Video switchbox

[Floppyman]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a device that allows me to switch different devices, i.e. DVD player, 2nd VCR, video gaming device (Nintendo). Here's why: Currently we have TV, cablebox, VCR and DVD player setup. The cablebox goes into the RF in on the VCR, the RF out goes into the TV. The TV player is hooked into the back input RCA jacks of the VCR. The output RCA's are again connected into the TV. Now everytime I want to watch something on the 2nd VCR or play Nintendo I need to unplug the DVD player. The VCR does have front input RCA jacks but you need get into its menu to change which set of RCA jacks (front or back) it is supposed to use, it's not automatic. Is there such a device that, for example, takes in a bunch of RCA connections and has one output connection that could then go into the VCR? Is there something similar out there? Thanks in advance for your help.

[lil Jimmie]

Not sure if this will fit your needs but I've used one of these (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00000J4BC/ref=e_de_a_smp/104-2299725-6484712?v=glance&s=electronics&vi=pictures&img=14#more-pictures) the past 3 years and love it. I connect a DVD, VCR, PC Video out, XBOX, Satelite and camera to it.

[TwoRails]

The link didn't have much info on it (or I didn't find it). How many in's and out's does it have, lil Jimmie?

[SonicVanguard]

I've seen switches like that with anywhere from 4 to 8 inputs and up to 2 outputs. The most common I've seen are 4 in, 1 out. Best Buy, Circuit City, Radio Shack even Home Depot and Lowes....they all carry them in one flavor or another.

Dave.

[Alaron]

Check out the second picture TwoRails. Looks like a master out and 6 sets of RCA inputs. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00000J4BC/ref=e_de_a_smp/104-8093936-1484715?v=glance&s=electronics&me=standard&vi=pictures&img=9#more-pictures">Here</a> :)

[lil Jimmie]

Rails, I'm sorry the technical data was lacking on amazon, but the unit allows 6 total devices including the front ports with either s-video or RCA connetions and auto switches by remote for most devices.

I have my TV using the s-video out, but I would think you could use both the s-video and composite with a spliter on the audio to allow to a dual output.

[Karthik1019]

Well, everything seems to be resolved here, but you could also get an AV receiver if you have a lot of cash laying around and/or plan on setting up a home theater, but wiring gets kinda messy if you do.

[Floppyman]

Thanks guys, exactly what I was looking for. Will pick one up one of these days.

[TwoRails]

Thanks lil Jimmie for the additional info, and thanks for the link, Alaron56. I wasn't sure about how many outputs there were. I was curious for myself and for Floppyman in case he was looking for more than one out.

PS: dang, gotta type faster! Floppyman's post snuck in before mine :)

[Floppyman]

All I really need is 1 out and 4 in (or 4 out and 1 in....whichever way you want to look at it:)). I'm gonna go check out BestBuy nearby and they'll probably have what I need. Thanks again for the help all.

[Propain]

mine is 3 in 1 out , was 30$ canuck style at Radioshack SWITCH PIC (http://www3.sympatico.ca/bawb/switch.jpg) sorry aboot the size I'm in a rush Happy New Year !!!


cheers

[colecifer]

Do they make the same type of devices for component style hook ups. We just got a new HDTV with only one component in. The DVD player and cable box both have this style of hook up. Its be nice if we could get something like that instead of unplugging and repluging the cables every time we watc a dvd.