Device for 2 videos side-by-side on TV?

[ehusted]

Hi guys,

I'm looking for a device for my boss for displaying 2 videos side by side on his TV... this is a direct quote from his e-mail and is all the information I have:

Looking for a device (maybe some type of multiplexor) that will allow me to input 2 video sources into the device and have it display on a TV side by side (picture in picture). One input would be need to be VGA and the other A/V (RCA or Coaxial).

Any ideas? His TV does not have PiP already.

Thank you!!

- oduska

[craigarta]

Well I think this could be a start. Granted it is more for a monitor than a TV.

https://www.networktechinc.com/pdf/man009.pdf

https://www.networktechinc.com/dual-splitter.html

[ehusted]

Thanks craigarta!

Although I think he's looking for something under $300 or so... plus like you said, he'd need it for his TV, not his monitor.

Great start though! (and wow... over $1500 for that??? Crazy...)

[jagabo]

You will not find a device that will take VGA and composite and display them side by side for $300. It takes way too much electronics and there isn't a large enough market for it. Just use two monitors.

[Cornucopia]

Forget this whole "VGA plus Composite" crap, it's a wild goose chase which won't EVER give you a solution worth using without spending a fortune (and then you've wasted lots of $$$ for much less of a payoff).

Just about any 2 videos on any modern computer with a decent video card can support AVISynth with a PIP script, outputting via either VGA or one of many other formats - FOR FREE!

Or try Stereoscopic Player (they don't have to be stereo3d to be used as L+R)

Or try any decent video editor software with PIP functionality.

Scott

[ehusted]

Thanks Cornucopia, but I'm not looking for a software/computer solution... that's why I posted in the Portable Video/Hardware section.

[Des]

This isn't exactly what you're asking for but I think it's getting closer, especially in price:
http://www.avtoolbox.com/avt8120.shtml

Or this page: http://www.avtoolbox.com/bstocklist.shtml
Lists a Picture in Picture box for $119.

--dES

[jagabo]

This isn't exactly what you're asking for but I think it's getting closer, especially in price:
http://www.avtoolbox.com/avt8120.shtml

A VGA to composite scan converter in conjunction with that will get both videos on screen. If the intention is to compare VGA quality to composite quality side-by-side that won't work though. The VGA will be degraded to composite quality. Then both will be further degraded to display them side-by-side.

[Cornucopia]

Thanks Cornucopia, but I'm not looking for a software/computer solution... that's why I posted in the Portable Video/Hardware section.

OK, then. Why ARE you asking specifically for that kind of setup? What is the goal (certainly not just 2 videos side-by-side, as I just stated a cheaper and probably higher rez way of doing that)?

Are you needing a live feed? Is this a quality control or before/after issue?
Stop giving us 1/2 the story.

Scott

[ehusted]

Thanks Cornucopia, but I'm not looking for a software/computer solution... that's why I posted in the Portable Video/Hardware section.

OK, then. Why ARE you asking specifically for that kind of setup? What is the goal (certainly not just 2 videos side-by-side, as I just stated a cheaper and probably higher rez way of doing that)?

Are you needing a live feed? Is this a quality control or before/after issue?
Stop giving us 1/2 the story.

Scott

I'm not giving you 1/2 the story to try and be mean... I told you in the first post that his direct quote is all the information that I have.

He's looking for a device (not software) that he can plug into his TV... I don't know why.

[Cornucopia]

A "device" is some hardware controlled by some software through some user interface. Counts for embedded BIGIRON blackbox devices, settop boxes, HTPCs, Cell phones, and regular PCs. Who cares that much if it's one or the other so long as it:

1. Does what you ask it to without too much fussing about
2. Isn't difficult to set up (IOW, has a simplified or elegant UI and connections)
3. Is pretty affordable
4. Has the right specs, connections, etc.

IIWY, I'd either get some used analog switcher off ebay (if not too worried about quality at all), or create a linux or windows HTPC so it boots up and does exactly the kind of dualpicture output you're looking for (if he IS worried about quality). If you have to, you can get a slim formfactor, harddrive-less atom processor type to make it look more "Consumer Electronics"-like.
...or maybe get a dual-input Tivo/Cable/Sat/DVR box that does the same thing. Guess what? That's what those boxes are, "CE"/embedded/firmware PCs!!

Scott