Hi everyone,

My television set only has one S-Video input for which I now have my S-Video VCR hooked up to. I recently got digital cable and woulkd like to use the S-Video output that is provide on the cable box. The only way I've figured out so far is to route the S-Video cable through the VCR before the TV, but now I have to watch TV with the VCR on.

Is there any hardware that I can get which will switch between the VCR and cable box as needed?

Thanks,

Jay

A switch box:
Good one from Sima, remote and automatic switching: [Link: markertek.com]

Lesser ones are available from Sima, Terk, Sony, etc. without remote control. I remember seeing an RCA one with remote at Circuit City for $60 or 80, but it isn't on their website.

Jay, also check out:

[Link: yourdigitalhome.com]

$124.95 ($169MSRP)

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com

Thanks for the information.

Before making any purchases...I'm currently researching the Sima SVS-4. Any feed back from someone that has used this component would help. Complaints or praise...?

Jay

Used it (sima) in several rooms, it does the job well. Plus it has different buttons for each input and it is auto on (if video is sent to it). the website is www.simacorp.com

I use the RCA VH920 which can be found much cheaper, offers great picture quality, and can be controlled with any remote.

Randy
www.RRDeals.com

I've read that the S-video picture quality for the Sima can cause some brightness artifacts. Any truth to that claim?

Jay

Jay,

Have you considered how you're going to switch your audio also?

Doug

Does the Sima model switch for audio as well? My amp will do the job I need for audio switching. The problem is that I only have one S-viedo input for my TV.

Jay,
It does look like the Sima SVS-4 switches audio and video. Some of the other units listed above switch only video though, hence my question. Maybe a new amp would be an option, or is your amp one of those high-end jobs that wouldn't consider cluttering things with video ;)
Doug

The Sima switches S-video, composite, and stereo audio. There is a new one at Rat Shack that does all that plus optical, $150.

Randy,

How does the RCA model control switching by remote control. Does it come with a remote?

Jay

You teach the RCA the command from your remote (so that when you press power on your VCR it changes to the VCR input). It does come with prebuilt RCA codes but no remote (since it is meant to work with your remote). The only problem is that if it looses power it also loses the codes, so you have to teach it the codes again (except if you use the inbuilt codes).

Here is a link directly on Sima's site to the SVS-4 [Link: simacorp.com]