Anyone have a QUATTRO switcher? (or similar)

Craig_E · 16-03-2002, 20:37

I will soon run out of scart sockets, plus i want to buy a small portable so i can play games and watch tv/dvd at the same time. however, i want it to be as flexible as possible, maybe one day playing games on the big tv and sky on the portable, or the next day games on the portable and dvd on the big.

i have decided i need an scart swicter like this quattro

http://www.lektropacks.co.uk/acatalog/quattro.html

does anyone have one, and can i do what i want with it. do both the outputs work at the same time with different av sources? am i trying to do something too complicated?

tia

Tony McKay · 17-03-2002, 09:16

I was also thinking of getting one of these as I've also run out of Scart sockets and saw this at the QVC product desciption page where it's £79.82 plus postage, dunno if that's a good price or not ?

Duncan Harvey · 17-03-2002, 11:27

I've got two of these - highly recommended

From memory, I think I paid about £80 each so the QVC price appears reasonable.

Craig_E · 17-03-2002, 12:24

So you have 2? does it do what i want?

ie can i send different things, or the same things, to different outputs?

shez316 · 17-03-2002, 14:40

What is the quality like? If you pass a RGB signal through it, does it dergrade?

thumper · 17-03-2002, 16:25

I have one of the quattros at home.

I use it to connect up my DVD, Sky Box and ITV-Box to my one enabled RGB TV scart.

I use the QED RGB only Scart cables throughout and I see no difference in signal between running the cable directly to the TV and running it through the quattro box. It can only handle 3 RGB sources but does allow for a further composite source,

I can;t comment on audio as I run that through my amp.

It does allow you to route one signal to the TV and another to say a video but this second signal is composite only.

I do not make use of this feature though.

I picked mine up from www.keene.co.uk and I am very happy with it apart from one thing.

My programmable remote (RC 5000) had trouble learning the codes from the remote unit. I did get it to work but it's not 100 % reliable. The remote with the quattro does not have any problems controlling the unit, it is just the RC5000.

For those that know the RC5000, I had to but an IR code that selected the DVD (AUX 1) input before any other inputs could be selected unless the unit was on standby inwhich I had to call the TV input on the remote. So for each button, I had to have TV >DVD>Then what ever input I needed. Sometimes the quattro would not see the DVD input and leave the system routing composite signals. But a repress of the input selection button on the RC would work.

the Quattro will also auto switch when a new source is switched on or uses the scart control call. there is a lock function (a code that just could not be learnt by the RC 5000) which over-rides this.

The unit does not press the Widescreen scart control switch though.

I would recommend the unit to anyone.

A few improvements such as the ability to change the IR codes so you could run 2 or more in the same setup and the ability to do widescreen switching and it would be perfect.

80 quid well spent.

Guy

Craig_E · 17-03-2002, 22:52

cool, this sounds exactly what i need, as the portable tv prob wont have rgb on it anyway, so 1 rgb and 1 composite is fine.

if something is displaying rgb, but quattro outputs composite, will i see a composite signal, or just nothing?

Duncan Harvey · 17-03-2002, 22:56

I've always found that the Quattro just outputs exactly what is being fed to it - ie composite in = composite out and RGB in = RGB out.

I suppose if you fed an RGB signal to the box and then ran the TV out to a TV composite in then you'd get a composite signal as I think the RGB feed is carried alongside composite.

I use them in conjunction with active buffers to split RGB signals - ie one signal to an RGB to S Video converter and one to the quattro.

Kevo · 18-03-2002, 12:52

The only thing that puts me off the Quattro is its lack of WS switching. Believe me, this can be a real PAIN.

I use a manual B-Tech SCART switch, which DOES have WS switching as well as RGB. The only trouble is I have to get up to switch it over which ias also a pain, but more tolerable than 'no ws switching'. Plus it only cost me about £12, a fraction of the cost of the Quattro.

Glen · 20-03-2002, 14:16

Kevo, I have to agree with you there. I would get the Quattro if it had WSS. The lack of WSS would be more annoying than having to manually switch inputs. When watching TV you are changing between w/s and 4:3 whenever you change channels so it would be really annoying to have to get the TV remote and change between Full and Regualar all the time. But you do not change between inputs with nearly anything like the same frequency (every hour or so maybey).

Which switch do you have? I need 3 inputs (Digibox, DVD, Dreamcast) and must be RGB and needs WSS - know of any which fit the bill?

Kevo · 20-03-2002, 14:28

Glen

I use the B-Tech 21....

http://www.lektropacks.co.uk/acatalo...ntrols_10.html

Shop around, you should be able to get it cheaper than £26.

It is RGB and WSS compatible.

I use it with my PSX, DVD and CABLE stb, all RGB, no probs.

Tides2002 · 20-03-2002, 21:22

I got my B-Tech 21 last year from www.Argos.co.uk for about £12. Looks like they have changed the model this year. The new one is cat no. 534/0370 @ £9.75.

20-03-2002, 22:12

Quote:

Originally posted by Kevo
Glen

I use the B-Tech 21....

http://www.lektropacks.co.uk/acatalo...ntrols_10.html

Shop around, you should be able to get it cheaper than £26.

It is RGB and WSS compatible.

I use it with my PSX, DVD and CABLE stb, all RGB, no probs.

and a lovely little box it is to, I have mine sitting here thanks to Kevo's endorsement and its pretty much perfect for the job. 3 outputs, all RGB and no real noticable signal degredation.

I got mine from http://www.cpc.co.uk but I cant remeber how much it cost, but it was a good price (although they do add a surcharge per oder so I got some scart cables as well).

(oh the CPC site is still only half working, so you would need to give them a call to place the order)

Glen · 21-03-2002, 16:58

I went down to Argos at lunch time and got that one for £9.75.
I seems to be the same as the one on Lektropacks site - it just looks slightly different.
I'll see what its like when I get home.

Glen · 21-03-2002, 23:35

Great!

Three RGB inputs and with widescreen switching. Denfinitely worth it for under a tenner.
Thanks for the advice.

Skip Channel · 22-03-2002, 03:42

Does this Argos SCART switcher definately support RGB? Which one is it (ie the cat. no.)? I bought what appears to be 535/1321 last year and it was absolutely useless - I don't want the hassle of getting the same kind of thing again.

Glen · 22-03-2002, 16:25

Yes! All three inputs can have RGB and w/s switching signals.
Argos 534/0370 - £9.75

pointon · 22-03-2002, 20:30

That Argos RGB switcher is one big pile of rubbish. Have used one through curiosity, and it stinks. Simply ruins any video sent through it, making RGB look just as bad as composite.

The Quattro on the other hand, is excellent, automatic switching, and although it has no auto widescreen switching facility, it preserves the video signal sent through it perfectly.

Craig_E · 22-03-2002, 20:40

plus doesnt the quattro have a remote, and two different outputs... now thats useful.

i didnt realise people spent half their lives switching modes for widescreen. Zooming loses even more picture and black side bars waste the size of your tv! I'm so used to watching 4:3 stretched i dont even care anymore.

Glen · 22-03-2002, 22:32

Quote:

Originally posted by pointon
That Argos RGB switcher is one big pile of rubbish. Have used one through curiosity, and it stinks. Simply ruins any video sent through it, making RGB look just as bad as composite.

Which one are you refering to?
I have last years catalogue here and can see the one Skip is talking about [535/1321]. It doesn't appear to have any switches.
The one I got is basically the same as the one on the Lektropacks site (last years catalogue has the same photo but it has changed now - but same number) [534/0370]. It has an RGB switch and the RGB pictures are the same as if it weren't there.
I get perfect RGB pictures from DTT and the Dreamcast.

Skip Channel · 25-03-2002, 05:49

Quote:

Originally posted by Craig_E
plus doesnt the quattro have a remote, and two different outputs... now thats useful.

i didnt realise people spent half their lives switching modes for widescreen. Zooming loses even more picture and black side bars waste the size of your tv! I'm so used to watching 4:3 stretched i dont even care anymore.

Are you for real? Why even bother with SCART sockets and RGB or S-video when you can use RF? It's not like you're too concerned at what the image is going to look like - you certainly don't care if it's distorted.

I'm not having a go, if you don't mind weird unnatural images that's fine - I just don't understand that mindset (I know others like you, my sister and brother-in-law have a w/s set and a Sky digibox and they were happy to watch eveything in w/s... even though their digibox WASN'T set to either 16:9 or letterbox!!!).

I personaly like to see people and objects look normal and don't care if that means I might have black bars on the screen as long as that's what the director intended. I don't feel short-changed that sometimes some parts of my screen are blank, just like I don't feel short-changed when there's a 2 second gap between tracks on a CD!

msmorley · 25-03-2002, 10:08

I recently got a BT921 SCART / S-Video switch from Keene which I'm very happy with.

3 x SCART inputs
1 x S-Video / Composite + Audio input

1 x SCART output
1 x S-Video / Composite + Audio outputs (passively split)

Passes RGB and widescreen just fine and comes in a sturdy metal case. A bit more expensive than the BT21 at £40 but not bad for adding an S-Video only bit of kit into the mix.

Until reading this thread I was seriously considering getting a Quattro since its remote control would prevent me from having to hurdle a couple of beams to get to the switch box. The widescreen switching issue is a surprising oversight on the manufacturer's part, though and given that it doesn't sound like it would work properly with my Pronto either, I'm glad I gave it a miss.

Kevo · 28-03-2002, 12:41

msmorley

I think you've been had!

I payed £12 for the BT21 and it gives me....

3 x SCART inputs (ALL RGB, S-Video and WS switching Compatable)

2 x sets of phono video & stereo audio to tap out.

1 x SCART output.

Surely this is ample for your needs.

msmorley · 28-03-2002, 13:51

Thanks Kevo,

The BT21 doesn't have S-Video sockets. The 921 gives me two S-Video outputs (both used). If I used the BT21 the only other output would be composite (no thanks) as all the SCARTs are otherwise occupied.

m.

Kevo · 28-03-2002, 14:36

Fair point.

Although i would of thought the quality of the S-video signal would degrade somewhat when being split twice without any amplification.

16-03-2002, 20:37	#1
Craig_E Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Birmingham; XboxLiveTag=in5ane Posts: 3,697	Anyone have a QUATTRO switcher? (or similar) I will soon run out of scart sockets, plus i want to buy a small portable so i can play games and watch tv/dvd at the same time. however, i want it to be as flexible as possible, maybe one day playing games on the big tv and sky on the portable, or the next day games on the portable and dvd on the big. i have decided i need an scart swicter like this quattro http://www.lektropacks.co.uk/acatalog/quattro.html does anyone have one, and can i do what i want with it. do both the outputs work at the same time with different av sources? am i trying to do something too complicated? tia

22-03-2002, 03:42	#16
Skip Channel Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Posts: 4,656	Argos scart switcher Does this Argos SCART switcher definately support RGB? Which one is it (ie the cat. no.)? I bought what appears to be 535/1321 last year and it was absolutely useless - I don't want the hassle of getting the same kind of thing again.

17-03-2002, 09:16	#2
Tony McKay Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Aberdeen, UK Posts: 172	I was also thinking of getting one of these as I've also run out of Scart sockets and saw this at the QVC product desciption page where it's £79.82 plus postage, dunno if that's a good price or not ?

17-03-2002, 11:27	#3
Duncan Harvey Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Lichfield, Staffs Posts: 297	I've got two of these - highly recommended From memory, I think I paid about £80 each so the QVC price appears reasonable.

17-03-2002, 12:24	#4
Craig_E Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Birmingham; XboxLiveTag=in5ane Posts: 3,697	So you have 2? does it do what i want? ie can i send different things, or the same things, to different outputs?

17-03-2002, 14:40	#5
shez316 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 73	What is the quality like? If you pass a RGB signal through it, does it dergrade?

17-03-2002, 16:25	#6
thumper Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 400	I have one of the quattros at home. I use it to connect up my DVD, Sky Box and ITV-Box to my one enabled RGB TV scart. I use the QED RGB only Scart cables throughout and I see no difference in signal between running the cable directly to the TV and running it through the quattro box. It can only handle 3 RGB sources but does allow for a further composite source, I can;t comment on audio as I run that through my amp. It does allow you to route one signal to the TV and another to say a video but this second signal is composite only. I do not make use of this feature though. I picked mine up from www.keene.co.uk and I am very happy with it apart from one thing. My programmable remote (RC 5000) had trouble learning the codes from the remote unit. I did get it to work but it's not 100 % reliable. The remote with the quattro does not have any problems controlling the unit, it is just the RC5000. For those that know the RC5000, I had to but an IR code that selected the DVD (AUX 1) input before any other inputs could be selected unless the unit was on standby inwhich I had to call the TV input on the remote. So for each button, I had to have TV >DVD>Then what ever input I needed. Sometimes the quattro would not see the DVD input and leave the system routing composite signals. But a repress of the input selection button on the RC would work. the Quattro will also auto switch when a new source is switched on or uses the scart control call. there is a lock function (a code that just could not be learnt by the RC 5000) which over-rides this. The unit does not press the Widescreen scart control switch though. I would recommend the unit to anyone. A few improvements such as the ability to change the IR codes so you could run 2 or more in the same setup and the ability to do widescreen switching and it would be perfect. 80 quid well spent. Guy

17-03-2002, 22:52	#7
Craig_E Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Birmingham; XboxLiveTag=in5ane Posts: 3,697	cool, this sounds exactly what i need, as the portable tv prob wont have rgb on it anyway, so 1 rgb and 1 composite is fine. if something is displaying rgb, but quattro outputs composite, will i see a composite signal, or just nothing?

17-03-2002, 22:56	#8
Duncan Harvey Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Lichfield, Staffs Posts: 297	I've always found that the Quattro just outputs exactly what is being fed to it - ie composite in = composite out and RGB in = RGB out. I suppose if you fed an RGB signal to the box and then ran the TV out to a TV composite in then you'd get a composite signal as I think the RGB feed is carried alongside composite. I use them in conjunction with active buffers to split RGB signals - ie one signal to an RGB to S Video converter and one to the quattro.

18-03-2002, 12:52	#9
Kevo Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Manchester Posts: 925	The only thing that puts me off the Quattro is its lack of WS switching. Believe me, this can be a real PAIN. I use a manual B-Tech SCART switch, which DOES have WS switching as well as RGB. The only trouble is I have to get up to switch it over which ias also a pain, but more tolerable than 'no ws switching'. Plus it only cost me about £12, a fraction of the cost of the Quattro.

20-03-2002, 14:16	#10
Glen Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Inverness Posts: 11,726	Kevo, I have to agree with you there. I would get the Quattro if it had WSS. The lack of WSS would be more annoying than having to manually switch inputs. When watching TV you are changing between w/s and 4:3 whenever you change channels so it would be really annoying to have to get the TV remote and change between Full and Regualar all the time. But you do not change between inputs with nearly anything like the same frequency (every hour or so maybey). Which switch do you have? I need 3 inputs (Digibox, DVD, Dreamcast) and must be RGB and needs WSS - know of any which fit the bill?

20-03-2002, 14:28	#11
Kevo Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Manchester Posts: 925	Glen I use the B-Tech 21.... http://www.lektropacks.co.uk/acatalo...ntrols_10.html Shop around, you should be able to get it cheaper than £26. It is RGB and WSS compatible. I use it with my PSX, DVD and CABLE stb, all RGB, no probs.

20-03-2002, 21:22	#12
Tides2002 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Shepshed, Leics Posts: 443	I got my B-Tech 21 last year from www.Argos.co.uk for about £12. Looks like they have changed the model this year. The new one is cat no. 534/0370 @ £9.75.

20-03-2002, 22:12	#13
oldmandeets Posts: n/a	Quote: Originally posted by Kevo Glen I use the B-Tech 21.... http://www.lektropacks.co.uk/acatalo...ntrols_10.html Shop around, you should be able to get it cheaper than £26. It is RGB and WSS compatible. I use it with my PSX, DVD and CABLE stb, all RGB, no probs. and a lovely little box it is to, I have mine sitting here thanks to Kevo's endorsement and its pretty much perfect for the job. 3 outputs, all RGB and no real noticable signal degredation. I got mine from http://www.cpc.co.uk but I cant remeber how much it cost, but it was a good price (although they do add a surcharge per oder so I got some scart cables as well). (oh the CPC site is still only half working, so you would need to give them a call to place the order)

21-03-2002, 16:58	#14
Glen Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Inverness Posts: 11,726	I went down to Argos at lunch time and got that one for £9.75. I seems to be the same as the one on Lektropacks site - it just looks slightly different. I'll see what its like when I get home.

21-03-2002, 23:35	#15
Glen Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Inverness Posts: 11,726	Great! Three RGB inputs and with widescreen switching. Denfinitely worth it for under a tenner. Thanks for the advice.

22-03-2002, 16:25	#17
Glen Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Inverness Posts: 11,726	Yes! All three inputs can have RGB and w/s switching signals. Argos 534/0370 - £9.75

22-03-2002, 20:30	#18
pointon Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 20	That Argos RGB switcher is one big pile of rubbish. Have used one through curiosity, and it stinks. Simply ruins any video sent through it, making RGB look just as bad as composite. The Quattro on the other hand, is excellent, automatic switching, and although it has no auto widescreen switching facility, it preserves the video signal sent through it perfectly.

22-03-2002, 20:40	#19
Craig_E Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Birmingham; XboxLiveTag=in5ane Posts: 3,697	plus doesnt the quattro have a remote, and two different outputs... now thats useful. i didnt realise people spent half their lives switching modes for widescreen. Zooming loses even more picture and black side bars waste the size of your tv! I'm so used to watching 4:3 stretched i dont even care anymore.

22-03-2002, 22:32	#20
Glen Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Inverness Posts: 11,726	Quote: Originally posted by pointon That Argos RGB switcher is one big pile of rubbish. Have used one through curiosity, and it stinks. Simply ruins any video sent through it, making RGB look just as bad as composite. Which one are you refering to? I have last years catalogue here and can see the one Skip is talking about [535/1321]. It doesn't appear to have any switches. The one I got is basically the same as the one on the Lektropacks site (last years catalogue has the same photo but it has changed now - but same number) [534/0370]. It has an RGB switch and the RGB pictures are the same as if it weren't there. I get perfect RGB pictures from DTT and the Dreamcast.

25-03-2002, 05:49	#21
Skip Channel Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Posts: 4,656	Quote: Originally posted by Craig_E plus doesnt the quattro have a remote, and two different outputs... now thats useful. i didnt realise people spent half their lives switching modes for widescreen. Zooming loses even more picture and black side bars waste the size of your tv! I'm so used to watching 4:3 stretched i dont even care anymore. Are you for real? Why even bother with SCART sockets and RGB or S-video when you can use RF? It's not like you're too concerned at what the image is going to look like - you certainly don't care if it's distorted. I'm not having a go, if you don't mind weird unnatural images that's fine - I just don't understand that mindset (I know others like you, my sister and brother-in-law have a w/s set and a Sky digibox and they were happy to watch eveything in w/s... even though their digibox WASN'T set to either 16:9 or letterbox!!!). I personaly like to see people and objects look normal and don't care if that means I might have black bars on the screen as long as that's what the director intended. I don't feel short-changed that sometimes some parts of my screen are blank, just like I don't feel short-changed when there's a 2 second gap between tracks on a CD!

25-03-2002, 10:08	#22
msmorley Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Exeter, UK. Posts: 56	I recently got a BT921 SCART / S-Video switch from Keene which I'm very happy with. 3 x SCART inputs 1 x S-Video / Composite + Audio input 1 x SCART output 1 x S-Video / Composite + Audio outputs (passively split) Passes RGB and widescreen just fine and comes in a sturdy metal case. A bit more expensive than the BT21 at £40 but not bad for adding an S-Video only bit of kit into the mix. Until reading this thread I was seriously considering getting a Quattro since its remote control would prevent me from having to hurdle a couple of beams to get to the switch box. The widescreen switching issue is a surprising oversight on the manufacturer's part, though and given that it doesn't sound like it would work properly with my Pronto either, I'm glad I gave it a miss.

DS Forums

Anyone have a QUATTRO switcher? (or similar)

28-03-2002, 12:41	#23
Kevo Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Manchester Posts: 925	msmorley I think you've been had! I payed £12 for the BT21 and it gives me.... 3 x SCART inputs (ALL RGB, S-Video and WS switching Compatable) 2 x sets of phono video & stereo audio to tap out. 1 x SCART output. Surely this is ample for your needs.

28-03-2002, 13:51	#24
msmorley Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Exeter, UK. Posts: 56	Thanks Kevo, The BT21 doesn't have S-Video sockets. The 921 gives me two S-Video outputs (both used). If I used the BT21 the only other output would be composite (no thanks) as all the SCARTs are otherwise occupied. m.

28-03-2002, 14:36	#25
Kevo Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Manchester Posts: 925	Fair point. Although i would of thought the quality of the S-video signal would degrade somewhat when being split twice without any amplification.