Mark,
In your case, it MIGHT be better to go with one of the more expensive switchers. The Kramer is a VGA only switch, whereas I noticed when I was switch shopping that the upper end switchers will operate with a YPrPb format with sync on green. I threw away the stuff that came with my switch, but I seem to recall that it requires either the H or V sync signal to switch. But you are still going to have the problem of putting your projector into the proper mode when you select different sources on that input.
I don't have any experience with the extreme upper end switchers, controllers, etc., but I don't know of any that will switch and allow certain signals to pass through in their native format while transcoding others. In other words, a device which possesses a built-in transcoder for one and only one of the signal paths. I understand your problem, and it appears to me that you are going to have to buy a switch and a transcoder of one type or another. I would buy something like the Key Digital Systems KD-VTC1 YPrPb to RGBHV transcoder for about $179 from
www.copperbox.com and run your HDTV source through it. Get the Kramer switch, set your projector up in RGBHV mode on that input, and you're done. The total solution will probably cost about $350 with shipping included.
There have been some other discussions about using this switch on AVS Forum. Be aware that the outputs on certain types of video equipment aren't always off when you think they are. One of the inputs on the Kramer switch is a default input, and I think it is input number two. The best way to connect the rig would be to connect the computer to input two (or whichever is the default input) and connect your HDTV receiver to the other input. By toggling the HD receiver's HD output on and off you can select between the two sources even if the computer is still on.
I assume your projector input has the standard 5 BNC connectors for the RGBHV format. VGA to 5 BNC breakout cables are so common that they can be easily made (as you alluded to) or purchased from a number of vendors. Brad at Better Cables offers a terrific product. I have one of his cables. VGA to BNC breakout cables can also be purchased from the aforementioned Markertek. About $55 for a six footer all the way up to about $83 for a 25 foot cable.
John, the VP-201 is a manual switch, where as the VP-211 has the autoselect capability.
Man E, thanks for the tip on capturing the URL for frames.
Kent
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The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.
[This message has been edited by Mr Joshua (edited 06-27-2001).]
[This message has been edited by Mr Joshua (edited 06-27-2001).]