Looking for some advice and inspiration

[dowdy]

Hi All,

I am currently in the process of setting up a multi platform gaming area at my home. Consoles are:
Nintendo (Nes)
Super Nintendo
N64
Sega Master System
Sega Mega Drive 1
Sega Dreamcast
PS1,2,3 & 4

I was planning on purchasing new AV cables for each item (HDMI for PS3 & PS4) and running them through an 8 way AV switch allowing me to use all the devices independently.

My question is: Does anyone have any experience of a device like this and would be kind enough to share their experiences with me.

If anyone has any alternative ideas or any useful tips for storage styles let me know. Was planning on going for a open fronto cabinet with roll out shelf drawers to allow for maximum cable length.

This is my first post here so apologies if I have posted in the wrong place or if I'm geeking out at the wrong message board!

If not, thanks in advance for your replies.

Many Thanks

D

[Scylla]

If you're purchasing new cables anyway, is there a reason why you're sticking with composite for most? The SNES and N64 both support s-video (not the smaller model 2 SNES, though), same with Dreamcast, PS1, and PS2 (or you can go with component on PS2). Composite generally look pretty blurry, muddy, and awful (especially on post-16-bit systems), so I avoid it when possible (short of system modification). Likewise I'll use composite over RF whenever possible.

I have some AV switchers, yeah, they're handy. Never had one with that many inputs, though. The one I have in use right now also has s-video inputs. Personally, I find it easier to switch at the back of the systems for some. Like I have my PS1 stacked on top of my Japanese PS2, and they share cables. Likewise, my SNES, N64, and GameCube all share the same s-video cable.

[Aoi]

I'm going to second this advice ^

I also have numerous systems and attempted routing them through a switcher. From my experience, I've learned Scylla's advice, lol. Few issues and notes I've encountered:

-Always use the superior cable. PS2 is nearly useless without component (on an HDTV). I will argue that my NES->PS1/N64 look fine with composite, but only because of:
-CRT TV. Old systems just don't look or play well with today's televisions. I split my collection between the two. That's up to you, but you could encounter a host of new problems, like lag, and needing another device to fix that. I found a very nice flat face CRT for less than $20 at a junk store.
-Regardless, you'll find yourself using shortcuts. All Sony and Nintendo cables are interchangeable for most their consoles. There's really no point wiring up a mess of cables when you can easily just switch their ports at the hardware level (as mentioned above).
-Another thing to consider... your PS2 and PS3 both play PS1 games, with the PS3 being the most superior platform to do so(hdmi and wireless). If you wanna use the controllers and accessories the PS2 delivers there too. The only reason I keep my PS1 around is for import games (it's modded). I can also tell you it gets no use... maybe once a year... maybe.

Anywho, if you're still with me, I use this set-up:
All HDMI and modern consoles are ran through an audio receiver now. It has numerous inputs(and types) and one hdmi output cable to the TV. I can control all my consoles with a remote, and never touch the TV side due to this. I believe my 7.1 receiver was less than $200, and well worth the cost if you have a lot of HD devices.

For standard def consoles, I have a 5 or 6 button switcher. They all plug into it, it then outputs into the TV (or receiver in my case). Again, though, over time I've disassembled much of the switcher and brought them over to the CRT where they share cables with their cousins.

= = = = =

I mean, regardless of your own decision, it's nothing difficult or complicated either way. Console audio/video go "out" somewhere where there's an "in", and that then goes "out" to another device's "in", lol.

[🧀Son of Suzy Creamcheese🧀]

I tried setting something up once, with about 8 consoles. I don't personally have a switcher, but I wouldn't try setting all my consoles up without one again. I tried, and all it boils down to is that you have to switch things around in the back of the TVs all the time.

I'm probably going to try to set everything up one day, but as of now, I just have everything in plastic boxes; console, controllers, all wires, etc. If I want to play a certain console, I grab the box, and when I stop playing, I put it back.
It's working fine for me. If I get my own place, I definitely will set everything up.

[dowdy]

Jul 6, 2015 2:51:43 GMT -5 Scylla said:

If you're purchasing new cables anyway, is there a reason why you're sticking with composite for most? The SNES and N64 both support s-video (not the smaller model 2 SNES, though), same with Dreamcast, PS1, and PS2 (or you can go with component on PS2). Composite generally look pretty blurry, muddy, and awful (especially on post-16-bit systems), so I avoid it when possible (short of system modification). Likewise I'll use composite over RF whenever possible.

I have some AV switchers, yeah, they're handy. Never had one with that many inputs, though. The one I have in use right now also has s-video inputs. Personally, I find it easier to switch at the back of the systems for some. Like I have my PS1 stacked on top of my Japanese PS2, and they share cables. Likewise, my SNES, N64, and GameCube all share the same s-video cable.

Thanks Scylla, No reason why I was sticking with composite just seemed like the easiest way of linking them all through the same system! Will have a look at the other options available to me cable wise, i am angling towards something like the attached image hence why I want them all to be usable at once without fiddling with cables etc! 

Attachments:

[dowdy]

Jul 6, 2015 3:38:27 GMT -5 Aoi said:

I'm going to second this advice ^

I also have numerous systems and attempted routing them through a switcher. From my experience, I've learned Scylla's advice, lol. Few issues and notes I've encountered:

-Always use the superior cable. PS2 is nearly useless without component (on an HDTV). I will argue that my NES->PS1/N64 look fine with composite, but only because of:
-CRT TV. Old systems just don't look or play well with today's televisions. I split my collection between the two. That's up to you, but you could encounter a host of new problems, like lag, and needing another device to fix that. I found a very nice flat face CRT for less than $20 at a junk store.
-Regardless, you'll find yourself using shortcuts. All Sony and Nintendo cables are interchangeable for most their consoles. There's really no point wiring up a mess of cables when you can easily just switch their ports at the hardware level (as mentioned above).
-Another thing to consider... your PS2 and PS3 both play PS1 games, with the PS3 being the most superior platform to do so(hdmi and wireless). If you wanna use the controllers and accessories the PS2 delivers there too. The only reason I keep my PS1 around is for import games (it's modded). I can also tell you it gets no use... maybe once a year... maybe.

Anywho, if you're still with me, I use this set-up:
All HDMI and modern consoles are ran through an audio receiver now. It has numerous inputs(and types) and one hdmi output cable to the TV. I can control all my consoles with a remote, and never touch the TV side due to this. I believe my 7.1 receiver was less than $200, and well worth the cost if you have a lot of HD devices.

For standard def consoles, I have a 5 or 6 button switcher. They all plug into it, it then outputs into the TV (or receiver in my case). Again, though, over time I've disassembled much of the switcher and brought them over to the CRT where they share cables with their cousins.

= = = = =

I mean, regardless of your own decision, it's nothing difficult or complicated either way. Console audio/video go "out" somewhere where there's an "in", and that then goes "out" to another device's "in", lol.

 Thanks AOI, I am waiting on delivery of a CRT model at the moment, Time Crisis and Duckhunt are patiently waiting to be re-debuted! Having just moved into a new place and having a friend offering to build a custom storage unit for me at no cost I was inspired to try and get everything set up in one place (Man Cave I Guess!). I understand the point with PS1/PS2 but for me it really is about having the original device/accessories, having had a huge multi console collection as a kid which was lost due to a house fire (Even SNES Cartridges dont work when they are melted!) I guess I am trying to make up for my lost items now that I am older and able to finance it all myself rather than begging my parents haha

[dowdy]

Jul 6, 2015 4:06:49 GMT -5 🧀Son of Suzy Creamcheese🧀 said:

I tried setting something up once, with about 8 consoles. I don't personally have a switcher, but I wouldn't try setting all my consoles up without one again. I tried, and all it boils down to is that you have to switch things around in the back of the TVs all the time.

I'm probably going to try to set everything up one day, but as of now, I just have everything in plastic boxes; console, controllers, all wires, etc. If I want to play a certain console, I grab the box, and when I stop playing, I put it back.
It's working fine for me. If I get my own place, I definitely will set everything up.

Thanks Son of Suzy, I can see it being a bit of a nightmare constantly having to change cables around, from memory (And my Mum's constant nagging) I remember that moving the cables always seemed to be the main cause of issues (Breakdown of internal connectors/wiring etc) at least with the pre CD games.  

Having found myself in a position where I have moved into a new place with no housemates and a SO that is more eager to play Mario Kart 64 then I am I am letting my inner child go wild and am looking to end up with something along the lines of the attached!!!

Attachments:

[16bitter]

I personally have my consoles spread around among the multiple TVs in my house to avoid the cabling nightmare, but I don't have quite as many as you either. You'd need a lot of TVs haha

But that attachment is one of the most aesthetically pleasing shelving setups I've ever seen and a great ideal to work towards; hope you end up with something as nice!

[dowdy]

Jul 7, 2015 10:40:16 GMT -5 16bitter said:

I personally have my consoles spread around among the multiple TVs in my house to avoid the cabling nightmare, but I don't have quite as many as you either. You'd need a lot of TVs haha

But that attachment is one of the most aesthetically pleasing shelving setups I've ever seen and a great ideal to work towards; hope you end up with something as nice!

Thanks 16bitter I will be sure to get a photo up once it's all finished!