Good quality component video selector for under $60?

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Duo_Maxwell

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The TV I use for gaming only has two component inputs, which puts me at a disadvantage when I have 3 things to hook up to it (probably 4 when the Wii hits). SO in short I need a good video selector with at least 3 or 4 inputs that won't degrade the video quality at all (or at least a very, very minimal amount.

I've seen some very good ones but none for under $90. But I'm sure some other CAGs are in the same boat, so what does everyone use? Is there a such a thing for under $60.

Does anyone use or suggest this Intec one? It'd be a nice match to my 360 and it's in the price range but I fear the quality of it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
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I use one of these, as I have the same problem. I haven't suffered any quality loss from using them, either. I realize this isn't what you're asking for, but for the price, it can't be beat.
 
To open up your options, you can use any a/v switch that has a composite+audio input. Just note where you plug in each cable.
 
[quote name='Trakan']I use one of these, as I have the same problem. I haven't suffered any quality loss from using them, either. I realize this isn't what you're asking for, but for the price, it can't be beat.[/QUOTE]

That's somehting that never occured to me, I figured a splitter would have more degradation, but i could try a splitter and see. Have you tried it with HD wuality signals, does it work well with something like 1080i or 720p? Also is it only passive? Because what I'll sometimes do, in certain cases, is have two of the systems running at the same, like if the 360 is downloading something I may power up the PS2 and play it for awhile during the DL. Would something like that work with a splitter?

[quote name='b0bx13']To open up your options, you can use any a/v switch that has a composite+audio input. Just note where you plug in each cable.[/QUOTE]

Would that work with 480p and HD though? My understanding was always that you needed component cables to get 480p and up.
 
[quote name='Duo_Maxwell']


Would that work with 480p and HD though? My understanding was always that you needed component cables to get 480p and up.[/QUOTE]

It sounds like I wasn't clear. Here's the set up: Those selectors have the yellow/white/red inputs while your component cables are red/green/blue. Plug them in like this or any other order (just remember to do the same with each set of cables on the selector):Red goes into red, green goes into white, blue goes into yellow.
 
[quote name='b0bx13']It sounds like I wasn't clear. Here's the set up: Those selectors have the yellow/white/red inputs while your component cables are red/green/blue. Plug them in like this or any other order (just remember to do the same with each set of cables on the selector):Red goes into red, green goes into white, blue goes into yellow.[/QUOTE]

Ah I get, that's pretty slick, I had no idea you do that, Does it effect picture quality at all do it this way then?
 
As much as I hated doing it, I did the same thing and got a cheap switcher box too. Cheap as in $29, which honestly isn't very cheap. Noise was visible on the display, but wasn't truly an annoyance until the 360 came home. Plus, I had four things to plug into the receiver for surround sound decoding, and the box did not do that. Plus, it was manual, having to switch that, and then the new audio switch box for the optical plugs was a pain. So I found the Psyclone Source Selector at Best Buy, for 99.99, but opened box for 79.99 and picked it up on the spot. I read some reviews later before I hooked it up and was happy with what I read, http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=612573&page=3 The image looks great. Sharing the network between the 360 and Xbox works fine. And the remote truly makes me lazy!
 
[quote name='Duo_Maxwell']That's somehting that never occured to me, I figured a splitter would have more degradation, but i could try a splitter and see. Have you tried it with HD wuality signals, does it work well with something like 1080i or 720p? Also is it only passive? Because what I'll sometimes do, in certain cases, is have two of the systems running at the same, like if the 360 is downloading something I may power up the PS2 and play it for awhile during the DL. Would something like that work with a splitter?[/quote]

I haven't tried it with HD quality signals, no. I can't say whether there would be degradation or not. You can also only have one running at a time.
 
[quote name='b0bx13']It sounds like I wasn't clear. Here's the set up: Those selectors have the yellow/white/red inputs while your component cables are red/green/blue. Plug them in like this or any other order (just remember to do the same with each set of cables on the selector):Red goes into red, green goes into white, blue goes into yellow.[/quote]What about audio? Usually composite switchers only have three inputs, yellow video and white and red audio. Component has five. So where do the audio cables go?
 
I have one of these. I've been using it for about a year and have yet to notice any loss in video quality. You might want to check Gamestop for it though, that's where I got mine for $20. It has the Gamestop logo tacked on, but otherwise they're the exact same thing.
 
I also use a Pelican (the cheap, no-remote, non-powered one) on a 42 inch plasma and don't notice any picture degradation, which was surprising to me. I got mine at Walmart about a year ago for $20 or so. I switched to HDMI recently just for kicks for my cable box, but it really doesn't look any different.
 
Trakan, where do the audio cables go on that selector that you posted? It seems to be just what I need since I am only running a PS2 and Xbox 360 with component cables, but if I have to get behind the TV to switch the audio cables everytime then I might as well do the video too.
 
[quote name='lionheart4life']Trakan, where do the audio cables go on that selector that you posted? It seems to be just what I need since I am only running a PS2 and Xbox 360 with component cables, but if I have to get behind the TV to switch the audio cables everytime then I might as well do the video too.[/quote]

I use them for my Xbox/360, and use Digital Optical Audio for both.
 
[quote name='dreamvsps2']Pelican System Selector Pro[/QUOTE]

I've heard of the system selector pro and it looks excellent, but I've never seen it much of any place for less than $80-90 and it has a little more than I really need feature-wise so I just can't really justify the added cost to myself.

[quote name='jaykang']I also use a Pelican (the cheap, no-remote, non-powered one) on a 42 inch plasma and don't notice any picture degradation, which was surprising to me. I got mine at Walmart about a year ago for $20 or so. I switched to HDMI recently just for kicks for my cable box, but it really doesn't look any different.[/QUOTE]

Do you use a 360 or HTPC with it, if so how's it look? A friend uses that too I think (Gamestop one actually but they look almost identical from what I can tell) but I'm afraid when it comes to HD signals. He said he had to quit using with his up-converting DVD player because it some fairly notciable degradation/noise at 720p.
 
I used the cheap pelican for almost 2 years and just upgraded to a joytech. I love the joytech if you want to spend that kind of money you can't go wrong. But for a good Cheap set up get the Pelican NO issues useing the 360 on it (52" rear projection) the picture was very very good no noise. The only down side was the lack of any kind of Digital Audio and that is why I upgraded to the joytech 240c.
 
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