Do you have too few HDMI connections to connect all your equipment? With an HDMI switch or switch you can easily expand the number of HDMI connections. We have listed switches that can be switched manually or with remote control and switches that automatically select the active input signal. When selecting an HDMI switch, make sure that the switch supports at least the HDMI specifications you want. Order a type with at least one input more than you need. This way you can expand quickly.
Best HDMI Switch:
What is an HDMI switch?
Many devices such as a flat screen TV and surround sound receiver are equipped with multiple HDMI connections. However, you may want to connect more devices than there are inputs on your equipment. It is possible in this situation to disconnect one device and connect the other device. In practice, this is disappointing because the connections are often on the hard-to-reach back of devices.
It is not helpful if you always have to slide the device off the wall to connect your console to play an Xbox game. Fortunately, there is a good solution to solve this problem and that is the HDMI switch. An HDMI switch optionally has two to eight inputs and one output. Connect all your devices to the switch with an HDMI cable. Then connect the output of the switch to your audio receiver or flat screen TV. Now you can easily choose which device is connected to your audio receiver or flat screen TV via your HDMI switch.
Which HDMI switch to buy?
When choosing an HDMI switch, it is important to pay attention to a number of properties. It is important that you make a good estimate of the number of inputs you need. Consider planned or unplanned future extensions. It is always wise to plan well and choose an HDMI switch that has at least one input more than you currently need. The next important choice is the choice between a passive or an active switch.
A passive HDMI switch has no built-in amplifier and passes the incoming signal unaltered. Keep in mind with this HDMI switch that the attenuation of the input and output cable must be added together. This HDMI switch is therefore especially suitable for short cables. An active HDMI switch has a built-in amplifier. This switch ensures that the signal level of the received digital signal is brought back to the correct level. This HDMI switch is suitable for both short and long cables. In addition, it is important to choose an HDMI switch that supports the desired specifications such as HDMI version, resolution, refresh rate and options such as 3D.
Extra Options – Remote Control
After checking the specifications you want, you can still choose from a number of additional options. An HDMI switch with remote control is very useful if you place all your equipment near your flat screen TV. With a remote control you can select the desired input signal from the sofa. Another handy option is the automatic HDMI switch that selects the correct input based on the signal offered. If you turn on the connected Xbox, it will be detected by the switch.
This switch automatically switches to the correct input and you can start your Xbox game right away. If you have multiple screens, the HDMI matrix switch is a good choice. This switch has several inputs and outputs and offers the possibility to choose the same or a different input per output. You can also buy switches with special inputs and outputs. For video you can choose an extra S-video input and an extra composite video input. For sound you can choose an extra stereo audio output with a 3.5 jack connection or an extra surround sound connection via optical S / PDIF or electric coaxial output.
What is HDMI?
This has quickly become the most important digital audiovisual standard. Not only for connecting multimedia equipment, but also for connecting a monitor to a PC or laptop. The technology was designed by a group of manufacturers to enable interconnecting devices of different brands. The High Definition Multimedia Interface has a number of important advantages over all predecessors. The first and most important advantage is that it provides a digital link between audiovisual equipment.
This digital link ensures that the quality of the digital material is preserved and that it can be reproduced in the highest possible quality. HDMI takes care of the transfer of both digital image and digital sound. So you only need to connect a single cable between your multimedia player and your flat screen TV. With HDMI it is also possible to make a chain. You can connect your media player to your surround receiver and then your flat screen to your surround receiver. The digital image and sound signal is effortlessly transferred from one component to another.
