With the increased number of home theater components equipped with HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) connections, such as DVD players, DVD recorders, Blu-ray players, HD-DVD players, and Satellite and Cable Boxes, one or two HDMI inputs provided on many HDTVs and/or Home Theater receivers is not enough. An HDMI Switcher is a useful product for owners of HDTVs that do not have enough HDMI input connections for HDMI source components. For some suggestions on HDMI switchers that may work for you, check out my current favorites.
1. DVDO Quick6 6x2 4K UltraHD HDMI Switch
Photo © Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com
Expanding the number of HDMI inputs isn't the only benefit of the DVDO Quick6, this innovative switch adds some additional features that can provide some practical upgrades to older HDMI-equipped TVs, and both HDMI and non-HDMI equipped home theater receivers.
To start the Quick6 provides a total of six HDMI inputs, all of which are 3D compatible, but four of them are also pass 4K resolution and two more also provide MHL-compatibility. There are also two HDMI outputs that can be configured to pass audio and video to two video display devices, or, if needed or desired, pass video to your display device and audio to your home theater receiver.
However, that isn't all, PIP enables you to display two HDMI sources on the screen at once, and InstaPrevue displays thumbnails of all your active HDMI sources for easy input selection. There are also additional useful features provided.
Review - Photos - Official Product Page.
2. Atlona LinkCast Wireless HD Audio/Video System
Photo © Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com
The Atlona LinkCast is a very unusual, but practical HDMI switching solution. Instead of plugging in your HDMI source devices to a switchbox, the LinkCast utilizes WHDI technology, which provides for the transmission of HDMI source signals wirelessly from a compact transmitter that plugs into the HDMI and USB ports of a source device (such as a Blu-ray Disc Player). The signals are received by remote controlled main switching unit that can be connected into an HDMI input either on your home theater receiver or TV. Up to 5 wireless-enabled HDMI source devices can be accommodated.
Review and Photos - Compare Prices.
Review and Photos - Compare Prices.
3. CablesToGo TruLink 6x1 HDMI Selector
With the increasing number of HDMI-enabled devices, such as Blu-ray Disc Players, Upscaling DVD players, Network Media Players, and even Cable/Satellite Boxes, TVs can quickly run out of available inputs. This is where the CablesToGo TruLink 6x1 HDMI Selector can come in handy. This little black box provides a total of 6 HDMI inputs, including a conveniently front mounted input, and one HDMI output for your TV or video projector. Also included is a remote control that allows easy selection of each input source.Compare Prices
4. Accell UltraAV 5x1 HDMI Audio/Video Switch - Model K072C-010B
Photo (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com
The Accell UltraAV 5x1 HDMI Audio/Video Switch can be a great addition to a home theater system. An HDMI Switch is a useful product for HDTVs with only one HDMI input connection. With the increased number of components equipped with HDMI connections (DVD players, DVD recorders, Blu-ray players, and Satellite and Cable Boxes) one HDMI input provided on many HDTVs is not enough.
However, with the Accell UltraAV 5x1 HDMI Switch you can now expand an HDTV's single HDMI input up to five inputs. This switch is very easy to use and does not degrade signal quality from HDMI sources.
read my photo-illustrated review - Compare Prices
5. Atlona AT-HD4-V42 4x2 HDMI Switch
Photo (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com
If you are looking for a way to add more HDMI inputs to your HDTV, video projector, or home theater receiver, consider the Atlona AT-HD4-V42 4x2 HDMI Switch. The Atlona AT-HD4-V42 allows users to connect of up to four HDMI source components and either view one source on two different HDMI-equipped TVs and/or video projectors, or if you have a 3D TV and nona non-3D HDMI-equipped home theater receiver, the Altona 4x2 switch can send a separate video signal to your TV and audio signal to your home theater receiver at the same time.
Review - Compare Prices
Review - Compare Prices
6. Accell UltraAV™ HDMI 1.3 4x4 Matrix Audio/Video Switch
Photo (c) Robert Silva, Licensed to About.com
The Accell UltraAV™ HDMI 1.3 4x4 Matrix Audio/Video Switch can be a great addition to your home theater, especially if you have more than one HDTV or an HDTV and Video Projector. The Accell UltraAV 4x4 HDMI Switch allows the user to connect up to four HDMI sources (Blu-ray Disc Player, DVD Player, HD Cable/Satellite Box, etc...) and either view one source on up to four different HDMI-equipped TVs and/or video projectors, or send up to four separate sources to as many as four different TVs and/or video projectors.
Review - Photo Gallery - Compare Prices
Review - Photo Gallery - Compare Prices
7. Accell UltraAV™ HDMI 4-2 Audio/Video Switch
If you have two HDMI-equipped video displays, such as an HDTV and Video projector, now you can send s video feed to both using just one set of source components with the Accell UltraAV HDMI 4-2 Switch. You can connect the HDMI ouputs from an upscaling DVD player or Recorder, Blu-ray Disc or HD-DVD player, and an HD-Cable or HD-Satellite box. This unit is very easy to use and comes with a credit-card wireless remote, and also features a signal booster for long cable runs. The Accell HDMI 4-2 Switch is compatible with HDMI ver 1.2a specifications. For more details on its operation, check out the Official UltraAV™ HDMI 4-2 Audio/Video Switch Product Page, and User Manual.Official Product Page
8. IOGEAR GHDSW4 4-1 HDMI Switch
The IOGEAR GHDSW4 4-1 HDMI Switch is a product that can be used to expand, up to four HDMI input sources that can be accessed by your HDTV, even if it only has one HDMI input. The IOGEAR HDMI Switch is very easy to use, provides convenient input auto-sensing, is fully HDMI 1.3 compatible, and does not degrade signal quality from HDMI sources. Also, this switcher is DVI-compatible (requires HDMI-to-DVI adapter cable). However, this switcher is not 4K or 3D-compatible. A credit-card style remote is also provided.Compare Prices
