Question about AV Switch Box

[the_importer]

Hey there,

I didn't know where to post this, so I figured here was as good as any other boards.

I have multiple old game consoles hooked on my LCD with S-Video connection via a Switch Box. Problem is, I get picture degradation if I use the Switch Box (won't get any without it).

Is there any way to avoid this?

-Some people tell me I need a better quality box
-Some people tell me I need better out cables (Monster Cables)
-Some people tell me there's no way around this

So who's right and who's wrong?


Thanks

[SquirrelDip]

As long as your cable connectors are clean and straight the cables shouldn't be a problem (with a few exceptions - i.e. poor shielding) - most likely is the switch box. Are your wires really thin? (i.e. 1/4" or less)

Approx., what is the value of the switchbox? They range from very cheap to very expensive...

[the_importer]

As long as your cable connectors are clean and straight the cables shouldn't be a problem (with a few exceptions - i.e. poor shielding) - most likely is the switch box. Are your wires really thin? (i.e. 1/4" or less)

Approx., what is the value of the switchbox? They range from very cheap to very expensive...

The most expensive one was $30 CAD, it gives you Component outs as well as Composite and S-Video. To be quite honest, I don't know how it could ever be a switch box issue, reason being that all a switch box does is connect 2 cables, like allowing 2 male cables to connect via a female adapter.

The cables I use are rather thin, they weren't expensive.

[SquirrelDip]

It has to do with how cheap the contacts are inside the switch and how old the switch box is.

But you said in your original post: "(won't get any without it)" - this suggests it's more likely the box. If you can pick up a coupler pretty cheap you can bypass the box - if it still messes the picture then it's not the box...

[the_importer]

It has to do with how cheap the contacts are inside the switch and how old the switch box is.

But you said in your original post: "(won't get any without it)" - this suggests it's more likely the box. If you can pick up a coupler pretty cheap you can bypass the box - if it still messes the picture then it's not the box...

I'll try that, thanks

[the_importer]

Double posting on purpose.

I bought some expensive cables at BestBuy (Rocket Fish), cost me almost $200 for 1 S-Video, 1 A/V Composite, 2 Stereo, 1 F/MM Splitter and a cheapo 2 way Switch box for the Genesis and NES.

Everything works great no more audio and video degradation. Seems cheap cables were the problem.

[SquirrelDip]

Congrats.

Must have been pretty crappy cables. Usually when I have these problems it's been the box - but my video cables have always been shielded (and at least 1/4" dia).

[the_importer]

Congrats.

Must have been pretty crappy cables. Usually when I have these problems it's been the box - but my video cables have always been shielded (and at least 1/4" dia).

Cables from the dollar store :P

[Xylob the Destroyer]

eh, those dollar cables were probably just about as good as what originally came with the console! upgrading to better cables definitely made a difference. Still trying to figure out a way to get S-Video (or even better, component) out of my TurboGrafx-16 without totally mangling it or ruining the system. I have a TurboBooster that may hold the key to my quest, but I think I need an electrical engineer as well...
I too have many old cosoles and S-Video is my preferred connection as composite = shit and for these older consoles S-Video was the 'new high-tech' stuff. Looking for a new large screen LCD and finding very few that support S-Video. It sucks! Some of the $ony models have 1 S-Video input, so I will still have to keep the old switch box going if I buy one of those...
I'm glad you got your issue solved - long live the old school games!

[SquirrelDip]

Congrats.

Must have been pretty crappy cables. Usually when I have these problems it's been the box - but my video cables have always been shielded (and at least 1/4" dia).

Cables from the dollar store :P

If you mentioned this from the start you 'd probably had 10 replies telling you it's the cables. LOL!

You can use them for your audio...