DIY RCA Input Selector [Anyone know electronics?]

[mrpayner]

Hey all!

I'd like to whip up a simple RCA input selector for the VIDEO IN on my TV. Seeing as I only have 1 input on the back [simple component, nothing fancy like S-Video or RGB] and I have 2 devices I get sick of having to change the cables over.

Does anyone know how to go about this? I just don't want to spend $50 on a switchbox as when I go to buy my own TV it'll have more than one input anyway!

Cheers
Adam

[pr1mo]

i bought a 3 in 1 out cheapo switchbox from jaycar for like $12

ude spend more on parts making one yourself

[mrpayner]

Yeh that's the easy way out.. I need one JUST for the video though, no audio.. for example.. have 2 RCA's going into 1 plug with a little flick switch to select the source.

AP

[pr1mo]

hehe buy a decent AV reciever :)

[mrpayner]

True! That's for when I buy my house.. :P

AP

[Pernod]

Easy done - I made one for my head unit :-)

If its only video that you need (not audio) then its even easier.

Just get a simple on-off-on switch that has two input/outputs (about $1.50 at any electrical store), two male RCA plugs and one female (about $1) and some dual wire cable (ie two wires to the cable)

Just cut three lengths of the wire, and join one of the rca ends to each of the wires.

Then solder/clamp these to the switch with the two male plugs on the outside connectors to the switch and the female plug to the inside connector.

Its a bit hard to explain, but should be ovbious once you see the switch.

It can be a little fiddly soldering it, but other than that its easy enough.

[Pernod]

i bought a 3 in 1 out cheapo switchbox from jaycar for like $12

ude spend more on parts making one yourself

Hmmm, looking at my estimates to diy - it would be about $10 all up plus alot of time and swearing (speaking from experience - I actually ended up in bandages for 3 weeks after grabbing teh wrong end of teh soldering iron when I made mine).

You can't go past $12!!!

[platypus]

DPDT switch right?? thats the one to ask for i thinks...

[Dogo]

dpdt is a double pole double throw relay.

[Cosmo Dude]

Switch or relay, it describes the contacts. Input A is switched to output A1 or A2 and simultaneously input B is switched to output B1 or B2.
I don't believe their is any reason to switch the shield so I'd use SPDT (single pole double throw) to switch the signal wire only and connect all the shields together.

[platypus]

i suppose so, i know it would work in audio like that, but i'm not so sure about a video signal