The Scalable Video Switch is a remarkable new product that could streamline the way retro gaming enthusiasts connect their vintage hardware to modern TVs. This device offers an impressive array of features, including support for up to 32 inputs and multiple output modules in various formats.
- Supports Up To 32 Inputs: The Scalable Video Switch allows you to connect a vast number of consoles, emulators, or other gaming devices effortlessly. This is particularly useful for those with extensive collections or multiple screens.
- Various Output Formats: You can choose between SCART, Component, VGA, and Composite/S-Video outputs, ensuring compatibility with different types of vintage consoles and televisions.
User-Friendly Features
Another significant advantage is the ease of use. The system integrates smoothly with upscalers like the RetroTink 4K, permitting seamless input switching without needing a remote control or manual intervention. Additionally, the IR blaster function allows you to control various scalers through a single interface.
Customizability
The Scalable Video Switch is highly customizable; you can purchase specific modules for different types of video and audio connections as per your needs. The control module costs $50 along with individual input and output modules priced around $30 each, making it flexible enough to tailor to almost any setup. However, the price could add up quickly.
While the concept sounds fantastic, the high cost might deter some enthusiasts. Would you be willing to invest in a device that could manage up to 32 inputs for your retro gaming collection?
At this point I rather emulate. Cartridges batteries run out and the electronics in those consoles won't survive forever either and you can get retro styled gamepads too, if you really want that for some reason.
I do mostly emulate, but I do have a retrotink 5x pro that I run my older consoles through (with a CRT filter and sometimes hdr, works pretty well with component inputs), sometimes I just like using original hardware. It's mostly nostalgia, they're all my childhood consoles, but it's an experience if you will, like how I do most of my music listening digitally but also enjoy the same album on vinyl or cassette.
Side on the batteries, I just did a bunch of battery swaps for my partner's gameboy Pokémon games as part of a gift for her, totally shocked that the original ones (red, blue, yellow) still had enough juice to keep their saves alive, had to solder a temp battery to a test pad.
Yeah I'm right there as well. No way my wife would be ok with stacks of consoles in the living room lol