Dsub15 VGA switchers and Cables

[Rock Man]

Can anyone recommend where are the best places to buy switchers like the Extron devices for VGA sources? (mostly 15khz)

Secondly, other than Retro Gaming Cables and Retro Access, are there other reputable shops that sell DSub cords for game systems? (like the N64, Saturn, Mega Drive, 3DO, etc.)

[maxtherabbit]

I have designed and can build to order (by hand sadly at the moment) console specific dongles to provide a dsub output from the genesis, SNES/N64, saturn, neo, jaguar, dreamcast, psx/ps2

They plug into the console's multiout and provide a 4" pigtail to a small 3d print enclosure with a 3.5mm jack for audio and a female DE-15 for RGB

As far as the switchers, the best place to get Extrons is ebay. You have to watch for deals

[KPackratt2k]

Chipnetics comes to mind as a good source for DE-15 RGB dongles for retro consoles. Currently, they only have dongles for SNES/N64, PS1/2/3, and Dreamcast, but more are in the works from what I've heard from them:

https://chipnetics.com/projects/hw/syncbaby/
https://chipnetics.com/projects/hw/playbaby/
https://chipnetics.com/projects/hw/dreambaby/

Or if you're skilled at soldering, there's a guy on Github who's created DIY VGA dongles for a variety of consoles:
https://github.com/jeffqchen/Console-VGA-Dongle-Series

As for VGA switchers, I can't provide recommendations for those ATM as I haven't used enough of them to understand which ones would work best for a retro console setup.

[bobrocks95]

You can occasionally find community members of various places making small batches of jeffqchen's dongles, I got my Dreamcast dongle from one such person (nice to have RGBS on it for the OSSC).

I only have experience with Extron switches, but I've used both VGA Ars and MVX switches before and both work great. Don't be afraid to get a couple of half-size 4 or 6 input Ars and daisy-chain them together if they're cheaper, just watch out for the very similarly named VGArs switch that doesn't do audio.

Best I saw with a quick look was an MVX 8 input, 8 output switch for $65 shipped- https://www.ebay.com/itm/124488111890.
A great switch to have, overkill on outputs of course and I think only one active at a time, but 8 inputs is worth the excess. A 12 input is of course the ideal unit but they're harder to find. 2 SW6's gets you 11 inputs in the same form factor, though with two power cables needed unless someone has a weird Y-splitter for a kettle PSU cord. Less than 1/4 the price of a gscartsw so you'll understand why people are arguing about SCART in a nearby OSSC purchase thread.

Also keep in mind Extron VGA switches usually require CSync (TTL or 75Ohm attenuated) (or of course standard VGA HV sync) and will output TTL sync so any non-VGA equipment is going to need the sync attenuated at the end. I personally have 1 custom DB-15 to SCART cable from Retro-Access with attenuation going into my OSSC.

[Rock Man]

I have designed and can build to order (by hand sadly at the moment) console specific dongles to provide a dsub output from the genesis, SNES/N64, saturn, neo, jaguar, dreamcast, psx/ps2

They plug into the console's multiout and provide a 4" pigtail to a small 3d print enclosure with a 3.5mm jack for audio and a female DE-15 for RGB

As far as the switchers, the best place to get Extrons is ebay. You have to watch for deals

Hi, that sounds good. Know how to do the Panasonic 3DO by any chance? I'll take you up on that offer but first I need a switcher. I have many consoles.

I'm not looking for a 15-way or less switcher. I already have daisy-chained SCART switchers together that will do 11. I'm looking for a solid 20-25 DSub15 switcher.

Here's what I found on Ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R ... t&_sacat=0

So far, not very promising. Are VGA switchers that take mass inputs just rare? If it's too rare then it's not worth replacing my SCART set-up. Am I typing the wrong search criteria?

[bobrocks95]

Found the Atlona vga3201. 32 in, 1 out, audio will have to be separate. I dunno past that, I guess there are 32 input Crosspoints if you go BNC.

[Rock Man]

Found the Atlona vga3201. 32 in, 1 out, audio will have to be separate. I dunno past that, I guess there are 32 input Crosspoints if you go BNC.

Thanks. Would I need a separate audio connection for each console?

[bobrocks95]

Found this as well for a good price- https://www.ebay.com/itm/284905313022. Still no audio but there were a couple others from that company that seemed to have 3.5mm connectors.

Found the Atlona vga3201. 32 in, 1 out, audio will have to be separate. I dunno past that, I guess there are 32 input Crosspoints if you go BNC.

Thanks. Would I need a separate audio connection for each console?

I mean, each console will be producing its own audio, so yes... I feel like I'm misunderstanding you here. You'd want to pair it with, ideally, a 32-input audio switcher if you really want to use all the inputs. That of course loses you any kind of automatic switching.

I've gotta ask though, do you really have 20+ RGB-producing consoles?

2 12-input Extron VGA Ars switches for 23 inputs would be the ideal setup for compactness, though I'd imagine if you truly do have anywhere near that many consoles hooked up, that compactness must not be a concern for you.

[Rock Man]

Found this as well for a good price- https://www.ebay.com/itm/284905313022. Still no audio but there were a couple others from that company that seemed to have 3.5mm connectors.

Found the Atlona vga3201. 32 in, 1 out, audio will have to be separate. I dunno past that, I guess there are 32 input Crosspoints if you go BNC.

Thanks. Would I need a separate audio connection for each console?

I mean, each console will be producing its own audio, so yes... I feel like I'm misunderstanding you here. You'd want to pair it with, ideally, a 32-input audio switcher if you really want to use all the inputs. That of course loses you any kind of automatic switching.

I've gotta ask though, do you really have 20+ RGB-producing consoles?

2 12-input Extron VGA Ars switches for 23 inputs would be the ideal setup for compactness, though I'd imagine if you truly do have anywhere near that many consoles hooked up, that compactness must not be a concern for you.

Think I have 15 but I plan on getting more in the future so trying to prepare for that.

I would have to daisy-chain those Extron VGA Ars switches wouldn't I?

Gr8 auction btw thank you. I want to keep looking for now. I gotta have sound man. Also trying to avoid daisy chaining. I will if it's the only way.

[bobrocks95]

The Extron at least have auto-switching, so it's set it and forget it instead of having to change 2 different inputs and remember what goes where if you daisy-chain.

See what configurations they made for this- https://www.ebay.com/itm/324008507633

Curious to know what your current setup is like!

[maxtherabbit]

A great switch to have, overkill on outputs of course and I think only one active at a time,

The MVX series are true matrix switchers. All outputs are active, you can route one source to multiple outputs or have each output showing a unique source simultaneously

Important to note though the MVX do NOT do auto switching

[maxtherabbit]

I have designed and can build to order (by hand sadly at the moment) console specific dongles to provide a dsub output from the genesis, SNES/N64, saturn, neo, jaguar, dreamcast, psx/ps2

They plug into the console's multiout and provide a 4" pigtail to a small 3d print enclosure with a 3.5mm jack for audio and a female DE-15 for RGB

As far as the switchers, the best place to get Extrons is ebay. You have to watch for deals

Hi, that sounds good. Know how to do the Panasonic 3DO by any chance? I'll take you up on that offer but first I need a switcher. I have many consoles.

I've never owned a 3DO so I will have to do some research on that

[Syntax]

I have a whole bag of custom made console to VGA cables to sell cheap, made for Extron matrix systems.
They are made from component cables so each wire has separate shielding. Bit short for my current needs.
PM if interested.

[Rock Man]

The Extron at least have auto-switching, so it's set it and forget it instead of having to change 2 different inputs and remember what goes where if you daisy-chain.

See what configurations they made for this- https://www.ebay.com/itm/324008507633

Curious to know what your current setup is like!

Ask and ye shall receive!


Should give u some idea about what I'm working with.

That Extron looks promising but the price is steeper than I thought! Looking to spend like $160 at best.

I have a whole bag of custom made console to VGA cables to sell cheap, made for Extron matrix systems.
They are made from component cables so each wire has separate shielding. Bit short for my current needs.
PM if interested.

Will do.