what kind of price point do you think you could meet? as I'm up to 25 consoles most of which are rgb scart and it's a nightmare as you know...
yeah kinda interested in a good quality scart box too... I too wonder about the price (or even better a kit price so I can solder it myself)
According to my calculations parts only will be $47.58 (digikey). I can save few bucks by buying small batch quantities, but shipping price isn't included in calculation, so basically should be around $45. Most expensive things are analog multiplexers - $23.44 (stereo audio: 2 * $5.12 = $10.24 and RGBS video: 4 * $3.30 = $13.20), roughly it's half of components price, and I don't see how can I save here :/. I will know board price when I will request manufacturer quotes. I don't know, what you mean by "kit", I can sell just bare board, if somebody will be interested. Will reply when I will have some updates.
ah thanks for the quotes... by kit I mean the pcb+parts in a bag so the buyer can solder them himself...
If you're switching RGB, SCART is certainly a good way to go... although it was never an amazing connector in the first place. I appreciate that SCART is somewhat scarce over there. With respect, though, those really do look cheap. That plastic doesn't look nice - like some mass-produced Chinese rubbish. And I worry about that price point. Here in the UK, Farnell stock four SCART sockets. I wouldn't say they're top of the line, more cheap and cheerful. They are between 54p and 81p, plus VAT. They go down to 33p to 54p if you're buying 100. Also, whilst I can see the attraction, it's quite uncommon to have a coloured SCART socket. So, for 100, I'd pay somewhere between £64.80 and £97.20 including VAT but excluding shipping. That's approximately $110 to $160. And yet you're buying them for $30. Can you not see how yours HAVE to be cheap (in the not so great way)? Admittedly, I'd probably get a better price on 1,000 of them.. but it's still a long way off. From your picture, that looks like a pretty nasty plastic. I doubt the contacts are anything special, like gold plated. And then there's the fact that your black ones are the other way round! That's somewhat awkward. Less so as they're right angle, granted... but still worth considering. Of course, I've had connectors (not SCART) before from China and some from big manufacturers, and I actually preferred the Chinese ones! Most importantly, though - I gathered several different types and evaluated them for myself. I certainly didn't just go for the cheapest. You also have to consider how and what you're switching, exactly. You don't want to have too much interference - and that's what's common with most cheap SCART blocks. In my opinion, you'd do better aiming to produce a QUALITY switch and not worry about the cost than trying to do it as cheaply as possible.
Absolutely agree, I don't like it, but it's convenience, so I have to use it. I never told you, that I got a cheap source of these connectors. I got a fixed amount from old stock from some Netherland guy, who had a hard time selling it. I will be able to do 12 switches using these, and no way I can find more stock. It looks like these were manufactured by Tyco Electronics. They should probably be more expensive than Farnell ones. Actually, speaking of Farnell, they have only one straight connector available: http://uk.farnell.com/pro-signal/psg01599/pcb-mount-scart-socket/dp/1280719, and I have it here. Plastic texture looks more smooth, but connector is very weak, plastic bends when you are inserting into it, and it will last less, than Tyco ones. Maybe I will do better photo of these for you, to have an idea, how actually good they are. Be constructive, don't judge quality by the price, I've paid. On the other hand, I am not forcing anybody, if somebody will want to use black ones, I will be more than happy to solder them instead, because I want to have 3-4 switches with Tyco ones for myself. Also I don't see any problems with colors, I want to use them as an advantage. Green/Red will look very nice with black PCB and two transparent plates. Well, I have never seen "gold-plated" SCART connectors. It would be great, if you'll provide some links for gold-plated receptacle. I doubt these gold-plated receptacles are existing. Also gold-plating doesn't have anything to do with picture quality, it just protects metal from corrosion over the time. Currently I am removing right-angle SCART from board design, I will rather do MiniDIN to RGB-SCART cable, all needed signals are there. There will be only 8 straight ones. In one of comments I wrote, which components I am using for switching, these are best available, and focus is quality. Yet I want to optimize costs, and I think it's important.
I used the Pro-signal right-angle plugs on my original "built for me" switch, they've been alright. If anything the backplane of the case flexes slightly. The "straight" variety is only AU $0.32 each, too. retro: The picture quality will be fine. I use similar bus switch ICs on my old switch (though in a different topology) and the quality is great.
Finally I made an order with smart-prototyping.com. First batch is 10 PCB's, $150 shipped, so it's $15 per board, which is acceptable. Minimal order for ITead studio is 50 pieces and price is around $500, which I am not going to invest in it right now. dfrobot: maximum PCB size they manufacture is only 15x10cm (and my board is 24x14cm) OSHPark: will be around $300 for 3 PCB's also because of board size . seeed studio: "Drills line and long slot are not accepted", and I need long slots, so I didn't proceed with these guys.
Got boards today, high quality, added photo to topic. Will try to build and test first switch this week.
Soldered today SCART connectors, and I must say board with them looks fantastic: I will get all components this week. Also I am working on case (as I said earlier, I am going to use two plexiglass panels), I just need to create two files with top and bottom drawings. BTW it would be nice, if somebody can recommend me some companies who do laser cutting.
FYI: I ended up using Maxim MAX4638ESE+ for video and Vishay DG408DY-T1-E3 for audio. They are pin-compatible with ADG708 and ADG608. Yesterday I finished "case" designs and requested a laser cutting quote from http://www.pololu.com. Also got almost all components, maybe will solder and test first switch this weekend (without audio, because Vishay switch IC's didn't arrived yet).
