17

Howdy.

I set up all of my old game consoles for fun, and feel like there must be a better way. I have an NES on the antenna connector (RG6?), about eight consoles on composite (Y/R/W), and four or five on HDMI. I still have my old school Composite switch, but I need more inputs, and it would be nice to be able to use the TV remote instead of getting my old bones up. My TV has two or three HDMI ports but I need a few more.

Do I just need an RF adapter, a bigger Composite switch, and some kind of HDMI switch, or is there another option I'm not thinking of?

Thanks!

top 20 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] themeatbridge@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago

As someone who briefly lived a similar dream, I wish someone had pointed out to me that you're still going to have to get your old bones up to get the wired controllers for those older consoles. I'd just keep the old school composite switch accessible so you can plug in whatever you want to play while you're grabbing the controllers and plugging in the cartridge. Then you just need an HDMI switcher, which could also be your surroud sound system (if you're spending money anyway...)

[-] clay_pidgin@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 weeks ago

Yeah, it's not like I'll switch games that often anyway, but it's annoying having more cables than I have switch inputs. I guess just bigger switches. Maybe a tree set up. XBox, Playstation, Nintendo, Other, and each with a sub-switch for the consoles.

[-] dadarobot@lemmy.ml 4 points 2 weeks ago

probably just a switcher for each connector type: coax, rca, hdmi, etc.

[-] clay_pidgin@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 weeks ago

Yeah, probably. I was hoping there was an all-in-one solution!

[-] fleem@piefed.zeromedia.vip 3 points 2 weeks ago

haha heck this is where being in the "biz" has its advantages. (home AV)

look into something like a b&k ct600 kit. whichever is the composite/component video Switcher piece.

key digital makes some stuff.

eBay!

[-] Kolanaki@pawb.social 3 points 2 weeks ago

Input switcher things still exist specifically for this kinda stuff but they are getting harder to find. Especially ones with inputs as old as the NES using the RF/antenna hook thingy.

[-] worhui@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

Older top end home receivers have a lot of video and hdmi inputs. I've been rescuing them from the garbage. If it had a composite input on it most people don't want it.

Most of the really old game systems make you put a cartridge in them anyway, not sure how you'd get over that.

[-] mangaskahn@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

Flash carts

[-] jordanlund@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

I found this really cool modular switch, but they seem to always be out of stock:

https://scalablevideoswitch.com/

[-] Ledivin@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I love the idea but god DAMN are they expensive. The controller module, 4 inputs, 1 output, and the remote brings you to $217 before tax. That's not even half as large as I'd want and at least 50% more than I'd want to pay

[-] jordanlund@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Yeah, I'm looking at connecting 12 machines?

Genesis/CD/32X
Saturn
Dreamcast

Turbo Duo

Gamecube
Wii

Playstation
PS2
PS3

Xbox
Xbox 360
Xbox One

Doing the math...

Control Unit - $40
Remote - $12
Composite/Svideo - $30x8 Component - $35x4

Output - Composite. - $25
Output - Component. - $25

$482.

You know what, fine... VGA In - $25 (*2?)
VGA Out - $35

$567.

[-] clay_pidgin@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 weeks ago

That is neat!

[-] riquisimo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 2 weeks ago

I hate to be that guy, but it may be worth weighing your options with an emulation setup. That way you can okay everything on one machine, on one tv input, and not need to get up to turn anything on.

If you like the original controllers 8bitdo sells conversion kits that make old controllers wireless. It's an investment for sure, but idk, might be your cup of tea.

[-] RightHandOfIkaros@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

More TVs, obviously.

EDIT: You could probably use an HDMI Matrix for your HDMI needs. Don't know about component/composite needs though.

[-] clay_pidgin@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 weeks ago

Hey, I'd never heard of those! That sounds great, connecting multiple inputs to multiple outputs. Maybe there's one that also does composite!

[-] ryannathans@aussie.zone 1 points 2 weeks ago

I had a pcie analogue camera capture card for CCTV applications, took 8x composite on a pigtail out the back

Con: need a PC

[-] clay_pidgin@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 weeks ago

That could work.

[-] themeatbridge@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

I wonder what sort of lag that would add. Digital converters always seem to make Mario jump slower.

[-] ryannathans@aussie.zone 2 points 2 weeks ago

If vsync is turned off I'd expect less delay than one frame rendered

[-] RightHandOfIkaros@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Something I just thought of that I didn't before is powering the consoles on and off. You might be able to get a power strip with a wireless connection to remotely turn off individual outlets. Then you set each console to the on position and turn them off by turning off the outlet.

Not sure what the consequences on the hardware level would be, but essentially unplugging it from the wall while it is powered on doesn't usually harm a game console any different than just powering it off with the switch would. Maybe on the newer stuff, or the original Xbox maybe, since theyre more similar to PCs. But older stuff I can't see that being a problem.

If you wanted a truly remote setup, that is.

Wireless controllers hanging on the wall with receivers already plugged into the consoles, app controlled power outlets, remote for TV, and remote for input matrices. Might be able to consolidate with a control system or IR based solution to reduce to 1 remote for TV and input matrices. Flaschcart or modded consoles loaded with all the games already. Etc.

this post was submitted on 21 May 2026
17 points (100.0% liked)

RetroGaming

28891 readers
21 users here now

Vintage gaming community.

Rules:

  1. Be kind.
  2. No spam, AI slop, or soliciting for money.
  3. No racism or other bigotry allowed.
  4. Obviously nothing illegal.

If you see these please report them.

founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS