HDMi Switch

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ADKM

860 posts

Ultimate Geek

#175528 2-Jul-2015 16:55

I wonder if anyone has one of these are what are they like ?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=908626124

Does seem a bit cheap.

Thanks.

datahawk

251 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1336038 2-Jul-2015 20:01

I have one of the following versions. The one I have works well.

It has normal IR control so I learned the IR codes from the supplied remote for my custom built systems.

In fact, it is a bit too clever and switches automatically to an active port if other port devices are off. I actually wanted a dumb switch but a work around solved my issue.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/tvs/cables-aerials/auction-909753020.htm

ADKM

860 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1336069 2-Jul-2015 21:37

Thanks, have grabbed one :)

bazzer

3438 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1336248 3-Jul-2015 10:00

datahawk: I have one of the following versions. The one I have works well.

It has normal IR control so I learned the IR codes from the supplied remote for my custom built systems.

In fact, it is a bit too clever and switches automatically to an active port if other port devices are off. I actually wanted a dumb switch but a work around solved my issue.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/tvs/cables-aerials/auction-909753020.htm

What workaround?

datahawk

251 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1336622 3-Jul-2015 20:03

bazzer: What workaround?

Ah Ha, I wondered if anyone would ask this :)

Long story but....

I have two fully wired 7.1 Surround rooms (Theatre with Denon 4311 AVR + 3D Projector + LCD TV and Lounge with Marantz 1603 AVR + 65 inch 3D Plazma).

We have an HTPC, 2 x PS3's, 2 x PS4's and Apple TV - All of which have HDMI splitters to share all devices to both rooms.

I use good quality passive HDMI splitters for most devices but the PS4 needed a powered splitter so I imported a OREI 1 in - 4 out port splitter so I could share HDMI connections to Projector and LCD screens in the Theatre and Plazma in the Lounge at the same time.

Then I ran smack into EDID issues by connecting the LCD TV to the 4 port splitter at the same time as the two AVR's.

Because the TV identifies as stereo only capable, it then forces the PS4 and both AVR's into stereo mode only.

I then bought the HDMI IR switch listed above so that I could remotely 'disconnect' the HDMI cable from the LCD TV to stop it blocking the Dolby HD surround sound.

The next problem was that the HDMI switch would not swap to an empty port because it is clever enough not to allow this. To swap to port 2 or 3 it had to detect a valid HDMI device.

My Work around is that the Denon AVR has dual HDMI outputs. After some trial and error, I found if I plugged the second AVR HDMI OUT into port 2 of the switch, I could make the switch select that, which effectively disconnected the LCD TV from port 1 and the clever EDID system then scans the remaining devices (Denon AVR and Marantz AVR) and allows full Dolby 7.1 sound again.

I told you it was a long story :)

The interesting thing with my set up where all devices are HDMI split to 2 AVR's at the same time is that it all co-exists without any issues.

I can play a 3D Blu-ray from the HTPC in full HD Surround sound (I'm talking bit streaming DTS-HD or Dolby True HD) to both PJ and Plazma (via the Denon and Marantz AVR's) in 3D at the same time with no loss of sound quality or picture quality.

It helps that the Marantz AVR is also basically Denon gear so there are no conflicts.