Guspaz wrote:It's an afternoon of work, it doesn't seem any more complex than the home-automation crosspoint solution that was mentioned earlier.
It might be an afternoon of work for somebody who knows how to solder something up to the GPIO pins of a Raspberry Pi or Arduini, AND also knows how to write custom code... but that's really not skills that many gamers I know have. I'm pretty technical myself and I can't do that.
A gamer can however plug a Crosspoint into their ethernet hub like any other device, browse to the IP address (like they browse to a webpage) on any tablet/phone/computer in the house, and view Extron's built-in default web page where they can click on different presets to load them (if DHCP isn't turned on they might have to do an extra step with a $8 serial cable, and of course if they want to make a pretty interface that would be extra steps - which I give them the files for).
Guspaz wrote:What converters/transcoders? The OSSC and PVM can handle all signals directly.
All the converters/transcoders myself and other people have been talking about in this topic, ones like: RF>CV, CV/YC>RGBS, YPbPr>RGBHV, RGBHV>RGBS, and last but not least (since this topic is about it
the Linuxbot3000 YPbPr>RGBS.
OSSC can't handle the first two mentioned as it doesn't have Composite or S-Video inputs (RF neither but that's kinda an outlier for many people). OSSC also can't output analog signals, period (unless we're talking about using converters from HDMI).
My larger 25"-32" PVM's (and my older 14/20" ones as well) can't take Component natively either. BVM's also can't take Composite, S-Video, or VGA signals without extra cards or converters as well.
Guspaz wrote:And yet, it apparently requires csync, so you'll need to add separete sync strippers for every single console that doesn't output csync natively. It sounds like a Crosspoint requires a heck of a lot more devices for processing the signal than the alternatives.
Like maxtherabbit already said, ONLY PS1/PS2 needs a sync stripper (out of the 16 consoles I have hooked up at least). I'm sure there's other outliers (especially with all the different variations of different consoles), but it's really not a big deal at all.
Guspaz wrote:The only thing that a crosspoint can really do that is unique is matrix switching, which I (and I suspect most people) don't need or want.
I think saying the 'only' unique thing is matrix switching is a HUGE understatement. Ability to take pretty much EVERY input type retro gaming uses all in ONE device? Ability to take WAY more inputs and outputs (audio too!) than the alternative? Ability to link multiple (and commonly used) converters into the switch so you don't have to rearrange cables, ever. Ability to save presets (as complex as you want). Light-up display panel, web interface, independently switch audio from video to any input/output... pretty huge things here.
For people not wanting or needing it, I actually don't think that's true - I think people are just put-off by the process to setup one because they're not informed of it's massive amounts of benefits, and also probably because of how it's physically larger than a gRetro switch (well, maybe not when you start linking 3x of them together with even more different switches like I commonly read and see...).
I know you only run two main screens, but TONS use more than that. A pretty common higher-end enthusiast setup would be something like a single BVM, a larger Consumer TV (size is always king), and a modern flatscreen with upscaler(s). They already need at least TWO different devices to run a common setup like that: an Extron RGB to fix flagging on the BVM and merge sync, and a RGB to Component converter for the consumer CRT (for those of us in the USA of course). Can't even go to an upscaler in such a setup with a gscartsw since you're limited to 2x outputs (maybe loop through from the BVM? - but still, not ideal). Not to mention how if you have a couple different consoles that need to use the Extron (or any converter), how do you use those without yet another switcher or without manually plugging and unplugging wires (or using the highest end Extron RGB Rxi 203 with multiple inputs which are pricy anymore)? We're talking about major time saving (especially with saved presets) when you use a Crosspoint to do all this.
Anyway, I've said my peace about the benefits of a Crosspoint setup.