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HDMI Switchers

Top Picks for HDMI Switchers and Switchboxes

By , About.com Guide

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. 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.
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2. Accell UltraAV 5x1 HDMI Audio/Video Switch - Model K072C-010B

Accell UltraAV 5x1 HDMI Audio/Video Switch - Model K072C-010BPhoto (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. For more details, read my photo-illustrated review.

3. Atlona AT-HD4-V42 4x2 HDMI Switch

Atlona AT-HD4-V42 4x2 HDMI Switch - Front View with AccessoriesPhoto (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. To find out more about the Atlona AT-HD4-V42 4x2 HDMI Switch, and if it is a good choice for your home theater setup, read my Review.
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4. Accell UltraAV™ HDMI 1.3 4x4 Matrix Audio/Video Switch

Accell UltraAV™ HDMI 1.3 4x4 Matrix Audio/Video Switch with Included AccessoriesPhoto (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. To find out if this home theater accessory is one that you can use, check out my review and Photo Gallery.

5. Accell UltraAV™ HDMI ver1.3 4-1 Audio/Video Switch

Accell UltraAV™ HDMI ver1.3 4-1 Audio/Video SwitchPhoto (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com
The UltraAV™ HDMI ver1.3 4-1 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, HD-DVD players, and Satellite and Cable Boxes) one HDMI input provided on many HDTVs is not enough.

However, with an HDMI switch you can now expand an HDTV's single HDMI input into two or more inputs, depending on the capacity of the HDMI switch. One example is the Accell HDMI ver1.3 4-1 switch. This switch is very easy to use and does not degrade signal quality from HDMI sources. For more details, check out my Review and Photo Gallery.

6. IOGEAR GHDMIAS4 4-1 HDMI Switch

IOGEAR GHDMIAS4 4-1 HDMI SwitchPhoto (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com
The IOGEAR GHDMIAS4 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. For more details, check out my Review.

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

8. Sima VS-HD31 HDMI Switcher

The Sima VS-HD31 HDMI Switcher is a very useful product for owners of HDTVs that have only one HDMI input connection. With all the new source components coming on board with HDMI connections (DVD players, DVD recorders, Blu-ray players, HD-DVD players, and Satellite and Cable Boxes) one HDMI input provided on most HDTVs is definitely not enough. However, with the VS-HD31, you can now expand your single HDMI input into three. The VS-HD31 is 1080p and HDMI audio compatible, offers signal boosting for long cable runs, and also has a credit card-size wireless remote control. This is definitely a useful and affordable accessory for your HDTV.
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