Any NZ equivalent for this Monoprice HDMI switch with RCA audio out?

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Any NZ equivalent for this Monoprice HDMI switch with RCA audio out?

Mandroid

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#161869 22-Jan-2015 07:42

Hi folks, longtime lurker, first-time poster. I was wondering if anyone has seen the equivalent to this product available in New Zealand:

4x2 True HDMI® Matrix Switch w/ Analog Audio Output

[Edit: Apologies, I'm not yet allowed to post direct links.]

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=7112

Click to see full size

Basically, it takes 4 HDMI inputs and routes to 2 separate HDMI outs. You can route 2 different inputs to different outputs simultaneously. For output source #1, it can optionally supply analogue audio over RCA as well.

This would be perfect for my household, as I'm using an older Denon unit that only takes RCA inputs, while my TV has no audio out (and only two HDMI inputs). Also, we have been known to bring in the HDMI monitor from the study when someone wants to use the Xbox while the main TV is in use. So, this switch looks like just the ticket.

So far, I haven't been able to find it (or an exact equivalent) on Pricespy, but I may have been searching using the wrong terms — I'm new to HDMI switches. Am I best to just bite the bullet and get it shipped from Monoprice in the US?

Thanks everyone!

richms

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#1220152 22-Jan-2015 14:57

I got a similar looking one off ebay. This time of year is quick to get to nz.

If you are looking g local it would probably be a jaycar or rapelloav that would have it.

http://www.rapalloav.co.nz/

Richard rich.ms

trig42

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#1220173 22-Jan-2015 15:33

What about: http://www.computerstore.co.nz/dynamix-hdmi-4-in-2-out-matrix

PB Tech sell a bit of Dynamix stuff too, or if you know someone with a Computer Dynamics account they could help.

Edit: why not just buy the Monoprice one? Much cheaper.

khull

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#1220200 22-Jan-2015 15:46

Jaycar has a 4 Input HDMI Switcher with Digital & Analogue Audio Splitter but is stereo (not RCA) that might do the trick if don't mind having to split to L/R channels

Masterpiece

247 posts

Master Geek

#1220381 22-Jan-2015 21:04

You will find a lot of the cheap switchers are clones or rebadged items, the dynamix is arguably the monoprice device. As another suggested pop down to jaycar and you might find the same device or rebadged version on the shelf.

The downside to cheap devices like these is that they can be hit and miss, for a lot of people they work flawlessly, for others some devices work and some devices never work.

As always you get what you pay for, at the price of the dynamix or jaycar equivalent you can more or less just try it out and see if it works out. Devices like lumagen, gefen, zigen and so on they tend to work always and give you more options as well, the caveat is cost of course.

One thing to consider when bringing together different sources and mixing outputs is the complexities of mixed resolutions and handshaking along with your need for analogue audio.

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Mandroid

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1220478 23-Jan-2015 07:08

Masterpiece: The downside to cheap devices like these is that they can be hit and miss, for a lot of people they work flawlessly, for others some devices work and some devices never work.

Yeah, having read some more reviews about the Monoprice unit, it sounds like there are two pretty major problems. The first is that the audio has a pronounced hum for at least some people, and the second is that input from an Ouya console (which, oddly enough, I have) can be flickery. The risk of either of those happening to me has put me off importing it straight from the US.

It does sound like Jaycar will be the best place to start hunting locally — I hadn't realised that they stocked so much of this type of stuff, so thanks everyone for the advice. I'm now wondering if I actually need a second output, as I don't bring in the second monitor all that often. (Single-output seems like an easier thing to find in stock!)

If it looks like I'm going to need to spend serious money to avoid hums and glitches, I may look into putting the cash towards a better screen and/or more modern audio solution instead. This project is kind of a stop-gap on the way to those eventual goals.

Batman

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#1220500 23-Jan-2015 07:56

Try ebay. There was a guy selling monoprice stuff with cheap shipping but suddenly all his listings were pulled and became silent ... Not sure what happened ... Maybe a lawsuit or something

Masterpiece

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Master Geek

#1220524 23-Jan-2015 08:40

Yeah when the price of what you are trying to do gets to high and or you buy the 2nd or third piece of relatively cheap gear trying to get it to work you might as well just upgrade the problem, the receiver.

Oh btw if you have two video systems, if it was me I'd keep them separate. The idea of spliting off in multi ways into different rooms seems like a great idea, but unless you spend alot on good gear it tends to lead to problems. 2c

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Mandroid

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1220554 23-Jan-2015 09:20

Thanks for the advice, everyone — very much appreciated.

Masterpiece: Yeah when the price of what you are trying to do gets to high and or you buy the 2nd or third piece of relatively cheap gear trying to get it to work you might as well just upgrade the problem, the receiver.

Yeah, I'm going to take a step back, do some more research, and see if I'm actually trying to solve the right problem here.

mcraenz

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#1220574 23-Jan-2015 09:35

I think you need to bite the bullet and get a new receiver :)

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Mandroid

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Wannabe Geek

#1220884 23-Jan-2015 16:02

Ha, yeah, I think you might be right.

SepticSceptic

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#1223251 27-Jan-2015 13:54

Mandroid: Ha, yeah, I think you might be right.

Know the feeling - had a AV System that consisted of mixed Component / SVHS and Composite inputs on a Yamaha RV1400 all video upscaled, downscaled, cross-scaled, etc into a older gen 720P plasma panel via a compoenent and audio / TOSLink etc cables - the back of the AV cabinent was a nightmare of cables. The only HDMI device I had was a laptop.

Finally bit the bullet and purchased a Sony STRDH750 7.2CH A/V Receiver with Bluetooth from JB Hifi during the Xmas specials - a good buy at $291 ( from the current $591).

Will have to upgrade to an HDMI optical disk player - perhaps. Haven't used a physical optical disk in ages.

And replace the Series 1 Tivo. No component or HDMI. Only SVHS and composite. HTPC currently being built.