game consoles hooked in via these things, and I've never had trouble. They're Philips brand.

Good luck!

[Gamereviewgod]

We use this:

http://xbox.about.com/od/xboxaccessories/fr/sysselprorev.htm

And there is the 2.0 version as well:

http://gear.ign.com/articles/786/786517p1.html

Sadly, I don't have any links to buy either, as both are out of production. Highly recommend the 1.0. We've had no problems with it at all. Since it's powered, it really gives a great picture too. It may be more than you want to pay ($100 new, god only knows how much now) but it's the best solution imo (and it has a remote!).

Can't back these statements up enough. There has never been a better analog switch on the market than the 1.0. It does everything from composite, component, s-video, optical audio, and even ethernet.

[scottw182]

Thanks for all the info aclbandit, that's very helpful. I checked K-Marts website and they do have several to choose from. That Pelican Pro is looking the most appealing, I wish it was still manufactured. I checked Ebay and there aren't any for auction right now, but a couple sold just within the last few days, pretty cheap too :(

[bgreenlee]

Thanks for all the info aclbandit, that's very helpful. I checked K-Marts website and they do have several to choose from. That Pelican Pro is looking the most appealing, I wish it was still manufactured. I checked Ebay and there aren't any for auction right now, but a couple sold just within the last few days, pretty cheap too :(

I've been using a Joytech box like so: http://cgi.ebay.com/Joytech-AV-Control-Center-JS965C-S-video-switch_W0QQitemZ300376843461QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_ DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45efdae4c5

Like the Pelican, these are also out of production and only are popping up on ebay every couple weeks now. However, they also go for extremely cheap. (I picked my current one up used for ~$70 a few years back.)

Best part is 7 inputs, including RCA, SVIDEO, Component, Optical, and Ethernet!
The whole thing also looks like it will function as a massive RF Modulator as well- though I've never tested it. Also, has a remote for switching inputs and you can name all of the inputs. (Mine switches between "Genesis, Saturn, NES, PS1, PS2, ect")

If you're on a budget, it'd definitely be worth it to keep your eye out for these things popping up on ebay.

[norkusa]

Can't back these statements up enough. There has never been a better analog switch on the market than the 1.0. It does everything from composite, component, s-video, optical audio, and even ethernet.

I've got the 1.0. I love that it has the ability to handle anything and has 3 etherent ports but the video quality isn't the best. It gives me some very faint banding but it's only visible when I'm close to the tv and the picture is very dark. Might just be interference though since I have everything crammed into a stereo cabinet.

[TwinChargers]

I checked Walmarts site, and they have a few as well-

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3312963&findingMethod=rr

the other ones are pretty high end, $150+.

I know I bought mine, similar the one shown, there not too long ago. Haven't had any problems with it so far (GameCube, Dreamcast, PS2 and Xbox hooked up to it.)

[scottw182]

I've been using a Joytech box like so: http://cgi.ebay.com/Joytech-AV-Control-Center-JS965C-S-video-switch_W0QQitemZ300376843461QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_ DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45efdae4c5

Like the Pelican, these are also out of production and only are popping up on ebay every couple weeks now. However, they also go for extremely cheap. (I picked my current one up used for ~$70 a few years back.)

Best part is 7 inputs, including RCA, SVIDEO, Component, Optical, and Ethernet!
The whole thing also looks like it will function as a massive RF Modulator as well- though I've never tested it. Also, has a remote for switching inputs and you can name all of the inputs. (Mine switches between "Genesis, Saturn, NES, PS1, PS2, ect")

If you're on a budget, it'd definitely be worth it to keep your eye out for these things popping up on ebay.

Wow, that's another great option, thanks! I think I actually prefer that one, it's a little smaller so I think it will fit better where I'm wanting to put it. Do you think you could measure the length for me? I'd really appreciate it.

[bgreenlee]

Wow, that's another great option, thanks! I think I actually prefer that one, it's a little smaller so I think it will fit better where I'm wanting to put it. Do you think you could measure the length for me? I'd really appreciate it.

17x10x2.5

Model: JS965C

Good luck with the search!

[Greg2600]

If you're not selecting amongst HD (HDMI/Component) level video, I would go for the less expensive ones. The ones which do not require power, and manually switch.

[Flack]

When I had all my consoles set up, I had six or seven Radio Shack 4-port manual switch boxes feeding into my Pelican 8 port 1.0.

[kedawa]

Years ago, I had a great 4-input 2-output powered switchbox from RadioShack.
The thing was tiny, and having 2 outputs was a godsend, since I often had a movie or tv show on while gaming, and I could easily route any source to either monitor.
I traded it to a friend when I changed my set up, but I regret it now that they are so hard to find.

[JunkTheMagicDragon]

+1 for the joytech.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Years ago, I had a great 4-input 2-output powered switchbox from RadioShack.
The thing was tiny, and having 2 outputs was a godsend, since I often had a movie or tv show on while gaming, and I could easily route any source to either monitor.
I traded it to a friend when I changed my set up, but I regret it now that they are so hard to find.

Hard? I have THREE OF THE SUCKERS. They work fine, but they also introduce a tiny bit of interference to the signal, which isn't really noticeable on a TV, but it is if you're capturing stuff, like I do. I had no idea they were worth money. o.o

I recently found a GE branded, non powered one, that has four inputs and one output, but has next to no signal degradation (it actually boosts the brightness a bit!)

Nowadays I use a JVC JX-S700 (http://support.jvc.com/consumer/product.jsp?modelId=MODL003020&pathId=3&page=1&archive=true) - seven inputs, four outputs. This was meant for video editing and it shows. No signal degradation and thanks to the multiple outputs, you can set it up to send stuff to an external sound system without much trouble.

[Polygon]

Hard? I have THREE OF THE SUCKERS. They work fine, but they also introduce a tiny bit of interference to the signal, which isn't really noticeable on a TV, but it is if you're capturing stuff, like I do. I had no idea they were worth money. o.o

I recently found a GE branded, non powered one, that has four inputs and one output, but has next to no signal degradation (it actually boosts the brightness a bit!)

Nowadays I use a JVC JX-S700 (http://support.jvc.com/consumer/product.jsp?modelId=MODL003020&pathId=3&page=1&archive=true) - seven inputs, four outputs. This was meant for video editing and it shows. No signal degradation and thanks to the multiple outputs, you can set it up to send stuff to an external sound system without much trouble.

I'm interested in getting at least one of these. JVC's website isn't really clear though. Which kind of input/outputs does it have? Are they all composite or does it do component as well?

[Zach]

I always just use the simple passive Composite and S-Video switches from Pelican. I haven't bought one in years, though, so I have no idea where to buy one now. At one time I had five of the 4-input switches hooked up in a "1 master, 4 slave" configuration (one master 4-input switch with a 4-input switch on each of its inputs) and saw absolutely no degradation. No fancy cables, either. Just simple, cheap S-Video and composite cables.

See the photo in my post signature for a view of the madness. Notice the row of switches at the top of my game shelf.

[c0ldb33r]

For composite/S-Video I use a cheap passive Pelican selector.

For component I have one of these:
http://www.gamingnexus.com/Article/Next-Generation-AV-upgrades-you-didnt-know-you-needed-(Part-2)/Item1229.aspx

The Psyclone selector is awesome! :D

edit: I did not know until just this moment that the Psyclone does composite as well (also S-Video and ethernet).

[LaughingMAN.S9]

For composite/S-Video I use a cheap passive Pelican selector.

For component I have one of these:
http://www.gamingnexus.com/Article/Next-Generation-AV-upgrades-you-didnt-know-you-needed-(Part-2)/Item1229.aspx

The Psyclone selector is awesome! :D

edit: I did not know until just this moment that the Psyclone does composite as well (also S-Video and ethernet).


i have the same pysclone selector and can indeed confirm its awesomeness


but i came to say if you have the option, get a powered selector as opposed to passive, theres a little signal degradation in passive units, at least in my expierence, its not too bad, but its really noticeable if you compare powered to passive side by side, the difference is obvious

[The Clonus Horror]

I've been using these for over a decade with no issue whatsoever:

http://www.amazon.com/Recoton-SVS1000-S-Video-Switch/dp/B000031WCH/ref=sr_1_16?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1357494098&sr=1-16