Connecting multiple old systems to one tv
Looking for some suggestions on what you guys do when connecting a bunch of old systems to one tv. I have about 6 systems I want to connect but clearly not enough inputs on my tv. I know about switches and all but cannot find one with enough inputs, usually the max I find is four. Does anyone have any suggestions or tips? Thanks.
Most TVs will have at least 2 RCA ins (Yellow/White/Red) - use two switches and toggle the TV.
RF switches just chain together one into the next.
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Originally Posted by Daltone
If you can find it cheap (good luck on that), I'd suggest a Pelican System Selector Pro, which can route 8 systems in composite, S-Video, and/or Component.
Here's a diagram of how mine is set up. I use a combination of 4-way and 5-way boxes, and I use three inputs on my TV: s-video, composite, and RF. Right now, I have 25 systems hooked up at once.
http://www.videogamecollectors.com/g..._itemId=343069
My Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/GamingTheSystems/featured
There are plenty of selectors available with more inputs, or you could simply daisy chain a few.
Yeah, just get a couple AV selectors and have one AV selector per TV input. Most selectors have 4 or 5. Just get two and put one on Video 1, and one on Video 2. You could use a VCR if your TV only has one set of inputs.
Be sure to research the brand though. I had a Gamestop brand system selector which only lasted me a couple of weeks. I agree with Garrett on the Pelican System Selector Pro.
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Just 6? Your problems are few, young grasshopper.
Personally, in the past, I've just displayed them not connected to the TV or power, and plugged them in as I used them. Much easier that way.
Wait, you think it's easier to have to hook them up each time you use them, rather than having them ready to go?
I have a single three way coaxial switch that controls 7 systems. Just hook up the ones with automatic RF switches (such as NES) first, and then daisy chain the RF switches. Then when it comes to Atari 2600s and the like, hook those up last.
I collect for: Odyssey2, Atari 2600, Atari 5200, ColecoVision, NES, SNES, N64, SMS, Genesis, Dreamcast, PSX, and TI-99/4A
I don't think it's easier, I KNOW it is easier!
Grab the system you want, grab the correctly labels AV and power hook-ups (labeling is a good thing!), hook it up and play. Only 30 seconds. It's easy. Just make sure you have easy access to composite and RF connections, as well as a power bar (NEEDED if you have the Sega 16/CD/32 Voltron System).
The alternative involves spending time drawing up plans on how to hook everything up, spending money and time going shopping for switches to hook everything up to, and having a huge amount of cords and power bricks to deal with. Plus, if you have dogs, cats or kids, having many cords around is NOT a good thing; it's a disaster waiting to happen. It is much, Much, MUCH easier to have everything labeled in drawers and ready to get hooked up than having to worry about kids and pets making a mess of things.
Last edited by Breetai; 04-17-2010 at 10:19 PM.
If you have to worry about all of those things then you're probably doing it wrong.
My consoles have always been hooked up with A/V selectors since I was a kid, and I've never had to draw plans to do it, or spend more than a few bucks for a switcher and a power strip/squid, which is a one purchase for most. None of my cables are exposed, either, and it takes all but 3 seconds to switch to whatever system I want to use. I have about 13 or so hooked up at once, and it took a whopping 15 minutes to connect everything, which was a one time affair (25 minutes if you include the time to label all of the cords, but that's something that you suggested doing anyway, so it's not anymore trouble than your method).
But whatever works for you, really. If it's easier for you to hook things up each time rather than have them ready to go, you should definitely do it that way. Still, it's just a little strange to hear that something which takes twenty times longer (assuming it takes just as long to disconnect them when you're done) is easier than setting it all up once, and just pressing a button each time.
Someone doesn't have puppies or kids...
Do you have 40 or so consoles?My consoles have always been hooked up with A/V selectors since I was a kid, and I've never had to draw plans to do it, or spend more than a few bucks for a switcher and a power strip/squid, which is a one purchase for most.
Nope.I have about 13 or so hooked up at once...
I prefered not to have a half dozen or more AV selectors daisy chained together, nor did I want to devote the space for that and keep 40 sets of cables organized. Having it all in drawers ready to go was an easier solution.
I just buy a multi video game connector at Best Buy. It's simple to hook up.
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The one good thing about RF switches: You can daisy chain them.
The most I have is 5 hooked up to a TV and I have to go back and switch the composite cables every time I want to play another system. The TV only has enough inputs for one system at a time.
I agree with one at a time cause I can only play one at a time!
also you don't need all the hook ups laying there, many systems can share cords like power for ps1 also works on Dreamcast, PS2, Saturn model 2! saturn model one and xbox share the same power cord, genesis 1 and sega cd share one, genesis 2 and 32x share one too (genesis model 1 and 32x= genesis model 2 and sega cd) with just 2 connectors
on the video side mod all your machines to RCA output buds and you have just one cable to play them all, all the machines have a mod to do that or like Snes, N64 and GC share video cables, ps1 ps2 and ps3 share video cables, rf for nes, master system, turbo grafx!
also remember that machines plugged in use power not as much as if they are turned on but still use some, go green on your wallet and environment, and static charge can kill your systems depending on your tv!
I use to have all my systems hooked up to my Pelecan system selector pro but now I only use it to hook up three systems at a time. And I keep my hd systems(xbox and xbox 360) directly plugged into my tv via component and hdmi cables. But since you are using an older tv I suppose that last option is out of the question. So just try to find a system selector that has 6-8 system compatibility. They are out there and ebay can make the search go much faster.
ALL HAIL THE 1 2 P
You still have to hook them up each time you play though.
Just turn off or unplug the power strips.also remember that machines plugged in use power not as much as if they are turned on but still use some, go green on your wallet and environment, and static charge can kill your systems depending on your tv!
Or you could spend a fraction of the time, effort, and money and just buy some AV selector boxes and power strips that you can turn the power off for a specific plug when it's not in use.
There's no way you can do that in 30 seconds. And pressing a button literally just takes a second. And you don't need a masters degree in electronics to hook up a AV selector box or two, nor do you have to draw up plans for it...
These things aren't designed for constant plugging and unplugging over time. Even things like the composite inputs on a television will start to be stressed by it after a while. It's not a good idea.
Just don't expose the wiring. It's not hard to hide and organize it behind things like shelving where your television and consoles are. And by spending a couple of dollars on things like those velcro strips that are sold specifically for wire management, it doesn't have to be a rats nest either.
Last edited by Leo_A; 04-19-2010 at 06:24 PM.
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