gscartsw / gscartsw_lite / gcompsw switches support thread

[umi]

I'm definitely up for a LITE pre-order as soon as someone cancels or new pre-orders open

Just one thing, have you thought of making a subscription-based mailing list to communicate updates though? OSSC has/had one and it was very effective... communicating exclusively through a forum message is quite clunky (yeah I get updates when messages are posted, but they I have to check the thread, I don't even know if the messages are important or will be just wasting my time, etc...).

Even the website leads you in a circle only to find out pre-orders are NOT currently open... (despite following links saying you CAN pre-order...).

Just a thought! It's super easy as well.

BTW I would be more than willing to pay some extra if it will get me one of the current batch cancellations! *ducks*

Keep up the good work

[superg]

On your GComp, do you ever think of in the future adding another output?

At the moment no.

[superg]

I'm definitely up for a LITE pre-order as soon as someone cancels or new pre-orders open

Just one thing, have you thought of making a subscription-based mailing list to communicate updates though? OSSC has/had one and it was very effective... communicating exclusively through a forum message is quite clunky (yeah I get updates when messages are posted, but they I have to check the thread, I don't even know if the messages are important or will be just wasting my time, etc...).

Even the website leads you in a circle only to find out pre-orders are NOT currently open... (despite following links saying you CAN pre-order...).

Just a thought! It's super easy as well.

BTW I would be more than willing to pay some extra if it will get me one of the current batch cancellations! *ducks*

Keep up the good work

My hosting allows to email only 100 people at once. All this stuff has to be managed properly and I have to implement subscription system manually (or use wordpress), anyways it's a lot of work.

[Fudoh]

My hosting allows to email only 100 people at once. All this stuff has to be managed properly and I have to implement subscription system manually (or use wordpress), anyways it's a lot of work.

Mailchimp is free for up to 2,000 adresses and you can add all the emails you want yourself. Done in 5 minutes. Check it out.

[ChuChu Flamingo]

On your GComp, do you ever think of in the future adding another output?

At the moment no.

Ah I see. That is really the only thing preventing me from getting one as it would be nice to send the component to a tv for 480p, but for 480i play on a CRT.

[ArcadeDragon]

Hi! Id love to get in on the next order for one of these switches (or buy an existing if available), but everything says "sold out" with no buy button on the store, even the one listed as "pre-order"

Am I missing something, or looking in the wrong place?

Thanks for letting me know!

[Krissyme1]

On your GComp, do you ever think of in the future adding another output?

I would love a 6 in 2 out version. I have a lot of import consoles. Not having to switch them would be nice.

[RGB0b]

Wouldn't used, high-end distribution amps be the perfect, cheap way for people to add multiple outputs to the gcompsw? Might even be cheaper then what the cost difference would be for adding that feature into the switch itself: http://www.ebay.com/itm/322535525719

Also, if you're using a PVM, you could always just run the gcompsw into the inputs and connect the outputs to your other device.

[ChuChu Flamingo]

True, but honestly it just seems the gcomp doesn't offer anything over other cheaper alternatives other than automatic switching. Having 4 inputs is pretty standard too, would be cool to see 6 or more but its probably a cost issue.

[superg]

True, but honestly it just seems the gcomp doesn't offer anything over other cheaper alternatives other than automatic switching. Having 4 inputs is pretty standard too, would be cool to see 6 or more but its probably a cost issue.

Lite units are finally here, that's the good news.
The bad news are that the manufacturer misplaced two voltage regulator IC's (U13: 3.3v and U14: 1.8v). They installed 3.3v IC on U14 spot and something unknown is installed on U13 (looks like some voltage regulator with same footprint but it outputs 2.9v instead, definitely some other series). Obviously as the SMD soldering is automatic this happened for every board. The other problem is that because of these regulators I'm unable to check the rest of the functionality because no power to altera and other components.

The plan:
I will be contacting manufacturer regarding the matter today, have to figure out what happened exactly as the documentation I've sent to them is right.
Meanwhile I'll order the correct 1.8v regulators shortly and solder everything manually.
The estimate is that it'll set me back 7-10 days if no other issues found.
I apologize for the inconvenience and will do my best to deliver everything as soon as possible.

[superg]

True, but honestly it just seems the gcomp doesn't offer anything over other cheaper alternatives other than automatic switching. Having 4 inputs is pretty standard too, would be cool to see 6 or more but its probably a cost issue.

Which cheaper alternatives are you talking about?

[ChuChu Flamingo]

The one ive been looking at is the Shinybows SB-5460/5470 which delivers 2x outputs, the later which can have two different outputs. They are sometimes for sale for $88 from their high price of $135.

Extron crosspoints should work if im not mistaken.

All other recommendations ive seen are usually used stuff for reference.

[Guspaz]

The SB-5460 and SB-5470 are not automatic switchers, and have a current retail price of around $100, the same price as the gcompsw. Extron Crosspoints aren't automatic either, AFAIK, and they wouldn't be new products either: apples to oranges comparing the price of a new switch to a used one.

[superg]

The one ive been looking at is the Shinybows SB-5460/5470 which delivers 2x outputs, the later which can have two different outputs. They are sometimes for sale for $88 from their high price of $135.

Extron crosspoints should work if im not mistaken.

All other recommendations ive seen are usually used stuff for reference.

I don't see how that's cheaper than gcompsw.
How's the image quality there, are there any comparisons?
I don't own those particular switches here but everything else is inferior to gcompsw in terms of quality loss.

[africamagical]

any idea when the next batch of gcomps will be available?

[ChuChu Flamingo]

I'd love to see a comparison between all the switches. It seems component gets neglected next to SCART in that regard.

The SB-5460 and SB-5470 are not automatic switchers, and have a current retail price of around $100, the same price as the gcompsw. Extron Crosspoints aren't automatic either, AFAIK, and they wouldn't be new products either: apples to oranges comparing the price of a new switch to a used one.

True, but they come with a remote. Not as convenient as automatic, but being able to switch between sources to compare video fidelity is a plus point if you wish to do so in realtime.

[superg]

I'd love to see a comparison between all the switches. It seems component gets neglected next to SCART in that regard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=998tBzpJhVo
No Shinybow but the best you can get so far

[thebigcheese]

I'd love to see a comparison between all the switches. It seems component gets neglected next to SCART in that regard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=998tBzpJhVo
No Shinybow but the best you can get so far

That video is pretty much why I'm waiting on one of your switchers

[franckytaz]

True, but honestly it just seems the gcomp doesn't offer anything over other cheaper alternatives other than automatic switching. Having 4 inputs is pretty standard too, would be cool to see 6 or more but its probably a cost issue.

Lite units are finally here, that's the good news.
The bad news are that the manufacturer misplaced two voltage regulator IC's (U13: 3.3v and U14: 1.8v). They installed 3.3v IC on U14 spot and something unknown is installed on U13 (looks like some voltage regulator with same footprint but it outputs 2.9v instead, definitely some other series). Obviously as the SMD soldering is automatic this happened for every board. The other problem is that because of these regulators I'm unable to check the rest of the functionality because no power to altera and other components.

The plan:
I will be contacting manufacturer regarding the matter today, have to figure out what happened exactly as the documentation I've sent to them is right.
Meanwhile I'll order the correct 1.8v regulators shortly and solder everything manually.
The estimate is that it'll set me back 7-10 days if no other issues found.
I apologize for the inconvenience and will do my best to deliver everything as soon as possible.

For sure, It's not a big deal for me. Doesn't matter if there are 10 or 15 days more to wait, only the quality matters !

Good luck

[viletim]

Lite units are finally here, that's the good news.
The bad news are that the manufacturer misplaced two voltage regulator IC's (U13: 3.3v and U14: 1.8v). They installed 3.3v IC on U14 spot and something unknown is installed on U13 (looks like some voltage regulator with same footprint but it outputs 2.9v instead, definitely some other series). Obviously as the SMD soldering is automatic this happened for every board. The other problem is that because of these regulators I'm unable to check the rest of the functionality because no power to altera and other components.

The plan:
I will be contacting manufacturer regarding the matter today, have to figure out what happened exactly as the documentation I've sent to them is right.
Meanwhile I'll order the correct 1.8v regulators shortly and solder everything manually.
The estimate is that it'll set me back 7-10 days if no other issues found.
I apologize for the inconvenience and will do my best to deliver everything as soon as possible.

You released manufacturing files for your the Japanese RGB21 version of your video switch a while ago. I remember looking at the BOM and thinking how confusing it was, particularly the way the designators were expressed. I hope the BOM you sent to your manufacturer was better than that one.

[superg]

You released manufacturing files for your the Japanese RGB21 version of your video switch a while ago. I remember looking at the BOM and thinking how confusing it was, particularly the way the designators were expressed. I hope the BOM you sent to your manufacturer was better than that one.

Lite BOM is so much simpler, all designators are enumerated in one range, no gaps etc.

[viletim]

You released manufacturing files for your the Japanese RGB21 version of your video switch a while ago. I remember looking at the BOM and thinking how confusing it was, particularly the way the designators were expressed. I hope the BOM you sent to your manufacturer was better than that one.

Lite BOM is so much simpler, all designators are enumerated in one range, no gaps etc.

You realise that somebody will have to translate this 'Lite BOM' into something human readable -- by hand! You're just giving a factory worker the opportunity to ruin your day... or week.

[superg]

You released manufacturing files for your the Japanese RGB21 version of your video switch a while ago. I remember looking at the BOM and thinking how confusing it was, particularly the way the designators were expressed. I hope the BOM you sent to your manufacturer was better than that one.

Lite BOM is so much simpler, all designators are enumerated in one range, no gaps etc.

You realise that somebody will have to translate this 'Lite BOM' into something human readable -- by hand! You're just giving a factory worker the opportunity to ruin your day... or week.

Every manufacturer is doing this according to their standards, I don't see how can I prevent that.
Aside designators, what else is unreadable in your opinion?

[RyuJose]

Greetings, superg. I pre-ordered the gscartsw_lite a while ago. It's been long enough that I've forgotten how I went about doing it, only remember using paypal. Two questions: 1) will the gscartsw_lite be delivered to the shipping address associated with paypal; and 2) will the tracking number be emailed to the email address associated with the paypal?

also, I moved to a new address around the time I preordered, and though I'm fairly certain I updated the shipping address on the paypal account before preordering, I'm wondering if the shipping will be to the updated address.

[superg]

Greetings, superg. I pre-ordered the gscartsw_lite a while ago. It's been long enough that I've forgotten how I went about doing it, only remember using paypal. Two questions: 1) will the gscartsw_lite be delivered to the shipping address associated with paypal; and 2) will the tracking number be emailed to the email address associated with the paypal?

also, I moved to a new address around the time I preordered, and though I'm fairly certain I updated the shipping address on the paypal account before preordering, I'm wondering if the shipping will be to the updated address.

You cannot update purchase shipping address, PM me your name and your new address, I'll ship there manually.

[darkstrider2]

Thinking of getting a gcompsw when the next batch comes. I use SCART->BNC (all csync) cables to hook to my PVM(s). Anyone know if I hook up BNC->RCA(male) adapters and connect my 240p consoles (NES, SNES, etc) to the gcompsw (with sync on the composite input) would it work?

[viletim]

Lite BOM is so much simpler, all designators are enumerated in one range, no gaps etc.

You realise that somebody will have to translate this 'Lite BOM' into something human readable -- by hand! You're just giving a factory worker the opportunity to ruin your day... or week.

Every manufacturer is doing this according to their standards, I don't see how can I prevent that.
Aside designators, what else is unreadable in your opinion?

I suppose it doesn't really matter. It's just something new to me. Isn't it a bit inconvenient to be unable to look up a part on the BOM from its designator?

The BOM is fine for purchasing, but I did notice a few other things,

1. The coordinates file is missing (I suppose this is intentional).
2. The layers/specification file is missing. Normally a text file or PDF which lists all the Gerber files, clearly indicating which layer each is for. Sometimes it also has board size, material, etc
3. The Gerber resolution is only 25.4 um which is not high enough for this PCB layout (and modern electronics layouts in general).

Not that I'm interested in making it or anything. The less Japanese RGB21 gear floating about the better, as far as I'm concerned. I was just a bit curious as to why this design has so much stuff in it.

[superg]

I suppose it doesn't really matter. It's just something new to me. Isn't it a bit inconvenient to be unable to look up a part on the BOM from its designator?

The BOM is fine for purchasing, but I did notice a few other things,

1. The coordinates file is missing (I suppose this is intentional).
2. The layers/specification file is missing. Normally a text file or PDF which lists all the Gerber files, clearly indicating which layer each is for. Sometimes it also has board size, material, etc
3. The Gerber resolution is only 25.4 um which is not high enough for this PCB layout (and modern electronics layouts in general).

Not that I'm interested in making it or anything. The less Japanese RGB21 gear floating about the better, as far as I'm concerned. I was just a bit curious as to why this design has so much stuff in it.

1. The pick and place text file is needed for automatic assembly and it's not generated by default. I never needed the one for my manufacturer as the batches were ridiculously small. Not intentional, I can easily provide it but nobody asked.
2. Is it a standard? GB* and GT* gerbers and NC drill files are pretty standard and self explanatory by extension, that's what my PCB design software outputs. My manufacturer requires only gerbers and drill files. You can use any material you want etc.
3. The simpler the better. If everything is designed to the specs, why should I go higher?

[superg]

Good news, I've got the parts and after swapping and installing proper IC's everything works.
I will be working on the testing / assembly Friday night and all weekend. First I will ship combined gcompsw / gscartsw_lite orders as it would be a little easier for me to maintain.
As always tracking will be provided by paypal and I'll be making combined shipping difference refunds when I ship.
If anybody moved now is the time to let me know the new address, paypal doesn't change that for a set order.

[Chacranajxy]

Awesome. Looking forward to it.