Anyone recommend a good HDMI Switch???

[PhillyDan1969]

Well I finally decided to start hooking everything with HDMI once I picked up my Motorla DCT6400 Phase III Hi-Def DVR and XBOX 360.

After much searching throughout the web I stumbled upon monoprice.com, ordered a bunch of cables (just outstanding cables at an outstanding price by the way, I highly recommend the optical cables they sell) and the 4X1 Enhanced 1.3b certified HDMI Switch with built-in Equalizer and Remote (REV.3.0).

So yesterday everthing arrived and this morning I began hooking everything up. Let me start by saying that my older HDTV has DVI input only so I also purchased the HDMI/DVI cable from monoprice as well. I began with just that cable and hooked my Motorola, the XBOX360 and my Tosh HD-A2 individually to the display; each item worked perfectly!!! I then introduced the switch and began plugging each item in and lo and behold only the XBOX 360 worked!!!

After trying everything I could by switching all the connections around it became obvious that the Motorola and the Toshiba just weren't having the switcher in the equation. I contacted monoprice and he recommended I get product number 4066, the non 1.3b certified switch (with an RMA on the switch I have now) however it is out of stock with ETA of N/A???

So now I am in need of another switch and to be honest I am hoping to get one as reasonably priced as the monoprice. However, I am aware that many people are having many of the same issues with HDMI switches and the HDCP handshake. I don't want to spend a fortune, but if it guarantees that I can hook everything up and it will work then I am willing to give it a try.

I tried to convince my girlfriend that clearly this was a sign that we should just go purchase a new 1080p HDTV with 3 or more HDMI inputs, but she aint cooperating!!!

 

[patnshan]

I tried to convince my girlfriend that clearly this was a sign that we should just go purchase a new 1080p HDTV with 3 or more HDMI inputs, but she aint cooperating!!!

You are right on here, it's the TV that's the problem Tell her I said so....

Pat

 

[sh0]

I have the Radiient Select-4ce HDMI switch (currently $149 from Radiient):
http://www.radiient.com/Radiient-Select-4ce-Four-Input-HDMI-Switch-Repeater

I haven't had any issues using it with my Panasonic plasma (DVI), Onkyo 805 receiver, PS3, Toshiba HD-A3, Oppo 980H, Scientific Atlanta cable box and HTPC (some components routed through receiver some direct to switch).

The Select-4ce is the cheaper version of the Radiient Select-4 switch which was reviewed by Audioholics:

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/cables/radiient-select-4

One downside to to the Select-4ce is that unlike the Select-4, the remote that comes with the Select-4ce does not have discrete buttons for each input. The unit itself does however support discrete remote codes for the inputs. Since I use a universal remote, this was not an issue for me as I was able to get the remote codes online (possibly even from Radiient - I forget).

It looks like the Audioholics store sells some HDMI switchers too:
http://store.audioholics.com/section/66187/1/hdmi-dvi-switchers---accessories

 

[Rico]

OPPO HM-31, Advanced 3x1 HDMI Switch, 1080P and HDMI 1.3 Certified

$99 bucks, hard to beat that ....

http://www.oppodigital.com/hm31/

 

[PhillyDan1969]

OPPO HM-31, Advanced 3x1 HDMI Switch, 1080P and HDMI 1.3 Certified

$99 bucks, hard to beat that ....

http://www.oppodigital.com/hm31/

Thanks Rico, was actually looking at this one as well, the Radiient as mentioned above it just too much money in my opinion, don't want to spend couple hundred dollars on a switch!!!

By any chance do you have an Oppo, I am looking for some hands on experience, I keep reading people with many differing brands of HDMI switches running into compatibility issues?!?

 

[westcott]

I had the same problem with the monoprice switch. I returned it and bought the Impact Acoustics 5x1 switch and it works flawlessly.

Do a search for Impact Acoustics here and get a 20% discount by going through the link provided by Audioholics!!!!!

Works great and I can even switch on the fly and not have any lock ups.

 

[PhillyDan1969]

I had the same problem with the monoprice switch. I returned it and bought the Impact Acoustics 5x1 switch and it works flawlessly.

Do a search for Impact Acoustics here and get a 20% discount by going through the link provided by Audioholics!!!!!

Works great and I can even switch on the fly and not have any lock ups.

The 5x1 Impact Acoustics is a better offer than the Oppo based on 2 extra HDMI inputs and only $7 more dollars!!! Thanks, I think I will give this one a go as soon as monoprice.com sends me my RMA and refund!!! I will be going by your recommendation so I expect it to work flawlessly!!!

 

[Rico]

The 5x1 Impact Acoustics is a better offer than the Oppo based on 2 extra HDMI inputs and only $7 more dollars!!! Thanks, I think I will give this one a go as soon as monoprice.com sends me my RMA and refund!!! I will be going by your recommendation so I expect it to work flawlessly!!!

There you have it ...

These guys here know what they're talking about, go for it

 

[WifesPissed]

The $18 manual 2-1 switch boxes work great. If you use it as a display selector (as opposed to a source selector), you need to short out the diodes. I am using two to connect two HD sources to two displays (a projector and a TV). Works like a charm for $36.

These are non-powered, solid mechanical connections. Doesn't get much better.

Switch

 

[westcott]

The 5x1 Impact Acoustics is a better offer than the Oppo based on 2 extra HDMI inputs and only $7 more dollars!!! Thanks, I think I will give this one a go as soon as monoprice.com sends me my RMA and refund!!! I will be going by your recommendation so I expect it to work flawlessly!!!

I won't sleep until I hear back from you telling me the outcome

 

[PhillyDan1969]

Lol, well been contemplating getting an HDTV with 3 or more HDMI inputs at the moment!!! Will cost considerably more than the switch, but I will have 1080p!!!

 

[fmw]

I have and have used in my system 4 different HDMI switches. I use a universal remote and my goal was always to have the HDMI switch be completely transparent to operating the system. I want it to work every single time with the universal remote and never be noticed. The only one that has been that way and the one I continue to use is the Oppo.