http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/ Engadget Comments for How-To: Make a component video switch http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/Jun 5th 2008 12:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/Jun 5th 2008 5:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/ video is 75ohm, audio is 110ohm... keep this in mind when modding

Video is indeed 75 ohm impedance (not "resistance"!). But analog audio runs in "bridged" mode, with source impedance 600 ohms or less (sometimes as low as 100 ohms) and load impedance 10K. This is not an "impedance mismatch", it's supposed to be that way.

A VGA KVM switch should (if it's designed well) present a 75 ohm impedance (since this impedance is used in the VGA connections as well as in component video).

Digital audio over coax to an RCA connector (SPDIF, now called IEC 958) is 75 ohms and can use the same RG59 cables as component video. If you have an XLR jack for digital audio you are then dealing with 110 ohms (AES/EBU

A cheap passive switch as some are recommending here is almost certainly NOT 75 ohms.

Using Y-adapters to combine signals of almost any sort is an absolutely TERRIBLE idea. The impedances will be all wrong. Even for analog audio, let alone video.

Here's an idea: Any VGA KVM switch is also switching the H and V sync lines... and it shouldn't alter those signals any more than it should alter the R G and B signals. So it ought to be possible to run digital audio through one of those (the impedance will even be correct), or analog audio through both of them (the impedance won't matter). I'm going to try it. ]]>Jun 13th 2008 5:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/Sep 5th 2006 7:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/VGA, right?

]]>Mar 29th 2007 11:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/Sep 5th 2006 7:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/Sep 5th 2006 7:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/Sep 5th 2006 7:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/Sep 6th 2006 10:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/Sep 5th 2006 8:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/Sep 6th 2006 4:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/Jan 17th 2007 7:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/
http://www.amazon.com/Madcatz-Universal-Game-System-Selector/dp/B00002CETC/ref=sr_11_1/103-1788475-5323065?ie=UTF8]]>Sep 5th 2006 8:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/
http://froogle.google.com/froogle_cluster?q=madcatz+component+switch&btnG=Search+Froogle&lmode=online&oid=13059901895379698553]]>Sep 5th 2006 8:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/Sep 5th 2006 8:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/Sep 5th 2006 8:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/
Since the bulk of the signal is in the Y portion of the image a lower bandwidth component would result in a less sharp image, especially around high frequency areas (lines, edges, etc).

If you don't care about a degredation of image quality or have a really small screen you can save a few bucks by purchasing a cheaper switch. But then, why would you waste thousands of dollards on an HDTV in the first place?

Here are a few examples of higher bandwidth components:
http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/40-814.html
http://www.pccables.com/02450.htm
http://www.digitalconnection.com/Products/Video/1154A.asp
]]>Sep 5th 2006 8:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/
Seriously, get one of these switches and paint the yellow and white rca inputs to blue and green and sell it on eBay for double its price with the fancy "Component Video" label on it. The idiocracy we live in is madness! You people will buy anything if it's rebranded well enough!]]>Sep 5th 2006 8:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/I've come to notice that audio and video cables sometimes (always should?) have different resistance. This would result in a difference in resistance between the three separate signals carried in your component cable. You could then get different results depending on which two cables you decide to run through the audio L/R switch.
Sorry to say, I never tried this out myself. But in theory the could be problems.

kalmbach]]>Sep 5th 2006 9:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/And as murphy said, if you spent all that money for an HD setup, spend the extra money and get a good quality switcher.]]>Sep 5th 2006 9:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/
http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=801888&Section=#PROD]]>Sep 5th 2006 9:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/Sep 15th 2007 9:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/ b -> c and have very minimal internal wiring. They dont use any type of resistor or coils to change the resistance or impedance of the signal one way or the other. Same exact thing as moving the cables by hand. No difference whatsoever. Doesnt matter if they are component, composite, audio, data or whatever. The internals are usually not shielded (rf-wise) from each other on the cheap ones though. That is about the only difference between a $100 switch and a $10 radio-shack special. (I am a former "you got questions..." victim ...er employeee, so I know.) :P]]>Sep 6th 2006 9:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/Sep 6th 2006 6:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/
The cable quality concerns, as always, sound like a bunch of FUD to me. If I were viewing in 1080i I might be more critical (only a bit more), but most people aren't trying to do this. If people were trying to use coathangers in place of component cables then yeah, I see your point, but there's nothing wrong with your typical RCA cable set of a reasonable length.]]>Sep 5th 2006 10:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/Sep 5th 2006 10:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/Sep 15th 2007 9:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/
]]>Sep 6th 2006 2:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/Sep 6th 2006 3:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/Sep 6th 2006 4:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/Sep 15th 2007 9:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/Sep 6th 2006 9:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/
Adam: most receivers that switch component video will cost much more than this project does]]>Sep 6th 2006 8:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/component does not carry HD signals, only HDMI or DVI can do this.

Wrong. Component isn't digital like HDMI or DVI, but it is perfectly capable of carrying a HD signal, and has been for many years. FUD is on the march!!]]>Sep 6th 2006 8:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/Sep 6th 2006 11:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/
not true, analogue HD is usually component.]]>Sep 6th 2006 11:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/BNC cables and some BNC->RCA adapters (unless you're lucky enough to have pro gear with BNC connectors)
]]>Sep 6th 2006 11:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/
For a component video switch for up to 8 ports and IR, you could probably use the IOGEAR 8 port VGA switch: http://www.iogear.com/main.php?loc=product&Item=GVS881 For a full KVM, others do exist.

I think I'm going to use a Kramer 8x8 VGA switcher to connect both VGA and component to a projector (Dell 2400MP) that accepts HD Component Video over a VGA connector (as well as VGA). After talking to one of their techs, this product should work for this function (even says HDTV compatible). I want other output sources too, so this will be ideal, though expensive.]]>Sep 7th 2006 7:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/Sep 10th 2006 1:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/
To those that have commented saying this is a waste of money, I disagree. If you have the parts lying around, and you love to tinker, then why not? And at least this one has a practical use! Would make a good talking piece for when nerdy friends come over too!]]>Mar 17th 2010 9:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/
I forgot to add, one of the comments mentioned that you can get a component video switch for $20, so why bother making your own. Well I run a review site for component video switches (http://www.componentvideoswitch.org) and I suggest you pop on over to familiarize yourself with what a component video switch actually costs. Especially one of quality - they can be quite a few pennies. But also, even 'cheap' switches which may not even outperform the DIY model here are more than $20 in my experience. Thanks.]]>Mar 17th 2010 9:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/
Said: "component does not carry HD signals, only HDMI or DVI can do this."

Are you sure, my HDTV does not have DVI or HDMI inputs, only Component and it get 1080i HD signals. How is this possible unless you are incorrect?
]]>Jan 11th 2007 7:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/I have one but no cables so I cannot check it by tester. It uses a 25 pin connector and I don't have a wiring diagram. Help me please!!
icq: 166827146 skype: andrei_kazan e-mail: shumaa2004(at)yahoo.com

]]>Jan 16th 2007 9:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/Jan 17th 2007 7:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/how-to-make-a-component-video-switch/I have one but no cables so I cannot check it by tester. It uses a 25 pin connector (like DB2 LPT on PC) and I don't have a wiring diagram. Help me please!! icq 166827146 skype andrei_kazan e-mail shumaa2004(at)yahoo.com

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