Fully automatic SCART switch with full galvanic inputs separation.

• 8 scart inputs ( RGB, s-video, composite) 
• 1 scart ouput
• "Knight rider" style active scart detection 
• full ROHS
• expandable with 2 additional HYDRA HEADS devices to offer outstanding 24inputs scart functionality
• AVR controller with firmware future updates
• HQ plexi transparent ( made by me ;-) at my laser machine)
• MICRO USB power supply (regular mobile phone charger 5V will do the job - please, use sth decent - approx 1A)

Do not use garbage power supply – any decent micro usb mobile charger will do the work.. and please be careful with USB SOCKET 😉

How doees it work ?

      Imagine, You have many retro system in use. Amiga, Atari ST, ZX spectrum, etc... And You have only one classical TV/Monitor with one SCART INPUT. Each time, You want to switch system, You have to connect Your machine to Your monitor. Everytime, You do it - You damage scart socket inside. Those days are over. Connect up to 8 computers/consoles to HYDRA, then connect HYDRA to Your TV/Monitor and power on hydra with You mobile phone charger with MICRO USB plug. Since now, HYDRA will detect active scart input and forward all signals to Your monitor. Simple and efficent.

NEVER connect / disconnect SCART PLUGS 

when HYDRA is ON

especially when CONSOLE/SYSTEM is ON !

You may ask why..

           Designing device, I put much effort  into ability to  passthrough many types of signals: from composite to component. To protect device and not to cut signal`s range, HYDRAs have additional ESD protection diodes, but for a short period of time when scanning for active scart, Hydra is defenseless. If You got hit that moment plugging powered on device, You will damage RGB chip with ESD voltage that may reach thousands of  volts (not dangerous for you, but electronics is fragile..). This chip may become very hot and protection will probably brick hydra till one of chips is replaced (NCS2564). Cost of repair is 10Euro !!!

Possible symptoms:

• knight rider effect stops
• one scart port doesn`t work
• Interferences between ports
• HD led doesn`t work anymore
• only one port gives correct picture; others are darker....

USE SIMPLEST SCART CABLES POSSIBBLE

• No tricky electronics inside as NOT NEEDED. Hydra has built in all necessary features
• Hydra accepts following sync signals at pin 20 of scart:
  • composite video 
  • luma
  • composite sync  ( please, read FAQ tab above)

BUTTONS:

• left - scan for active source to the left from active one (if active is far left, no action) /  next scart in manual mode
• right - scan for active source to the right from active one (if active is far right, no action) / previous scart in manual mode
• middle - HD/LOW PASS filter (led on/off) - default ON
• left+right pressed - disables "knight rider led effect"
• middle + right - Automatic/manual mode

Hydra 8port scart switcher, may be “easily” expanded with 2 additional HYDRA HEADS devices to offer outstanding 24inputs scart functionality.

How does it work ?

       After establishing connection with flat cables between HYDRA (master unit) and HYDRA HEADS (slave unit), user  forces HYDRA to work with HEADS expansion and 8 additional scart inputs it offers.

To obtain above functionality,  jumper (solder pads) JP1 must be shorted. From that moment, HYDRA does scanning between 16 scart input ports in search for active one to route all signals to output scart.

How about connecting another Hydra Heads to already connected one ?

Additional Hydra Heads unit may be added to previously  installed one to achieve 24 inputs. JP2 jumper needs connection. 

Product gallery