# setup multiple inputs into coax only tv?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setup-multiple-inputs-into-coax-only-tv/494133>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 23, 2009, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setup-multiple-inputs-into-coax-only-tv/494133 "2009-04-23T19:30:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setup-multiple-inputs-into-coax-only-tv/494133/1 "2009-04-23T19:30:34Z")

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I have a friend who came to me and asked if I knew of a way to setup his old coax only tv to allow input from multiple sources. I think (for example he has a ps2 and wants to of course allow his cable tv also to run on the television. I thought for sure I’d be able to find the equivalent of an A/B switch to allow the user two switch from various inputs.

I suggested he buy a cheapo receiver. Any better / cheaper possibilities?

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**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setup-multiple-inputs-into-coax-only-tv/494133/2 "2009-04-23T19:38:57Z")

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Look for an rf modulator. Some of them allow more than one source that you can switch between. Shouldn’t be more than $30-$60.

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**Author:** ![Anachronism](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@Anachronism](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anachronism)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setup-multiple-inputs-into-coax-only-tv/494133/3 "2009-04-23T21:02:42Z")

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Something like this?

> **[Amazon.com: Coaxial A/B Switch (1) : Electronics](https://www.amazon.com/Coaxial-A-B-Switch-1/dp/B0002ZPIQ4)**
>
> 75 ohm F type coaxial A-B switch. Switch between cable and antenna or other inputs. 75 dB isolation.

Or these -

[http://www.google.com/products?q=coax+switch&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=qtbwSd\_HKsertgfyoZmsDw&sa=X&oi=product\_result\_group&resnum=4&ct=title](http://www.google.com/products?q=coax+switch&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=qtbwSd_HKsertgfyoZmsDw&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title)

Cheapest one is $2 but of course shipping will probably be more than the switch. If you have radio shack stores in your area they usually carry this sort of thing.

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**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setup-multiple-inputs-into-coax-only-tv/494133/4 "2009-04-23T21:14:51Z")

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Useful [gadget](http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2181628) from walmart.