Recommended AV switchers?

[Donny K]

Hello,

I have a problem. I own many video game systems and I need some kind of component switcher. However I cannot seem to find a decent one on the market. I recently tried Intec's HDMI A/V switcher and found it to be utter crap (the jacks came off with the cable when I went to re-arrange things!). I need something with a solid build quality, as many component inputs as possible and optical audio / ethernet would be a bonus.

I am willing to pay around $250 if I need to, possibly more based on recomendations.

Help?

 

[Adam]

Hey, welcome to the forum.

Are you looking to get a new receiver, at all? New ones in that price range might have the switching capabilities that you're looking for, such as the Onkyo 505 ($250 at Amazon). Heck, you could just use it as a switcher and not hook up the speakers if you wanted to.

I'm guessing that there are plain switchers out there for a lot less than $250. Hopefully someone here can hook you up.

 

[Adam]

There's also this, but it's not HDMI:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33116

($180, or you can try to win it here.)

 

[Donny K]

I looked up the Onkyo 505 and it seems like it would do the job, but falls a little short in the number of component inputs (GC, Wii, PS2, XB, XB360, DVD). I was actually looking at the Imact Acoustics switcher, but it doesn't do the older stuff I have via S-Video or composite (NES, SNES, N64, etc)

Of course I could always purchase two switchers, one for component and one for the older stuff.

One other problem with the 6x2 component switcher is that it won't do digital to analog conversion... I'm currently stuck with a Panasonic HT930 HTIB, and the receiver for that doesn't have optical input... so stupid. It also has a proprietary cable that connects to the sub... so if I buy a new receiver I also have to pick up a new sub... and the costs are a bit high for me right now. (The HT930 only cost me $50, so I really shouldn't be complaining)

Based on this rant, any other suggestions? (I thank those who have helped thus far)

 

[Adam]

What sort of proprietary cable does it have running to the sub? I'm wondering if it is something that you could splice and connect to a new receiver.

 

[Donny K]

Its not exactly a DIY job. two rows of pins that carry power from the sub to the receiver (AC is on the sub only) and data from the receiver to the sub (all speakers connect to the sub - not the receiver)

 

[Adam]

Its not exactly a DIY job.

Oh, come on. That looks so easy! Just kidding. Very helpful picture, BTW.

 

[abboudc]

falls a little short in the number of component inputs (GC, Wii, PS2, XB, XB360, DVD). I was actually looking at the Imact Acoustics switcher, but it doesn't do the older stuff I have via S-Video or composite (NES, SNES, N64, etc)

I have a GC, PS2, Wii, and Dreamcast hooked up via a Radio Shack 4 way switch. The Xbox360 and DVD you can jack into the tv directly. It'll save you some money. The 4-way switch with composite and Svideo was about $30 or so at radio shack.

 

[Donny K]

I'd also need a DAC for audio, and my TV (Samsung 32" LCD) only has one component input... (but 2 HDMI?) Grrr... but thanks for the tip!


I guess I am just dreaming of an all-in-one device that doesn't exist

 

[Hi Ho]

Would THIS switch from ImpactAcoustics work?

EDIT: I squaked too soon. I didn't read the thread thouroughly enought. That switch was already suggested.

Why do you need D/A conversion? I fail to see how that would be beneficial but maybe I'm missing something. I would recommend getting a good component switch like the ImpactAcoustics and go to RadioShack and pickup a cheap S-Video/Composite switch. That seems like the most simple solution.

The reason there aren't a whole lot of switchers with component and composite (appearently none) is that it would require transcoding circuitry to be integrated into the switch so that it everything could be output over one component output. This is very common in receivers but I don't know of any that have enough component inputs, especially not in that price range.

 

[Donny K]

D/A conversion is useful for a number of reasons. The component cables I have for my PS2 (monster, found 'em on clearance for $10) only do video, with the assumption you'll be using optical audio. The same is true for my XBox 360 cables.

and as I mentioned above, my receiver foolishly does not contain an optical input. Which really is foolish, because I can't listen to my games or HD DVDs in surround.... but a 1000w HTIB for $50.... I wasn't going to say no

 

[BMXTRIX]

I would seriously hold off on things a bit. This doesn't seem to have been mentioned, but it seems like you are at a point where you are just putting a bandaid on a more serious issue.

Your receiver is not up to par for what you need it to do and you are likely to get a lot more in the way of A/V gear, not less.

With that in mind, you should really look for incredibly cheap solutions, that are manual, and may break, for the next year or so, and then save up some cash for a serious A/V receiver that can handle the majority of your needs. This may require getting a new subwoofer to go with it, but it will be well worth it in the long run as your needs continue to grow and your choices continue to vary.

I would personally go with two or three manual switchers, one for low-res s-video and composite as well as a HD component video model. Both can be had for under $30 each.

Then just save your coinage up for a $1,000 class receiver which should last for several years and pair it up with a few decent speakers.

I personally picked up a 8x8 component video matrix switch on eBay from Extron which I run my PS3, 2 HD cable boxes, 2 DVD players, PS2, and OTA HDTV through and it works great. I take my optical digital audio and convert it to coaxial and the switcher handles the switching of that as well. Pretty darn cool for the cash, but I have it setup for component video only. Composite runs straight through the receiver and I'm not using HDMI yet.

 

[Donny K]

Thanks for the input, I know I'm looking for a quick fix for a broken limb here.

I was hoping to find a good switcher that I can fix up to work with what I have now (with something like this: http://www.amabilidade2002.com/toslink.htm ) that will also work down the road for everything I would need.

Down the road I will be upgrading my receiver/speaker setup, but I want to avoid as much price shock at that time as possible. That means buying what I can, now.

the 6x2 switcher from Impact Acoustics plus some cheaper s-vid switcher look to be my best bets, so thanks for the suggestions. I'd love to enter the contest to win one for free, but I'm Canadian so I am not elegible

 

[VinnyC]

Here's what you need, under $100

Pelican System Selector Pro 2.0

http://www.smithgear.com/s1037.html

I use this at home and LOVE it. Has everything except DVI, HDMI, and Digital Coax, (and regular Coax... I hope you aren't using it).

What it DOES have: Optical, Component, S-Video, Composite, as well as LAN connections (for you xbox / ps2 / whatever). Six total inputs (5 back, 1 front).

Comes in black and silver, and includes A REMOTE!! The only con I can think of is the LCD on the front doesn't let you customize what the input is called. For instance, number 2 is XBOX and you can't change it

Anyways,

I forgot to mention the fact that my old one broke (after like 3 years of constant use), and the manufacturer instantly told me to mail it in, and they sent me a brand-new one. I didn't have to show a receipt or anything. Plus the one they sent me was a newer model than the one I sent in!!

Worth every penny.

 

[nick1000000]

I looked up the Onkyo 505 and it seems like it would do the job, but falls a little short in the number of component inputs (GC, Wii, PS2, XB, XB360, DVD). I was actually looking at the Imact Acoustics switcher, but it doesn't do the older stuff I have via S-Video or composite (NES, SNES, N64, etc)

Of course I could always purchase two switchers, one for component and one for the older stuff. QUOTE]

I suggest using a digital switcher http://www.smarthome.com/7772.html
for your Wii, Xbox 360, DVD player and Xbox. And then use a composite/s-video switcher for the GC, PS2...etc. You can use the same component input on your receiver for the digital switcher and use the composite/S-video for the others.
You have a Xbox 360 and you still want to have your NES hooked up? Honestly I would get your Xbox modded and get all the NES, SNES and N64 games put on a hard drive to play.