Reddit reviews RadioShack 1500320 1-Input/4-Output A/V Component Video Sound S-Video Distribution Amplifier Splitter

GameCube and Game Boy Player is the standard setup. The startup disc for the Game Boy Player can be a bit pricey these days, but you can softmod the GameCube and use the free Game Boy Interface software as an alternative.

From there, you can get an HDMI adapter and HDMI capture card (lots of those to choose from). Or if you need to save some money, a good S-Video capture device like the IO Data GV-USB2, an S-Video splitter, and a GameCube S-Video cable will still get you a pretty decent-looking capture. Either way, set it up in OBS and you're good to go.

I'd suggest also getting an SNES controller adapter. I find it way nicer than using the GBA as a controller. There's also one for Wii Classic Controllers if you prefer.

Get a GV-USB2 capture card! It's basically the go-to for standard definition console gaming.

He'll also need a video/audio splitter. I use this one and it works wonderfully. You'll need an extra set of composite cables as well. (That's just an example. Get whatever will ship on time for you)

If he wants to stream on twitch, consider getting him a webcam and mic. Let me know what your budget is and I can recommend some options for you.

1. literally any cheap usb capture card
   
   
2. this boy
   
   
3. two sets of RCA cables
   
   
4. OBS
   
   Console goes into the boy, cable one goes to the CRT, cable two goes to the capture card.
   
   Stream with OBS. It's a shining beacon of free software that everybody from the nooberest of noobs to the biggest of names all use.

The GV-USB2 is probably one of the best cheap cards out there. If you want an example of the quality, here's a recording from back when I was using it. I'm pretty sure it can look even better, as I was only using the RCA cables, and not the S-Video input. Just make sure you get a powered splitter like this or this (for S-video) so you can send the signal to both the TV and the recording device without lag.

Just make sure you set the device up properly and use some kind of deinterlacing. For ease of use I'd just recommend using the built in de-interlacing options in OBS.

Edit: If you're short on money and don't want to spend extra on a splitter for live capture, then you can just save your match replays using Legacy TE, and then record them through the recording device using your computer screen to navigate the menus. This requires extra work though, and it can be easy to forget to save your replays. I'd just recommend getting the capture device and the splitter so you can record it all in one go.

Your other option which I personally use is buying an s-video distribution amplifier. It helps maintain signal strength and gives the best clarity and results for both the stream and your CRT (unless you wanted to really go out and buy an upscaler). Essentially think of the powered splitter like a water pump where unpowered splitters are water lines to multiple homes. The pressure is maintained with a pump where as the multiple home connections will drop pressure. Another plus with the box is having the option of running multiple audio outputs without needing more splitters, which I use for my audio interface setup but you could also run the audio into speakers for casual play offstream.

Most SD capture cards are intended for ripping VHS tapes to your PC. They're not intended for gaming. You'll never find one that will let you play on a PC monitor without display lag.

The solution is to get a television, and a splitter like this.

For a SNES your best bet is a CRT television, which you can get on craigslist for like $10 if you live in North America.

What kind of signal are you using? Composite video? If so, you need a "distribution amplifier" to actively split the signal without degrading quality.

edit: https://www.amazon.com/RadioShack-1500320-Component-Distribution-Amplifier/dp/B010EIK6K6

No clue. Probably because it's a workaround. If you have 35 bucks to drop, I'd highly recommend this card:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00428BF1Y/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=19PXRWYDINS8Q&coliid=I2SHEBGBZQJW43

It's amazing quality, easy with drivers, etc. Works perfectly with OBS once you install the drivers, which there's a tutorial on how to do it in the amazon reviews (it's click a couple boxes, but it's all in Japanese lol).

I use that, with this splitter, and S-video. Here's an example of what it looks like with my setup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RN9E1OSVgHo

You're gonna need a splitter- Signal comes from the console into the splitter, then a line from the splitter goes into the CRT TV and a line goes into your capture card.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010EIK6K6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is one of the more commonly used splitters. If you look in the "Frequently Bought Together" section, you'll see some extra cables you'll need. There's also a I-o capture card in that section. It's a small, cheap japanese capture card that's super easy to set up and use, and comes highly recommended for streaming RCA consoles. If your setup with the RCA to HDMI converter doesn't work or seems laggy for any reason, you might want to give that one a try.

EDIT: In addition, DO NOT BUY a CRT TV online. Online sellers have caught on to the fact that CRTs are fashionable as "retro gaming TVs", and have been jacking up the price. If you don't have one, ask around. Check craigslist. Go to Goodwill or a similar "junk I no longer need" store. You should be able to get one for next to free. Another side note is that some TVs have a "Game" or "Input" mode that there is no button for on the TV. You'll need a universal remote from Walmart/Best Buy/etc to access it. In general with old TVs, the more recognizable the brand name, the better.

EDIT EDIT: With the proper settings, MANY games will not give you problems playing on a flatscreen modern monitor. That said, if it's a game that requires a lot of precise execution/has anything pixel or frame perfect, you're still better off with a CRT.

I use composite myself, but I do notice diminished video quality when using un-powered cable splitters. I would assume that S-video would probably be the same way. So if you're concerned about quality you'll probably want to look into a powered distribution amp (probably something like this, just make sure it has multiple outputs), and then run S-video cables from that to your TV and capture card.

\> Can you split the signal.. run one signal to TV and another to capture device?


Yeah, but if you don't want signal loss on either volume or color/contrast/brightness, you need a splitter amplifier. I used this one in the past, it's good stuff.


Radioshack 1-in/4-out Composite/S-Video Splitter.


\> I'd just let OBS do any upscaling.


OBS doesn't really upscale. It just stretches whatever is being casted to it. All the signal modifications have to happen via hardware.


\> Now if you were trying to get the highest quality possible. Then you would probably need to mod the consoles to get a HD signal. Then you can just use a camlink or elgato to capture the HDMI signal.


For the best quality, you need to have a line doubler/tripler/4x in-line somewhere (for most FPGA consoles, they're built in). Otherwise you're going to have the pixel bleed that you see when plugging a SNES into an HDTV present in your captured signal. The line multipliers introduce scanlines in the signal making it look more crisp, like you're playing it on a CRT monitor.

Finally a question I can actually answer. For just normal Red/Yellow/White A/V cables I use this setup.

Option 1

1. Go from your console to a splitter such as this. Doesn't have to be exactly this splitter but it does have to have external power or you will have signal degradation.
   
   
2. You will need extra cables so pick up a couple of these. One cable goes directly to the CRT the other into an adapter.
   
   
3. Here is one I have used a lot it is a solid adapter for the price. They can range from cheap to really expensive so it's whatever you want to put into it.
   
   
4. From HDMI out go into your method of capture I use this. If you don't want stretch for the El Gato, AverMedia is also a reputable brand. Then just USB from the capture card into your PC.
   
   Is there any reason you want HDMI? You can keep steps 1 and 2 from above and use something like this instead.
   
   I can also answer any question you have.

Adding a subwoofer to studio monitors is difficult, especially for a moderate system like you are proposing. It won’t be pretty, unless splitting the RCA/TRS cables. You’d have to convert computer audio to RCA, the. Plug that into something like this, then go 2x RCA->TRS to speakers and 2x RCA to sub.

I would get a Rythmik LV12R (ported) or L12 (sealed) over that SVS, much better.

EDIT: It’s easier to go with SVS, as it has RCA outputs.

I am using an amplified splitter. Specifically, I am using this amp splitter:

RadioShack 1500320 1-Input/4-Output A/V Component Video Sound S-Video Distribution Amplifier Splitter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010EIK6K6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Y3XZDb1HMYPB4

Multiple composite/s-video cables like that tend to suffer from poor shielding and the image quality isn't as good. I'd recommend using a s-video to composite splitter with a transcoder (like this one:https://www.amazon.com/RadioShack-4-Output-Component-Distribution-Amplifier/dp/B010EIK6K6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1537932415&sr=8-3&keywords=distribution+amplifier+composite) and having an extra s-video lead to your capture card.

The passthrough feature only works on component signals I think, and it spits out HDMI which can introduce lag if you're sensitive to it.

I use this Radioshack splitter, mostly because it's powered to prevent signal loss

Try one of these. https://www.amazon.com/RadioShack-1500320-Component-Distribution-Amplifier/dp/B010EIK6K6

I also have everything from an nes to the ps4/switch, and what I do is use an rca amplifier and splitter (to keep the signal strong, otherwise it looks dark on my TV), and then I run one video signal to my HD upscaler and then to my elgato capture card, and I run the other video signal straight to my TV. I then take the rca audio that would normally output to my TV, and instead pipe it directly to an analog mixer with USB. The other audio output goes to my upscaler so the audio and video is perfectly synced on the capture card. This gives me zero latency play on the TV and zero latency audio in my headphones, and furthermore allows independent audio control between the stream and my headphones, so I can crank the game volume if needed to listen for gameplay cues.

For hdmi audio, I use an hdmi splitter and run one to my monitor which has a headphone jack - I run this audio to my mixer using a 3.5mm to stereo rca adapter cable, and the other goes to my capture card. Same result, perfectly synced audio for the stream and perfectly synced, independent volume adjustment for my headphones.

You can do this without a mixer by just using a cable adapter to plug into your pc's line in, but there may be some latency involved and any adjustment you do for your headphones will also affect the volume on the stream. Still, a decent USB audio mixer is a good $100 or more, so it helps to do it that way instead if you're on a budget.

Edit: you can do the same with component video, s video, and rbg too, if you buy the right av distribution device. So an rgb modded nes or a ps2/GC can run at their best, if you have the cash to spend on the amplifiers/splitters and upscalers.

https://www.amazon.com/DATA-connection-video-capture-GV-USB2/dp/B00428BF1Y

This is what I use to capture the composite output for NES, SNES, and GameCube.

https://www.amazon.com/RadioShack-4-Output-Component-Distribution-Amplifier/dp/B010EIK6K6/ref=pd_aw_sim_147_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=K1A3NZAMXQP3GN77DATJ

This is what I use to split the output of the console (1 to the TV and 1 to the gv usb2).

Edit: changed component to composite because I had a lapse of thinking when I wrote it initially

You have a couple of options. These are the things you will absolutely need:

1. A capture card - For PS2, I highly recommend this one. It is the best SD USB card for the price.
   
   
2. The right AV cables. For a sharper image, use S-Video instead of the yellow composite video. For S-Video, you'll need a cable such as this one You don't have to use S-Video, but if you're going to stream, I recommend it.
   
   
3. A powered splitter - This is to take the video from the console and pipe it to two different sources, your capture card and your TV. I have two of these splitters and they work wonderfully. You will only need one. It is a one-in, four-out splitter, so two of your outputs will remain unused unless you have another source you need the video to go to.
   
   
4. AV cables to go from the outputs on your splitter to the TV and capture card. For the connection from the first output to your capture card, you can use a standard male-male S-Video cable. For the second output that goes to your TV, it just depends on what kind of TV you have. If you're playing PS2, I recommend using a higher-end CRT, in which case you can just use male-male composite cables. If you TV has a native S-Video port, then just get a second male-male S-Video cable.
   
   
5. A PC that can handle streaming - I know this sounds vague, but you wouldn't believe how many people attempt to stream even SD consoles with a GV-USB2 on laptops pre-2010. When OBS or XSplit is open and streaming, your processor will be in use. If you do not have a decent processor, streaming will bog your PC down.
   
   That's about all I can think of. It's daunting at first when you're trying to imagine how everything would be set up, but I promise it's not as difficult as it sounds. If you have any other questions, just reply here and I'll do my best to answer.

I have a Toshiba MD20F52 that I picked up at Goodwill a while back. Need to do a few color adjustments before choosing to go further, but had a question for the future of the set. Currently, I only really use my SNES (and very rarely N64 and GC), with S-Video going into a splitter (https://www.amazon.com/RadioShack-4-Output-Component-Distribution-Amplifier/dp/B010EIK6K6), with composite out to the TV and S-Video out going to a video capture device (this looks better than just composite from the console to the TV). Would it be worth trying to add S-Video to the set, and if so, what would that process look like? I haven't found a lot of information on this set online. Thanks!

E: Fixed link