How to split av video and distrubute it multiple monitors?

[David97]

Hi, one of my hobbies is miniquad racing and fixed wing FPV. Small drones are raced around a tight fast course, and are controlled with a remote video feed.

The ground station is the part that receives the video and sends it to video goggles or a monitor for viewing.

I would like to build a groundstation where I could send the video and audio to spectator monitor, DVR and goggles at the same time. However I'm not sure how to go about splitting the RCA video. From what I've heard, splitters can reduce quality. And what I need is a video distribution amplifier.

I also want to be able to have multiple receivers in my groundstation, and choose the receiver I want to take video from depending on what frequency I want to be running. Without having to fart around with unplugging cables.Might add a arduino to drive a LCD and some buttons so that I have a simple menu where I can choose the receiver I want to listen to.


So I have a couple of questions about this.
Can I just select whatever receiver I want to be using by multiplexers? Would have 3-4 receivers installed.

How to I duplicate the video signal so quality is not lost when running multiple monitors/DVR. Could I use a buffer to replicate the signal and send it to the other monitors, or do I need an amp?

Thanks.

[NiHaoMike]

There are AV routing chips specifically designed for that task.
https://www.maximintegrated.com/en/products/analog/analog-switches-multiplexers/MAX4359.html

[MarkF]

Here is a 8x6 VGA switcher; a 6x6 composite video and S-video switcher; and a 14x6 audio switcher from Extron.
Model MPX 866 A.  We use the large version of these switchers at work.  I don't know the price and it may be prohibitive.

I found a used one on eBay Extron MPX 866 A for $52.00.

[Psi]

most of the time you can just parallel two AV video inputs to one output with no noticeable quality reduction.

But if you want to do it the right way search for AV video buffer or composite video splitter etc..
There are plenty available with one input and 4 outputs. etc..
If it requires external power then its the kind you want.

[David97]

Thanks everyone. I've found some of those maximum chips on ebay, but they are like $15 second hand. Will probally get one, they look really great.

But... Any cheaper alternatives? Where would you order from?

Thanks.

[FuzzyOnion]

As MarkF noted, routing multiple sources to multiple monitors is best handled by a matrix switcher.  I used to do some video production work years ago and switchers like that were very expensive - they required hybrid op amps to drive the 75 Ohm cable (think LH0032, 33).
Unless you just want to build something, matrix switchers for composite video are reasonably priced nowadays.

Good luck with your project.

[Kilrah]

https://www.amazon.com/PLV2-Mobile-Signal-Distribution-Amplifier/dp/B000230L3G

[David97]

Thanks! Will get started. Ill let you all know how it goes.