A/B switcher for Chroma/Luma connections?

[donjn]

I have a Commodore 1702 monitor and I want to use the Chroma / Luma connections in the back for both my Atari 800XL and my Commodore unit.

 

Instead of having to plug and unplug them each time I want to use a computer, I was wondering would something like this work, in theory?

Does it simply pass the information or is it very specific? If not, does anyone know of a way to select between two different chroma/luma connections? Thanks!

 

Edited April 11, 2019 by donjn

[Rybags]

I have one of those that I used to use on the TV in the days before component and HDMI.

First up - often the build quality isn't the best so the internal switching parts can wear, oxidise, whatever, and not operate as well after a while.

 

But for sharing such connection should be fine. In theory you could probably also pass component video through it though that wouldn't help with audio.

[Guest]

agreed ^.

 

i bought one a couple of years ago and to be honest - the output quality is terrible.

[Rybags]

I used mine for some years almost daily - from memory the TV was the usual with A/V front and back and maybe SVideo which might have been for a DVD player.

Inputs would have been VCR, TV-out from computer some distance away with the 30 foot cable run and the third was for whatever console or old computer that happened to be in use.

 

For a time it was OK, you're only doing analog TV quality signalling. Fairly sure it uses sliding contacts with the half-hearted copper alloy coating that eventually wears off which leaves cheap stainless steel or whatever that itself oxidizes and degrades the whole thing.

[donjn]

I did a test and it worked. Is there any sense in getting a better quality version?

[+slx]

If you get one that switches electronically, youd get rid of the oxidation/contact issue though I only know solid-state switches for SCART like the Bandridge or Vivanco. I dont think it would degrade the signal if you routed one of the video signals through the unused audio channel.

[Rybags]

Likely you pay 4 bucks for the cheap version - despite the obsolete nature of A/V you'd probably pay 4 or more times that for a solid-state one and maybe see no advantage.

[_The Doctor__]

longevity is the issue... so go for a good quality mechanical unit with real push button switches or go solid state. I personally use a/v solid state svideo switcher the had the benefit of using an ir sensor to auto switch to whatever remote control was being used.

[marauder666]

I had one of those, and threw it out. Really nasty quality. Get what you pay for I suppose.

 

Got an Extron MPS-112, easily available on ebay for around £15-20. Perfect solution.

 

It has SVideo connections for the luma./chroma, so you'll need to make some cables, but the quality and build are fantastic.

 

Also has composite, and VGA switching.

[hueyjones70]

I have used one with my system for several years and it has worked fine for me.  I have the XEP 80 connected to one of the inputs and the chroma/luma connected to the other input.  You can use one of the audio inputs as a video input as long as you match it up correctly on the monitor.