V.I.Deo is there

now that i got my PS2 back, it was time to address the hassle of yanking cables out of my 3 year-old TV to switch between the game console and my DVD. prior to this, i was using a simple RadioShack selector switch which didn't have any component video jacks. for a while it was ok to walk over and press a button to switch between the two.

i was considering a receiver for awhile now, but the limited space in my shoebox apartment wasn't quite enticing to make full use of a receiver (it equates to the need for better speakers and thus, home theater planning for a space that barely enough and isn't mine anyway). besides, funds are hard to come by these days, and i believe in getting what you pay for, so i'd rather go for a higher end machine that will last awhile, but if there's a bargain for the short term, why not?

enter the Pelican.

we moseyed over to J&R (NYC's best gadget place - lucky to have been working 10 mins away from there all these years) and look up this crude $19.99 selector switch we saw on their website. but whoa! there's an even better version ... The Score System Selector Pro 2.0 (from Pelican Accessories, a company dedicated to gaming accessories).


somebody finally wised up to the fact that gadget-savvy people need more than your basic video hookups, so finally here's one with 5 device inputs (6 if you count the one in front) - complete component video, S-video and AV jacks for each. added bonus would be the LAN (ethernet) I/Os (making this a hub) and optical I/Os for future high-end devices.

its slim enough to be stackable (that's it sandwiched between my new DVD player and my old DVD/VCR combo)


granted its not made by any of the biggies, so the LCD display seems crude, but it does the job.


it also has a cute remote control, whose brushed metal casing reminds me of my college project, a remote-control switch for small appliances.


check that out, momma!!! (which means i need an xbox and a PS3 ... ok, ok, stop making screwed up faces)


more inputs .... gooooooooooooooooooood.


ok, maybe it was just a Pixar film and i'm imagining things, but i liked the bright vibrant colors ... wheeeee!


i've seen some negative reviews where they had faulty jacks, but this is a short-term (could be a long short-term) solution. so far, its worth the bang for my buck. a poor man's receiver, indeed.


The Score System Selector Pro 2.0
$100, J & R