RGB SCART switches in the United States...

[Windfish]

I am on the hunt for a RGB SCART splitter, but I live in the US, where they are as rare as four-leafed clovers. Most of the acceptable devices are being sold in Europe that do not internationally ship. II need some ideas on how to get my hands on one, and maybe if one you wonderful guys can sell me one or buy one for me and ship it to me! Getting pretty desperate, here!

[Taiyaki]

Probably Superg's gscarts

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=50851

[blizzz]

Probably Superg's gscarts

That's a switch, not a splitter. RGB SCART splitters are also rare here in Europe, at least if you want one that doesn't degrade the picture quality too much. From time to time you might find a HAMA SM-420 on eBay, but I haven't seen one in months.

[Windfish]

Probably Superg's gscarts

That's a switch, not a splitter. RGB SCART splitters are also rare here in Europe, at least if you want one that doesn't degrade the picture quality too much. From time to time you might find a HAMA SM-420 on eBay, but I haven't seen one in months.

Oops, I am looking for switch boxes and incorrectly typed splitters. OP corrected.

I am looking at a few switch boxes from sellers on eBay right now, but they only seem to ship in Europe. I tried contacting them for an exception, but no reply so far.

[mickcris]

Probably Superg's gscarts

That's a switch, not a splitter. RGB SCART splitters are also rare here in Europe, at least if you want one that doesn't degrade the picture quality too much. From time to time you might find a HAMA SM-420 on eBay, but I haven't seen one in months.

Oops, I am looking for switch boxes and incorrectly typed splitters. OP corrected.

I am looking at a few switch boxes from sellers on eBay right now, but they only seem to ship in Europe. I tried contacting them for an exception, but no reply so far.

I have a couple of Bandridge Automatics I am no longer using since I got superg's gscartsw. If you are interested, pm me. I have a 3 port and/or a 5 port I could sell you if you want:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0015YYN2Q/ will let go for $50 shipped ($82 if ordered from amazon.uk)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0015YSKD4/ will let go for $35 shipped ($71 if ordered from amazon.uk)

Both are still in great condition and have had little use.

[Windfish]

^PM sent. I am interested, but I am hesitant about the quality of the Bandridge devices given some user-reported problems.

Right now, I am also looking at the Vivanco and Joytech switch-boxes.

[Taiyaki]

Actually from my experience the Bandridge is a good switch. I've been using it for a while and the picture is near lossless. It does have issues with the 5th port on some devices though.

[Endymion]

Since you are American, and live in America, make your life easier: Abandon SCART.

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... 3#p1033403

[austin532]

Not everybody knows how to mod cables. Besides Scart is much easier to deal with than say JP-21 Pin.

[Endymion]

Not everybody knows how to mod cables.

Futureproofing for your hobby means it is never too late to learn. And swapping a plug end is as easy as it gets, you might as well say "not everybody has an IQ higher than 80." Make no mistake about it, this is dead simple stuff.

Besides Scart is much easier to deal with than say JP-21 Pin.

I'm not seeing the difference when they are physically identical. It's a hell of a lot easier to switch to a VGA D-Sub then have a vast array of high quality switches at your disposal forever after, and for such a pittance.

[CkRtech]

It's a hell of a lot easier to switch to a VGA D-Sub

That is what I am doing. I picked up a 16 port VGA switch with mini phono and a remote control on the cheap and am in the process of making cables for each of my consoles using higher quality cables than most of the standard sellers provide.

I definitely recommend investing the time and learning some skills when it comes to soldering and the like. You can always find people to do the work for you - the hobby is great for that - but having the knowledge and gaining the skills to take care of your stuff is definitely worth it. You'll find the same people that can do the work are also willing to offer advice when called upon by others.

You could even start with cables - something non-invasive.

[austin532]

Not everybody knows how to mod cables.

Futureproofing for your hobby means it is never too late to learn. And swapping a plug end is as easy as it gets, you might as well say "not everybody has an IQ higher than 80." Make no mistake about it, this is dead simple stuff.

Besides Scart is much easier to deal with than say JP-21 Pin.

I'm not seeing the difference when they are physically identical. It's a hell of a lot easier to switch to a VGA D-Sub then have a vast array of high quality switches at your disposal forever after, and for such a pittance.

Scart switches are easier to find than JP-21 switches is what I was trying to say.

[Endymion]

But when they use the same plug-type, doesn't any switch need to be nothing more than a 1-to-1 connection of each plug/socket? I'd expect a JP switch to work properly with SCART, provided that all you did between it were to use the same type of cable... but still, VGA accessories are a dime a dozen and easy to find very high quality stuff, powered, mechanical, cable extensions. The first thing I ever did to mod anything with any console was to adapt a SCART cable to a PVM monitor, I had zero soldering skill going in and even back then I could see how much easier things would be if I just abandoned SCART altogether. At this point the only reason I may ever need SCART is to acquire a new console's cable to modify. You don't have to use VGA, but it's so plentiful and cheap that I don't see a better alternative the world over. A VGA switch may or may not account for sound, but as you'll need to provision for that differently when using a non-SCART display... it's just more work you would need to do regardless.

[opt2not]

One thing I really like about SCART connectors is that it has a big enough housing to host additional components like capacitors and sync-separators. It all fits neatly inside the plug, and can be easily unscrewed and opened up for maintenance.

[Endymion]

But you still don't need to use SCART in order to do that kind of stuff. You can even fit circuits like that inside a switch and have all kinds of extra room left over for power, adding your own switches, etc., the possibilities are endless. I used to look at PAL televisions and get jealous that SCART was available on them, now, not so much, in fact it's kind of liberating. If you don't have a television with SCART... then you don't really need SCART, and there are lots of plusses to jumping that ship if you can.

[opt2not]

Sure, that's if you want to modify the switcher. But some of the higher-end switchers are pretty expensive and personally I'd rather keep my gear stock in case I ever needed to off-load it. Which is why it's more convenient and less damage-prone to put it in the SCART housing since cables are cheap.

[Windfish]

So I bought two switch boxes: a Bandridge and a Vivanco. The former I got from a mickcris - thanks again! Now, being American, I don't know what to do with this Vivanco plug. Do I just need an adapter, a simply UK to US plug? Or do I need to buy some kind of transformer that takes my 240v device so that it can plugged into my 120v American wall?

[mickcris]

You can get an equivalent 120v power supply (I am assuming it came with a power brick). You need the voltage and minimum amperage (which should be labeled on the power supply and possible next to the power port too). Then you just need to figure out the size of the plug that goes into the switch. This is what I did with the Bandrigde. The power supply it came with was discarded.

Also, some power supplies are 100v-240v (it would be labeled on the power brick if it is) so you would just need an adapter if you did not want to get a new supply.

[Windfish]

It came with a power cable, but the cable has no brick. The port on the back of the device reads "220 - 240V ~ 50Hz 4W." The cable reads "2.5A 250V."

It's a two-poles connector, as seen here:

http://www.king-cord.com/en/products_01 ... oductId=79

[neorichieb1971]

http://www.220-electronics.com/200-watt ... erter.html

I would only buy it if you planned on getting a few devices.

[Windfish]

^I heard that thing hums and is kinda bulky. I would prefer something more lowkey, but I may be forced to use it. I'll continue to research it, and I would appreciate further recommendations.

[mickcris]

Looks like it has an intrnal supply then so you will have to get a step up coverter.