HDMI Switcher 3 Way Query

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tdgeek

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#248143 12-Mar-2019 08:22

Jaycar has a range of these, $20 to $150 roughly. There are a couple in the $40 to $80 range of 3 or 4 way, are there any gotchas with an HDMI Switcher? As in they are all the same and just work, aside from featureset differences? They seem to have a switch and maybe a remote and maybe auto switch

This one seems quite good

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/3-way-hdmi-2-0-switcher-with-remote/p/AC1760

The 3 ways will be used for WDTV Live, Apple TV4, Chromecast Ultra, the latter two will be switched frequently

I guess the only issue of concern is if some have audio sync issues

Rikkitic

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#2196292 12-Mar-2019 08:57

Jaycar switchers are expensive but should be fine. My HDMI switchers have all come from Aliexpress for a few dollars each. A couple were less than perfect, but they only cost two or three dollars. Others have worked fine. The main one I use on the TV has 5 or 6 ports (don't remember exactly and has worked perfectly for years. I have programmed it into my Harmony and it automatically switches sources as required. The switches usually sense if there is input on a port and will ignore ports that are not connected.

The only gotcha I can think of is if you want to switch UHD content that uses HDMI 2.2. The new HDCP standard requires that everything in the chain be HDMI 2.2 compatible, which might be a problem for the switch. As long as you are only switching 1080p you shouldn't have a problem. This is my understanding but I am not an expert.

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kiwiharry

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#2196315 12-Mar-2019 09:16

Rikkitic:

The only gotcha I can think of is if you want to switch UHD content that uses HDMI 2.2. The new HDCP standard requires that everything in the chain be HDMI 2.2 compatible, which might be a problem for the switch. As long as you are only switching 1080p you shouldn't have a problem. This is my understanding but I am not an expert.

This.

I have used an HDMI switcher mainly to switch between DVD player, XBox360 and PS3. Recently we got a PS4 and it didn't work through the switcher. Decided to use the Vodafone TV through the switcher, but that too wouldn't work via the switcher either. Looks like I need to get a switcher that will be able to handle 4K/UHD devices.

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tdgeek

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#2196317 12-Mar-2019 09:17

Rikkitic:

Jaycar switchers are expensive but should be fine. My HDMI switchers have all come from Aliexpress for a few dollars each. A couple were less than perfect, but they only cost two or three dollars. Others have worked fine. The main one I use on the TV has 5 or 6 ports (don't remember exactly and has worked perfectly for years. I have programmed it into my Harmony and it automatically switches sources as required. The switches usually sense if there is input on a port and will ignore ports that are not connected.

The only gotcha I can think of is if you want to switch UHD content that uses HDMI 2.2. The new HDCP standard requires that everything in the chain be HDMI 2.2 compatible, which might be a problem for the switch. As long as you are only switching 1080p you shouldn't have a problem. This is my understanding but I am not an expert.

Cheers. I did a search for HDMI 2.2 but all i got was results for "HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2" which the link I gave supports

I thought Jaycar would be cheapest in town aside from online. Plus, if an issue I can return it.

gedc

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#2196320 12-Mar-2019 09:20

There are various types as well which allow for various ( multiple) sources going to single or multiple devices - matrix switches. Cost a bit more but I've found allow a bit more flexibility with setup. However, if you don't need them then stick to the basic switcher.

Check the HDMI standards on the box as some devices get a bit twitchy with them and also check as some have audio connectors and optical connectors that allow you to feed into it as well . I used to purchase them from Jaycar then realised they were identical - down to the box and iffy instructions that were being peddled by sellers on Aliexpress so go there. You may need to buy a cheap power supply this side of the planet but I've had about 5 over the last few years and they all run fine.

tdgeek

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#2196326 12-Mar-2019 09:30

Thanks, the one I'm looking at in the link is HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2 so support 4k although I dont have anything 4k yet

corksta

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#2196329 12-Mar-2019 09:32

I echo what kiwiharry said. I bought one for a PS4 and Apple TV 4K but it just wouldn’t work, ended up returning it to Jaycar. There were issues with lip syncing and from memory it messed up something with outputting HDR.

tdgeek

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#2196346 12-Mar-2019 09:45

Does powered vs not powered matter? The latter taking power from HDMI

richms

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#2196390 12-Mar-2019 09:55

supporting 4k means nothing if its not the full 18 gigabit spec. There are plenty that say 4k on them but are only 30Hz with limited colour, basically what hdmi 1.4 could deliver or slightly better.

Also the auto switching between inputs is a PITA if you cannot turn it off. I have had my auto one randomly flick over to something else that was on but not in use for no apparant reason. The manual switching cheapie never does that.

Richard rich.ms

tdgeek

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#2196397 12-Mar-2019 10:07

richms:

supporting 4k means nothing if its not the full 18 gigabit spec. There are plenty that say 4k on them but are only 30Hz with limited colour, basically what hdmi 1.4 could deliver or slightly better.

Also the auto switching between inputs is a PITA if you cannot turn it off. I have had my auto one randomly flick over to something else that was on but not in use for no apparant reason. The manual switching cheapie never does that.

Tks

Here are the specs, assuming they are real

Compliant with HDMI2.0, HDCP2.2 and DVI1.0
• Support video format up to 4k2k @ 30Hz with 24bit RGB/YcbCR 4:4:4/YCBCR 4:2:2, and up to 4k2k @ 60Hz with 12 bit YCBCR 4:2:0
• Support 3D frame sequential video format up to 1080p@60
• Support high resolution VESA mode video format up to QSXGA @ 60Hz
• Supports LPCM 7.1CH, Dolby® TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master Audio
• Support smart auto switch
• IR and panel button control