/vr/ - Retro Games

No one?

Oh well, one last bump.

Switchers are all basically the same. In the end it comes down to preference. Do you not switch things often? Then those triangular things work great as you can hide them away and the switch is hard to accidentally hit. Do you switch things often and want to have the switcher out in the open because of it? Use the long kind with the buttons on top instead. They look nicer and are made to fit along the top of a shelf or along the top of your TV.

Personally I like using the long kind. They cost a little more sometimes but look much better and are much easier for me to tell which button does what.

As a side note, if you need MORE space you can hook switchers up to other switchers. Put the switcher on the last "input" and mark it as "next"

By the way, VR is a slow board. Bumping once things hit page 3 is customary, and that can take awhile!

>>1261028
Yeah, I'm interested in the long kind.

Really? All the same? No quality loss?

>>1261030
Oh, fair enough, I'll do it when it hits page 3.

Buy a good AV reciever and you'll have everything you need
- Upscaling
- Loads of inputs > single output
- Drives your awesome home stereo
+ Loads of features i'll never figure out!

>>1261050
I don't know anything about those. Any suggestions?

I've been looking for a good RCA switch with two outs. Anyone got one?

I got one from radio shack for work, but they're out of them it seems

It also supported S-video

Cheap component switch boxes, cheap component cables, expensive signal amplifiers (and good cables from amp to display)

Genesis is hooked up via RF switch to the first coaxial jack.

PSONE is hooked up to an RF modulator via the second coaxial jack.

Dreamcast is hooked up via S-Video and Audio inputs.

My GC, PS2 and 360 are hooked up to a 3 port AV switch that is hooked up via the second set of AV inputs on the tv.

There is a button on the front ov the tv that switches between the two coaxial jacks and then a second button that switches between the S-Video/AV inputs. It only makes it more confusing with the switcher.

>>1261060
Like what? What would do the job? I don't know anything about the models, I just want something with no quality loss and tons of inputs.

>>1261056
Walmart stocks a GE model, $15 or so. It's what I use.

>>1261028
What switchers do you use?

Are these any good? They come in a billion colors and are cheap as fuck. Really it''s just a simple 3 port switch but they all appear to be from asia so quality worries me here..

Curious to see what people do with this. I tried for awhile using various switchers and stuff but was never happy with the quality (video or audio)

I've settled on using a VCR with some extension cables for the AV - I have each set labeled for which console so I can switch them out from where I sit. Pretty convenient as long as you take the time to either rubber band / twist tie the cords to keep it from becoming a mess.

I would also recommend a good receiver with a subwoofer (6" or so). Retro vidya, especially Genesis, sounds great with a setup like this.

>>1261109
It's composite. You're only going to get a fairly poor signal as is, so there isn't much for there to degrade.

If this is a shitty product, you probably won't notice on a plain jane CRT. On a high quality CRT, you'll probably notice some quality loss, and if you're using an LCD TV - you're fucked enough as is using one, so expect the worst.

>>1260934
There are switch boxes for every type of video signal and they come as anything from a basic analog switch to signal converters with all kinds of features. It really depends on what you want to do.

If you're one of those guys who likes to leave all your retro consoles out to fade and collect dust, er I mean show off, then you'll probably want a switch that can handle all of them. The best way to do this is with composite as it's the common denominator. If you have consoles that only have RF add a composite mod. And 8 input switch should cost about $10.

If you have RGB mods you will want to add an RGB switch. Most RGB switches are designed for monitors and don't switch audio. You can either try to find one that does, use an additional audio switch, or convert the signal to component as those switches are cheap and easy to find.

Component and HDMI are only used for newer systems and most modern TVs will have enough input for these. If not, the switches are not much more expensive than composite ones.

>>1261150
Well my TV is a CRT. A pretty good one at that. But if there is a loss in video quality it can't be so much that it's unplayable. I just need something cheap to hook up all my systems.

>>1261159
I was thinking getting a component and a HDMI switch boxes. I have a Wii, PS2, and a Gamecube that use component cables and the rest of my systems use regular 'ol composite. So get a box for composite for those. Is there a certain end all be all box I should get?

this is what I use, you can get creative with the available ports too and hook up way more than 4 things at a time. Less than $30 used on amazon and no noticeable drop in quality on my PVM

>>1261210
What exactly uses component cables?

>>1261213
Sixth to seventh gen systems. Gamecube has component available, PS2 does too, unsure about xbox.

>>1261213
I use them for extra composite inputs. Just assign Red/Yellow/White a corresponding component color, wire the outputs accordingly to the TV's second A/V input (or use RCA Y-Cables to join the two into one final output).

>>1261216
Do they display better video quality?

>>1261109
>>1261050
>>1260934
What do these do in regards to input latency?

>>1261050
Especially you. I'm suspicious if I've got an av receiver that outputs to HDMI. Is that gonna lag anything?

>>1261150
>high quality crt
I've got a "CRT" with Component and HDMI inputs. What does that mean for input latency?
Because I tested it against a plasma, and it didn't perform better. Unfortunately.

>>1261234
>What do these do in regards to input latency?
nothing as long as they aren't actually converting between formats

>>1261230
Gamecube is capable of 480p with component.
And the difference between 480i and 480p is big.

>>1261230
If the game supports it, yes. Gives progressive scan.

>>1261028
What long switchers are good?

How to send image from my DVI-I pc gpu to an CRT TV? (av or component)

http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-103027-4-Port-Component-Learning/dp/B001TK9SEE/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386649423&sr=8-1&keywords=component+switch

Would this be good?

>>1261216
they all supported it, so does Wii which is one of the best options for emulating on a CRT (pic related, Wii over component on my PVM)

>>1261237
>>1261236
Any reason why the GC component cables on Amazon are 150 bucks used?

>>1261247
Because the Gamecube itself doesn't have the video decoder necessary for 480p -- those cables do, and that's why no third party component cables for the Gamecube exist. The Wii suffices just fine, though.

>>1261246
Good ol'e false advertisement.

They reel you in with a style of artwork that almost looks like a Seth Mcfarlane cartoon knowing Americans aren't too keen on Anime games, then bam, it's an anime game.

>>1261247
GC component cables take a digital video signal and convert it to component with a chip included in the cable. It's a proprietary chip, the cable was produced in limited quantities, and not all gamecubes even have the digital video port on the back. It's not just a dumb breakout like most console A/V cables

>>1261251
>>1261257
These guys got it right. And the fact Nintendo only sold them on the internet.

>>1261260
>>1261257
>>1261251
Sounds like a terrible waste of money then on their part.

>>1261261
They were in limited quality to be fair, but yeah just a waste.

>>1261268
Well what I mean is they make a GC with a digital output, and then they only make a small quantity, and then they only sale the spare cables online.

Seems like they should have just never ventured into it if they were gonna do that.

>>1261273
Pretty much every Gamecube up until 2004 has the digital output port. It wasn't until they made the Zelda Collector's Edition bundle that they got rid of it. Most Gamecubes should have the port. Finding the cable is another story.

>>1261273
Pretty much, later GCs removed that port.

I got that GC component cable for like 20 or 30 dollars a couple years ago.
And I have no HDTV or any display that I can use it on. All I have is old-school CRTs with glorious RGB SCART...

>>1261302
>sell cable
>buy a wii
>buy a wii SCART cable
>softmod wii
>enjoy your RGB emulation box

>>1261312

Nah. Not casual enough for emulation shit.
Thinking of getting a converter to play progressive GC on an old VGA CRT monitor.

God dammit looking the thread for some recommendations and only seen one model recommended.

Pelican brand component switch boxes work very well. I usually find them for about $7-10 in Goodwills. I've got 2 or 3 of them, and all ports work.

>>1261109
I have one of these and it hasn't really given me any problems. That being said, I don't really have a good eye for quality in picture or anything like that.

I need to get one of these. I just unhook whatever I'm not using then misplace the wires. I'm still not sure where my Gamecube hookups are. I hope they are in the box...

Me:

360/Wii to side ports
NES to rear port 1
And on rear port 2 Some 3rd party switcher to match the old Xbox,I use it for oldbox, GameCube, Wii, n64, ps2, and SNES. (Physically switch the av cables between n64 GC and SNES)

It's a really cool switcher actually, I know Xbox isn't retro but the switcher shots the Xbox on top like a slot, has a drawer for Cd's and a drawer for the switcher remote with extra compartments, on/off where the xbox had power/open tray buttons, and where the xbox had controller ports the switcher has channel buttons to switch between 4 input channels.

The color of the hardware and lights match the Xbox, and it can take regular av cables as well as coaxial, and it even comes with a custom 3' male-male proprietary cable to go straight from the Xbox to the switcher

Bought it in a yard sale years ago, stuffed it under my bed for years, then when I pulled it out and gave it a shot I fell in love. If you have an Xbox I would definitely recommend using this as a switcher, and even if you don't, you could just put something else on top. Can't find a pic online, not at home so can't post picture.

I use a mix of component, composite, svideo and a scart-> BNC switchbox that I made myself (just the scart one; the other switchboxes are off the shelf).

So far I have 12 consoles hooked up to my PVM.

Any mechanical switchbox should get the job done.

>>1261068
>Genesis is hooked up via RF switch to the first coaxial jack.
>not RGB
>PSONE is hooked up to an RF modulator via the second coaxial jack.
>also not RGB
>Dreamcast is hooked up via S-Video and Audio inputs.
This is fine. Not all DC games support RGB or VGA.
>My GC, PS2 and 360 are hooked up to a 3 port AV switch that is hooked up via the second set of AV inputs on the tv.
That better be component. Except the GC. That's fine through svideo.

The only thing you should use RF for is 2nd gen stuff and maybe a Famicom until you can avmod it.

I don't have all my consoles hooked up at all times, except my PS2 slim(which is basically 95% used for PS1 games). Its plugged into the component ports of my TV, and my CDX is currently plugged into the composite 2. I suppose I could fit another console in there if I wanted to, but all those cables and shit. If I feel like playing them, I just take my SNES or N64 out of its box and hook it up.

>>1261604
>Not all DC games support RGB or VGA
All DC games support 15KHz RGB. Most support VGA.

>>1261604
I don't have a set of composite cables for my Genesis at the moment. The switch was a cheap Radio shack box I found at the Goodwill for 3 bucks and the PSONE gets the 3rd wheel because I'm not playing it that much at the moment.

>>1261627
>All DC games support 15KHz RGB.

I read somewhere that there were a handful that didn't.

It might be time to order that DC scart cable then...

>>1261074
Know if it has power? That's kinda important to keep quality if you're splitting a RCA signal

>>1261074
>>1261741
I also need a switch with two outs

What's the best model of component switch that has the most inputs? I saw some Pelican ones that are apparently great, but no one sells it.

Honestly, I just use a S video cable hook up that supports Playstation, Nintendo and Xbox. All of the PS use the same cable, and Nintendo uses the same one for everything besides the NES. Works well for me.

>>1261206
You can get boxes that do multiple systems but these often try too hard and add features you not only don't need and actually cause problems. It's also more organized as you have one input on your TV for each signal type and one switch box to select what goes into it.

If you plan on keeping your selection of consoles and screens small a universal switch can work. But when you outgrow it it will be worthless. For example, I have 8 composite inputs that I want to send to any of 3 screens. To complicate things further one of the screens is dual play so I want to be able to run any two of those inputs through a box that lets me do that

A single box that could do this would cost silly money. I managed it for around $50 including all the cables. Then there's component and HDMI. Sometimes the component comes from the same device I also want composite out of. Any box that would handle all this would probably screw up (they call it enhance) the signal so my light guns wouldn't work on the CRT. With good old fashion push button switches and one HDMI switch I get everything I need everywhere it needs to go.

For what you want to do one composite and one component switch will do what you need and work with anything you might add.

>>1261210
i have the s-video version of this and it works fucking awesome, auto selects inputs and no loss in quality.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331080496312 is the only place i can find it quick

i have my nes, snes, n64 and genesis hooked up through it, all s-video except nes

>>1261821

I use a Chinese 3 in 1 out one that works great.

I just use it as a passthrough for my RGB/SCART box on the first input and PS2 and Wii on the second two.

>>1261741
>>1261745
Anyone got one?

I have a Radio shack brand one that woks pretty good, but I got it for work and it has two outs, s-video and is powered so no loss of signal

I had a friend that used a pelican one, had 6 inputs. Was great.

Anything similiar? I can't seem to find the pelican one anymore.

I use this
http://www.amazon.com/Universal-System-Selector-Pro-Sony-PSP/dp/B0001GAYUE/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1386723303&sr=8-13&keywords=pelican+switch+box

>>1263227
>Currently unavailable.
God dammit

>>1263561
I got lucky and I found it at goodwill

I use this
http://www.amazon.com/MT-VIKI-AV-Splitter-Selector-Switch/dp/B00DRGDBTG

the picture is two stacked ontop of eachother, so yeah.
I plug my consoles into this, and then plug this into a 4-in 2-out from bestbuy, to which I have my VCR attached, and eventually an xbox when I pick one up.

>>1263947
Those ports on the front are retarted

>>1263951
there aren't any ports on the front
>the picture is two stacked ontop of eachother, so yeah.

>>1263958
Oh

>>1263960
>>1263958
would help if it was powered

>>1263960
>>1263947
here's a picture of it in action.

>>1263972
I don't see that exact model

>>1264000
>>1263972
Oh, its on its side

>>1262010
Dude!
That is exactly what I came ITT to look for!

I'm gonna have my SNES, N64, GameCube, and PS2 all hooked up via S-Video.
You sure the auto-select works fine? Because damn does that sound awesome. Very convenient too!

Aw man, thanks for sharing. Hopefully gonna score that. If not, could you list or show me some alternatives? I'm going to bed now, and tomorrow morning I'll be at work, so I can't do much research.

>>1264017
i have had no issues with the auto select, it also has scan so if auto is being wanky it'll scan for video source and output correctly.

i love the thing, it's tucked away next to my sony 27" trinny

get it!

>>1264017
>If not, could you list or show me some alternatives?
there's another version with svideo AND component, it's still in production and can be found on amazon, more pricey but the svideo only ones are tough to find now

>>1263972
I had that same entertainment center. I ended up having to can it during an unexpected move.

>>1264625
>>1264629
Great, thanks
Lol I only bought 1 S-Video cable for my consoles (I was going to manually unplug them and connect them to the console I'd be using, just into save some dough), but I think buying that switcher is worth it.

>>1264652
that's exactly what i did at first
>'i won't mind swapping a/v cords, at least it's not swapping at the back of the tv'

lasted a day before i bought two more cables

>>1261159
>8 input switch should cost about $10
Bullshit. I found a 3 input for $4, 4 input for $16, and a 6 input for $30.

>>1261216
Xbox definitely does. There are some Xbox games that output 720p. The only game I know for sure that does is The Warriors.

>>1261210
I have several of these. One for my systems using component. And 3 for systems using composite. The two mounted onto the wall feed into my DVDr so all I need to do is power on and hit record. Very convenient.

>>1265231
God damn.

>>1261028
Been looking, can't find any long switchers that aren't a fortune

>>1261159
>8 input switch should cost about $10.