RCA VH911 Video Switch Box

by RCA

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 4.8 x 2.6 inches ; 9.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00008X5DE
• Item model number: VH911
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #9 in Electronics > Accessories & Supplies > Audio & Video Accessories > Distribution > Selector Switch Boxes
  • #96 in Electronics > Accessories & Supplies > Audio & Video Accessories > Connectors & Adapters
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 1, 2003

Product Description

Select from up to 4 components Adds S-video connection capability DBS-compatible Contemporary design Use either RCA or S-video connectors depending on output type

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Caveat: Short-circuits video unselected inputs, June 24, 2010

By 

P. Young "no nonsense critic" (S F Bay area, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: RCA VH911 Video Switch Box (Electronics)

For the VH911, RCA took the cheap way to improve cross-input isolation. It simply shorts the 3 unselected video inputs to ground, thus providing very high isolation. Unfortunately, if one of the inputs comes from a Y splitter, that Y splitter's other leg will also be grounded out. Technically, splitting a 75 ohm video signal with a passive Y splitter is not kosher (impedance matching is important at video frequencies), but for most applications, the signal degradation is trivial. It also means that an expensive active buffer will be needed if the video signal is to be split. This heavy-handed approach may damage (or overheat) some poorer designed video sources which may not handle a zero ohm load.

Interestingly, RCA did a better job on its 2 to 1 RCA selector (DT902AV). Here the unselected input is properly handled, switching the unused input to a 75 ohm dummy load, instead of ground. So it is caveat emptor, as you won't find this information in any specs.

Incidently, someone wrote that the selected indicator is not very bright. I would imagine so, given that the indicator is not a light scourse, but a reflection from a red-colored moving tab. Remember, this is a completely passive device so there wouldn't be power for an LED.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Very basic, a bit outdated and too lightweight., January 4, 2010

By 

Steven Martin (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: RCA VH911 Video Switch Box (Electronics)

This is a very basic unit requiring no external power, which is a plus unless you're counting on using a remote control to switch inputs. With this one you'll have to get up and walk over to the unit and manually switch inputs. Make sure you look at my "customer picture" of the back of the unit so you know exactly what you can plug into this thing. It's either S-Video or Composite with their accompanying audio cabling. It is not meant for Component video, HDMI or any such modern cabling.

I've had this unit for several years. I used it for a few years to switch between various gaming consoles, DVD players and VCRs with basic composite and/or S-Video outputs. When we were using it it was almost always reliable. There were times when the push of a button didn't switch over the connection cleanly. But, switching back and forth a couple of times with firm button pushes would put it right.

So far I've docked a star for occasional unreliability and for the outdated cable compatibility. I have to dock one more star because of the following: This unit is so lightweight that once you've plugged 15+ cables into it, it can't compete with the weight of the cables and winds up pulled off its perch and back behind all the electronic components it was sitting on. This happened all the time with ours. Since it's about the size of soda can, and the buttons are on top of it, you'll probably have to place it atop your TV or stack of components. It will wind up pulled down and back behind these things because of all the heavy cables, unless you come up with a creative solution to hold it in place.

Amazon says a 3-star rating means an item is "OK", and that's about right for this one.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple and it works!, October 26, 2008

By 

Glidestone (Rochester, NY USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: RCA VH911 Video Switch Box (Electronics)

Ran out of ports on my amp and TV. Now I can get my digital tv converter, Wii, DVD, and VHS all hooked up to my amp for surround sound. This unit doesn't require any power, is just as clear as hooking up directly, and is simple to hook up and use.