HDMI switch recommendation

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dclegg

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#57596 18-Feb-2010 13:46

I have a Panasonic 42" Plasma (TH-42PV7AZ) which only has one HDMI input. This was fine up until today, as I only had the PS3. But today I upgraded to MySky HDi. To my surprise, the tech included an HDMI cable, but he had to unplug the PS3 in order to plug it into the telly. He recommended either switching the plugs as needed (what a PITA, especially considering I like to game daily), or buying a HDMI switch (which he reckoned was about $30).

Brief research reveals that this figure may be a little optimistic, and while it may get you a HDMI switch, you generally have to pony up extra for a HDMI cable to connect it to the output device. Does anyone here have any recommendations for cheap (but good) HDMI switches I should be considering? I currently only have the need for a 2 port one, but think for future proofing it may be better to get one with 3+ (although I'm not discounting the former if costs dictate it is an easier option to sell to the wife ;-))

robjg63

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#300140 18-Feb-2010 15:03

Mmm - $30? Jaycar (www.jaycar.co.nz) has a 2 port for $66 - but you would need to buy a couple of cables I guess. DSE are $149 for 5 ports.

Also - jaycar have $12 for a 1.8m cable. Thats a very sharp price.

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minimoke

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#300143 18-Feb-2010 15:08

Mine is one of these http://www.rapalloav.co.nz/product/1224/HDMI-Switcher/HDMI-Switcher/
. (the $65 one). But you'll need an extra cable as well. Works really well over a 10m cable where as the previous one I had didn't. Take advantage of Murrays write up on switchers - well worth a read!. Next tiem I but one it will be the Oppo 4 x switcher.

dclegg

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#300149 18-Feb-2010 15:29

robjg63: Mmm - $30? Jaycar (www.jaycar.co.nz) has a 2 port for $66 - but you would need to buy a couple of cables I guess. DSE are $149 for 5 ports.

Also - jaycar have $12 for a 1.8m cable. Thats a very sharp price.

There is one on TradeMe that looks identical to the Jaycar one, but it has a Buy Now price of $39.

70mm

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#300442 19-Feb-2010 16:12

dclegg: I have a Panasonic 42" Plasma (TH-42PV7AZ) which only has one HDMI input. This was fine up until today, as I only had the PS3. But today I upgraded to MySky HDi. To my surprise, the tech included an HDMI cable, but he had to unplug the PS3 in order to plug it into the telly. He recommended either switching the plugs as needed (what a PITA, especially considering I like to game daily), or buying a HDMI switch (which he reckoned was about $30).

Brief research reveals that this figure may be a little optimistic, and while it may get you a HDMI switch, you generally have to pony up extra for a HDMI cable to connect it to the output device. Does anyone here have any recommendations for cheap (but good) HDMI switches I should be considering? I currently only have the need for a 2 port one, but think for future proofing it may be better to get one with 3+ (although I'm not discounting the former if costs dictate it is an easier option to sell to the wife ;-))

The Rolls-Royce of all HDMI switchers is the 3x1 Oppo HM-31 they are guarantied to always work! http://www.rapalloav.co.nz/product/287/Switchers-&-Splitters/HDMI-Switcher/

But there are cheaper http://www.rapalloav.co.nz/product/1224/HDMI-Switcher/HDMI-Switcher/

dclegg

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#300445 19-Feb-2010 16:20

70mm:
The Rolls-Royce of all HDMI switchers is the 3x1 Oppo HM-31 they are guarantied to always work! http://www.rapalloav.co.nz/product/287/Switchers-&-Splitters/HDMI-Switcher/

$255! Yikes! I guess you missed the bit in my post about cheap :-)

70mm:
But there are cheaper http://www.rapalloav.co.nz/product/1224/HDMI-Switcher/HDMI-Switcher/

Once again, their image looks identical to the one that is currently being offered on TradeMe for $38

JimmyH

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#300787 21-Feb-2010 19:37

The DSE one can be had on special from time to time for $99 instead of $149 - that's what I got mine for. Can't comment on its capability yet - have been a bit lazy and it isn't connected yet, as I the equipment I want to connect to it hasn't arrived yet. Also, it has a remote control - so, unlike some others I have seen, you don't have to get up to switch it.

dclegg

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#300904 22-Feb-2010 08:48

So far this mini-switch and HDMI cable combo on TradeMe for $35 is looking like a pretty good deal. I'm just waiting to get clarification on the sellers return policy, so if for some reason it doesn't work with my equipment I can return it for a full refund.

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lchiu7

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#300939 22-Feb-2010 11:15

I got one from Trademe for $28 (3 in, 1 out) and it works fine connected to a DVD player (which has DVI) outputting 1080i and a Popcorn Hour outputing 1080P going to a 1080P projector. It's auto sensing so you don't need to switch the inputs but it does mean you need to turn off the device you're not using else it gets confused.

I had another one I bought a while ago which has 3 inputs and one output and is powered. But it has an IR remote which is essential since the inputs are usually always live and it's integrated into my HT system with a Harmony remote (which also switches the inputs).

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rokki

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#302363 26-Feb-2010 05:40

I use the brilliant Oppo HM-31 it autosenses a change in input I have never needed to pick the remote for it. It may not be cheap but is very reliable.

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Kyanar

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#302661 27-Feb-2010 09:54

Personally, I got a multi-purpose device and picked up a Sony STR-DG510 AV receiver. They have two HDMI inputs and one HDMI output (pass-through, of course). Really handy, since it also switches the audio inputs when I switch video inputs.

dclegg

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#303957 3-Mar-2010 12:50

I ended up purchasing the mini switch and HDMI cable from TradeMe. As an unexpected bonus it came with an additional HDMI cable (giving me 2 instead of the expected 1), which turned out to be a good thing.

While it initially worked with no problems, and did a very good job of automatically detecting a change in signal, I would occasionally get a line running across the screen which looked very much like interference. This would happen every minute or so, and only when using my PS3. The output from MySky Hdi didn't suffer this problem.

I swapped the HDMI cable connecting the PS3 to the switch (another earlier TradeMe purchase), as the ones that came with the switch seemed a little more robust. Since doing that I am yet to experience any more of these "interference" lines (after approx 2 hours of gaming).

So in summary, it seems to be working pretty well so far (touch wood).