Too many component outputs, not enough inputs

Post by **Sylvus** » December 12, 2005, 1:26 pm

Here's my problem. I have an HD TV that only has 2 component inputs, but I have three outputs that I want to hook into it. Does anyone have any recommendations for a solution? Is there a switch of some sort that I could plug a couple things into and then select which one goes into the TV?

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » December 12, 2005, 1:36 pm

This is a cheap solution:

http://www.madcatz.com/Default.asp?Page ... sal_Cables

lets you plug in 4 component inputs and manually switch the signals. Not that bad unless you switch back and forth constantly.

Remote controlled, auto-sensing, component switches run around 200.00 or so.

Post by **Sylvus** » December 12, 2005, 1:41 pm

Awesome, that's exactly what I was looking for.

I'd kind of like to get a remote controlled unit at some point, but this will do for what I need right now. Now I just need to find out where I can pick one up locally.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » December 12, 2005, 1:47 pm

Sylvus wrote:Awesome, that's exactly what I was looking for.

I'd kind of like to get a remote controlled unit at some point, but this will do for what I need right now. Now I just need to find out where I can pick one up locally.

Fry's Electronics has them. I think Best Buy has Madcatz stuff but not for sure on that.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » December 12, 2005, 1:50 pm

Retail list from their site:

http://www.madcatz.com/Default.asp?Page=35

*~*stragi*~* · Post by ***~*stragi*~*** » December 12, 2005, 2:02 pm

post a thread about it on the internet

Nylith · Post by **Nylith** » December 13, 2005, 9:40 pm

The general solution is an A/V receiver. They take in audio and video signals of various types (composite, s-video, component, coaxial digital audio, optical digital audio, or good old left/right stereo red/white). They'll then output to a "monitor" (your tv) with a single cable, in component, and to speakers (not the ones in your TV probably).

The following is an explination of my setup, in more detail than you may need/want, but I figured I'd spell it out to try to help anyone who comes across this thread.

I just upgraded my home theather system over the weekend, and I got a Denon AVR-686s. I got it at ABT in store for 369. This is an image of the back of it:
[img]ftp://extra.abtelectronics.com/BDP_Imag ... vr686s.jpg[/img]

It accepts 3 input video sources, labeled DVD, TV, and VCR, but you can hook whatever you want up to them. Each video "selector" is set to one of the following: composite, svideo, or component.

For example, I have my HD DVR from comcast hooked up to the component TV input, and coaxial digital audio jack 1. I have my DVD player hooked up to the component DVD input, and coaxial digital audio jack 2. I have my xbox (no 360 yet) hooked up to composite VCR input, and red/white stero audio input. The component out - "monitor" - runs to my projector. I then run speaker cable to my center/ front right/ front left/ rear right/ rear left, and the subwoofer connector to my sub.

Winnow's suggestion is cheaper, especially if you don't have a speaker system to connect to. If you're looking for 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound, then you'll want to get a receiver, and it'll do your video switching for you then.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » December 13, 2005, 10:11 pm

Nylith wrote: Winnow's suggestion is cheaper, especially if you don't have a speaker system to connect to. If you're looking for 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound, then you'll want to get a receiver, and it'll do your video switching for you then.

Depending on how many component inputs you have, the AV/R is a good solution but you can still use the cheapo solution with 5.1/7.1 sound. I have the Xbox, PS2 and DirecTV-HD component inputs all connected to the cheapo Mad Catz thingy and then run TOS-link (digital optical cables) directly from the PS2, Xbox and DirecTV-TiVO-HD to my receiver. I only do that because I haven't taken the time to study up on the latest AV/Receivers. I'll do that after the computer upgrade.

On top of the three component inputs, I also have DVI running from my HTPC to my projector along with yet another TOS cable from my PC to my receiver...that's two high definition inputs, two progessive component inputs and four tos link cables. That's just too damn many for my receiver. The Mad Catz thingy is definately cheap. If you have two systems active at once, you'll notice some interference (ie, Watching HD DirecTV while my Xbox is turned on in the background...slight interference can be seen unless I turn off the Xbox.) I'll be adding the Xbox360 into the mix soon but will probably drop-kick the PS2 out of the way so a receiver that can handle three component intputs, four TOS (maybe three TOS. one RCA type digital input) and one DVI/HDMI...ah screw that, can always directly link the DVI to the projector.

I like that the Denon has all banana style speaker plugs including the surround speakers. Life is so much easier just plugging in the speaker wire as opposed to clamping or screwing it down. The switched outlets on the back are nice to have as well.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » December 13, 2005, 10:56 pm

Winnow wrote:I like that the Denon has all banana style speaker plugs including the surround speakers. Life is so much easier just plugging in the speaker wire as opposed to clamping or screwing it down. The switched outlets on the back are nice to have as well.

I like Pioneer Elite myself. Has all that!

And what's up with the the new i.LINK technology? Argh. Things change too fast!

Dual i.LINK digital interfaces provide easy “firewire” connectivity of multi-channel DVD-A, SACD, as well as other multi-channel digital audio signal transmissions between a DVD player and the receiver. The benefit: unmatched multi-channel audio processing, using ONE wire.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » December 14, 2005, 12:40 am

Haven't read up on i.LINK yet!

Have you ever bi-amped your Paradigm speakers? I've never gotten that far into the audio part and just kept the metal plate connected between the two speaker hook-ups.

my Paradigms!

I bought my Paradigm speakers back in 1990 and have never felt the need to get new ones. I just checked their website and the basic design is still the same as mine and they are still getting outstanding reviews.

One of the nice things about Paradigm is that they realized long ago that the center channel speaker was the just as important as the two front speakers and made their center channels full fledged speakers with just slightly smaller cabinets. Great great speakers...even if they are a Canadian company.

If anyone's looking for outstanding sounding speakers for under a thousand dollars, consider Paradigms. They aren't the most fancy looking speakers, mine are all black with a black cover...kind of look like the 2001 Space Odyssey Monoliths with the lights down, but sound is what's important!

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » December 14, 2005, 12:57 am

Winnow wrote:Haven't read up on i.LINK yet!

Have you ever bi-amped your Paradigm speakers? I've never gotten that far into the audio part and just kept the metal plate connected between the two speaker hook-ups.

They are bi-wired (not bi-amped) since my speaker wire consists of 4 wires so it just made sense to do. Probably not that much better than just using the clip thingies though.

I'm sold on Paradigms. I doubt I will upgrade anytime soon but if I do will be going with the Studio 100s. Whichever version they are up to then. I think 3.0 at the moment. I have 2.0.

i.LINK is just another name for Firewire. Guess that's the way of the future! Or maybe it's just a Pioneer thing. Didn't really sound too exciting from http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/a ... 71,00.html

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » December 14, 2005, 1:18 am

Aslanna wrote:
They are bi-wired (not bi-amped) since my speaker wire consists of 4 wires so it just made sense to do. Probably not that much better than just using the clip thingies though.

From Paradigm's website:

Q12... Should I Bi-wire or Bi-amp my Paradigm® Speakers?

A... Bi-wiring/bi-amping can improve clarity, detail and bass response. And since bi-wiring only requires another set of speaker cables, this can be a very inexpensive option to consider. Bi-amping requires a second amplifier and is thus more costly. Both bi-wiring and bi-amping is covered in detail in the owners manual of Paradigm® models that have this option.

I'm more of a videophile than an audiophile so haven't gotten into anything that fancy but may try out the bi-wiring. It says to check out the owner's manual. I don't remember getting an owner's manual! My Receiver, along with all my other equipment besides my speakers are located at the back of the room underneath the projector so it's quite the task to run my speakerwire to the front wall. Cha ching, cha ching. 100 feet of speakerwire please.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » December 14, 2005, 1:29 am

Bi-amp requires a second amp. I'm not made of money!

Owner manual was a 4 page sheet thing.

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » December 14, 2005, 10:20 am

If I was buying something with extra ports, I would not buy just a switch box. Spend an extra hundred or so and buy yourself a decent surround sound system that will have multiple inputs on the receiver.

Post by **Sylvus** » December 15, 2005, 1:48 am

I've got a nice receiver that does everything I need it to, it just doesn't have component video inputs on it. I think I'm going to go with Winnow's solution, and my receiver has enough inputs to handle all my digital coax/optical needs.

Thanks for everyone's input!