How do you connect 3 consoles to an hdtv using coaxial

[Jim Pez]

How do you connect 3 consoles to an hdtv using coaxial. I know that you connect one end of an rc cable to the console then connect a female RCA adapter to the other end. what's next ? is there some kind of switch box or HDTV upscaler ?

[Flojomojo]

You could chain a bunch of these, with the awareness that every time you split an RF signal, you weaken it a little bit.
https://www.amazon.com/Parts-Express-Coaxial-A-Switch/dp/B0002ZPIQ4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=atariage&linkId=e21138dfdb02d73f584edd281edc1039

Personally, I wouldn't do that. I'd pick a favorite and leave it there for a long time, and unscrew it when done. They're never going to look quite right on a modern HDTV unless it's a CRT. There are coax to HDMI adapters on Monoprice if you really feel the need but they'll cost as much as these classic consoles.

[+Trebor]

How do you connect 3 consoles to an hdtv using coaxial. I know that you connect one end of an rc cable to the console then connect a female RCA adapter to the other end. what's next ? is there some kind of switch box or HDTV upscaler ?

You could chain a bunch of these, with the awareness that every time you split an RF signal, you weaken it a little bit.

https://www.amazon.com/Parts-Express-Coaxial-A-Switch/dp/B0002ZPIQ4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=atariage&linkId=e21138dfdb02d73f584edd281edc1039

 

Personally, I wouldn't do that. I'd pick a favorite and leave it there for a long time, and unscrew it when done. They're never going to look quite right on a modern HDTV unless it's a CRT. There are coax to HDMI adapters on Monoprice if you really feel the need but they'll cost as much as these classic consoles.

 

3-Way Coaxial Switch Fully Shielded is what you want

The high isolation and shielding prevents the signal loss, bleeding, and interference common among cheaper switches.

Price-wise it's not too shabby either ~$18.

 

100% agree though, it's never going to look right on a modern HDTV without going a much more costly route.

[cybercylon]

I doubt most TVs made in the last 2-3 years have the right analog tuner to receive a signal from the older consoles.

[Osgeld]

All mine do, the signal didn't change just the format so it it sees analog it just goes on though

 

Least with my 3 tv's which all were made well after the dtv switch

[Jim Pez]

All mine do, the signal didn't change just the format so it it sees analog it just goes on though

 

Least with my 3 tv's which all were made well after the dtv switch

so how have you connected your consoles to the tv

[Austin]

[Osgeld]

so how have you connected your consoles to the tv

 

well the 2 consoles I have on the main tv are component conections, the 2600 is AV modded on the other tv but before I did that it was just fine on RF (minus the static in the picture)

[+Cafeman]

I hook mine up one at a time through and old vcr, then using rca cables to HDTV.Looks pretty good, stable picture and no interference.

[cybercylon]

I hook mine up one at a time through and old vcr, then using rca cables to HDTV.Looks pretty good, stable picture and no interference.

 

This is generally the way I do it as well.

[HoshiChiri]

so how have you connected your consoles to the tv

 

You want that 3-way shielded switch Trebor linked to. Connect the coax on your TV to the output on the box, connect your systems to the three inputs on the box. Then you just push the button for the system you want. It's largely how my setup is, except I only have a 2 way switch. One end is the NES, which stays hooked in all the time. The other end is open, so I just plug in the cable for whatever I want to use right then.

 

I'm assuming the systems you want to use are old enough that coaxial is your only option with modding. Otherwise, you should really bump up to at least composite. It's not going to look very good on an HDTV either way, but your options for connecting via composite are a lot more open.