I've read many threads suggesting the SIMA SVS-4 because of auto-sensing, but really don't want to spend the $$$ now. I can find plenty of switchers that I have to get up and push a button, but does anyone know of a source that has them that are controlled by a remote?
Thanks

You can find the Sima SVS4 for close to $100 if you look hard. It comes with it's own IR remote, and that remote is easily learned by most universal remotes.

The Sima WILL autosense, but it doesn't have to. You can also manually or remotely select the source. The Sima includes a great sound compression circuit too. You can use it to limit the audio volume surges and dropouts so as to not wake up the neighbors when those loud commercials come on, or your Matrix DVD starts the lobby scene.

If I'd have bought my Sima first, I may never have gotten an A/V amplifier. Since the Sima will switch both video AND audio, the outputs could have gone to a single channel amplifier or straight to a TV with it's own reasonably good audio amplifier. You'll still need an A?V amplifier if you want Prologic or DD5.1 or DTS surround sound from your sources.

A second output on the Sima lets you take any signal and route it back to a VCR's input. This make recording any of your sources very simple. I "think" the Sima also strips out macrovision on any video signal passed thru it. I have yet to notice any macrovision defect in tapes I've made from all sorts of VHS and DVD movies.

The Sima may seem pricey. I consider it the best value/$ purchase I've yet made for my home theater.

Dave

Here is a cheaper alternative:


There is a $25 mail-in rebate available at

And with coupon code "saveten" you get an extra $10 off.

Cost to you, after rebate but including shipping and 8.25 taxes: $35.

This switch has 6 inputs with both composite and S-video, one in front.
It does not come with a remote but can be taught to respond to any remote code you'd like, which is a pretty good feature.
It only has one set of outputs, not two like the Sima.
It does not do autoswitching.
Finally, it does not do composite to S-video conversion, so if you have a mix of composite and S-video devices it may not be your best option.

But it's remote controllable, and at $35 it's one hell of a deal. I bought one a few weeks ago and so far it's been working just fine.

Thanks, I actually had been looking at this RCA unit thru my adventures across the web. This helps with the price.