This is too good to be true?

[David J.]

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=97941&doy=search

So would I still have to mod my transcoder for audio? If not, no biggie... but I am just curious here. All I'd hook up is is a Model 1 Genesis + CD 1 Unit, and a Model 2 Genesis + CD 2 + 32X, Sega Saturn, Sega Master System and Sony Playstation, so that's enough inputs.

It supports RGB and all of that stuff.

[Joe Redifer]

No audio modding required if you use that. Looks like a good deal from what I can tell since you have to manually switch it. I had an auto-switcher and it lost quite a bit of quality. It also powered up my SNES whenever my Genesis was on.

[David J.]

Hmm... well when I get the $$$ in a few months, I *may* invest. I want to get the rest of my consoles running in RGB, well what I want to keep anyway. (Genesis consoles, Saturn, and PS1) The Dreamcast, well, I'll just run that in VGA. I have a few old monitors lying around, and some PC speakers, so my least favorite Sega system will get the MIDAS touch. *sigh*

[Joe Redifer]

I want to invest in this myself, but I am worried about quality loss.

[David J.]

Well, the company who makes it is called Bandridge, I sent an email to the webstore to see if it was automatic or manual, as this box comes in two flavors, automatic and manual.

[Joe Redifer]

Screw automatic. But even the manual one could see some video degradation... I'm just being paranoid.

[David J.]

I why there'd be degration in the first place? I bought a cheapy Composite switchbox years ago, and there was no difference versus a direct connection.

Now I play everything in atleast S-video, so it's moot nowadays.

[Joe Redifer]

I'm being paranoid because the only SCART switcher I've ever used had noticeable degradation, and it was passive so it shouldn't have had any. But I think that may have been because it was like having 5 SCART Y-cables connected at the same time. It was cheap. You take the plunge and let me know how it is.

[108 Stars]

I now a very good scart switcher, but it´s only got four RGB-ports.

Wofsoft is the company in Germany when it comes to modding consoles. They´ve been the first ones to do a quality-mod very often, for example to make a console RBG-compatible if it is not from the start, putting mod-chips in your console or flashing the Xbox 360-drive. About everything they make is of the highest quality, and this switcher is too.

http://www.wolfsoft.de/shop/product_info.php/products_id/8234/cPath/49_56/umschalter/4-fach-scart/euro-av-umschalter-rgb-(beige).html

[David J.]

Do they ship to the USA? Using a translater, I get crap... does it come with a SCART lead?

That's OK, I'll just hook my PSX up in S-video then. I don't play it much, if at all, so it'd be more money down the drain.

[108 Stars]

Scart-lead? You mean something to connect the device to a non-scart-TV?
Usually they ship with an RGB cable, but you may e-mail them to ask. And yes, they do ship worldwide.

Here´s where you can ask: http://www.wolfsoft.de/shop/shop_content.php/coID/7/content/kontakt/ruecksendung.html

[David J.]

Oh wow, I did a currency conversion, and the price is fair. I'll have to mod my Transcoder for audio, but that's cool. I'll just play the PSX in S-video for reasons I mentioned above.

I sent 'em an email, I used Google Translater to send my message in german -- to make it easier, and it's pretty sad that I'm half german and don't know much German. I may need a new speedometer in my car, and my CD player is acting up, so it may be a while. :(

[David J.]

Paying for one... they don't take paypal. :(

Now What?

[108 Stars]

Since your from outside Germany, you´d have to pay in advance via money order or whatever you call transferring money from your bank account to theirs in English.
Not very funny, I know, but the shop is 15 years old and has a good reputation. It should be trustworthy.

[Joe Redifer]

Also since it is from Germany they won't allow you to play any violent video games with the unit. Plug in something violent like Gunstar Heroes, Night Trap or Castle of Illusion and the unit will shut off to protect you. Germany knows best.

Personally I'd rather have that other one if I knew the quality was good (looks nicer, too).

[108 Stars]

Also since it is from Germany they won't allow you to play any violent video games with the unit. Plug in something violent like Gunstar Heroes, Night Trap or Castle of Illusion and the unit will shut off to protect you. Germany knows best.

Personally I'd rather have that other one if I knew the quality was good (looks nicer, too).

Worry not! I´ve tested the thing with my newly aquired and highly illegal copy of Mortal Kombat 2, and somehow the power of blast processing can overcome the security system. I guess the device can´t handle the 16 Megs of gore at once.

Besides, it´s not about what it looks like from the outside. I can live with a bad ugly device if it grants me a crystal-clear picture.

[David J.]

They sell one in black. I don't really care either way.

[Joe Redifer]

I guess the device can´t handle the 16 Megs of gore at once.
True, I forgot about the 16 mega power. Sword of Vermilion nearly destroyed the world with its awesome 5 megas... 16 megs is unstoppable!

[David J.]

Well, I sent an e-mail to Maplin, and it is a MANUAL splitter, I only asked as the company who makes the splitter makes an automatic version. I got a response with the answer I wanted. :) Right now, my job fucked me over, hardcore.

Well, my job only gave me six hours next week, so if it keeps up... time for a new job then. I'll give 'em two more weeks... maybe one more week if it's that bad.

I was told some guy in my department wrote the schedule. I don't really know, nor do I care too much -- a mini vacation of sorts, and I *just* paid my car insurance, so it's OK for now, but I don't want it to be a weekly thing. If he really did it, I'll get some more hours soon - he's going on vacation in a bit I think the week after, if not... time for a new job. I heard hours where getting cut all-around for part-time people, and I guess there is some truth to it.

The guy who told me who did the schedule is pretty stupid 9 times out of 10... he can't spell the word "Dairy" despite working in the "Dairy" department, doesn't shut the fuck up, EVER, and thinks I lived through the Bilzzard of '77 to name a few. He said we where having problems with scheduling - too many people on some busy days, and too few on slow days. I'll give it a week or two and find out.

Anyway, I am looking at a cheapie one, I just have to see if it is 21 pins. Now that I think about it, I only really need three sockets. One for my Genesis 1 combo, Genesis 2 combo and Saturn. I may just get a new PBC or Genesis 1 system so I can play MS games better.