Frag_Me Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 So: I have 3 S-Video Sources (All using the good 'ol Yellow RCA leads throughout) And 8-10 possible outputs (TVs and Projectors) The goal is to set up a system whereby any one of the three sources can be sent out to any of the outputs at any time by user selection. The setting is a bar where the TVs and projectors are used for advertising, quiz questions, watching the freeview feed etc. The idea is that these screens will be able to be set up in any configuration at any time in a nice easy way. Thus the quiz man can relocate that night's football viewing to the other end of the bar, leave the rest of the screens showing adverts and commandeer the projector to show his questions on (For example...) All this control needs to be in one location, so that everything is managed from this one point. I know how I could do it, using a number of the little video amps sold by CPC, a number of 3-position rotary switches and a lot of solder... but I was wondering if anyone had come across any existing products which fitted this description... I look forward to hearing your responses! Cheers, Leo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grizzly Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 I have 3 S-Video Sources (All using the good 'ol Yellow RCA leads throughout) Not sure about this bit, as the yellow RCA phonos would indicate composite rather than S-video. If it is indeed composite, and not S-video, than something along these lines might be in order:Kramer video matrixIf it is S-video, then similar units are available: Kramer YC matrix Other manufacturers will make similar products... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frag_Me Posted September 1, 2009 Author Share Posted September 1, 2009 You are indeed correct! I've had someone telling me it was s-video all day! Those products would indeed perform this operation perfectly - alas they are a little bit too complex for this - the £xxxx price tag reflects this too! Thank you for letting me know what these are actually called also - A "Matrix Switcher" sounds like something I'd put in a Dolorean... I shall have a browse of other available products - many thanks for the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dosxuk Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Have a search for Procon - they're quite a bit cheaper, but almost as good as the Kramer gear (and have a nice simple serial protocol compared to the Kramers if that's a consideration). Also, if you can share outputs on screens using cheap video amplifier modules, it can cut the size of the matrix you need - and therefore the cost. Sketch out on some paper all the combinations you require. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitlane Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 You are indeed correct! I've had someone telling me it was s-video all day! Those products would indeed perform this operation perfectly - alas they are a little bit too complex for this - the £xxxx price tag reflects this too! Thank you for letting me know what these are actually called also - A "Matrix Switcher" sounds like something I'd put in a Dolorean... I shall have a browse of other available products - many thanks for the help. I know they are expensive but I honestly don't think they are too complex. They are very simple to operate and do exactly what you need a lot more elegantly than a load of rotary switches. I'm sure you are using composite video but it does occur to me that it would be possible to distribute s-video via RCA plugs. Just split the Y and C signals and send them on two separate cables. Very unlikely but technically feasible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Beesley Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 There is a cheaper alternative on the market from Shinybow... 8-way AV matrix SB-5548 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Mawer Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Please remember that in the Kramer's price tag is a 7 year RTB warranty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgye Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Kramer and Extron matrices often come up on ebay at remarkably low prices. Here's a buy it now for £40 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/COMPOSITE-VIDEO-MATRIX-8-INPUT-4-OUTPUT_W0QQitemZ120460073937QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Consumer_Professional_RL?hash=item1c0bfadbd1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 but note the point about needing a reference signal. This one is an auction but it might go cheap: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Autopatch-Precis-8-x-8-Audio-Video-Matrix_W0QQitemZ110430425750QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Consumer_Professional_RL?hash=item19b62a9296&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.