Connecting video game systems and shelving units

boss0033 · Dec 2, 2008

I have several video game systems that I run off one tv (sony wega trinitron). My question is what is the best way to run all the systems without always changing the cables in the tv. Do they sell something that will allow me to connect as many as possible and use a control box to switch whatever system I want to play without changing audio and video cables behind the tv? If so, where can I find one?

My other question is does anyone recommend a game shelve for displaying carts. Currently, I have no where to put my carts other than on the floor.

Thanks

Xian Xi · Dec 2, 2008

TV selector box and a bookshelf.

This one takes component, s-video and composite:

http://psyclonegamer.com/products/index.asp?brandtype=competition&id=1128&bhcp=1

buaku · Dec 2, 2008

I use a kinda cheap switcher made by Pelican for my stuff. It only does composite and s-video though. No remote either, just push buttons on the thing. You could probably search amazon for a game selector or an A/V selector or something along those lines.

All my carts are in a box, but I imagine a nice bookshelf would do fine.

norton9478 · Dec 2, 2008

Let's be honest...

Do you really need to have 3 different AV cablesets for your SNES,GCN +N64?

I'd put all that shit on one shelf... And swap the connector every time I wanted to switch.

JammaGuy · Dec 2, 2008

norton9478 said:
Let's be honest...

Do you really need to have 3 different cablesets for your SNES,GCN +N64?

If he's collecting systems, and plays them all quite frequently, its a pain in the ass to unplug, and plug between systems.

-idosk8

norton9478 · Dec 2, 2008

idosk8 said:
If he's collecting systems, and plays them all quite frequently, its a pain in the ass to unplug, and plug between systems.

-idosk8

Not really....... Not if they are all next to eachother and you have some room..... Pop the connector from one to the other... A whole 5 seconds. Just like changing a cartridge.

buaku · Dec 2, 2008

I always had the idea of using a bunch of y-splitter cables to combine all the video signals into 1 wire, and then just be sure to only turn one system on at a time. Never tried it though.

I guess I would have to do the same with the left and right audio cables too.

It'd prolly look like a horrible mess when you're done too :P

Valsimot · Dec 3, 2008

buaku said:
I always had the idea of using a bunch of y-splitter cables to combine all the video signals into 1 wire, and then just be sure to only turn one system on at a time. Never tried it though.

I guess I would have to do the same with the left and right audio cables too.

It'd prolly look like a horrible mess when you're done too :P

I made my own 3-in y splitter cables. Caused a bit of degradation to the picture when more then one console was attached (common ground issue i think) and everything would go crazy if more then one console was on.

Get an AV switcher. Any one. You can even make your own from one of those old computer data/printer switchers.

I've seen one cable set for the Wii, Xbox 360 and PS3 all in one, haven't tried it, but it might be worth looking into...

buaku · Dec 3, 2008

Valsimot said:
I made my own 3-in y splitter cables. Caused a bit of degradation to the picture when more then one console was attached (common ground issue i think) and everything would go crazy if more then one console was on.

Get an AV switcher. Any one. You can even make your own from one of those old computer data/printer switchers.

I've seen one cable set for the Wii, Xbox 360 and PS3 all in one, haven't tried it, but it might be worth looking into...

I always wondered what would happen if they were all on at the same time.

You could probably build your own multi-cable thing by hacking apart some real connectors and wire them all together.

But yeah, an AV switch would be the easiest route.

Neo Alec · Dec 4, 2008

If you're collecting systems, most of them spend a lot of time in the closet. The floor is your friend.

Valsimot · Dec 5, 2008

Wow, that's some organization you got there Neo Alec! By the way, what are the 2 books behind the dreamcast?

Boss0033, you could upload a pic of your game space/wall so we can better help you organize it.
If one A/V switch isn't enough, you can always connect 2 or more together =]

ki_atsushi · Dec 5, 2008

Valsimot said:
Wow, that's some organization you got there Neo Alec! By the way, what are the 2 books behind the dreamcast?

Looks like a Sharp X68000, but I could be wrong.

And if it is, I'm fucking jealous. :envy:

Baseley09 · Dec 5, 2008

Gnarly set up there Neo Alec, MSX & Marty too quite an exotic selection.

bendor · Dec 5, 2008

RF connections piggy backed on each other :make_fac:

Neo Alec · Dec 5, 2008

ki_atsushi said:
Looks like a Sharp X68000, but I could be wrong.

And if it is, I'm fucking jealous.

That's right.

At xmas my brothers and I just drag whatever we want out of the closets and everything stays wherever it falls. Here's the following year:

buaku · Dec 5, 2008

That's just awesome!

Neo Alec · Jan 10, 2009

Here's this year's pic. This year was more a mess of controller cords than anything. I got my brothers an Atari 7800 for xmas and modded it for S-video using the mod kit from 8bitdomain.com, and it looks great in S-video, not so great in composite. We spent a surprising amount of time playing Atari 7800 and 2600 games on it since we never had an Atari before. Previously we basically had every console, but nothing pre-NES. I've opened a can of worms with this purchase.

black_7 · Jan 10, 2009

Neo Alec said:
If you're collecting systems, most of them spend a lot of time in the closet. The floor is your friend.

...hilarious

OrochiEddie · Jan 10, 2009

norton9478 said:
Let's be honest...

Do you really need to have 3 different AV cablesets for your SNES,GCN +N64?

I'd put all that shit on one shelf... And swap the connector every time I wanted to switch.

I do this on my gaming shelf it is much easier.
I also cheat by daisy chaining all the RUF systems together, its a big mess but it works.

To help with your question though I have a big shelf that has a removable so the cables slip through the side to my TV. It looks mostly clean, but moving stuff is an ass pain so keep that in mind when planning to hook up so many units at once. Honestly it may be cleaner to just properly store your systems and then pull them out to play. Eventually you run into chord length issues especially for systems on your higher shelves if the shelf is like mine (about 6 1/2 feet tall).

As for game storage I use my office desks for storage, I don't really have any updated photos at the moment , but its just a bunch of shelving surrounding my computer that holds my carts, cases, and so on. Then again I do have a whole room dedicated to my nerdy stuff.

OrochiEddie · Jan 10, 2009

thats my get up to better explain what i was talking about

Connecting video game systems and shelving units

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