What is everyone using for component video switches?

[aquova]

I've got a number of retro consoles hooked up, and the classic problem quickly becomes how to connect all of them to your TV. In my case, I settled on using component cables as my main video standard because they give much better video than composite, but standards like SCART were incredibly rare here.

I'd like to avoid having to plug and unplug in my consoles every time I want to use them, so a while ago I picked up one of these 3 input/1 output switches. They're cheap, easy to find, and for a few years now, it's worked quite well.

However, I've recently picked up some other systems, or modified some of my existing systems, to use component as well. I've now got about 5 different consoles all vying for the three input spots, with potential for me to add more in the future. What's more is that I have both a CRT and a LCD monitor, and it would be nice to have the option to choose between displays for later 3D consoles.

Which brings me to my question. Aside from that box above, the only other component switch I have been able to find at all is the gcomp 8 input/2 output switch.

On paper, it's everything I want. I could hook up everything I have, both input and output, and still have room to grow. The only problem is that it's over $300. You could buy 10 of those smaller boxes and still have money left over. I cannot in good conscious spend the money on something like that. What are other people using? I have to imagine there's some sort of device out there from the mid-2000s that does exactly what I want, but everything seems to be harder and harder to find these days. I'm somewhat regretting not standardizing to SCART, as those boxes seem readily available, but by the time I re-purchased every cable I had, I could almost (but even then not quite) buy the expensive gcomp box.

 

[Nebulon_Galaxy]

dont buy a GCOMP unless of 2 things.
1. you have a ton of consoles you frequently switch around
2. have money

I have both the gcomp and the switch box on your image, and for the longest time the box is a great switcher. I frequently jump around consoles after beating one game so the gcomp helps with gaming setups. idk what difference in quality since its all the same looking on my JVC iART. If i was you just use the box. its cheaper and does the job without spending an arm and a leg for something with a little bit more convenience

 

[The_Real_Thing]

Besides the one you posted (nice, btw, but agree it's a min/max device that is way too spendy) you *could* daisy chain a couple cheaper boxes. I've read doing such can increase latency and signal degradation, though, and this may be exacerbated by going the unpowered route. Not to speak of possible clutter, if that matters.

I have a General Electric Component Switch (Model# 73344). It's unpowered and works fine for years, but my component switching needs have always been modest. For all I know it was just good enough compared to composite that I never noticed any deficiencies in using a (cheap) switch.

 

[zavbaz]

I've got a number of retro consoles hooked up, and the classic problem quickly becomes how to connect all of them to your TV. In my case, I settled on using component cables as my main video standard because they give much better video than composite, but standards like SCART were incredibly rare here.

I'd like to avoid having to plug and unplug in my consoles every time I want to use them, so a while ago I picked up one of these 3 input/1 output switches. They're cheap, easy to find, and for a few years now, it's worked quite well.
View attachment 107049

However, I've recently picked up some other systems, or modified some of my existing systems, to use component as well. I've now got about 5 different consoles all vying for the three input spots, with potential for me to add more in the future. What's more is that I have both a CRT and a LCD monitor, and it would be nice to have the option to choose between displays for later 3D consoles.

Which brings me to my question. Aside from that box above, the only other component switch I have been able to find at all is the gcomp 8 input/2 output switch.

View attachment 107052

On paper, it's everything I want. I could hook up everything I have, both input and output, and still have room to grow. The only problem is that it's over $300. You could buy 10 of those smaller boxes and still have money left over. I cannot in good conscious spend the money on something like that. What are other people using? I have to imagine there's some sort of device out there from the mid-2000s that does exactly what I want, but everything seems to be harder and harder to find these days. I'm somewhat regretting not standardizing to SCART, as those boxes seem readily available, but by the time I re-purchased every cable I had, I could almost (but even then not quite) buy the expensive gcomp box.

Previously, I also used cheap switches when I plugged into an old TV with a component input, then another inexpensive adapter with HDMI - one in a metal case fell to pieces after six months, outwardly similar in a plastic one has been living for many years. RCA connectors demonstrate resistance to repeated connections and mechanical stress. For old consoles, I also have an old CRT TV, but to be honest, the best way to save both TV and console is to play through an emulator on a computer :) And for authenticity, I use other switches - FOR GAMEPADS to connect the original gamepads of different consoles to the computer.
We can talk a lot about the fact that emulation spoils the picture and sound and etc, but connecting an ancient console with any (expensive too) switch to a modern TV via an active RCA-HDMI does not make the picture authentic EITHER. And sound too.

 

[TruxtonTatsujin]

I mostly use S-video for my analog consoles. For a CRT the difference between component is negligible, the cables are much cheaper too. However the switchbox I use also has component (though they're shared on the S-video inputs so they don't see any use from me). This thing is great. Unlike a lot of other switchers I've tried, this ones doesn't add any perceivable noise. (I'll never use another cheap passive box again) It even switches sources automatically. Has 5 inputs, with one on the front if you still need to swap (SNES, Genesis(modded), Saturn, PS1, then NES(modded), N64 and Gameboy Player share the front slot). Problem is, I don't think this thing is in production anymore so you either have to find one second hand or some old stock like I did (found it an Amazon brand new, and yes this dusty ass picture is the one on the store page )

Legend LE316R

It really is hard to find a good S video switch box. None of these aftermarket retro companies seem to make one and only focus on scart and component.
Only consoles I use component for are PS2 and PC Engine, and I just switch them manually when needed. (oh and I guess the Wii too, but it's plugged into a different monitor, and my OG Xbox just uses an HDMI adapter). For Dreamcast I use VGA but occasionally have to switch to S video for the games that don't support it.

 

[aquova]

Besides the one you posted (nice, btw, but agree it's a min/max device that is way too spendy) you *could* daisy chain a couple cheaper boxes. I've read doing such can increase latency and signal degradation, though, and this may be exacerbated by going the unpowered route. Not to speak of possible clutter, if that matters.

I did think about this, but between having two cable manage three boxes, plus the potential signal degradation between them, it didn't seem viable. Maybe if I found one that had two outputs so I didn't have to touch any cables at all I'd think about it.