gscartsw_lite v1.5 – Switch SCART automático com 8 inputs and 2 outputs

In this article I talk about the gscartsw_lite v1.5, Automatic SCART switch with 8 inputs and 2 outputs, acquired on gRetroStuff Store, your store creator, known as SUPerG in forums like Shmups, where he participates and supports its products.

Motivation

Who monitors the Skooter Blog know I like classic consoles, like Playstation One, the Super Nintendo, the Mega Drive, the Master System, and the Atari 2600. And I like to extract the best possible image of these classic consoles, using RGB cables and the Framemeister XRGB Mini.

The Framemeister XRGB Mini has only a RGB input. Therefore, until then, I've been using my SCART RGB Switch metal case with 3 inputs and 1 output to connect the SCART RGB cables Mega Drive, from the Super Nintendo and the Playstation One to Framemeister XRGB Mini. But with the installation of 2600RGB in a Atari 2600 in July, the SCART RGB Switch metal case with 3 inputs and 1 output got an entry less than I need.

Predicting that have that problem, in may have ordered the gscartsw_lite v1.5. He is an automatic switch with 8 inputs and 2 outputs, all in standard SCART RGB. With him I could connect my 4 consoels and would still more 4 extra entries, In addition to an exit in the future I can call on some other upscaler, for example.

The gscartsw_lite v1.5

The gscartsw_lite v1.5 is a switch automatic SCART RGB with eight inputs and two outputs, being that both outputs can be used simultaneously. The selection of entries is made based on the synchronization signal). To switch console, just turn off a and connect the other. Connect two consoles at the same time does not cause problems, the gscartsw_lite simply remains in the console that had been called first, without any leakage of signal.

Is there a key to turn on/off a circuit to restore the synchronization signal, that can be useful in some islands. There is also a circuit to amplify the video signal. Switching circuits and signal restoration are made with an FPGA from Altera.

The gscartsw_lite works with direct current 7 the 12V. An outside source goes with it and has the Type plugs (USA, Canada, Mexico, Japan), Type C (Europe, South America, including Brazil and some countries of Asia), Type G (United Kingdom, Ireland), and Type I (Australia, New Zealand, China, Argentina). With that offers compatibility with almost all taken from the world.

The own SUPerG designed this product and manufacturing is done in China, According to your specifications. He started with the gscartsw, He had two versions, a using the standard European SCART and another using the default JP21. The sales system always worked for lots with pre-sales. He opened the pre-sales for a while, and in particular date closed, started production in China and after about two months the products shipped to the world from the USA.

There were several versions of gscartsw, I had some minor modifications between a version and other. The gscartsw also featured 8 SCART RGB inputs, but only one SCART RGB output. The other way was VGA. He also had a jack of 3,5 for audio output.

The SUPerG also created the gcompsw, an automatic switch to component video and composite video, with 4 inputs and 1 output, that is still being produced and is also something I would like to connect my second team of consoles on CRT TV, but it's not my top priority.

The gscartsw_lite is the latest creation of the SUPerG. He ended up replacing the gscartsw original, You'll no longer manufactured. Despite its name, the gscartsw_lite only is less in price, because it is cheaper to manufacture. It can be considered an evolution of gscartsw, counting on a more modern circuit, with the Altera FPGA, and replacing the VGA output that was little used in practice in favor of a second output SCART RGB. These modifications left the manufacturing cost less.

The construction of the housing gscartsw_lite is in plexiglass transparent, as in many other projects homebrew. Give way, the plate is all apparent. I think it's very nice. The drawback is that the sides are open, facilitating the entry of dust, difficult to clean.

The Purchase

I ordered the gscartsw_lite in 10/05/2017, While he was still on preorder. The production of this batch taking the scheduled, because some chips came wrong and needed to be replaced manually by superg, each item in the batch. The shipments were made following the order of requests. As mine was one of the last, was sent in 03/08/2017.

The shipment was made by USPS First Class. Was not taxed and amazingly came in just one week. Check the trace data offered by USPS:

August 10, 2017, 5:11 pm
Delivered
BRAZIL
Your item was delivered in BRAZIL at 5:11 pm on August 10, 2017.

August 8, 2017, 7:35 at the
Customs clearance processing complete
BRAZIL

August 7, 2017, 2:42 pm
Customs Clearance
BRAZIL

August 7, 2017, 2:41 pm
Processed Through Facility
BRAZIL

August 5, 2017, 9:56 at the
Departed
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL

August 4, 2017, 9:29 pm
Departed
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES

August 4, 2017, 3:42 pm
Arrived
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES

August 4, 2017, 9:22 at the
Processed Through Facility
ISC CHICAGO IL (USPS)

August 3, 2017, 2:20 pm
Departed Regional USPS Origin Facility
CHICAGO IL INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

August 3, 2017, 2:20 pm
Arrived at Regional USPS Origin Facility
CHICAGO IL INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

August 3, 2017, 1:05 pm
Accepted at USPS Origin Facility
TROY, MI 48098

August 3, 2017, 2:20 at the
Arrived at Facility
ISC CHICAGO IL (USPS)

August 2, 2017, 2:20 at the
Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item
TROY, MI 48098

August 1, 2017
Pre-Shipment Info Sent to USPS, USPS Awaiting Item

And these are the tracking information provided by the post office:

Unboxing and tests

Time to open and install the gscartsw_lite. Check out the video of unboxing and first tests:

Also check out some pictures:

Package with gscartsw_lite v 1.5

Package with gscartsw_lite v 1.5

gscartsw_lite v1.5, on its packaging.

Gscartsw_lite source v 1.5, and its various outlets.

Gscartsw_lite source v 1.5, with the socket compatible with the Brazilian standard.

Gscartsw_lite source v 1.5, with its multiple outlets.

gscartsw_lite v1.5.

gscartsw_lite v1.5.

gscartsw_lite v1.5.

gscartsw_lite v1.5.

gscartsw_lite v1.5.

gscartsw_lite v1.5.

gscartsw_lite v1.5, installed.

Mega Drive, connected to gscartsw_lite v 1.5.

Mega Drive, connected to gscartsw_lite v 1.5.

Mega Drive, connected to gscartsw_lite v 1.5.

Super Nintendo, connected to gscartsw_lite v 1.5.

Super Nintendo, connected to gscartsw_lite v 1.5.

Playstation One, connected to gscartsw_lite v 1.5.

Playstation One, connected to gscartsw_lite v 1.5.

Atari 2600, connected to gscartsw_lite v 1.5.

the Super Nintendo and the Playstation One, connected to gscartsw_lite v 1.5.

Playstation One, connected to gscartsw_lite v 1.5.

I left the gscartsw_lite v1.5 hidden behind the TV, where they hide the other wires, filters, etc. Yes, dusty is there because it's very complicated to clean. I'm still thinking of a better way to organize the wires and so many power supplies equipment, but I haven't found. So for now it's going to be anyway.

The gscartsw_lite v1.5 did very well, alternating perfectly between my four consoles, without fail and without introducing any loss in signal.

Table-Summary

This is the table-summary of the purchase of gscartsw_lite v1.5:

Final Considerations

The gscartsw_lite v1.5 It is approved. Worked perfectly with my four consoles, No choke, without any caveat.

Automatic selection is a welcome bonus, a button to press. Should only get in the way of who, for some reason, need to keep more than a console hooked up at the same time. But is it possible to install a key in a header It's on the Board.

The cost unfortunately is high even by American standards. Are $ 180,00! With this value it is possible to buy a classic console in great condition, or until two or three in good condition. However it is a justifiable value, Once the product is made in very low scale, which certainly increases the costs of producing it.

Remember, the gscartsw_lite is the best switch SCART RGB that can be purchased today. The most well-known manufacturers have closed production, Once Europeans themselves have migrated to digital formats and for that use the HDMI standard, as the rest of the world. Good switches used tend to be very expensive and difficult to find. And what's left on the market are not branded products of dubious quality. I got lucky with my SCART RGB Switch metal case with 3 inputs and 1 output, that is good quality despite having no brand. But many similar to it are not.

So, for those who need a good switch SCART RGB, recommend buy a gscartsw_lite. The superg changed the Sales schema. No more pre-sales before the product is manufactured. Today he's got to play box production and just start sales with products ready. The forecast is that the next lot get off after Christmas or early next year. And it's good to be aware of, because I believe that's going to run out real fast.

And why buy soon? The gscartsw_lite It's almost a craftsmanship, and made by a man, even if part of the production has been outsourced in China. And if he gets tired and resolve to terminate the production of time? The only real competitor gscartsw_lite is a product called Hydra, It has versions of 8 and 16 doors. He has similar price and is also made almost handmade. But, in tests of My Life in Gaming, presented a darker image and incompatibility with some systems.

After four months of use, I can say that I am fully satisfied with my gscartsw_lite. Is the perfect companion to the Framemeister XRGB Mini and my classic consoles.