Shelving/AV switchers for consoles
I'm curious to see how people have their consoles set up.
Current:
I currently have a coffee table with 6 consoles set up on with a 4 port AV switch (I swap the cable for the SNES, N64, and GC). For power I have 2 large surge protectors sitting under the table so that the only cables running from the table to the TV are the surge protectors and one set of AV cables from the switch. Of course this is for all my previous gen consoles. All my current gen consoles are hooked up to my LCD and have wireless controllers.
Issues:
I can't find any AV switches that support more than 4 sources that are reasonably priced. I drew out a schematic for a awesome switch for composite and RF with optional demodulation (converts RF to composite output) that is expandable to whatever number of inputs. I priced the parts for 20 composite and 10 coax (unrealistically high, but room to grow) and it came to like ~140 and the optional demodulator was +65.
I also drew out some plans for a 5 shelf TV stand. The 5th shelf would be for the TV, so there are 4 shelves for components.
Here are my concerns with my plan:
Actually making the switch. I know I could do it but I don't want it to look like crap.
Actually making the shelf. I work IT at a vocational school so I could probably get the cabinetry shop to make it for me. All I have to pay for is the wood.
Moving the consoles to where the TV is means I'd have to find wireless controllers for all my consoles (not possible given I have an Intellivision), or move the couch really close.
Sorry for the long read. I tried to divide it up.
Current:
I currently have a coffee table with 6 consoles set up on with a 4 port AV switch (I swap the cable for the SNES, N64, and GC). For power I have 2 large surge protectors sitting under the table so that the only cables running from the table to the TV are the surge protectors and one set of AV cables from the switch. Of course this is for all my previous gen consoles. All my current gen consoles are hooked up to my LCD and have wireless controllers.
Issues:
I can't find any AV switches that support more than 4 sources that are reasonably priced. I drew out a schematic for a awesome switch for composite and RF with optional demodulation (converts RF to composite output) that is expandable to whatever number of inputs. I priced the parts for 20 composite and 10 coax (unrealistically high, but room to grow) and it came to like ~140 and the optional demodulator was +65.
I also drew out some plans for a 5 shelf TV stand. The 5th shelf would be for the TV, so there are 4 shelves for components.
Here are my concerns with my plan:
Actually making the switch. I know I could do it but I don't want it to look like crap.
Actually making the shelf. I work IT at a vocational school so I could probably get the cabinetry shop to make it for me. All I have to pay for is the wood.
Moving the consoles to where the TV is means I'd have to find wireless controllers for all my consoles (not possible given I have an Intellivision), or move the couch really close.
Sorry for the long read. I tried to divide it up.
Comments
Why don't you just link the switches in series. Since only the console that is turned on will transmit, it should be fine.
I thought about this but I don't really want to do this because I'd have to hit multiple buttons and it's another device to have. Having so many consoles hooked up is enough 'things' as it is :-/.
I forgot to mention that I planned to have power and AV wiring as a part of the shelf. This way I could bundle all the cables up and plug them in directly where the console is sitting. Then the 'hidden' wires would connect everything. My goal is to make this as neat as possible.
Anyone else have several systems hooked up? If so, how do you have them laid out?
As for storage... Its a giant mess..
I use 2 4x av switchers connected to 2 av channels on my tv
I have a PAL SNES, USA / JAP SNES, Multi Region NES, PAL Game Cube, Modded USA / JAP Gamecube and a mini retro x. [i also have a pirate famicom sitting there, but not hooked up]
I did price it from Digikey. I also priced out some bad-A buttons with blue LEDs in them
I know my el-cheap 6-switch box only cost about $20 at retail a few years ago.
I have a hard time believing that what you're trying to do would cost more than $50 in parts.
I guess I could nix the LEDs and bus switches would would drastically reduce the price, but if I'm going to spend the time to make a 20 composite and a 10 coax switch I was going to make it awesome looking.
6-switch is the key part. I had to price out for 61 RCA connectors, 11 coax connectors, 30 awesome buttons with LEDs, and then 15 bus IC switches. I was going to connect everything on a bus using the IC switches to control the data and power flow for the LEDs.
I guess I could nix the LEDs and bus switches would would drastically reduce the price, but if I'm going to spend the time to make a 20 composite and a 10 coax switch I was going to make it awesome looking.
Yeah, the LED buttons sound totally unnecessary. Just use regular buttons, and have secondary LEDs that indicate the selected port. Individual LEDs are really cheap unless you're buying one of the "fancy" colors, or a really bright output.
I'll stick to my plan. I'll have the cabinetry shop at my workplace make me the TV stand and I'll have to move the couch closer to the TV. I'm using a semi-old 29" tube tele until I get around to replacing it. I'll use 2x 4-port switches until I make my ultimate switch. My housemate works at Best Buy so I can get them really cheap.