Adapter for component cables

[JohnnyDrama]

Is there such thing as an adapter that will allow me to add extra ports for component cables? I have 3 consoles, and I only have connections for 2 component cable devices on my TV , so unplugging one to plug in another gets kinda frustrating. I would imagine that using something like this might degrade the picture a little, but I'm just curious to see if there is an adapter like this.

[shrike4242]

You need what's called a component switcher. It takes X devices and allows you to plug them into a single component input. I have one for my 4 component-connected consoles (PS2, OG Xbox, Wii and 360) and it works like a champ.

It's this one, picked up at BB:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7660578&type=product&id=1134701087687&ref=06&loc=01

If you do get that one, they have a black-colored version of the one I have. The silver one, there are two versions of it, an older version that has issues with 480p output. If you have the "newer" version, the included remote will have 4 buttons for selecting the devices as well as the +/- buttons to cycle through the devices. I think the black one I've seen recently is the same version as the "newer" one I have.

[devildr1ver]

You need what's called a component switcher. It takes X devices and allows you to plug them into a single component input. I have one for my 4 component-connected consoles (PS2, OG Xbox, Wii and 360) and it works like a champ.

It's this one, picked up at BB:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7660578&type=product&id=1134701087687&ref=06&loc=01

If you do get that one, they have a black-colored version of the one I have. The silver one, there are two versions of it, an older version that has issues with 480p output. If you have the "newer" version, the included remote will have 4 buttons for selecting the devices as well as the +/- buttons to cycle through the devices. I think the black one I've seen recently is the same version as the "newer" one I have.
Funny thats the one im selling on ebay right now for like half of that....lol (its the black version, its on my tradelist)

[norkusa]

Yeah, there was a guy on Ebay selling those Psyclone switchers a couple months ago for $35 + ship new. Never used one myself (I've got the Pelican Selector Pro) but I hear they are pretty good and I think I might get one soon.

[puternerd]

I bought a $20 maganavox one from walmart that handles everything pretty well. I haven't noticed any signal loss. Then again I don't have anything running higher than 480p on it.

[JohnnyDrama]

Nice, I'll check these out, thanks for the input. I definitely need one of these devices right now.

[devildr1ver]

you might want to check out impact acoustics 3 play @buy.com this component switch is badass i just got it and its the only switch (comparing the psyclone and joytech's ) that doesn't degrade picture quality at 720p ........i got it for $33 bucks with google check out. it usually retails at $80 at the companys site.

[shrike4242]

you might want to check out impact acoustics 3 play @buy.com this component switch is badass i just got it and its the only switch (comparing the psyclone and joytech's ) that doesn't degrade picture quality at 720p ........i got it for $33 bucks with google check out. it usually retails at $80 at the companys site.
I've run 720P from both my OG Xbox and my 360 and I haven't seen any picture degrading going on. Everything looks perfect with the Psyclone switcher.

[Tybee]

You need what's called a component switcher. It takes X devices and allows you to plug them into a single component input. I have one for my 4 component-connected consoles (PS2, OG Xbox, Wii and 360) and it works like a champ.

It's this one, picked up at BB:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7660578&type=product&id=1134701087687&ref=06&loc=01

If you do get that one, they have a black-colored version of the one I have. The silver one, there are two versions of it, an older version that has issues with 480p output. If you have the "newer" version, the included remote will have 4 buttons for selecting the devices as well as the +/- buttons to cycle through the devices. I think the black one I've seen recently is the same version as the "newer" one I have.
NEVER buy this type of equipment at Best Buy. They rip you off without shame. And you're a CAG moderator! You should know better... ;)

Monoprice.com has a component switch for $29.99, 1/3 the price of the above unit. It is smaller, black, comes with a remote, and supports IR learning (so that commands can be mapped to a universal remote -- especially useful if you have a Harmony, as it can do the switching for you).

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10112&cs_id=1011201&p_id=3027&seq=1&format=2&style=

And lest any of you are thinking about casting aspersions on Monoprice...

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138023

[JohnnyDrama]

NEVER buy this type of equipment at Best Buy. They rip you off without shame. And you're a CAG moderator! You should know better... ;)

Monoprice.com has a component switch for $29.99, 1/3 the price of the above unit. It is smaller, black, comes with a remote, and supports IR learning (so that commands can be mapped to a universal remote -- especially useful if you have a Harmony, as it can do the switching for you).

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10112&cs_id=1011201&p_id=3027&seq=1&format=2&style=

And lest any of you are thinking about casting aspersions on Monoprice...

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138023
Unless there's a lesser priced device, this is what I'll probably be getting. I don't have to worry about 720p or anything like that since the TV I play my consoles on the most is an older HDTV that goes up to 480p. It also does 1080i, but I have to set the picture to widescreen and anyway the quality isn't any better than 480p. Also, I've heard nothing but good things about Monoprice, so I'll probably pick one up there.

[Cow_tipper]

You might want to read the customer reviews about the component switch on monoprice. The site may be amazing, but the compenent switch that they carry has some pretty bad user reviews.

[shrike4242]

NEVER buy this type of equipment at Best Buy. They rip you off without shame. And you're a CAG moderator! You should know better... ;)

Monoprice.com has a component switch for $29.99, 1/3 the price of the above unit. It is smaller, black, comes with a remote, and supports IR learning (so that commands can be mapped to a universal remote -- especially useful if you have a Harmony, as it can do the switching for you).

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10112&cs_id=1011201&p_id=3027&seq=1&format=2&style=

And lest any of you are thinking about casting aspersions on Monoprice...

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138023 I have no issues with the unit at Monoprice.com, though whenever I looked at it, it was always out of stock.

I had a coupon + RZ certs to use on it, so I didn't pay anything close to full price on it. Plus, the Psyclone does optical out (which I'll need down the line when I go to 5.1 speakers), which was something I was looking for.

The remote on my Psyclone is mapped perfectly OK to my Harmony 880, so the remote's not an issue. I read a pretty good review from a link posted on AVSForum.com and the review said that the 2nd version, the one I have, worked like a champ. And I've not seen anything to the contrary.

After I picked up the Psyclone switcher, I did read some of the reviews on Monoprice.com about it, and it didn't impress me.

I love Monoprice.com, all my component cables are from them, as will be my TOSLink cables and HDMI cables when I need them.

I think for what JD's trying to do, which is run 480p to his TV, the Monoprice.com unit will work OK. If he was going higher, then I'd be a little concerned with some of the reviews on it for 720P.

When I move to a 1080P TV, I'll make sure to invest in a good solid switcher, or just migrate to an amp that'll handle it OK.