Frequently Asked Questions

 

What power supply is needed for the Scalable Video Switch?

The Scalable Video Switch is powered through it's USB Type C port. The power supply requirement is a +5v at 1.5Amps or 7.5w USB power supply. If you use a substandard power supply you could see video/audio quality issues, and strange control module behavior due to possible brown out conditions. It is also not recommended to use a USB Power Delivery equipped charger. The Scalable Video Switch does not have a USB Power Delivery trigger chip so some Power Delivery type power supplies will not deliver the correct amount of current to the SVS.

How many inputs does the Scalable Video Switch support?

The Scalable Video switch supports up to 248 inputs, however the maximum number of inputs that can be stacked together in a single stack is 32. To expand beyond the initial 32 inputs you will need to add SVS Expansion modules to create additional stacks of up to 32 inputs each. The Expansion Module should release in the first quarter of 2025.

Does the Scalable Video Switch transcode signal formats?

No, in it's default configuration the Scalable Video Switch does not transcode between different signal formats. This means for example that if you input RGB SCART and output it through a Component Output module, the RGB signal will not be converted to YPbPr, it will remain RGB. Your receiving device will need to be able to accept the format you are sending it regardless of the connector that it is being output to. 

Will the Scalable Video Switch ever support transcoding signal formats?

There are RGB to Component and Component to RGB conversion modules in development. When those modules are ready you will be able to add them to your switch to manage signal conversion as needed.

Which output module is best for my scaler of choice?

Depending on which scaler you are using to connect analog signals to your digital TV some Scalable Video Switch output modules might be superior to others. The following are my recommendations for common scalers on the market today.

  • RetroTink 4K - The VGA output module is best for the RetroTink 4K, this is because the Retrotink 4K supports all signal formats through it's VGA port and the VGA module also enables the serial integration with the Retrotink 4K to provide advanced automatic profile loading and IR remote codes over VGA.
  • RetroTink 5X Pro - For full functionality the Retrotink 5X Pro will need the SCART Output Module, the Component Output Module and the Composite/S-Video Module. This is because the RetroTink 5X does not support multiple signal formats on it's SCART and Component inputs.
  • OSSC Classic - The OSSC classic can accept any signal format (RGB, Component) on any of it's inputs, so any output module option would be good, however the most convenient output module for the OSSC would be SCART because it carries audio and video (all formats) over a single cable.
  • OSSC Pro - The OSSC Pro much like the OSSC Classic can accept any signal format through all of it's inputs. For the OSSC Pro the best output module would be either the VGA Output Module or the SCART Output Module. There's really no advantage either way so it's up to you!
  • Morph 4k with Analog Bridge - To be determined when/if the analog bridge is released and it's capabilities are known.

Are the shells of the Scalable Video Switch modules injection molded?

At this time the Scalable Video Switch module shells are 3D printed using an SLA (Stereolithography) process. This produces highly detailed and precise plastic parts, but the exact surface finish may vary from part to part due to the post processing steps that are required after printing.

Does the Scalable Video Switch support 1080p?

The Scalable Video Switch supports input resolutions from 240p all the way up to 1080p. It should be noted that the best practice for high resolution inputs is to place them as close to the output modules as possible. As a result of the modular design the high speed signal bandwidth is reduced by a small amount with each additional module, so the high bandwidth signals (480p-1080p) should always have as few modules in-between them and the outputs as possible. Lower bandwidth signals (240p/480i) will not be affected by this all the way up to 32 inputs per stack.

Can I add additional modules to my Scalable Video Switch in the future?

Yes you can add more modules at any time in the future. When you add new modules upon powering up the Scalable Video Switch will detect the new modules and prompt the user to perform a factory reset. After the reset the new modules will be selectable and auto detected.

Do the Toslink Output modules output digital audio from analog inputs?

At this time the Toslink Output modules can only output digital audio from inputs that have Toslink Inputs connected, however I am looking into the possibility of adding an analog to digital audio conversion module that would allow both analog and digital audio to be output through the Toslink output module. There is currently no ETA for this module but it is being researched.

Can the SVS do matrix switching?

No, the SVS is not a matrix switcher. Only one input can be active at a time, and it will output to all of your output modules simultaneously.