Multiple consoles and connections

[bacteria]

You have another solution, and not expensive, and little hassle when set up - although you'd have to be prepared to do a bit of modding work.

SCART is indeed RGB as well as taking S-video and composite; RGB is switchable via voltage instead of being composite.

You could mod each console to output via a 9 core cable (plus shielding to use as grounding) for each system, all wired to the pins in one male SCART port. You'd then need to switch between each system via 5 x DPDT switches to make each system independent. You'd also need to make a box to house those switches.

That would be a cheap solution, if you're handy with soldering iron and ok to open consoles up to do work.

Would be an involving project if you did it, and i'd suggest if you did it, you register and post your progress on my forum so i'd be able to offer help along the way when you need it.

My solution, to this problem and also mounds of controllers, power supplies and many more systems; is my Unity system i'm working on, which is why I know what i'm talking about!

[gtmtnbiker]

i guess some people are purists but hey if your that much of a purist why the heck arnt you playing your gba on a real gba. sorry if i got off track here

The GBA Player is actually a GBA. It uses the same hardware internally. So it's not an emulator or anything like that.

[Spyke]

Bacman: thanks - that's a fascinating and very interesting idea! But. I have to be honest and say it's too much work for me. Zero experience with a soldering iron and zero experience of any electrical work at all, plus I rather like my consoles to stay as "original" as I can keep them.

I do appreciate the elegence of your proposed solution though.

I have made some progress on the original suggestions. Have bought a GC component cable and component switch box so that'll be 2 consoles using one connector, with a great visual boost for the GC at the same time.

The audio cables can pass from the comp switch box to the current audio splitter I use - no change there just a diferent set of wires, but that's fine. I'm getting there!

Once I have all the wires, cables and boxes sorted into their most "efficient" ratio of performance for bulk, I'll find some way of housing it all in one case to keep it handy and stop snagging when I tate the screen.

Cheers!

Ant

[Spyke]

Quick update.

The addition of an XBox 360 to my stable was not a problem, as it came with a component cable. The component splitter box has three sets of inputs - so no problem! Very neat.

The stereo has been replaced. It only had RCA inputs and no 3.5mm input. The Dreamcast sound goes out through a VGA box, which puts sound out via 3.5mm jack. Sooo....

Got a set of Logitech Z323 speakers. Awesome sound quality for games and music, AND they have RCA jack input for the splitter box to plug into as well a 3.5mm cable which plugs directly into the Dreamcast VGA box! Very easy, and no fussing with swapping input cables when I switch from 360 to DC.

It's getting there. Still a mess of cables behind the cabinet but at least the coinnections are a bit more manageable. I may invest in some cable management system to tidy things up a bit too.

Ant