Anybody use Shinybow switchers? Specs look pretty good; RS-232 control (though I don't know how robust it is), 325 MHz max bandwidth, looks like it switches both analog and digital audio ....
I don't seem to be able to catch one of those superdeals you guys do on Extron 200s, and don't know what the config is of the various Autopatches for sale on eBay, so I'm looking at alternatives. Yeh, the Shinybow is expensive new ... but I like $1700 (need the 8:8) better than $5000.
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Wouldn't a Neothings be an alternative that already has a driver?
Dean Roddey
Explorans limites defectum
Yes it would .... but it's $2600 and only 140 MHz bandwidth, which seems like the wrong way on the ROI curve ....
Of course, if you add in having to pay somebody to write a driver, I guess the costs are pretty close, aren't they? I'm wondering about the bandwidth, though ... I know some folks are completely happy with their 1080 PQ over CELabs connectors, which are only 75 MHz or so ... And some folks say you need to get the third harmonic for best PQ .... My head is starting to hurt.
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rdf Wrote:Of course, if you add in having to pay somebody to write a driver, I guess the costs are pretty close, aren't they?
 hock: enough to bring a $1700 closer to $2600? boy, have I been undercharging....
beelzerob Wrote:hock: enough to bring a $1700 closer to $2600? boy, have I been undercharging....
har. Okay, I should've said "the costs are closeR" , shouldn't I? That way, $1701 would qualify.
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Technically "closer" then....i can handle that. :tounge
My opinion in these kind of things so far has been to not let the absence or presence of a driver affect the decision to get a piece of equipment. If a particular piece of equipment is superior in other ways, then go ahead and get it. If it comes down to it, YOU can write a driver for it. (If I can, anyone can...16 years of programming experience notwithstanding)
Most anyone who can write a driver can also look over a RS232 spec and give their opinion of it...whether it'd be easy to do, whether it's 1 or 2 way, fully capable, etc...so that might answer some other questions for you. The presence of a RS232 port on the back doesn't guarantee a whole lot.
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beelzerob Wrote:Technically "closer" then....i can handle that. :tounge
My opinion in these kind of things so far has been to not let the absence or presence of a driver affect the decision to get a piece of equipment. If a particular piece of equipment is superior in other ways, then go ahead and get it. If it comes down to it, YOU can write a driver for it. (If I can, anyone can...16 years of programming experience notwithstanding)
Most anyone who can write a driver can also look over a RS232 spec and give their opinion of it...whether it'd be easy to do, whether it's 1 or 2 way, fully capable, etc...so that might answer some other questions for you. The presence of a RS232 port on the back doesn't guarantee a whole lot.
I wish I knew how to write a driver... I don't even know where to start:-(
tia, Ron
My HT equipment I want to control by CQC (some day hopefully)
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ellisr63 Wrote:I wish I knew how to write a driver... I don't even know where to start:-(
Step 1. Send a check to beelzerob.
There, you're started. ;-)
Brian
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I got a Extron 200 8x8 for around $130 (not gloating) 2 months back, but it took a lot of lurking and watching on ebay to catch one. Crosspoints are higher, but I still I think if you go this route you would be farther ahead. I bought a different manufacturer for a 4x2 switcher, and it has issues. The professional models (Autopatch, Extron) including Neothings come highly recommended. Either it's patience on fleabay or pay much higher new. I was patient, but it depends on your time frame. Good luck.
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brotsten Wrote:Step 1. Send a check to beelzerob.
There, you're started. ;-)
Brian
Heheh...tuition is high at Beelzerob's Magical Driver Writing Know-How course.
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