Recommendation for AV Switcher w/ 2x Outputs?

[NoAffinity]

I've been searching high and low, and struggling to find a good solution to my problem. I want to have RCA and/or S-video inputs on a AV switcher with at least 2 outputs - 1 to go to Sony Trinitron CRT, 1 to got to RT4K. First world problems, am I right?

I'm looking for minimum 4x inputs, minimum 2x outputs, must support simultaneous composite and s-video input/output. When I say "simultaneous", I means there could be composite inputs or s-video inputs or both connected from consoles, and composite and s-video outs will be connected simultaneously to CRT and RT4K.

I recently found after years of searching, not like continuous years, but trying randomly to find what I'm looking for multiple times over the course of years, a Radio Shack switcher with 5x in and 2x out, and it supports S-video and composite, however it is doing something funky with the s-video and even funkier when composite and s-video outputs are connected simultaneously. It seems to be pulling the sync signal from the s-video and inserting it on the composite line. With an s-video source routed through the RS switcher, and composite only connected between RS switcher and RT4K, I get a black and white video signal on RT4K's composite input. With s-video and composite connected between the two, and an s-video source, I get an overly bright signal some noise. If I disconnect composite in, I get a more muted s-video signal. If I disconnect s-video, I get the black and white signal. There's other nuance and weirdness, but I'm not taking the time to document it all beacuse the RS switcher just ain't meeting my needs.

I have a Sony AV switcher which works fantastically, but it's only 1x output. No issues with mixed sources, simultaneous composite and s-vidoe outputs connected. Perfect pass-through switching...but again, only 1x output.

So, can anyone recommend a AV switcher that supports:
-Minimum 4x inputs, up to 7 would be fine, more than that is okay but might run into space constraints
-Minimum 2x outputs - I don't really need more, but if there's a solution with more, I'll be fine with unused outputs
-RCA and S-video output connected simultaneously, and possibly the same for inputs, with no weirdness caused by having these two singals connected simultaneously

If there's another solution I'm not considering, like a 1-in/2-out distribution amplifier that could work with my existing Sony AV switcher or similar, and that can support the simultaneous composite and s-video connections, I'm all ears.

Thanks in advance to those who know more than I.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Sounds like the Pelican Selector Pro PL-960 with support for up to 8x RCA Composite Video, S-Video and Component Video inputs with dual A/V outputs would be the answer to your woes with the aging Radio Shack A/V switcher setup. The Pelican Selector Pro is amplified and has it's own dedicated A/C adapter as well. There's one "new/open box but unused condition" on eBay for $119.99. https://www.ebay.com/itm/145873789669?i ... R47r3uGQZA

I've used an older Pelican A/V Selector Box PL-625 with 5x RCA Composite Video & S-Video inputs + the ability to downconvert to RF output if it needed be was another cool highlight/feature/perk -- it, too, uses a dedicated A/C adapter to power the selector box. The Pelican Selector Pro variant is the successor to the older Pelican Selector Box with it's PS2 aesthetics styling & appearance. Gamestop used to sell both Pelican Selector Boxes at retail back in the day in the early-to-mid 2000s era -- the original MSRP of the Pelican Selector Pro PL-960 was listed at $99.99 usd.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[NoAffinity]

Thank you for the recommendations. I looked up both models and they both appear to be single output. Is that true or am I missing something?

[Gara]

It's a pain, but you might want to consider component switches or more robust Extron Crosspoint solutions combined with adapters. You should be able to get s-video into those solutions with an adapter like this one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/145296474110
https://www.reddit.com/r/crtgaming/comm ... ly_switch/

If you went the Extron route you would also need to worry about Phoenix adapters for all your audio inputs and outputs. Plus RCA to BNC adapters, but those are very cheap.

There are also various Matrix solutions out there, but it's completely random what shows up on Ebay at any given time. So I can't offer any first hand experience. Stuff like this.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/375237255078
https://archive.org/details/manualsonli ... 7/mode/2up

[NoAffinity]

I thought I'd share my feedback on 2 failures so far. Maybe helpful to someone else who finds themself on this journey.

Radio Shack 5x2 switcher with s-video, composite and audio ins and outs
-with s-video and composite outputs connected simultaneously, would default to s-video output regardless of what the source input was
-degraded signal on either output, regardless of the input

AV-421S 4x2 switcher with s-video, composite and audio ins and outs
-AV-421S is the part number on the box, this box also has a sticker on it with part number CTX-28750
-with s-video and composite outputs connected simultaneously, would default to s-video output regardless of what the source input was
-when using a composite source, with one comoposite output connected, the image looks really good; with 2 composite outputs, the image is noticeably degraded
-s-video also appears to be a glorified composite

I'm honing my search more expertly. The local thrift store is the beneficiary of my $20 failures lol.

[NoAffinity]

So I decided to open up the av-421s. Thought maybe there'd be some logic in there but it is literally a dumb switch with a resistor and a couple caps creating a parallel connection between s-video chroma and composite. There's also a series resistor on the s-video luma connection. Otherwise it's just straight lines bridged through whichever source push button is pressed.

Anybody know anything about these devices? Looks like if I remove the components creating the parallel connection I will separate s-video from composite.

But, being a dumb device, feeding two outputs from a single source without any kind of amplification seems like a bad idea. Maybe not in the short term but definitely over time. Anybody think otherwise?

[kitty666cats]

You definitely want something powered; I wouldn’t worry about amplification - especially if it’s composite or S-Video. Those are very strict about being video-level; unlike RGBstuff

EDIT: Check DMs

[NoAffinity]

I just received a Choice Select CHO4002 distribution amplifier, 1-in/4-out av and s-video. Figured I would piggy-back this off the trusty sony 4-in/1-out switcher.

This thing is pretty much doing the same thing the other 2-out switchers were doing, but is doing it much better.

It will output either composite or s-video from a composite source. If both outputs are connected, it will default to s-video. The quality is slightly degraded from this converted output, slightly darker, slightly softened and some light ringing. Not terrible by any means.

S-video sources only output to s-video.

The manual has conflicting statements on this matter and doesn't make much sense, but I've got the real world test results, so no insight to be gained from the manual and it can be ignored at this point.

I even tried altering the outputs, so 2 are composite, 2 are s-video. If I do this on the receiving end which is a consumer TV, I may be able to get some separation. The other receiving end as a retrotink 4k, via it's front panel inputs. Aside from disconnecting one or the other input, both inputs will always be active when both cables are connected, so the CS amplifier will always default to outputting s-video on that output.

Currently, I only have one s-video source (3DO) and it is rarely played. So, I guess I'll just leave the s-video outputs from the CS amplifier disconnected until such time that I play my 3DO. Kinda a bummer, cuz the whole point of this was to not have to disconnect and reconnect cables for these particular use cases. But, I'm done throwing money at the problem $20 - $40 at a time.

Again, if anyone knows a tried and true switcher, matrix, etc per the OP - with main focus of being able to connect s-video and composite simultaneously on inputs and outputs and having them be completely separated - please point me in the right direction. Until that day, this thread will probably just go to the gwave.