I just got an Intec 3-way s-video switcher (at TRU, UPC 804926052996, did NOT ring up as PROMO) for $10, but can easily return it to get a $13 Acoustics Research 2-way switcher for $13 (retails at BB for $20, which I take to be the same price as the 5-way switcher BB had on sale 2 for $30 a week ago). The third port is nice, but quality and life are more important to me, and I hear bad things about Intec. Then again, I haven't heard good things about Acoustics Research -- are they all packaging and no product?
Speaking of Intec being bad: The cheapest analog-to-s-video cables are $10 from Intec and Datel. Should I spring for a more expensive ($20 & greater) brand? While I'm willing to pay for quality, there's a chance I'm going to come into some money later in the year, at which point I might convert to HDTV, swap my Cube for a refurbed with digital a/v out, &c., and then have to buy all sorts of new cords. So I want to minimize my costs here ... but I also really want to play my Cube in s-video.
Speaking of Intec being bad: The cheapest analog-to-s-video cables are $10 from Intec and Datel. Should I spring for a more expensive ($20 & greater) brand? While I'm willing to pay for quality, there's a chance I'm going to come into some money later in the year, at which point I might convert to HDTV, swap my Cube for a refurbed with digital a/v out, &c., and then have to buy all sorts of new cords. So I want to minimize my costs here ... but I also really want to play my Cube in s-video.