20+ Systems on 1 TV, ideas needed.

[Trebuken]

I have been fighting with my game setup for some time now, and have solutions for most of my issues, but now I want to see if anyone has any 'brilliant' ideas to help me clean up the chaos.

I currently have 18ish systems hooked up to my Sony PVM-2530 monitor. Some are connected by composite, others S-Video, others RGB, others composite through an RF demodulator. I want to add several more systems, safely.

Any ideas on how to get them all plugged in at once without risking the systems or a fire? Standard powerstrips have their limitations, would a larger Home Theatre power supply help? could I attach other powerstrips to it safely?

Generally I need thoughts on how to deal with all the power chords. I think I can manage all the video connections simply by tieing them off and using system selectors (want to get a couple more automatic ones).

The block powersupplies are a pain; anyone ever seen extra short (1'-3') extension chords?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

[tom]

and i thought this was bad enough:

[Goodwill Hunter]

The block powersupplies are a pain; anyone ever seen extra short (1'-3') extension chords?

Yes I have...

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/8075/cordswm1.jpg


Find them here...

http://www.improvementscatalog.com/Parent.asp?product=238359x&dept%5Fid=14100&subdept%5Fid=14130

Rich

[Soviet Conscript]

i wanna do something like this myself. useing quality surge protectors can anyone give an idea of how safe this acually is?

[xfrumx]

As long as you arent running everything at once(which you wont) and leave some room to vent the heat on those transformers i think you will be fine

I don't know much about this stuff though

[madman77]

Best idea: buy a 2nd TV :)

Seriously though, get decent power strips (nothing over the top, just simple surge protection), perhaps some with the sideways plugs that work better with the wall warts and also some of those mini extension cables that were posted. I wouldn't worry about frying things since you won't really be powering much more than the TV and 1 console simultaneously.

Post a picture when you get everything hooked up!

[Trebuken]

Best idea: buy a 2nd TV :)

Seriously though, get decent power strips (nothing over the top, just simple surge protection), perhaps some with the sideways plugs that work better with the wall warts and also some of those mini extension cables that were posted. I wouldn't worry about frying things since you won't really be powering much more than the TV and 1 console simultaneously.

Post a picture when you get everything hooked up!

Yeah. I had a second TV in the room but running out of space. I also like the Sony Monitor's output better than a standard set, it also has great stereo perfect for these older systems.

[retroman]

ya here's one..get a new tv or 2.

[dairugger]

currently i have around 18-20 systems plugged into my 40 inch lcd- and i use the "powersquid" http://www.lifehacker.com/software/gadgets/powersquid-roomy-power-strip-160921.php

i picked up a couple at target over the holidays for 9.99.

good luck - just remember what everyone else said, leave lots of ventilation, and never have everything on at once!

[PallarAndersVisa]

power supply shouldnt be a problem since you aren't (or shouldnt) be running every system at the same time. Normal folk dont have more than 2 running at once so getting a large power strip or daisy chaining them won't hurt.

I wouldnt mind getting a larger system selector. I have a 4 port one with S-video now that everything but my Xbox 360 is running through (saturn, DC, PS2, GC), but I'd like to get something like a 6 switcher.

[Gentlegamer]

*deleted*

[Gentlegamer]

power supply shouldnt be a problem since you aren't (or shouldnt) be running every system at the same time. Normal folk dont have more than 2 running at once so getting a large power strip or daisy chaining them won't hurt.

I wouldnt mind getting a larger system selector. I have a 4 port one with S-video now that everything but my Xbox 360 is running through (saturn, DC, PS2, GC), but I'd like to get something like a 6 switcher.Look for the Pelican System Selector Pro. It has 8 inputs, all allowing composite, component, and s-video. I have two of them, one to run the systems using s-video, one for composite.

[Charlesaway]

power supply shouldnt be a problem since you aren't (or shouldnt) be running every system at the same time. Normal folk dont have more than 2 running at once so getting a large power strip or daisy chaining them won't hurt.

I wouldnt mind getting a larger system selector. I have a 4 port one with S-video now that everything but my Xbox 360 is running through (saturn, DC, PS2, GC), but I'd like to get something like a 6 switcher.

Many systems carry a phantom load, so that they are constantly drawing power even when they are off. It seems like systems with the power cubes are always warm.

Those little extension cords are also at Wal-Mart; $2.96 in the electronics section.

If you look at my game room (the linky on the bottom), you might see I have a similar setup. 15+ systems. I bought a power bar from wal-mart that sports 12 plugs. I have that plus a 10 plug power bar behind the shelf. I haven't picked up any of the mini cords, but I intend to, because the power 'cubes' are blocking 4 or 5 plugs that could be used for further expansion.

[RCS_Techie]

I use several Joytech 240Cs they work for me and i have my newer systems directly connected to my TV.

[lurpak]

Im no electrician BUT !!

based on the assumption that most consoles go down a transformer to a very low consumption level the odds of overloading your socket on consoles is miniscule, I rekon youd be safe upto at least 50...if Im wrong please let me know.

[Trebuken]

I'll head to Walmart today and see what I have locally. A 12 outlet powestrip would be nice. I've seen 20+ powerstrips online but have not committed myself to purchasing one yet because of transformers.

I have the pelican system selector pro with my modern systems, but I am using 2 regular pelican selectors with a Naki automatic selector connecting them to the set, the Naki has an open connection for another selector (I have a Gamestop branded component selector which might go here). I may upgrade to all automatic selectors, I think that is more cost effective than the Joytechs and system selector pros as far as older systems.

Charlesaway - I may post picks one of these days, but have seen so many great gamerooms posted around here that I do not think I'd be adding any new ideas. My setup is in a store bought entertainment center (Odd-lots) about 6' high. I have added shelves when needed, though my carpentry is a bit poor. The monitor sits in the middle surround on all sides (but the top) with systems. I keep the handheld systems and demodulator above it.

Thanks.

[FABombjoy]

I have 20+ systems on the same TV, using 7 switchboxes total.

Here's some pics (http://lukesandel.com/techgallery2/main.php/v/Misc/Gameroom/)

Power is supplied via a 6', 24 outlet Tripp-Lite power strip, which connects to a foot-activated master switch. So when I'm not using the systems, I just stomp on the on/off button to kill power to them all. Most of the bricks are connected via those short extension cables - the outlet spacing is a little tight to fit them all directly.

The load from 20 inactive systems is pretty low, even if you turned them all on for some reason. If your outlets can handle a hair dryer, they can handle 20 game systems.

Caveat: I wired my own outlets in the game room, so I know they were installed properly ;)

[lordnikon]

I have a few questions:

Is there quality loss when daisy chaining S-Video Boxes? I only have 1 TV at the moment, and a very very small room so I can't add another. I wanted to connect one S-Video switch box into another. Will this still present the same level of clarity? or will it look like crap?

Also, is it safe to Daisy Chain power strips / surge protectors? I only have one system, the TV and my stereo on at once. However due to limited space, and limited outlets I have to have 3-4 powerstrips / surge protectors connected to a single outlet. It hasn't given me any problems so far but the cables are really starting to pile up.

There are a lot of systems I don't have connected, and have to temporarily hook them up, then disassemble them.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[madman77]

You will lose quality each time you add additional connections to any signal chain, more so if they will be going through a switcher. Will it be noticeable if going through one or two switchers? Probably not so much.

You'll be OK daisy chaining power strips, when I was in college I had a ton of things plugged into a single socket. As long as you don't exceed the current draw of that circuit's fuse, you are fine. Right now I've got 3 power strips under my desk fully filled with devices that are almost always on and there's no problems.

[Charlesaway]

I have a few questions:

Is there quality loss when daisy chaining S-Video Boxes? I only have 1 TV at the moment, and a very very small room so I can't add another. I wanted to connect one S-Video switch box into another. Will this still present the same level of clarity? or will it look like crap?

Also, is it safe to Daisy Chain power strips / surge protectors? I only have one system, the TV and my stereo on at once. However due to limited space, and limited outlets I have to have 3-4 powerstrips / surge protectors connected to a single outlet. It hasn't given me any problems so far but the cables are really starting to pile up.

There are a lot of systems I don't have connected, and have to temporarily hook them up, then disassemble them.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

I'd say you would be safe, however in the past I lived in Military housing, and the fire marshall very much frowned upon my setup (I had power bars with extension cords running into them to fit all the power cubes together) which is one of the reasons I went out and bought a 12 outlet power bar. That being said, I'm still alive, and the house never burnt down.

[FABombjoy]

It's tough to definitively say if it's safe or not. I mean, it probably is, but every setup is different. Provided that all wiring, plugs, adapters, etc. are in good shape, from an overload standpoint, the concern is minimal.

If you get plugs that don't fit tightly into sockets or slowly work themselves loose (like how some wall-warts will when plugged into a power strip), then you have more cause for concern.

In regards to signal degredation, I have a few groups of composite video older systems that are 4-switchboxes away from the TV, with a combined cable length of 20-25'. No noticible issues. Same for s-video enabled systems, which go through 3-switchboxes.

[lordnikon]

In regards to signal degredation, I have a few groups of composite video older systems that are 4-switchboxes away from the TV, with a combined cable length of 20-25'. No noticible issues. Same for s-video enabled systems, which go through 3-switchboxes.
Excellent. Looks like I will have to try and find some more s-video switch boxes then.

[DreamTR]

I have this problem, I use two TVS. One with HD Setup, one with CRT 480I setup. I have to change everything when I move, but this is what I have set-up at the moment. One day I'll have everything set up the way I want it again.

I start with a Component/S-Video box on the 480I TV
Component Out-TV
S-Video Out-TV
Component 1-XBOX
Component 2-PS2
Component 3-Wii
S-Video 1-DVD 5.1 Surround Sound Player
S-Video 2-Daisy chained to a Pelican System Selector Pro 2.0

S-Video 2 chains
Output 1-Dreamcast
Output 2-Neo Geo (with XNEO1 box)
Output 3-Sega Saturn (interchange with SNES and N64)
Output 4-Atari Jaguar/Jaguar CD
Output 5-MAS Super Nova
Output 6-JVC X-EYE Modded S-Video System

Composite Switcher box
Composite 1-NES
Composite 2-Modded Sega Game Gear
Composite 3-Laserdisc Player has S, temporarily on Compostive until move
Composite 4-S-Video VHS Player (temporarily)

Direct Connect to TV-
Turbo Duo, Composite

(not hooked up, Neo Geo CDZ)


HDTV

JVC System Selector
Output-TV
Component 1-XBox 360
Component 2-PS3
Component 3-GameCube

S-Video-(Genesis/32X/Sega CD with Composite to S converter)
S-Video (Out to SYstem Selector Pro 2.0)

S-Video 1-Xbox
S-Video 2-Modified GBA System
S-Video 3-Supergrafx (not hooked up, need C to S)
S-Video 4-Laseractice (not hooked up, need C to S)

Composite-Modified Colecovision

Etc etc, there are more, but I've unhooked half the stuff for the move!

[Trebuken]

I think the Tripp-Lite power-strip with 13" extensions for the transformers is the way to go.

Never would have thought of a foot-activated master switch. I've been using the light switch which is connected to the outlet; problem is I sometimes go to turn the lights off and turn everything off.

FABombjoy - I like the idea of bundling the cables together the way you have, I might look into that as well.

[Niku-Sama]

i have quite a few systems plugged in to my tv which has only 1 coax and i set of RCA's

use a reciver, modern ones will have component/rgb and optical and digital coax audio inputs. you'll only need one input on your tv for the reciver and some recivers have alot of inputs on it.

mines got 3 seperate video inputs on top of a DVD input (that has video), multiple s video and rgb inputs 2 optical and 1 digital coax input for sound.

i am sure if i had something s-video and RGB or Component and RCA i could plug them all into one input but use one at a time of course, might need a combiner for the sound depending on what your gonna use.

[Gentlegamer]

I have 20+ systems on the same TV, using 7 switchboxes total.

Here's some pics (http://lukesandel.com/techgallery2/main.php/v/Misc/Gameroom/)Do I see a PC-FX?

[FABombjoy]

Do I see a PC-FX?

Yepper - hooked into a step down transformer, along with the frontloader Neo Geo CD.


I like the idea of bundling the cables together the way you have, I might look into that as well.

Originally I wanted to use wire duct, like the kind of stuff used to loom racks of networking gear. In the end, the significantly lower cost of simple velcro ties won out. It doesn't have the total fit-and-finish that I would like, but it's a lot better than my previous arrangements.