Is this an easy way to expand the number of component video devices my TV can display?

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Is this an easy way to expand the number of component video devices my TV can display?

steve98

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#10439 22-Nov-2006 13:09

Hi there

Can anyone confirm whether plugging the following into my component video sockets would allow me to have another device plugged in? Currently I have 2 sets of component sockets, but three devices. Two of these devices never need to be switched on at the same time so I'm wondering whether this would let me double up without having to buy an expensive AV switcher:

http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/456393d1063f60882740c0a87f990704/Product/View/P1185

Thanks!

Steve

sbiddle

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#53218 22-Nov-2006 13:23

In a simple sence no.

It will probably work but will degrade the picture quality significantly.

Reon

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#53224 22-Nov-2006 14:03

I use a similar adapter as I have a VCR, Sky Decoder and DVD player and only 2 AV channels on my TV.

I've got the VCR and DVD player video going to this adapter and it works ok as long as they are not in use at the same time.

I haven't noticed any major affect on my picture quality of watching DVD's but I'm not a connoisseur of picture quality.

I now have a MySky decoder so I don't really need my VCR anymore.

Cheers
Reon

chiefie

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#53231 22-Nov-2006 14:58

Component connections are pretty sensitive i'd say... Have a look at Joytech's Xbox 360 av control centre (YG1129). Short of $200, but offers Component, Svideo, Composit, L/R audio inputs. Maybe a bit more than ports switching than you need but definitely ensure direct signal switching from source to destination.

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cyril7

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#53244 22-Nov-2006 16:44

Try Jaycar AC1676, $155, gives you 3 inputs each switching component video, L&R Audio and Optical SPDIF, what more could you want.

I do not recommend you just parallel the two circuits together, firstly there is no certainty that either contribuing circuit will go HiZ when turned off, thus potentially damaging or at least upsetting the other circuit, and lastly the stub that this Y junction will provide may cause echos (ghosts) in the image.

That Joytech one that Cheifie pointed out looks pretty cool to.

Cyril

lchiu7

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#53291 22-Nov-2006 21:47

If you want to go a bit cheaper you could try this item on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/MINI-YPbPr-COMPONENT-VIDEO-AUDIO-SWITCH-OVER-600-SOLD_W0QQitemZ260054777112

The vendor has good feedback and is prepared to ship internationally.

Looks like it would do the job.

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#53339 23-Nov-2006 05:19

hmmm just remember you get what you pay for... Anything with a clunky switch like that I would stay away from.

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lchiu7

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#53342 23-Nov-2006 08:21

I am not the seller and have no vested interest of course. But given all you are doing is switching electrical connections, it might do the job fine. The worse that could happen is the switch breaks? Of course if the guy wants wireless remote control of the switch then he's up for bigger bucks.

A quick on ebay showed a few others that looked more professional and were selling for about US$40. Even with shipping that's a good deal compared with what has been suggested so far

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richms

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#53752 26-Nov-2006 21:18

If you were to use the P1185 from dse, you would need 5 of them, which is $50.

Dont do that, I have seen RCA Y cables at the $2 shop, thats a saving of $40 there alone :)

There is also http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/TVs/Cables-aerials/auction-79143338.htm on trademe, $25, 2 inputs, mechanical switch. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Gaming/Playstation-2/Accessories/auction-79110483.htm - that one is $32 - same as the fleabay link it looks.

Mechanical switch wont be a problem on SD stuff, may start to show ringing on HD. The remote boxes will all terminate the signal, do the switching and then have an output buffer so are immune to that sort of thing.

Richard rich.ms

steve98

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#54937 7-Dec-2006 14:58

This morning I realised that I had one of these widgets from my original post already, so I thought i'd do a quick experiment by putting it once between the TV and the Red socket, once again between the TV and the Green socket and so on and so on. I couldn't notice any difference in quality of picture so today I have gone to DSE to buy two more. I intend to use it for my PS2 and my Mediagate which never need to be on at the same time -- will test it thoroughly tonight and report back :-)

richms

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#54965 7-Dec-2006 23:16

Did you have something plugged into both sockets of it or just one when testing?

Richard rich.ms

BestTimesNow

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#55174 11-Dec-2006 02:07

I used an A/V selector switch for my componet video feeds to my HD projector. It switches the component video feeds from the DVD player and my X-Box360. It is normally used for switching RCA video and RCA stereo feeds, but it works well for the RCA component video switching. Just keep track of witch ports the RGB cable go for input & output. I bought mine for RadioShack in the US, but it would be similar to this unit:

http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/457c031402cdc4c4273fc0a87f3306b4/Product/View/L4680

steve98

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#55176 11-Dec-2006 07:22

Hi Guys

Sorry for the long delay in posting the outcome -- I have set up the TV with three widgets and can tell you that the signal from both devices is perfect - there is absolutely no noticeable degradation of quality from either the Mediagate or the PS2. I am thrilled to bits as this means I have now been able to setup Sky Digital over component too. At first I found the picture from Sky over component disappointing - it was almost *too* clear and showed up all the artifacting that the S-Video signal didn't, however having played with the miriad of picture settings on my Grand Wega, I now have a more than acceptable picture.

Steve