RCA VH920 Video Source Selector

by RCA

Product Details

• Item Weight: 3.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00000J4BC
• Item model number: VH920
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 1, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

We were delighted with the VH920's simplicity of layout and performance. With one small box, the cable-knotting hardships of dealing with more video sources than your AV receiver can handle, are gone. If you don't have an AV receiver, don't worry--the VH920 lets you route audio and video directly into an RCA-jack-equipped television. Alternately, you can run the output of the VH920 back into an AV receiver for integration with still other audio and video sources.

All of the VH920's audio inputs, as well as its single output, are stereo RCA; the video ins and out let you choose between either composite video or S-Video. A component-video (RGB) option would be nice, but if you're using equipment of that high caliber you might want to look into a higher-end routing system. If you aren't running an S-Video output to your TV, there isn't much point in using any of the S-Video inputs, unless you have sources that don't provide composite outs.

The most pleasing thing about this video selector is its ability to learn different remote controls. Through a process that seems complicated in the instructions but is really quite simple, you can configure the switcher to respond to the power button of any remote control. The only hitch here is that you'll have to reprogram the switcher for your remotes if it loses power.

For convenience, RCA has pre-labeled four of the inputs "satellite," "DVD," "laserdisc," and "VCR," but you're by no means restricted to using them for those items. When you're ready to give cable-swapping a rest, put down the cables and pick up a VH920.

Pros:

• Greatly simplifies video routing
• Easy setup
• Durable construction
• Feeds audio and video directly to a TV

Cons:

• Power interruption requires reprogramming
• Does not accommodate component video

Product Description

Features: 1-year limited warranty. Components are always hooked-up. Responds to original device remotes. Perfect for DSS or home entertainment systems. Back panel is labeled with specific component access. Connects all home theater components into 1 central location. Source selector provides 6 additional S-VHS A/V and composite video outputs. Attach 6 S-VHS, composite stereo, A/V sources - 5 on rear panel, 1 on front panel. Codes from various components connected to the video source selector can be transferred to remote. Convenient front access panel for hooking up camcorder, digital cameras and video games for easy playback on TV.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Really poor product, July 10, 2000

By 

"spokesman" (Moody, AL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: RCA VH920 Video Source Selector (Electronics)

Frustrating to teach it codes, get a power failure and you have to re-teach it. Pilot lights are so dim you can't see them in daylight. Branded RCA but not really, built by someone else. This is a waste of time and money. We need a really good switch but this isn't it.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very nice unit!, January 3, 2002

By 

Brian Kendrick (Patchogue, New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: RCA VH920 Video Source Selector (Electronics)

I have this unit hooked up to my home theater since Christmas and I'm very happy with it. I'd like to clear up some slight confusion about what previous reviews here have stated about using either S-video OR composite video, but not both at the same time. I have tested it extensively, and you CAN hook up both at the same time. However, it is also true that this box does NOT do conversion. So how does this box handle this delema??? Very simple. Whatever video you put in, that's what you get out. IF YOU PUT BOTH S-VIDEO AND COMPOSITE VIDEO IN AT THE SAME TIME, THEN YOU GET BOTH S-VIDEO AND COMPOSTIE VIDEO OUT BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. S-Video comes out of the S-Video, and Compostite video comes out of the composite video port. There is NO conversion from one to the other. That means that any composite video IN devices will not go out the S-video OUT port, and vice versa. If you hook up both and you have a TV that dectects which one is currently sending a signal, you won't notice any problem. I personally have a tv that S-Video over rides the composite. So I only use this box for S-Video because EVEN THOUGH THIS BOX IS SENDING THE COMPOSITE VIDEO, MY TV ISN'T ACCEPTING IT. You'll have to see how your equipment works and decide if you need a box with conversion ability.
About using the remote, it AUTOMATICALLY works with all of my RCA devices. I didn't have to even program it!! If you have RCA then great, if not then I can't comment personally.
This unit is also nicely labeled, very attractive in appearance, and has SIX inputs which is nice. If it performed conversion and had an second output (it has One output) I'd give it 5+++ stars. As it currently is, it's a solid 4 stars in my book (as long as you calculate ahead of time if it's abilities are consistent with your equipment and your needs of course).

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Bad Documentation, June 17, 2000

By 

Anthony Carfora (Barnegat, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: RCA VH920 Video Source Selector (Electronics)

Good luck trying to get the device to recognize your hand-heldremote controls. The documentation is badly written and evencontradictory is some spots. On page 8, Step 5, it says "Repeat step 3 & 4 for additional devices". On the very same page, after Step 6, it says "Repeat steps 2,3 & 4 for additional devices". OK, folks, which one is it? I taught a ReplayTV remote to learn how to control 3 devices, set up all the cabling, and had no trouble running a complex TV, 2-VCR, ReplayTV set up until I got to this product. It's been over one day now, and I still have to select devices manually.... There is nothing on the RCA website of any technical help. Also, you will not find any description in the documentation of how this product is supposed to work with your remotes after it "learns" the codes. How do you know it's working then? Don't waste $80 on this kludge. Go get a cheap manual switch. It will work with a lot less aggravation.