A/V Switch (HDMI, RCA etc)

[baadil]

Hi,

I am planning to hang my Panasonic (50") TV on a brick wall. I was thinking that if I use an A/V switch all I will have to worry about it having one power cable and one HDMI cable going to the TV resulting in a much cleaner solution and not had cables going everywhere.

I plan on attaching a DVD home theater system (HDMI), PS3 (HDMI), XBox 360 HDMI, Cable Box (Scart or RCA), WII (RCA), and a Sky box (Scart or RCA).

Could someone please recommend an A/V box that I could use to get these devices attached to my TV and have a single HDMI going to the TV? Currently, my TV is on a stand and all of these devices are attached directly/individualy to my TV.

My goal is to keep the cable clutter to a minimum while it is hanged on a wall. Since it is a brick wall, I don't really want to have to carve a channel in the wall. With only two cables, it will be much cleaner.

Thanks.

 

[davepuma]

If you are planning on going for a home cinema system, then the ideal solution is an AV Receiver (amp) that supports both video switching and video conversion. Unfortunately AV Receivers don't have SCART connectors as it's a European only system which is slowly being phased out and replaced by HDMI which is a global digital connection. I would be more inclined to connect these directly via SCART (set to RGB for maximum picture quality) or upgrade these boxes to newer models that support HDMI. I can certainly recommend Sky+HD as an upgrade. I appreciate that this will incur more cost. Another option is to convert the RGB output over SCART (if supported) to component video using a suitable converter e.g. QED or JS Technology. Obviously you could output to the AV Receiver via RCA (preferably component video - green/blue/red + audio) but if the RCA option is composite video, you are seriously compromising on picture quality and if viewing on a 50" screen, you would have to ask yourself if it's worth compromising?

An AV Receiver with video conversion would take all your inputs inc. the RCA analogue ones (CVBS - composite video or YpBpR component video) and upconvert them to HDMI resulting in the single HDMI cable you are aiming for.

You can purchase a component video cable for the wii, which will improve the picture quality. The official cables are usually the best option despite the extra cost.

I don't know of any (cheap) device that will do what you want other than the AV Receiver option, which would also give you the added benefit of improved audio. I personally wouldn't buy a DVD home cinema (all-in-one) system as you already have a more than capable player in the PS3 both for bluray and upscaled DVD. The PS3 is capable of high definition audio (DTS HD Master Audio, Dolby True HD etc.). The only downside of the PS3 as a player is no front display and an optional (non backlit) remote. I'm more than happy with mine as my main disc spinner in my own setup.

 

[baadil]

Thank you Dave for your reply. It really helps a lot. I have been debating about getting an A/V receiver or stick with my existing All-in-one home cinema and perhaps ass some type of A/V switch. I bought this before I had my PS3 so for now, most of the time it sits there for no reason. Having said that, even when I use my PS3 for Blue-rays or DVDs, I use my home cinema system for Audio and I have an optical link between my PS3 and home cinema.

Since I want to reduce my cabling, what would you recommend for an A/V receiver and speakers? Cost is a factor here as well as I will have to justify it to my home finance minister why I want to scrap a perfectly good home cinema system. Recently, I have seen some 'sound bars' where all of the speakers are in one front wide speaker and somehow they emulate the surround sound. Are those any good?

Thanks again for your help.

 

[davepuma]

Since I want to reduce my cabling, what would you recommend for an A/V receiver and speakers? Cost is a factor here as well as I will have to justify it to my home finance minister why I want to scrap a perfectly good home cinema system. Recently, I have seen some 'sound bars' where all of the speakers are in one front wide speaker and somehow they emulate the surround sound. Are those any good?

Thanks again for your help.

Soundbars can work but they're not true surround sound and their 'effect' is lost unless you're sat in the sweet spot. I think they're fine for a second setup e.g. bedroom but not for a main setup. There will be plenty of people that disagree and are happy owners. Do a search on soundbar and I'm sure you will find some owners opinions.

You can build an HD audio capable setup with video conversion for around £500 or so. The Denon AVR1610 is one such receiver that offers analogue to HDMI conversion at around £250. Then match a set of speakers and you're away.

 

[baadil]

Thank you Dave. I will check out my A/V receiver options...