How to choose the best hdmi switch
How to choose the best hdmi switch
Now HDMI is the most common audio/video connection in use. However, TVs may have one or two, or at most four HDMI inputs.If you have lots of HDMI source devices, such as a DVD/Blu-ray player, cable/satellite box, media box, and PS4 Pro, Xbox ONE, Nintend0switch, that all need to be connected to your TV, there may not be enough HDMI inputs. Even you have enough inputs, there are many cable before your TV, It is terrible-looking. Don't be panic!
What is HDMI Switcher
The HDMI switcher is a device that manage many HDMI sources you can connect to your TV. The number of HDMI inputs on a switcher may range from 2 to X. Connect your sources to HDMI inputs of the switcher, and connect the switcher's HDMI output to your TV or projector.
HDMI switchers plug into AC power and usually come with a remote control for more convenient source selection. Some HDMI switchers also incorporate HDMI-CEC support, which allows the switcher to automatically go to the correct input of the most recently activated device.
How to choose switcher
- If you have a 4K Ultra HD TV and 4K source components, the switcher also needs to be 4K compatible. If you need to pass HDR/ Dolby vision signals, your HDMI switcher needs to have those capabilities.
- As mentioned above, most of HDMI switchers also pass standard Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround audio signals when you connect to TV. But if you are routing the output of the switcher through a home theater AV receiver that provides decoding for advanced audio formats, such as Dolby TrueHD, Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X, you need to make sure that your HDMI switcher is compatible.
- If you have a soundbar to play audio, you may need a switch which is support audio breakout. Some switch has optical or coax, may be 3.5mm ear jack.
- The switcher has to support HDMI handshake requirements HDCP1.4/2.2 (High-bandwidth Digital Copy Protection) for 4K devices protocol between source devices and the TV or video projector as well. This is important when switching between devices, as there is a temporary break in the handshake until the newly selected device locks in with a new handshake.
- Also you may need AUTO SWITCH and remote control. That is very practical function.