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Atlona AT-HD4-V42 4x2 HDMI Switch - Review and Photos

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Atlona AT-HD4-V42 4x2 HDMI Switch - Front View with Accessories
Atlona AT-HD4-V42 4x2 HDMI Switch - Front View with Accessories

Atlona AT-HD4-V42 4x2 HDMI Switch - Front View with Accessories

Photo (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com
Starting this look at the Atlona AT-HD4-V42 4x2 HDMI Switch is a photo of the switch box and its included accessories. Shown along the back is the user guide and customer support info sheet. In the center is the actual 4x2 HDMI switch box and to left is an IR cable, in the front is the provided wireless remote, and on the right is the AC power adapter.

The Features and Specifications include:

The Atlona HDMI 4 by 2 Switcher (mirrored display outputs) has a high speed digital performance connection between four sources and a video display without signal degradation. Built in pass-through for HDMI Ethernet Channel and Audio Return Channel (with compatible devices) over a single HDMI cable.

The Features and Specifications of the Atlona AT-HD4-V42 include:

1. Supports up to 1080p resolution and is 3D compatible.

2. Support for HDMI Internet Channel.

3. Support for Auio Return Channel.

4. 6.75 Gbps Transfer rate capability.

5. 36-Bit Deep Color Support.

6. 3-Way Switching - Auto, Manual and Remote Control.

7. Connections: HDMI (4-inputs, 2-outputs), Digital Coaxial (2-outputs), Ethernet (2 outputs), RS232 (1), IR (1).

8. HDMI CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) compatible.

9. Wireless Credit-card size remote control provided.

10. IR sensor extension control cable also provided. Allows remote control to access switch control functions if AT-HD4-V42 is placed hidden in a cabinet.

11. Dimensions: 9.5-inches (W) x 4.35-inches (D) x 2-inches (H).

12. Weight: 1.8 lbs.

13. Power Consumption: 4.1 watts.

14. Suggested Price: $399.99

Review

The Atlona AT-HD4-V42 4x2 HDMI Switch not only provides a way for users to expand the number of HDMI-equipped components that can be connected to one HDTV, but with two HDMI outputs, users can send the same HDMI signal (either 2D or 3D) to two HDTVs or an HDTV and video projector, simultaneously. The Atlona AT-HD4-V42 4x2 HDMI Switch comes with an AC adapter and wireless remote that make installation and use easy.

I used a total of three HDMI sources for this review: OPPO BDP-93 Blu-ray Disc Player, OPPO DV-980HD Upscaling DVD player, and a Samsung DTB-H260F HDTV Tuner. Using a variety of HDMI cable lengths (3ft to 15ft), I found that both the HDMI handshake and signal integrity was not an issue. 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. In addition to video, there was the switch did not have any problem passing all the available surround sound formats, as well as 2 and multi-channel PCM audio signals.

I also confirmed that the Atlona AT-HD4-V42 passes 3D signals using the OPPO BDP-93 as the source and an Optoma HD33 (on review loan) 3D DLP video projector.

In addition to direct-to-TV or video projector connection, I also connected the source components to an Onkyo TX-SR705 Home Theater receiver then routed the HDMI output of the receiver to an HDMI input on the switcher, then to the TV. I also connected the source components first to the switcher, then to receiver, and the receiver to the TV. In both cases that there were no handshake issues between the receiver, switcher, or TV. The only handshake issue I had was when using the Optoma video projector - I got better handshake results when turning on the Blu-ray Disc player and the Atlona switcher before turning on the projector.

For a closer look at the features and connections of Atlona AT-HD4-V42 4x2 HDMI Switch, as well as a final wrap-up comment and pricing info, proceed through the following series of photos...

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