Scart Switchers

broken harbour · Post by **broken harbour** » Tue Apr 09, 2013 2:45 am

Like pretty much everyone else here, I have many consoles, most of which I use RGB Scart cables with. My current setup is as follows:

Consoles via Scart ---> XRGB Mini ---> HDMI Switch ---> Receiver ---> TV

Would adding a scart switcher before the XRGB mini cause any issues?

I was probably going to go with 2 Keene Scart Commanders daisy chained together (I have alot of consoles) and output to the XRGB Mini via this cable: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/160962351822?ssP ... 1439.l2649

Am I missing anything? Should this combo work?

BuckoA51 · Post by **BuckoA51** » Tue Apr 09, 2013 8:22 am

The Keene SCART commanders are fine, you won't see any loss of quality with them. See http://www.videogameperfection.com/av-g ... h-gallery/

lettuce · Post by **lettuce** » Tue Apr 09, 2013 12:50 pm

I was recommended a, Bandridge Premium Performance 5 Way SCART Selector (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bandridge-Pre ... 4d0b6e7fc0) and cant fault it at all

broken harbour · Post by **broken harbour** » Tue Apr 09, 2013 2:28 pm

Thanks guys, I guess I'm wondering if I'm setting myself up for any weird sync issues or anything like that.

Thomago · Post by **Thomago** » Wed Apr 10, 2013 9:44 am

Just encountered a problem with the Bandridge Premium Performance 5 Way SCART Selector:

It has a little LED indicating that the selected source is sending a signal; it uses power supplied via SCART pin 8 for that. That leads to problems if you want to use any devices that are powered this way as well, e. g. the famous Sync Strike* or - most likely - retrogamingcable's SCART to Mini cable with integrated sync stripper circuit.

No big problem, as you can probably just open the Selector and cut the connections to the LED, but a problem nonetheless.

* use an external PSU if you encounter any problems and don't want to cut the connections in the Selector

jessiewonka · Post by **jessiewonka** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 12:48 am

That...sucks. What kind of problem exactly will it create? Underpower the switch? I have the same setup, only haven't tested it yet since I'm awaiting a SCART male-to-male to plug the damn switch into the mini's adapter.

Thomago wrote:Just encountered a problem with the Bandridge Premium Performance 5 Way SCART Selector:

It has a little LED indicating that the selected source is sending a signal; it uses power supplied via SCART pin 8 for that. That leads to problems if you want to use any devices that are powered this way as well, e. g. the famous Sync Strike* or - most likely - retrogamingcable's SCART to Mini cable with integrated sync stripper circuit.

No big problem, as you can probably just open the Selector and cut the connections to the LED, but a problem nonetheless.

* use an external PSU if you encounter any problems and don't want to cut the connections in the Selector

Post by **spadgy** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 9:06 pm

Welcome jessiewonka. I just approved your first post, so you should be able to post and PM freely. I saw you posted the same thing twice - presumably while wrangling with your post not appearing – so I deleted the duplicate. Enjoy the forum!

jessiewonka · Post by **jessiewonka** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 9:28 pm

Thank you!

mickcris · Post by **mickcris** » Tue Apr 01, 2014 12:48 am

lettuce wrote:I was recommended a, Bandridge Premium Performance 5 Way SCART Selector (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bandridge-Pre ... 4d0b6e7fc0) and cant fault it at all

I tried to daisy chain 2 of these together and I was having sync issues with most of the consoles connected to the 2nd one. one works perfectly, but more than 1 you may have issues.

eightbitminiboss · Post by **eightbitminiboss** » Tue Apr 01, 2014 1:02 am

jessiewonka wrote:That...sucks. What kind of problem exactly will it create? Underpower the switch? I have the same setup, only haven't tested it yet since I'm awaiting a SCART male-to-male to plug the damn switch into the mini's adapter.

Thomago wrote:Just encountered a problem with the Bandridge Premium Performance 5 Way SCART Selector:

It has a little LED indicating that the selected source is sending a signal; it uses power supplied via SCART pin 8 for that. That leads to problems if you want to use any devices that are powered this way as well, e. g. the famous Sync Strike* or - most likely - retrogamingcable's SCART to Mini cable with integrated sync stripper circuit.

No big problem, as you can probably just open the Selector and cut the connections to the LED, but a problem nonetheless.

* use an external PSU if you encounter any problems and don't want to cut the connections in the Selector

It dips the voltage down just enough for the switch to not pass on sync and therefore no image.

This comes up very often and this is the most recent thread regarding the same issue: http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=49746

jessiewonka · Post by **jessiewonka** » Tue Apr 01, 2014 8:33 am

eightbitminiboss wrote:
jessiewonka wrote:That...sucks. What kind of problem exactly will it create? Underpower the switch? I have the same setup, only haven't tested it yet since I'm awaiting a SCART male-to-male to plug the damn switch into the mini's adapter.

Thomago wrote:Just encountered a problem with the Bandridge Premium Performance 5 Way SCART Selector:

It has a little LED indicating that the selected source is sending a signal; it uses power supplied via SCART pin 8 for that. That leads to problems if you want to use any devices that are powered this way as well, e. g. the famous Sync Strike* or - most likely - retrogamingcable's SCART to Mini cable with integrated sync stripper circuit.

No big problem, as you can probably just open the Selector and cut the connections to the LED, but a problem nonetheless.

* use an external PSU if you encounter any problems and don't want to cut the connections in the Selector
It dips the voltage down just enough for the switch to not pass on sync and therefore no image.

This comes up very often and this is the most recent thread regarding the same issue: http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=49746

Interesting, thanks for the heads up. Tried it tonight and unstable picture on some consoles, and simply wouldn't work on others.

Taiyaki · Post by **Taiyaki** » Tue Apr 08, 2014 8:22 pm

Does this mean this cable will also have a problem with this switch box?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161265860287

What is the consensus on the appropriate way to mod it, just cut the led wire?

eightbitminiboss · Post by **eightbitminiboss** » Tue Apr 08, 2014 8:31 pm

Taiyaki wrote:Does this mean this cable will also have a problem with this switch box?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161265860287

What is the consensus on the appropriate way to mod it, just cut the led wire?

I have the same cable and you'll probably run into issues if you have something plugged into the 5th port. If you have your SNES with that cable plugged into the 1st port and turned on, then you'll see whatever is plugged into the 5th port have its power LED lit up without that particular console being turned on. When you have something plugged into the 5th port, the voltage dips enough to not allow a sync signal to pass through and all you get is audio, at least in my experience.

You're looking to cut a trace in the link I posted above. The guy in that link (forgot his name), cut the diodes out and replaced it with just wires in 2 places I think.

Zer0-2k11 · Post by **Zer0-2k11** » Tue Apr 08, 2014 9:35 pm

How do you open the bandbridge switch boxes? I tried and i can't figure it out. Even though I'm using passive adapter for my XRGB mini, i would just like to cut the trace to avoid future problems.

eightbitminiboss · Post by **eightbitminiboss** » Tue Apr 08, 2014 9:44 pm

Zer0-2k11 wrote:How do you open the bandbridge switch boxes? I tried and i can't figure it out. Even though I'm using passive adapter for my XRGB mini, i would just like to cut the trace to avoid future problems.

There's screw covers on one side. You'll have to pop them off, you may end up destroying them in the process as they're pressed fit into the hole and it is a tight fit.

Taiyaki · Post by **Taiyaki** » Tue Apr 08, 2014 11:34 pm

I see. I actually probably only need 4 ports. Does this mean if I avoid the 5th I don't even need to make those changes?

jessiewonka · Post by **jessiewonka** » Tue Apr 08, 2014 11:41 pm

Mini update: I picked up a Shinybow 6-port SCART switch and love it. Very well built, powered, 6 ports, no degradation from what I can tell, and a remote that's actually useful. Pricey at around $170 but well worth it I'd say.

eightbitminiboss · Post by **eightbitminiboss** » Wed Apr 09, 2014 12:33 am

Taiyaki wrote:I see. I actually probably only need 4 ports. Does this mean if I avoid the 5th I don't even need to make those changes?

I believe so, I was rolling with 4 connected systems for months until I installed a NESRGB into my Twin Famicom and plugged it into the 5 port before I started noticing issues.

Taiyaki · Post by **Taiyaki** » Wed Apr 09, 2014 3:00 am

How weird, they didn't have sufficient quality control before rolling it out.

eightbitminiboss · Post by **eightbitminiboss** » Wed Apr 09, 2014 4:59 am

Taiyaki wrote:How weird, they didn't have sufficient quality control before rolling it out.

I'm pretty sure that's by design though. I want to say it's for VCRs to record from the other inputs because the automatic version of the switch has a button labeled for it.

coffeyrt · Post by **coffeyrt** » Sat Apr 12, 2014 2:24 am

Along the same lines. Can anyone recommend a scart male/male cable that is a reasonable price within the US? I assume it should be fully shielded. I need this for my scart switcher to go to my XRGB mini Euro scart adapter.

eightbitminiboss · Post by **eightbitminiboss** » Sat Apr 12, 2014 3:45 am

coffeyrt wrote:Along the same lines. Can anyone recommend a scart male/male cable that is a reasonable price within the US? I assume it should be fully shielded. I need this for my scart switcher to go to my XRGB mini Euro scart adapter.

Wish I could recommend the ebay seller I bought mine from, but it appears they don't have any SCART cables up any more. It's a half decent cable for under 9 bucks.

http://www.ebay.com/usr/ttuch-bags

slk486 · Post by **slk486** » Sat Apr 12, 2014 8:02 am

Can't go wrong with an IXOS cable

Retro Access · Post by **Retro Access** » Sun Apr 13, 2014 1:23 pm

You can actually get away with using passive adaptors for xrgb mini on all the cables I have on ebay. I designed the genesis cables with a sync buffer meaning they don't technically need the lm1881 circuit in the adaptor.

I am considering putting the regular ones back on (they are cheaper) as many scalers don't need buffered sync, they have a better sync range tolerance than the xrgb mini. Not sure why the mini doesn't. But let's assume you don't want to have to fiddle with sync ranges. You need either the "sync boosted" cables or you need an adaptor with a sync stripper.

You do not need both, in all but one case.

Some snes consoles have weak output on both the composite video and csync lines. It is an absolute crapshoot whether you have an offending snes. They aren't plentiful enough to warrant putting circuitry in every snes cable so if you find yourself in this position you might need the sync stripper. If you are using bandridge you also need to remove some diodes.

Or....

If you are prepared to wait a little longer, ask me for a sync stripper that runs off a lower voltage range. The EL1883 runs off 3-5v and should work with bandridge splitters.

BuckoA51 · Post by **BuckoA51** » Sun Apr 13, 2014 2:43 pm

Can't you just start making those SCART to Mini cables with the built in sync stripper that gets its power by piggy backing the mini's DC input? That would solve the problem 100% of the time even for SCART cables that don't have the voltage lines properly hooked up at all.

Retro Access · Post by **Retro Access** » Sun Apr 13, 2014 3:18 pm

It's hard to get hold of the little line sockets.

Saying that it looks like somebody just cropped up who has them in bulk. I'll put in an order.

I'm also going to throw a bit more research back into the 8 pin dins. Took me a long time to find some that fit well into the Xgrb mini's deep seated socket, but now I have somebody asking for right angled plugs on another site.

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