[mythtv-users] Somewhat OT: Splitting video signal

[Brian Wood]

On Friday 21 August 2009 17:35:30 Yan Seiner wrote:
> I've got a situation where I have 4 composite video signals, and I need
> to route them to 2 different monitors.  Each monitor will have a switch
> to select which video signal to watch.  Each monitor has to able to
> display any of the 4 streams independent of the other monitor.
>
> I'm having a problem finding a 2 way composite video splitter.  The
> closest I've been able to find is this:
>
> http://www.rangevideo.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_51&produ
>cts_id=160&zenid=54250ca957df7055c4727d82533d23ea
>
> and I'd need 4 of them, one for each unique signal.
>
> Any ideas on a better (cheaper, more reliable) way to take 4 video
> signals, and route them to 2 monitors?

What you want is called a video DA (distribution amplifier).

A better solution would be a routing switcher, which allows any input to any 
output or number of outputs. Sounds like you would need a 4x4 matrix routing 
switcher.

The input channels are converted to high-impedance so they can be distributed 
to any number of output channels without loading problems.

NTSC DAs and routers can be had cheaply since the digital conversion. I'll ask 
around and see who might be trying to get rid of some and let you know.

-- 
Brian Wood
beww at beww.org