Customer Reviews

SIMA SVS4D - Audio/Video Switcher

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

 

 

I used one of these to route signals from 3 VCRs (Composite video) and 1 DVD (S-Video) to the S-Video in on a TV, and route analog audio from those four devices to the TV and the home sound system. (The DVD's 5.1 sound doesn't go through the SIMA, but through a separate direct fiber optic connection.)

I liked that the SIMA did seamless conversion from composite to S-Video, a feature the rca vh920 lacks,

The audio quality was fine, and the video quality was fine. (I couldn't detect any difference in quality between using the SIMA and a direct connection.)

The SIMA has more features than I use: 1) I never used the audio compander feature, (2) the auto-switching is a nuisance, since most of the VCRs are programmed to do timed recording: when a recording starts, the auto-switcher switches, Luckily, it is easy to turn off both features. (3) Since I never turn it off and always want it to display which device is selected, I don't need the infrared control of those two features.

Although its remote control is perfectly functional, I taught my universal remote the 4 device selection commands, so its functionality is smoothly integrated with my regular (universal) remote.

I wish it had a few more device buttons. I can see wanting to connect a camera, a DVR, a computer and a video game to the TV in the future.

I am writing this because I am currently shopping for a replacement. After about 2 years, the SIMA partially broke: all the video sources come through only in black and white, unless I unplug the AC adapter, and plug it back in. After about an hour, the color goes out again.

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p.s.: I'm revising this review a week later:

I went out and bought a second one to replace the failed one. The new one adds, in addition to the traditional analog audio RCA connectors, for each channel a digital audio input connector: two of the input 4 input channels have fiber optic 5.1 channel digital audio ins, and two have coax 5.1 channel digital audio, and it converts between the coax and fiber to the output. (You can use either a coax or fiber input to route to either a coax or fiber output.) BUT: the audio compander feature only works with analog audio. The big knob on the front that lets you smooth out the high volume peaks so you won't wake your toddler only works with analog audio, not the new digital audio connections.

revising, April 2008 - I still have mine, it still works. The new one says its model number is "SIMA SVS4D With Digital Audio" on the front panel. The old one merely said "SIMA SVS4D" on the front panel. The photograph, here on this Amazon page is of the new one. (Revising because someone using an alias and a bogus return address sent me email asking for the above information.)

I purchased on 9 months ago. First one was DOA (well, it partially worked, but wouldn't switch and the video was terrible.) The replacement worked great... That is until after 9 months, when it completely died (and it only has a 90 day warranty.) The lights light up (sometimes), but all I get out is busts of video ever few seconds.

Other people's blurry video is likely the result of connecting both the compisite and S-VIdeo.

While I really loved it while it was working, I'd never buy another Sima product again.

I've had two of these over the years, because the first one was so useful. The auto-select or whatever they call it is handy, meaning that the remote is generally not needed. When watching movies late at night, i used the volume stabilization (an auto-gain makeup compressor, for those that know) to even out dialog-to-effects volume levels without waking anyone up. I'm pretty darn particular about my sound quality as well as video quality, and noticed no degradation with this unit. It served temporary duty as an audio-only switcher for digital signals in my recording studio. For me, it was worth it for that alone; there's no other 4-input digital audio (coaxial & optical s/pdif) switcher close to this price point, and the remote did come in handy in this application. It is a light metal chassis with plastic faceplate and plastic/rubber remote. Minimal controls, buttons not too loose, good resistance to volume stabilization knob. Note that of the 4 digital inputs, 2 are coaxial; 2 are optical. Output is on both, so unit may be used as a digital audio splitter.

I don't remember if i bought mine from Amazon or not, but i found this page researching whether i should sell my remaining one or not. Now that i've thought about it while writing this, i'll probably keep it. I haven't experienced the problems as other seem to have, but it is important to use quality interconnect cables, and allow components adequate ventilation. It looks as though the previous model, without digital audio, may be the one to blame. If you're looking for the specific niche this unit fills, i guess i'd recommend it. This unit does not have the newer HDMI connections.

I was a little worried about purchasing this product when I read the other review. However, I found many positive reviews of the Sima SVS-4D on other sites.
The picture quality on my TV was the same as if the S-Video was attached directly. I did not see the blurriness the other reviewer saw.
The product solved the digital audio problem that I had. My reciever only has one digital coaxial input and I had two devices with digital out, one coaxial and the other optical.

I started off purchasing a similar item from RadioShack. I ordered the Sima hoping that the video quality would be better. I was completely wrong! The video quality through the svideo switching was BLURRY, it hurt my eyes to look at the screen. The radio shack version, which cost 1/3 the price but does not have the digital audio switching had much better s-video quality.
I am returning the Sima.