Component video switches

[RobWalker]

I am looking for a component video switch that is able to handle switching at least 3 inputs for a single output. I'd like RS232 control, but would settle for IR.

The AutoPatch boxes look nice, but are around $350 on Ebay. Does anyone have any experience with this Acoustic Research unit: AR-5000 which is $100 (though no RS232 control).

 

[Dundas]

Inday has what you are looking for for a reasonable price.
http://www.inday.com/

 

[rrockoff]

I have always had good luck with monoprice. It might be worth a try at $26.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product....=1&format=2

Best of luck,

Rod


Edit: I just took a look at the customer reviews for this product. You may want to read them before you go with this switcher. It looks like people may be having problems when using component above 480p.

R

 

[RobWalker]

Thanks for the pointers. The Inday unit looks perfect for the price.

The monoprice one might work, and whilst I'd be willing to risk $26 if I could just pick it up locally by the time shipping & taxes, etc are factored in I think it makes more sense to just go with the Inday one.

 

[beelzerob]

I'd like RS232 control, but would settle for IR.

Are you sure you want to? Maybe your requirements are very simple or specific in this case, but usually RS232 control is much more preferred, not only for reliability, but also 2-way control capability.

 

[RobWalker]

I'd like RS232 control, but would settle for IR.

Are you sure you want to? Maybe your requirements are very simple or specific in this case, but usually RS232 control is much more preferred, not only for reliability, but also 2-way control capability.

The requirements are pretty simple. In this case I don't think I'd want to know which output was selected, I just want to ensure the right one is. As long as sending the IR code for 'select output N' didn't cause any effect when N was already selected then it would be fine. Reliability might be a problem, but hopefully not with such a simple device!

However, since the Inday units have RS232 for such a small price increment that is definitely better.

 

[Dundas]

As long as sending the IR code for 'select output N' didn't cause any effect when N was already selected then it would be fine.

It doesn't, but for the extra $10 get the RS232.
I have been using a RGB4X-R for several years and it never draws attention to itself. Just does what its supposed to.

 

[v1rtu0s1ty]

I am looking for a component video switch that is able to handle switching at least 3 inputs for a single output. I'd like RS232 control, but would settle for IR.

The AutoPatch boxes look nice, but are around $350 on Ebay. Does anyone have any experience with this Acoustic Research unit: AR-5000 which is $100 (though no RS232 control).

Hi Rob,

Autopatch is awesome! I'm driving my theater and my family room with RGBHV signal. I bought them at ebay. I got each of them for $35. You just have to be patient.

Check out my 2 autopatch 1YDM. The lower is for the RGBHV and component signals. And the top 1YDM is for routing audio. Then I also wrote a simple unix script that will allow me to change video sources. My 2 autopatch boxes are cascaded then it's also connected to my mythtv via serial cable.

#!/bin/bash

if [ "$1" = "HDDVDtoHomeTheater" ]; then
   #This will use video source 1 and output it to port 1.
   /usr/bin/sudo -u root /bin/echo CI1O1T > /dev/ttyS1
fi

if [ "$1" = "MythTVtoHomeTheater" ]; then
   #This will use video source 2 and output it to port 1.
   /usr/bin/sudo -u root /bin/echo CI2O1T > /dev/ttyS1
fi

if [ "$1" = "HDDVDtoFamilyRoom" ]; then
   #This will use video source 1 and output it to port 2.
   /usr/bin/sudo -u root /bin/echo CI1O2T > /dev/ttyS1
fi

if [ "$1" = "MythTVtoFamilyRoom" ]; then
   #This will use video source 2 and output it to port 2.
   /usr/bin/sudo -u root /bin/echo CI2O2T > /dev/ttyS1
fi

if [ "$1" = "HDDVDtoLoft" ]; then
   #This will use video source 1 and output it to port 3.
   /usr/bin/sudo -u root /bin/echo CI1O3T > /dev/ttyS1
fi

if [ "$1" = "MythTVtoLoft" ]; then
   #This will use video source 2 and output it to port 3.
   /usr/bin/sudo -u root /bin/echo CI2O3T > /dev/ttyS1
fi

if [ "$1" = "HDDVDtoMasterBedroom" ]; then
   #This will use video source 1 and output it to port 4.
   /usr/bin/sudo -u root /bin/echo CI1O4T > /dev/ttyS1
fi

if [ "$1" = "MythTVtoMasterBedroom" ]; then
   #This will use video source 2 and output it to port 4.
   /usr/bin/sudo -u root /bin/echo CI2O4T > /dev/ttyS1
fi

# Future additions, BluRay on input 3

if [ "$1" = "BluRaytoHomeTheater" ]; then
   #This will use video source 3 and output it to port 1.
   /usr/bin/sudo -u root /bin/echo CI3O1T > /dev/ttyS1
fi

if [ "$1" = "BluRaytoFamilyRoom" ]; then
   #This will use video source 3 and output it to port 2.
   /usr/bin/sudo -u root /bin/echo CI3O2T > /dev/ttyS1
fi

if [ "$1" = "BluRaytoLoft" ]; then
   #This will use video source 3 and output it to port 3.
   /usr/bin/sudo -u root /bin/echo CI3O3T > /dev/ttyS1
fi

if [ "$1" = "BluRaytoMasterBedroom" ]; then
   #This will use video source 3 and output it to port 4.
   /usr/bin/sudo -u root /bin/echo CI3O4T > /dev/ttyS1
fi