gscartsw: automatic 8:1 SCART-RGB switch

Update:
Due to changes to the power circuit had to change some resistors/caps.

Worked on it over the weekend.
Alpha version of SCART PCB is designed. Need to recheck all footprints.

 

Awesome! Thanks for the hard work. Can't wait for these to be readily available

 

Thanks again for the update!

 

New here. Could someone kindly explain the benefits of owning one of these? Is this for having 8 consoles or less that you may want to switch from? What are the advantages of this over normal multi-scart switches?

 

The overall quality will be much better than what you'd get from the vast majority of scart switches. Better build quality, less loss of video quality, etc..

 

I'm so looking forward to this (Japanese 21pin RGB format version that is).

 

You have me interested, might order one if I can in the future.

 

I know he's got a waiting list that's closed. After that he says they should be readily available to the public. Not sure how much longer its going to be. But I figure its better to wait to get a really nice switch than to buy lots of cheap crap and hope you get lucky on one them

 

If and when there is a list, I would like to be added to it. Heck, I'll pay now even if I have to wait.

 

Update:
How it will look:

X2 - DC jack 9V+, center is "-" (as it was in the previous revision)
X3 - 3.5 audio jack
X4 - CSYNC/CVBS mode switch
X5 - VGA
D1 - Green power LED
PCB length has been increased, you can see that by the old purple border I've left just for the comparison.
Two more mounting holes will be added (like it was earlier)
I'm checking footprints and other stuff and early next week it should be finalized which means I can order the first batch from my manufacturer.

 

Wow. I am so impressed dude. Seriously awesome. As a rabid follower not on the wait list, I'm curious - will the first batch be just for the wait list or will you be getting more since there's so much interest?

Thanks for making them and for the constant updates. Absolutely incredible. I'm planning to buy at least 2, probably 3.

 

The plan is to get 10 SCART versions first. Quick tests from my side (and it should be just fine) and top 10 will get theirs. Meanwhile JP21 version will go the same way right after I'll get 10 SCART versions. 2nd batch will cover full waiting list for both SCART and JP21 (and should be much faster).
After that I'll work on automating the process and everybody else should be able to get one from the distributor.

 

Cool. Thanks again! Appreciate your reply and hard work.
I'm building a whole retro setup and these will be the center hub for all my retro consoles. Thanks!

 

I like the addition of a VGA out connector. Will we be able to use it simultaneously with the SCART output and have your unit act as a video splitter? It would be super useful for video capture. SCART output to my PVM-2950Q (which doesn't have RGB passthrough) and VGA output straight to my PEXHDCAP card.

 

Yes, simultaneous output is supported, video amplifier is included for that matter.
Thanks goes to beharius who recommended me to add VGA output (which is basically separate H/V sync, other than the signals are exactly the same), and another handy feature is that you'll be able to use cheap VGA upscalers with that.

 

Huh that's awesome! You'll be able to use the VGA output with his Hanzo/Toro etc. with his scanliner cable then too eh?

 

Yeah, should be possible.

 

Excellent stuff. I can't wait for this. Switching over RGB cables is a right pain.

 

Forgive me if this comes off as being critical, but I'm guessing that a decent chunk of the total cost of this (completely amazing and beyond my ability to replicate) product comes from the sheer size of the PCB, which affects the cost of the acrylic, etc.

Perhaps you have a reason for laying out the SCART connectors in a single line, but to my eyes, it seems that you could chop off about 33% of the length by laying the connectors in a 4x4 pattern rotated 90° from their current orientation and getting creative with the traces a lá vias. Sure, the traces wouldn't be all neat and orderly like they are now down at that end, but I imagine that you could likely bring the price down a bit while at the same time increasing your personal profit just by dint of economy of space.

Regardless, I still want one.

 

Not trying to offend anyone...but I have to vote against this. I'm quite alright with spending ~$100-$200 on a switch that I can neatly mount and organize the cables from.

Plus, this design is almost done...finish it and take my money!