This is bull(bleep) right?

[Gamereviewgod]

http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/editorial/reviews/reviews.asp?pf_id=238745&popf_id=238745

Third comment:

Andy Stocker (Stockdogg@hotmail.com) on 10/13/2003
REGULAR SYSTEM SELECTOR DOES THE JOB
Not many people realize this, but all you have to do to switch componet inputs is use any old regular rca switching device. Meaning, use the yellow video, red audio, and white audio to carry your componet cables....AS LONG AS its a switching device that does NOT have a remote, for some reason automated devices do not seem to work well. I too wanted this piece of equipment and I coudln't find it anywhere so I bought the MAD CATZ $$ system selector, and guess what!! - I now have a Gamecube, XBOX and PS2 running componet cables, Dragons Lair looking beautiful in 1080i and you can't tell the difference between running it thru the switcher and the TV!!
This has been hashed out in forums over and over again, its really not even a debate anymore, no one has proven that a cheap switcher doesn't do the job.

Huh??? This guy is on crack right? :hmm:

[MarioAllStar2600]

DOes it really make a difference? I never tryed one. I know that HDTV kicks ass though.

[Gamereviewgod]

Yeah it makes a difference. If I can get away with using a powered AV switchbox instead of forking over the cash for a component switchbox, I''d be a very happy man.

[wberdan]

i cant imagine why it wouldnt work, only unless there is some form of processing in the switcher...

it comes down to- the more you pay (generally) the less video loss/distortion youre going to get in the switcher.
extron makes some of the best.

willie

[Sylentwulf]

Yep, what he said :)

They're just wire for wire switches, so it should work fine, and the more you pay, the better it will be :)

I just make sure when I buy my TV/receiver that it has too many jacks, because too many always turns into BARELY enough within a year or so.

[davidbrit2]

It should work, but you might lose some signal quality, which is completely counterproductive to using component video in the first place. And the average composite switch box has connections for video, and stereo audio. That's just enough for the three component video connections, but what do you do about the two more audio cables you've got left over?

[Gamereviewgod]

And the average composite switch box has connections for video, and stereo audio. That's just enough for the three component video connections, but what do you do about the two more audio cables you've got left over?


Well, I would assume that for a console like the 'Cube it would be a problem (hence why this still makes little sense to me), but for the PS2 and 'Box you can use and optical cabel for the audio.

[davidbrit2]

Yeah, that's true. Though you'd then have to worry about switching that. ;-) I'm willing to bet optical switch boxes ain't cheap in any sense of the word.

[Gamereviewgod]

Well, the link in the first post is the System Selector Pro. It has 3 (maybe 4, don't remember now) optical ports and I believe 6 component and it's only $80 at Best Buy. Plus, I've got a $10 coupon and $10 off from the Reward Zone program. :D

[omnedon]

I have System selector pro. It was overpriced but I like it. It's got ethernet switching too. :eek 2:

[Gamereviewgod]

It was overpriced

Overpriced???? @_@ Man, I paid a $100 for JUST a component switch by JVC. This one has optical, ethernet, component and more and it's overpriced? Please explain!

[FABombjoy]

I'm using a cheapy standard a/v switchbox for a component switcher. Looks great, works great.

[Oobgarm]

It was overpriced

Overpriced???? @_@ Man, I paid a $100 for JUST a component switch by JVC. This one has optical, ethernet, component and more and it's overpriced? Please explain!

I got one of those too. I love it. I thought it was high priced only because I'm used to seeing system selectors for like $20 and less. Now that I think about it, and in light of what you just said, I think the price is justifiable.

I'm using the switcher for everything-optical audio, ethernet, s-video, component, and composite. Everything works prefectly, no problems whatsoever.

[sisko]

Yes it will work as long as you match everything up right.

The problem is that when you use all of the three plugs up for video, how are you going to do audio?

There are ways around this, for example getting a seperate selector for audio, but is it worth the extra hassle and money?

[ddockery]

The audio solutio is easy, most audio receiver/amps have a whole bunch of audio inputs, but maybe 3 component video inputs. Just use the switcher for your video and receiver the route the audio. On mine, even if the switcher goes through the receiver it's not a problem. If I switch t a component w/ no video, I get the audio from the new component, but video from the first. For examle, I have the stereo set to my PS2 input, then switch to CD. I'll still see the PS2 while I hear the DVDs.

This does in fact work, but I've not yet gotten any titles that do 1080i to comapre the quality. I have heard that the RCA baxes don't have the bandwidth needed to allow the 1080i, but I could see it working both ways.

I actually have mine set up this way with PS2/XBOX and optical audio, and the Gamecube throught the TV, because I've been too lazy to get RCA extensions....