Interfacing Multiple Consoles w/ a single video/audio output

Includes but not limited to: SNES, Genesis, Sega CD, PlayStation 1, Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, Game Gear and I guess the Virtual Boy.

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rcullan
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Interfacing Multiple Consoles w/ a single video/audio output

Post by rcullan » Thu Nov 29, 2012 7:07 am

I am currently going down a project to make a multi system gaming platorm out of an old (and big) Dell PC Tower. As a baseline I will be adding a NES, SNES, N64, Sega Genasis, and Atari 7800. Possibly a sega Master System as well, but likely not at this point

My question entails the video and audio systems of all the game systems will be wired to a single video output "hub" if you will at the back of the PC tower (where the usual hookups are). There will be a selector switch to pick which system will be playing and it will only be one at a time. Power wise, all the systems (and the ground of the audio/video hub) will be wired and powered off a converted ATX PC power supply. Now when which ever system is being played and out putting video to the "hub"... Will I have to be concerned about the degradation as a result of bleed back into the other currently not selected systems. They are all wired to the same power source so I think the potential is there

I could add individual diodes on the video and audio lines to prevent this but again, I dont know what type (if any) would work and not affect the signals

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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Re: Interfacing Multiple Consoles w/ a single video/audio output

Post by Metallica Man X » Thu Nov 29, 2012 1:23 pm

There shouldn't be any real problem with the video being connected into a single output unless multiple systems are turned on at once.
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Re: Interfacing Multiple Consoles w/ a single video/audio output

Post by ProgMetalMan » Thu Nov 29, 2012 6:14 pm

I think he's worried about video signals from console A flowing into console B and damaging it.
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Re: Interfacing Multiple Consoles w/ a single video/audio output

Post by Metallica Man X » Fri Nov 30, 2012 3:28 am

Well, even if that's the case, there still shouldn't be any issues.
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Re: Interfacing Multiple Consoles w/ a single video/audio output

Post by ttsgeb » Fri Nov 30, 2012 7:38 pm

I've noticed that when using a multi-unit cable with my N64 and xbox, that if it's plugged into my xbox, the N64 video simply won't work.

If you can throw $20 at it, you can get an auto-detecting switch box from walmart that can take care of the problem for you. Just toss it in the case, and problem solved.
http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng ... raint=3944" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you can wait a week longer, but still throw money at it, amazon can do much better.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss? ... deo+switch" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Further, if you really want to get your hands dirty, and hack something together yourself, Ben has already made just the tutorial for you. How awesome.
http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/13/how- ... -switcher/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.instructables.com/community/ ... ate-chips/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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