Customer Reviews

RCA VH71 A/B Slide Switch

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This switch is built like a brick, with the weakest point being the little plastic handle, able to withstand drops with ease. One should not be worried about the build quality on this device at this price point. Now it functions exactly as stated allowing you to watch OTA TV along with your service provider, whether it be cable, direct tv, or dish network as long as your service provider uses a coax cable to send you the signal. To use the device you simply move the little plastic handle from one end to the other. I know I am going off on a tangent, but setting it up to work with your TV is probably one of one's questions regarding this device as it was mine.
Set-Up process:
-Connect your OTA antenna and your service's provider coax cable to the dual end of the device (IN) I suggest putting your subscriber's service coax cable in the input (IN) marked cable on the device.
-Connect your antenna to the only other available input (IN) on the device.
-Buy a coax cable either RG6 or RG59 with F-Plugs on each end (Both Female Ends), and connect it from the device to your TV
Note: You should buy a coax cable that is exactly the same as your subscriber's coax cable to prevent signal degradation or loss.
Make sure your TV has a built-in tuner if you want to use a basic antenna to pick up OTA channels.

Uses for this switch:
-If you are recording a show, you can switch to OTA to watch a different show
-If you live in an ethnic area where there is a lot of broadcasting stations in your area, or your subscriber blocked PBS or removed any other OTA station you can now watch it again, by switching the signal to OTA.
-Getting OTA HD channels that are not available through your subscriber.
-Pranks
-TV time-out
Overall this device is solid, and highly recommended. If you have any questions about this device or setup feel free to leave comments.

Switching between coax cable from a rf-converter hooked to a computer and the coax cable from a digital to analogue tv converter box works perfectly without static.

What can I say about a slide switch! This one appears to be a simple little good quality switch. I use mine to easily switch between my indoor and outdoor TV antennas. No 'bells and whistles', just basic inexpensive usefulness.

No frills. Just does the job. I don't know if you can find a cheaper RF switch.

The picture is not the same as what I got, but they may have changed it since I bought this.

Works perfectly fine on the Antenna side. When I switch it over to the Cable side, it works, but the picture is all snowy. I thought it may be my wires, so I tried switching the sides that my stuff is plugged in on and I get the same results. Antenna works fine for what was snowy before, and the Cable is snowy for what worked perfect before.
So my product is faulty. Sadly I waited too long to try it, so there is nothing I can do about it.

****Update:****

After removing the back, which was pretty flabby (it pretty much bent inward easily with one light touch of a hammer. its only being held in by a small amount of glue on the sides), the switch works perfectly with no snow on either side.

With some playing with the back, I noticed that if it touched the wires, the signal would get all screwy. So I assume the cause of my problem was the back of the case, or something inside, was too close or touching the the wire on the one side.

I just flattened the back out again and taped it back into place with electric tape and I'm happy. I improved my rating.

The switch works well.
It is of a much better construction than one that I bought years ago.
Great price, as well.

RCA VH71 A/B Slide Switch

Switch did not work when I received it. No signal. I looked at the back and saw that the aluminum sheet cover was dented in. Removed the cover and saw it was shorting out against the inside wires. The sheet was flattened out and replaced and held with tape. Now the switch works fine. Price was OK, later found the same switch at Walmart for the same price. Received the switch quickly from Amazon.

I use this switch to limit the hours my 10-year-old daughter can watch TV. Here's how it works:
- From the wall outlet for the cable TV service, a length of coaxial cable is connected to one of the "IN" terminals of the switch. The other "IN" terminal is not connected to anything.
- From the terminal marked "TV SET" another coaxial cable is connected to my TV set.
- The switch is mounted out of sight, but within easy reach, under my desktop.
When I don't want her to watch TV, I slide the switch off (toward the unused terminal). If she turns on the TV, there is only snow on the screen.
"Gee honey, the cable service isn't working. Why don't you do your homework now, and try the TV again later."
- When I'm willing to permit TV watching, I slide the switch the other way.
So far, she hasn't caught on.