Mega Crazy Switch Box?

UncleBob

UncleBob

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Okay, I've got the following:

Two devices that connect only through Coax.
Three devices that connect through Composite or Coax.
Two devices that connect through S-Video, Composite or Coax.
Three devices that connect through Component, Composite or Coax.
One device that connects through Component or Composite.

I want to connect these to one TV that has all kinds of inputs on it (HDMI, etc). The problem is, all these components are on one of two stands beneath the television, while the TV is wall mounted. I'd like to have a minimum of cables going to the TV (cables going to the switch box can be hidden easier) - But I'd also like to have the best picture/sound quality I can get.

What's the best, cheapest thing I can get?

cordsm.jpg


Remember, only you can prevent forest fires!
 
Actually, one of those, with the right amount of Y connectors for Audio, might work.

Anyone have one of these? Here's what I'm wondering... (gimme a sec to Paint up a picture)...
 
Any reason why two wouldn't work, besides the cost aspect of getting two? I was thinking it would be easier with two, as you'd have an one-to-one ratio between devices and connections.
 
Cost would be the reason. :)
I'll need get approval from my wife. This is the same wife who doesn't really understand my need to have my Mattel Intellivision hooked up. :)

Anywhoo, anyone happen to know if you're using the Component inputs, does it shut off the Composite Video/S-Video inputs for that set of jacks?

I know it's a little confusing to follow, but here:
switch.jpg


Let's say I take one Component device (a GameCube) and plug it into the Component Video jacks. Then, I take a Composite device (an SNES-mini) and plug it into the Component Video jack. Then, using two Y-Connectors, I take the red audio cables and plug them into the red jack (and the same with the white). Would this one button then allow me to select either the GameCube or the SNES-mini, whichever one I have turned on?
 
I just ordered the pelican switcher yesterday, through buy.com you will see there price and there competitors price - ANT online is the cheapest, which is what I selected - I used the 10.00 off google checkout which brought the total to around 48.00 shipped.
 
Get the Yamaha RX-V2600. Here is just one link, I know nothing about the seller:

http://www.shop.com/Yamaha_RXV2600_...eiver-44311464-58315851-p!.shtml?sourceid=298

I know it seems like a lot, but it upconverts _every_ input to HDMI. This means that you could have 15 switchboxes that go into 1 input, and every signal will go into one input on your tv, at the highest quality it can display it at.

Since you have only one knob to turn to choose input sources (plus whatever switchboxes you decide to throw in between) it is very wife friendly. In the old days, I had to change the input on the projector, and then a switchbox, and then the toslink digital switchbox. This does all that crap for me. Mrs. G loves it.

This is what powers the Bunker Theater and it is a bargain for what it does.

It has probably been superseded by a new model, but I'm sure it would be much more expensive than the $600 in the link above.
 
[quote name='UncleBob']Cost would be the reason. :)
I'll need get approval from my wife. This is the same wife who doesn't really understand my need to have my Mattel Intellivision hooked up. :)

Anywhoo, anyone happen to know if you're using the Component inputs, does it shut off the Composite Video/S-Video inputs for that set of jacks?

I know it's a little confusing to follow, but here:
switch.jpg


Let's say I take one Component device (a GameCube) and plug it into the Component Video jacks. Then, I take a Composite device (an SNES-mini) and plug it into the Component Video jack. Then, using two Y-Connectors, I take the red audio cables and plug them into the red jack (and the same with the white). Would this one button then allow me to select either the GameCube or the SNES-mini, whichever one I have turned on?[/quote]
Only one set of inputs are live at any time, though I don't think that it would matter what's hooked up to it. In theory, your idea of using multiple devices per input would work, with only one device talking over that input.

You'd have to put it into practice to see if it would work or not, though I think the two switchboxes idea might be the cleaner of the two ways to do it.
 
Ideally, I think you'd want something like this. It accepts a bunch of different signals, upscales to whatever resolution, and outputs them all through a single HDMI port.

Unfortunately, $1500 is probably more than you're looking to spend.

A lot of people on avsforum recommend the Audio Authority 1154A. It only does component though, so you'll still have 3-4 cables running to your TV.

On the cheap, I'd recommend the Pelican HD Selector that was mentioned earlier. I have it setup in macros with my universal remote, so when I turn on the TV, it turns on and selects the correct input.I think I got mine through buy.com and it ended up being around $70.
 
Well, the best solution is way to expensive (that neat-o up converter) - for now, I'm going to hold off (I'll probably end up getting the Pelican Switch box after buying Christmas presents).

So, with about $15 worth of cable ties and a few hours of work, here's what I've got now...

Before:
cordsm.jpg


After:
tvsm.jpg
 
That's definately an improvement! :)

Luckily, all of my wires hide behind my entertainment center. I'll be in trouble if I ever have to move everything though.
 
[quote name='UncleBob']I want one of those home re-decorator shows to come in and try to redo my living room. ;)[/quote]

That's your living room?? I figured that was an office or spare room. :D
 
Well, technically, it is a spare room, but it's where our main TV is and it's the room we're always in, so we call it the living room and we call the supposed-main room the "Front Room".
 
If you're bored and you have about 5 mins to kill...

Here's a video [L=tour of my entertainment center]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTO4Cllv3Wc[/L]...
 
I received the pelican switchbox through buy.com/ant.com and have it up and running.......works great and looks really nice alongside my other hometheater gear. I have a ps2 xbox360 and wii hooked into it so far. Using a mix of s-video and optical/rca inputs. Works as advertised, don't waste your money on a more expensive - less feature laden alternative, this thing kicks a.s.
 
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