The Bottom Line
One HDMI swtich that may work for those that need one, is the IOGEAR GHDMIAS4 4-1 HDMI Switch. This unit is very easy to use, provides practical control options, and does not degrade signal quality from HDMI sources.
Pros
- 4 HDMI inputs - HDMI 1.3 Compatible
- Easy to set up and use
- Automatic Input Sensing
- Wireless Remote Control
- Comes packaged with an HDMI Cable
Cons
- No IR Extender
- No additional built-in signal booster for long cable runs.
- A little pricey.
Description
- HDMI Connectors: 4 inputs/1 output, HDMI Type A 19-pin female
- HDMI 1.3 compatible - Offers wide input signal bandwidth of 2.25 Gbps (gigabytes per second).
- Backwards Compatible with DVI via Adapter Cable
- HDCP compliant
- Power: 100-240VAC, 50/60Hz
- Dimensions: 6.4 inches (W) x 3.5-Inches (H) x .9-Inches (D)
- Switch Weight: .53 lbs
- Package Contents: 4x1 HDMI Switch, Remote control with battery, 6ft HDMI Cable, Power adapter, Set-up instructions.
Guide Review - IOGEAR GHDMIAS4 4-1 HDMI Switch with Auto Sensing and Remote
The switch comes with an AC adapter and wireless remote that makes switching between four sources easy. The four HDMI input sources can also be accessed via either the remote or front panel Source button.
One of the convenient features of the Iogear HDMI switch is the auto-sensing input capability. All you have to do is turn on your HDMI source (such as a DVD, Blu-ray, or HD-DVD player and the switch will automatically switch to the proper input. The auto-sensing function will detect the most current live input signal. Of course, you can still manually change the input selection via the provided wireless remote, or the master selection switch on the front of the switch box.
Using a variety of HDMI sources, which I have also used in other HDMI switch reviews, including the OPPO DV-980H Upscaling DVD player, Sony BDP-S1 Blu-ray Disc Player, Toshiba HD-XA1 HD-DVD player, and a variety of HDMI cable lengths (3ft to 12ft), I found that both the HDMI handshake and signal integrity was not an issue.
Also, when comparing direct connection of the HDMI components to the HDTVs used ( Westinghouse LVM-37w3 1080p LCD Monitor and Samsung LN-R238W 720p LCD TV ) vs HDMI signals going through the switch before going to the HDTV, the switch did not introduce any visible artifacts or changes in the source signal quality.
The IOGEAR 4-1 HDMI Switch is great for expanding the number of HDMI inputs on an HDTV. It provides convenience and good performance, and is fully HDMI 1.3 compatible.
Close-up Photos of the IOGEAR 4-1 HDMI Switch:
Switch with Box, Remote, AC Adapter, User Guide, and HDMI Cable
Switch Rear View - HDMI - Power Connections
Photos (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com
