Computer card/peripheral to switch multiple s-video signals

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Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.desktop (More info?)

Does anyone know of a PCI card or USB/Serial/X10/other peripheral device
that:
- has 4 or 5 video inputs (S-Video or composite)
- has one video output
- can be controlled by the computer to select one of the input signals as
the output signal
- optional: similar capabilities for audio signals

Basically, I want to have a home media PC be able to select which of the
following signals appears on my tv: TiVo, DVD, VCR, cable, Computer. Anyone
know whether this exists? If so, please post manufacturer & model, or a
link.

Thanks,
David
 
Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.desktop (More info?)

"David Smith" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:c4c9gk$2fhjn1$1@ID-215094.news.uni-berlin.de...
> Does anyone know of a PCI card or USB/Serial/X10/other peripheral device
> that:
> - has 4 or 5 video inputs (S-Video or composite)
> - has one video output
> - can be controlled by the computer to select one of the input signals as
> the output signal
> - optional: similar capabilities for audio signals
>
> Basically, I want to have a home media PC be able to select which of the
> following signals appears on my tv: TiVo, DVD, VCR, cable, Computer.
Anyone
> know whether this exists? If so, please post manufacturer & model, or a
> link.
>
Look at this RS-232 controled switcher
http://www.multiplextechnology.com/channelplus/downloads/support/FabSheets/CP-SVS52.pdf
http://www.hometech.com/video/rfswitch.html
 
Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.desktop (More info?)

----- Original Message -----
From: "David Smith" <me@privacy.net>
Newsgroups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.desktop
Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 12:07 PM
Subject: Computer card/peripheral to switch multiple s-video signals


> Does anyone know of a PCI card or USB/Serial/X10/other peripheral device
> that:
> - has 4 or 5 video inputs (S-Video or composite)
> - has one video output
> - can be controlled by the computer to select one of the input signals as
> the output signal
> - optional: similar capabilities for audio signals
>
> Basically, I want to have a home media PC be able to select which of the
> following signals appears on my tv: TiVo, DVD, VCR, cable, Computer.
Anyone
> know whether this exists? If so, please post manufacturer & model, or a
> link.
>
> Thanks,
> David
>
The SLINK-E can do everything, but it does require some programming
http://www.smarthome.com/1331.html

This switcher is remote controlled, so you could control it from
a computer with an IR interface like the SLINK-E
http://www.smarthome.com/8291.html

You might find these entertain
http://www.safaripathways1.com/support/macremote32.pdf
http://www.ati-amp.com/manuals/atp8500manual.pdf


I'm sure there are RS-232 other switchers available

Another poster suggested an IR blaster?? that might do what you need

David
 
Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.desktop (More info?)

> The SLINK-E can do everything, but it does require some programming
> http://www.smarthome.com/1331.html
>
> This switcher is remote controlled, so you could control it from
> a computer with an IR interface like the SLINK-E
> http://www.smarthome.com/8291.html
>
> You might find these entertain
> http://www.safaripathways1.com/support/macremote32.pdf
> http://www.ati-amp.com/manuals/atp8500manual.pdf
>
>
Thanks for all the great links! Unfortunately I don't see a good,
all-in-one solution. I agree that the Slink-E in combination with other
items could do what I want, but I'd have to break out my VB and code an app
to control the Slink-E, so that I could run a switch via an IR link. Too
much hassle, and too much cost -- I really would like to get something that
can do this for less than $150 total cost.

I'm surprised there isn't a product that has:
- a PCI card to fit in your PC
- a connector from the PCI card to a breakout box, which in turn has
- 4+ inputs and 1 or 2 outputs, switched electronically
- some software to run the switch
 
Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.desktop (More info?)

In article <c4c9gk$2fhjn1$1@ID-215094.news.uni-berlin.de>,
David Smith <me@privacy.net> wrote:
>Does anyone know of a PCI card or USB/Serial/X10/other peripheral device
>that:
>- has 4 or 5 video inputs (S-Video or composite)
>- has one video output
>- can be controlled by the computer to select one of the input signals as
>the output signal
>- optional: similar capabilities for audio signals
>
>Basically, I want to have a home media PC be able to select which of the
>following signals appears on my tv: TiVo, DVD, VCR, cable, Computer. Anyone
>know whether this exists? If so, please post manufacturer & model, or a
>link.

Your post reminded me of something a friend made a long time ago to do just
that. He only made one for himself, but you may be able to make one if you're
ambitious enough. (Personally, the various ones I see people mention
when this topic periodically comes up are ridiculously expensive!)

Here's some info about the one he made:
http://www.lyons42.com/PatchBoy/PatchBoy.html
 
Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.desktop (More info?)

> Your post reminded me of something a friend made a long time ago to do
just
> that. He only made one for himself, but you may be able to make one if
you're
> ambitious enough. (Personally, the various ones I see people mention
> when this topic periodically comes up are ridiculously expensive!)
>
> Here's some info about the one he made:
> http://www.lyons42.com/PatchBoy/PatchBoy.html

Thanks!! This is *exactly* my speed. I can do this for fun and hobby, and
still spend less than the $150 somebody wants for a box that doesn't do what
I want. If so, I'll post results.

David
 
Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.desktop (More info?)

"David Smith" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:c4c9gk$2fhjn1$1@ID-215094.news.uni-berlin.de...
> Does anyone know of a PCI card or USB/Serial/X10/other peripheral device
> that:
> - has 4 or 5 video inputs (S-Video or composite)
> - has one video output
> - can be controlled by the computer to select one of the input signals as
> the output signal
> - optional: similar capabilities for audio signals
>
> Basically, I want to have a home media PC be able to select which of the
> following signals appears on my tv: TiVo, DVD, VCR, cable, Computer.
Anyone
> know whether this exists? If so, please post manufacturer & model, or a
> link.
>
> Thanks,
> David
>
>

Two solutions come to mind.

One, already mentioned in a previous post in this thread, is a
serially-controlled Audio Follow Video (AFV) Routing Switcher. Several can
be found at http://www.markertek.com. Search for "routing switcher rs-232".
They ain't cheap but they do the job!

The other might be the NewTek Video Toaster.

But then again you're throwing big bucks at a problem I solved with a
powered 4x2 A/V switcher from Radio Shack for less than 100 bucks. It works
and didn't cost a zillion bucks (and I work in TV!)

Ack
 
Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo,rec.video.desktop (More info?)

David Smith wrote:

> I'm surprised there isn't a product that has:
> - a PCI card to fit in your PC
> - a connector from the PCI card to a breakout box, which in turn has
> - 4+ inputs and 1 or 2 outputs, switched electronically
> - some software to run the switch

I know this is out of your price range:
Breakout box: http://www.newtek.com/products/vt/images/sx-8.jpg
PCI card: $2995 http://www.newtek.com/products/vt/info/index.html
-Joe
 
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