RF Generation Message Board

Working on making it easier to stream consoles, I have 2 extron 300 series, that I need to hook up.  And it got me thinking, how does others have their systems hooked up?  Do you just hook up the one your playing? Or multiple system at a time with switches?  Here are my 2 extrons waiting to be hooked up.[img width=700 height=340]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/28d20362eb773a354d3b6ef92c8c0f28.jpg[/img][img width=700 height=340]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/54a3d8078a195f1580d9956dbfaea309.jpg[/img]

Back over 15 years ago I tried keeping all of my systems set up at once, but it required so many switches fed into switches, multiple TVs, and multiple rooms, that I gave up on that and instead organized my console storage so all of the hardware necessary to play a console is stored together. Then I hook it all up in the living room, play a game, and put it back. I use those hanging garment compartments you can find at Target that look like an accordion of 5 or 6 storage cubbies that hang from a clothes hanger rod. I can typically get two consoles and their hookups in each cubby, and have some other consoles that have their own cases that I use to store and transport them.

The handhelds are a different story. I'm in the middle of creating custom tiered shelving to try to get them all on display in a relatively small space, with the DMGs on display in front of lesser played games.

[img width=700 height=525]https://i.imgur.com/SGQaOsE.jpg[/img]

Where did you get the stands, I really like them.

Two questions:

1. You have a pic of the accordion thingies?
2.  What's a DMG?

This piques my interest.  I want to see how the finished product is and how it works.

I have 5 setups in my basement to handle anything that may come up.

20" Sony CRT TV for mainly 240p consoles. There are two stools here for some couch co-op action for games such as SF2. Around 24 consoles hooked up using component/SCART and composite. The component out is split so I can dual play on the projector and TV if needed.

46" LCD TV: Main set up. I have 18 consoles hooked up here plus a Framemeister for upscaling. There's an HDMI cable that runs from this TV to the sofa so I can plug in a laptop or other HDMI device if needed. I have 15 laptops of various makes and time periods so I can play all sorts of retro PC games.

13" CRT TV: TV cart for 2600, Colecovision and Intellivision. The TV has a wood grain trim so it fits in well. Good for RF only consoles. The cart makes it easy to move around.

27" CRT TV: TV cart for various systems. Around 15. It's more of a mobile light gun station as the TV is a perfect size for them. I can move this cart over to the 20" CRT for some dual screen dual player Time Crisis.

Computer Monitor Wall aka the Command Center - It's currently 4 24" PC monitors. I'm in the process of hooking up 20+ systems to these via HDMI, OSSC, Retro Tink etc. The HDMI signal will be split so it can also go to my sons set up. His set up is currently a 32" LCD TV with a PS3. I have three PCs hooked up to the command center. One is for general use, one runs Windows XP and all sorts of old games, and the other runs modernish games.

I also have an all in on AMD K6-2 400 PC running Windows 98 but I don't use it much as I have the laptops. I also have a bartop Galaga arcade machine but it doesn't see much use these days.

I own multiples of consoles so I don't need to move things around much.
5 PS3s
5 PS2s
4 360s
5 Saturns
5 Wiis
5 Dreamcasts
5 Genesises
5 SNESes
4 Sega CDs

etc

Two questions:

1. You have a pic of the accordion thingies?
2.  What's a DMG?
[/quote]

2. DMG = Dot Matrix Gameboy

It comes from the system's model number, DMG-01

1. Those are plate holders. You can find them at hobby stores and dollar stores.

@douglie007 - Can you be more specific about the model of Extron 300 series you have? Apparently, they have several products with 300 in the name, so in order to look those up and read more about them, it would be helpful to have the full model number.

As for my setup, it's in transition. I have a 4-port powered HDMI switcher that is hooked up to the input on my Elgato HD60 Pro. One HDMI port is my OSSC, which currently has my JVC X'Eye hooked up via RGB SCART, and my SNES hooked up via HD Retrovision component cables. Another HDMI port has my RetroTINK 2X, which currently has only my NES connected (but more to follow). One HDMI input is my Switch, since it has no HDCP on the signal, and I've been streaming that quite a bit. The other port will be reserved for a secondary HDMI switcher I'm purchasing, that will handle PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, etc., to accommodate for the systems that use HDCP. I *might* buy another powered HDMI switch to put BEHIND that, so I can have all those systems hooked up at once. Assuming there's no perceivable input lag introduced with all these powered switchers, that should work okay to daisy chain them like that. The rest of my consoles are split between a CRT, an HD CRT (Sony WEGA Trinitron), and a couple still hooked up to my main flatscreen. My streaming/gaming rig PC is also connected to my main flatscreen.

I have a golden rule in my set up that well... I stole from Slackur. If I can't get a system up and running in 5 minutes or less don't bother.

I set up multiple ways to play set up so everyone is not funneled in to one spot.

I will update one I get it all together.  I am waiting for some boards from Oshpark for audio.

Space is rather limited in my apartment so I don’t have much hooked up. The only system which is always hooked up is my Switch, and I also have my OSSC connected for the systems that have RGB, VGA (just the Dreamcast though) and component. I also have a loose HDMI cable so I can swap between things like my Super Nt and PSTV. Sadly I don’t have any way to connect S-video so stuff like my C64 and 7800 are in storage now. I hope to one day get a Retrotink and that will all change.

They're a cheap pack of 5" easels. I've also got 4" ones for most of the other handhelds. The 4" ones handle MGB (including 101, the Game Boy Light), CGB, N-Gage QD, and Wonderswan. The 5" are good for DMG, GBA, and Swan Crystal. I can't remember which I use for NGPC. Haven't tried setting either up with DS systems, but I don't think I'll have room to display all of those as well.

4" ones https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075P47LQF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
5" ones https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003CTSIG4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here's a photo of the hanging accordion organizers. https://www.flickr.com/photos/shanerileydotinfo/34825300120/in/album-72157682870611600/ I've also got a shoe tree on the back of my door for controllers, though that filled up as soon as I hung it. https://www.flickr.com/photos/shanerileydotinfo/34825301820/in/album-72157682870611600/

As for the DMG question, I refer to handhelds by their model designation to disambiguate. I started doing that with the GBA SP, where I'm sure most are familiar with 001 and 101 variants.

Ok here are the consoles that made the cut to go through the switches.  Let me know what you think... the complete wiring will take a little longer... I'm having issues with the crosspoint 300 just flashing all lights. [img width=700 height=340]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190227/b004fd62b541e763a2b3a2185f11596f.jpg[/img][img width=490 height=1008]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190227/60e216430d2ca50a355396d340811652.jpg[/img]

Nice setup, Doug!

Nice!  show us more when you get done.

This is a little bit older picture but it's more or less the same.

[img width=700 height=393]https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7918/33362590278_8e39016a82_b.jpg[/img]

And here is how it's actually connected (with some components that have been added since the above picture was taken).

[img width=700 height=539]https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7913/47238368201_72a54e9554_b.jpg[/img]

I also have a PS4, Vita TV, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Switch, and Wii U all hooked up using a HDMI switch to my main TV in the living room.

@douglie007: I thought you were going to buy a gscart switch and use the dual output for your streams.

Believe it or not, this setup is cheaper than the Gscart. I just have to take apart my crosspoint and find out why it's blinking. This setup will allow me to have 8 inputs and 8 outputs on both Component or scart and composite.

@Bear78 - very nice setup you have there! I like that you diagrammed it all out, as well. I should probably do that, given the complexity of my setup.

Thanks!  I did it a bit for my own sanity so I always know how things are actually hooked up and if I needed to change something, I would know where to start lol.

Yeah, that's the thing that was missing from my setup many years ago. I used to have to turn on a console, then push a combination of switches until the video appeared.

@Douglie007: Good luck on fixing your CrossPoint and with your set up!

I found some old pictures of my setup:

Retro Corner 20" CRT:

[img width=700 height=525]https://i.imgur.com/YtqvJIu.jpg[/img]

32 LCD TV Corner (All of the consoles here except the PS3 have been moved to the PC set up for easy stream/recording access

[img width=700 height=525]https://i.imgur.com/dZ7XYG2.jpg[/img]

27" CRT cart:

[img width=700 height=933]https://i.imgur.com/lbwBTnR.jpg[/img]

13 RF CRT cart:

[img width=700 height=933]https://i.imgur.com/EAGFLBW.jpg[/img]

46 LCD TV:

[img width=700 height=933]https://i.imgur.com/jmgbZ5U.jpg[/img]

New PC Setup 4X 24" monitors:

[img width=700 height=525]https://i.imgur.com/QFdifC1.jpg[/img]

Here's a shot of the projector in action. I need to buy a 4:3 pull up screen as the 16:9 doesn't quite work.

[img width=700 height=933]https://i.imgur.com/RrD3OAN.jpg[/img]

Your game room looks so awesome. I like my setup well enough, but I really dig what you're doing.

I really like your setup! Nice and clean.  Mine no matter how I try seems chaotic

Update on the Crosspoint, I got some new caps and it's now working.  Time to run some wires![img width=490 height=1008]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190313/ca6f520cc70e3915cab8e2b499de50f0.jpg[/img][img width=490 height=1008]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190313/68891975acc21871ad8287170f0269af.jpg[/img][img width=700 height=340]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190313/b1921a6f38de47ed9fa9b922b233ff2d.jpg[/img]

Getting closer, made the audio plugs[img width=700 height=340]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190322/bfa0f76e94d2eeba0c9f984a5ae88999.jpg[/img]

@douglie007: Looking good!

Ok all of these are hooked up to the Extrons.  The outputs are, 20in pvm, 7in pvm, 13in CRT, 27 in CRT, framemiester that goes to capture card and playstation monitor, diamond gamer capture card, and a projector.  That should cover it... now I just need friends to come over.[img width=700 height=340]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190401/c35dcdcf031ee3a0459f9f58ae61b388.jpg[/img][img width=490 height=1008]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190401/68e57b67670d91f46b2dd42248a760b5.jpg[/img]

That's quite a setup, Douglie!

Thanks! That's just the main area and streaming area.  I'll do a video walkthrough once I'm done with the basement.

@douglie007: What projector do you use?

When I get home I'll post photos of my setup!

I have 2 TVs, a 40" LCD wall mounted and a CRT that I can't remember the size of but it's mid sized, at least 24". Most of the retro consoles are run through a composite switch into the CRT, with 1 more plugged directly into the CRT. The PS2 and Wii are on component into the LCD, and most of the other modern systems are on HDMI into a 4K HDMI auto-switch (TV isn't 4K but I wanted to get a future-proof switch, at least to work with the PS4 Pro). I think I have 1 HDMI system connected directly to the LCD. My desktop PC is below the LCD and also connected to the HDMI switch, nice for watching youtube or twitch on the big screen (my PS3 is the netflix box).

The auto-switch feature on the HDMI switch is really nice, as soon as I turn on a console it detects that and automatically puts the switch on the correct input. If 2 systems were turned on, the most recent one gets the active input but if that one is turned off it goes back to the first one. It came with a remote for manual input selection too.

I dont know how I missed this question.  It's a NEC VT676. It can do uptown 1080i and Down to a true 240p
[img width=700 height=340]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190429/0c66d4d67705d2aca0c3f1f4df3bc9e1.jpg[/img]

@douglie007: Thanks! I was looking for something to pair up my MiSTer with.

I redid my RF cart. The Atari 2600 is sort of redundant with the 7800 there but it works for now.:

[img width=700 height=933]https://i.imgur.com/zYYpRWW.jpg[/img]

I also had to redo my JVC cart as the MVS takes up a lot of room:

[img width=700 height=933]https://i.imgur.com/KH2TKGd.jpg[/img]