Sony SB-V55A A/V Selector with Front Panel S-Video Input : Reviews, Cheap, Discount Tv Television

Average Rating: 2.80 out of 5 stars

Rating:

- Not Durable
If you have a TV with only one video input and need to connect multiple inputs (from a DVD, VCR, game console, etc.) you'll need a switcher or modulator. The nice feature about this device is that it is automatically switches to whatever is turned on. Since most switchers are manual, having a device that is automatic can be very convenient. However, as mentioned by another user, there can be problems with this concept if you are using certain devices such as a satellite dish.

Another nice feature, is the smaller size of this device. However, other newer similar devices are designed to rest vertical or horizontal that can be more convenient. The dark blue color of the Sony Switcher is strange; why not black or silver?

Contrary to another reviewer, I like the inputs in the front and think the outputs should be in the back; most similar devices are this way.

The reason I gave this product only one star is that it only lasted a couple years for me and no longer transfers signals from one or more inputs. I spent hours trying to figure out why my DVD didn't work. It was the failure of this switcher. Now I also can't get a digital audio signal from my receiver as well, and I'm not sure if this Sony Switcher also corrupted something in my receiver. The store where I purchased it, Best Buy, no longer carries this device, nor could I find it in other retail stores. Also, it seems difficult to find any time of automatic switchers or modulators in most retail stores, for some reason. So, I've wasted many hours trying to find a replacement device too. This Sony switcher is still available in other on-line stores, however.

I've always thought Sony products where fairly durable, but this device doesn't seem to be. And it appears my Sony Receiver which is only about 2 years old is also have some problems playing digital sound.

Rating:

- Fantastic A/V selector!!!
I received the selector yesterday, so I've only been using it for a day, but I did test it out every device that I have hooked up to it (DVD player, VCR, and Xbox). The selector works flawlessly. The auto switching works perfectly when the selector is both on and in standby mode.

The conversion from RCA video to the S video works fantastic as well. My VCR is connecting using an RCA connection and the selector is connected to my TVs S video port.

Another side note. The Xbox, even when powered off, has some residual signal that it still sends. I orginally used a Y cable to connect my DVD player and Xbox to the same S video port on my TV. Because of the residual signal from the Xbox, the Y cable didn't really work well. But, the Sony selector handles this just fine. And again, the auto switching takes care of this problem.

The ports on the front of the device are also a plus. It makes it easy to plug in a digital camera or camcorder that you want to play on the TV.

An excellent product! 5 stars!!!

Rating:

- Sony A/V Selector
This is a great product. Directions are very easy and simple to follow for hookup. I used it to install an XBox game console and a Nintendo Gamecube, using their S-video cables. Easy connection to my Sony sound system, and Mitsubishi Television, using the TV's S-video connection. In the past I had to continually disconnect the single S-video connection on the TV every time the kids wanted to use the play a game, or use the DVD. A key feature is the automatic switching, when a video signal is detected. So there is no need for ANOTHER remote control, to add to my collection. The device also switches itself off automatically, after 10 minutes for power conservation. Automatically turns on again when a video signal is detected. I do not notice any loss in picture quality, nor audio quality, as I have read in reviews on other similar A/V selectors.