SCART switchers with >1 output

mr-br · 11-11-2006, 16:07

Hi

I need a SCART switch with two (or more) outputs so that I can run my Freeview box and DVD player through both my TV and projector. The SCART box should support RGB on all in/outputs and support widescreen switching. Currently I have to fiddle around the back of the TV every time I want to use the projector.

However after a fair bit of searching there seem to be no such boxes (every one only has a single output), which I find rather surprising since there are plenty of 2x2 component switches out there. Indeed I would have gone for component (since you can get SCART to component adaptors) but my TV doesn't support auto-widescreen switching over component (it does using SCART).

Or is there a reason that multiple SCART outputs cannot be used? I'm sure there must be other ppl out there who use both a TV and projector! What do ppl use instead?

Cobson · 12-11-2006, 21:15

The B-Tech Quintro+ has two RGB outputs. The idea is that you connect one to your TV and the other to your primary recorder - but there is no reason why you can't use it for two displays. You can even have the unit send seperate inputs to the two outputs but I have found that this causes ghosting on the tv image. When you send the same input to both outputs this problem doesn't occur.

Also, Maplin sell a two-way scart splitter (i.e. a proper splitter - one input to two outputs, not a multiple input to one output device which seem to get called splitters for some reason) which you could attach to the (single) output of any scart switch to give you two outputs. It is a powered device so there is no loss in quality.

http://www.keene.co.uk/multi.php?mycode=BT945

Cobson · 12-11-2006, 22:14

Actually, Maplin only do a 4-way scart splitter (which I haven't tried):

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...7416&doy=12m11

This is the 2-way splitter which I can vouch for:

http://www.lektropacks.co.uk/view_it...6&&category=17

Chris James · 13-11-2006, 10:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr-br

Hi

I need a SCART switch with two (or more) outputs so that I can run my Freeview box and DVD player through both my TV and projector. The SCART box should support RGB on all in/outputs and support widescreen switching. Currently I have to fiddle around the back of the TV every time I want to use the projector.

However after a fair bit of searching there seem to be no such boxes (every one only has a single output), which I find rather surprising since there are plenty of 2x2 component switches out there. Indeed I would have gone for component (since you can get SCART to component adaptors) but my TV doesn't support auto-widescreen switching over component (it does using SCART).

Or is there a reason that multiple SCART outputs cannot be used? I'm sure there must be other ppl out there who use both a TV and projector! What do ppl use instead?

I bought a TRILOGY box from QVC about three months ago - this seems to be very smiliar to the machine described by Cobson with the "keene" link. At over £60 it is a lot to pay for a scart splitter I know, but my previous £20 cheapie from Argos was not up to the job - frequent ghosting from tv channels etc. I am well pleased with my purchase - all scart leads (Humax HDD, DVD, VCR, Archos, NTL Cable) connected and when any machine is turned on the selection is automatic. A remote control is supplied for manual selection if required. All are RGB. The best bit is you can join the output to a home cinema with phono plugs so that any selection will be played through the big speakers. Pricey but recommended if you can get it.

Last edited by Chris James : 13-11-2006 at 10:09.

Cobson · 13-11-2006, 10:31

Yeah, the Quintro and Trilogy are the same box under the hood.

There is a slight issue with pin-8 widescreen switching on these boxes in that sometimes the voltage is not quite right resulting in the wrong ratio being selected or even rapidly switching between two ratios. However, this only seems to be an issue for Sky and other boxes that rely solely on pin-8 for w/s. Boxes that also provide a line-23 w/s signal (NTL, freeview, dvd, etc.) aren't affected and I have never experienced the problem myself, but thought you should be aware of it. You can find more on this with a search on these forums.

mr-br · 13-11-2006, 14:30

Tx all for the extremely useful info - TBH I'd discounted the Quintro in previous investigations because of the lack of RGB on the 2nd output - so I'm most pleased to hear that's been resolved. I'd been thinking of going down the switcher plus splitter route but I *really* didn't want all those extra boxes ...

Anyway it looks like the Quintro is just the ticket - will order one now!

Chris James · 13-11-2006, 21:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobson

Yeah, the Quintro and Trilogy are the same box under the hood.

Thanks for confirming that mate. One other good feature that others may be interested in (if not mr-br) is that the front flap opens out to reveal three phono plugs for video, R-Audio and L-Audio. Useful for game consoles because as soon as you plug something in it switches over automatically to that input.

11-11-2006, 16:07	#1
mr-br Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 180	SCART switchers with >1 output Hi I need a SCART switch with two (or more) outputs so that I can run my Freeview box and DVD player through both my TV and projector. The SCART box should support RGB on all in/outputs and support widescreen switching. Currently I have to fiddle around the back of the TV every time I want to use the projector. However after a fair bit of searching there seem to be no such boxes (every one only has a single output), which I find rather surprising since there are plenty of 2x2 component switches out there. Indeed I would have gone for component (since you can get SCART to component adaptors) but my TV doesn't support auto-widescreen switching over component (it does using SCART). Or is there a reason that multiple SCART outputs cannot be used? I'm sure there must be other ppl out there who use both a TV and projector! What do ppl use instead?

12-11-2006, 21:15	#2
Cobson Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 578	The B-Tech Quintro+ has two RGB outputs. The idea is that you connect one to your TV and the other to your primary recorder - but there is no reason why you can't use it for two displays. You can even have the unit send seperate inputs to the two outputs but I have found that this causes ghosting on the tv image. When you send the same input to both outputs this problem doesn't occur. Also, Maplin sell a two-way scart splitter (i.e. a proper splitter - one input to two outputs, not a multiple input to one output device which seem to get called splitters for some reason) which you could attach to the (single) output of any scart switch to give you two outputs. It is a powered device so there is no loss in quality. http://www.keene.co.uk/multi.php?mycode=BT945 Last edited by Cobson : 12-11-2006 at 21:23.

12-11-2006, 22:14	#3
Cobson Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 578	Actually, Maplin only do a 4-way scart splitter (which I haven't tried): http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...7416&doy=12m11 This is the 2-way splitter which I can vouch for: http://www.lektropacks.co.uk/view_it...6&&category=17

13-11-2006, 10:08	#4
Chris James Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Farnborough, Hampshire Posts: 481	Quote: Originally Posted by mr-br Hi I need a SCART switch with two (or more) outputs so that I can run my Freeview box and DVD player through both my TV and projector. The SCART box should support RGB on all in/outputs and support widescreen switching. Currently I have to fiddle around the back of the TV every time I want to use the projector. However after a fair bit of searching there seem to be no such boxes (every one only has a single output), which I find rather surprising since there are plenty of 2x2 component switches out there. Indeed I would have gone for component (since you can get SCART to component adaptors) but my TV doesn't support auto-widescreen switching over component (it does using SCART). Or is there a reason that multiple SCART outputs cannot be used? I'm sure there must be other ppl out there who use both a TV and projector! What do ppl use instead? I bought a TRILOGY box from QVC about three months ago - this seems to be very smiliar to the machine described by Cobson with the "keene" link. At over £60 it is a lot to pay for a scart splitter I know, but my previous £20 cheapie from Argos was not up to the job - frequent ghosting from tv channels etc. I am well pleased with my purchase - all scart leads (Humax HDD, DVD, VCR, Archos, NTL Cable) connected and when any machine is turned on the selection is automatic. A remote control is supplied for manual selection if required. All are RGB. The best bit is you can join the output to a home cinema with phono plugs so that any selection will be played through the big speakers. Pricey but recommended if you can get it. Last edited by Chris James : 13-11-2006 at 10:09.

13-11-2006, 10:31	#5
Cobson Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 578	Yeah, the Quintro and Trilogy are the same box under the hood. There is a slight issue with pin-8 widescreen switching on these boxes in that sometimes the voltage is not quite right resulting in the wrong ratio being selected or even rapidly switching between two ratios. However, this only seems to be an issue for Sky and other boxes that rely solely on pin-8 for w/s. Boxes that also provide a line-23 w/s signal (NTL, freeview, dvd, etc.) aren't affected and I have never experienced the problem myself, but thought you should be aware of it. You can find more on this with a search on these forums.

13-11-2006, 14:30	#6
mr-br Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 180	Tx all for the extremely useful info - TBH I'd discounted the Quintro in previous investigations because of the lack of RGB on the 2nd output - so I'm most pleased to hear that's been resolved. I'd been thinking of going down the switcher plus splitter route but I really didn't want all those extra boxes ... Anyway it looks like the Quintro is just the ticket - will order one now!

13-11-2006, 21:30	#7
Chris James Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Farnborough, Hampshire Posts: 481	Quote: Originally Posted by Cobson Yeah, the Quintro and Trilogy are the same box under the hood. Thanks for confirming that mate. One other good feature that others may be interested in (if not mr-br) is that the front flap opens out to reveal three phono plugs for video, R-Audio and L-Audio. Useful for game consoles because as soon as you plug something in it switches over automatically to that input.

DS Forums

SCART switchers with >1 output