im looking for an HDMI switch, and someone please correct me if im asking too much (dont bash, just correct), that can:
1. auto detect the intended source
2. handle at least 3 inputs (preferably 4+)
3. handle 1080p @ 120hz .. is this right? or do i want 24f?
and finally...
4. not be too expensive

this is my first HD setup and i have everything connected via HDMI.. my problem is i just ran out of inputs and i have 1 more device than inputs. with plans to get at least 2 more sources.

for some reason i thought Terk was a high end brand a few years ago, and i found a 4:1 "Smart" switch for like 60 bucks so i picked it up. This thing sucks, it's "smart" capabilities consist of switching to the last plugged in cable no matter if the device was on or not. and i tried to put my blu ray player in 1080p and it looks like theres a snowstorm over the picture, but looks fine in 1080i.

any suggestions?:confused: or am i just dreaming of the perfect solution?

auto detect the intended sourceWhat do you want it to 'autodetect'??handle 1080p @ 120hzThere is no such thing. 1080p signals will be 24/30/60fps. 120Hz is the rate at which the display refreshes itself.not be too expensiveThis is what you want:

Auto/Powered HDMI Switch - 4X1 Enhanced 1.3b Certified HDMI Switch with built-in Equalizer and Remote (REV.3.0) from Monoprice.com (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=4088&seq=1&format=2) $39
http://images.monoprice.com/productlargeimages/40881.jpg

HI There!,

I've posted my own thread to get impressions on this HDMI switcher on Ebay but none of the experienced members on the forum have replied yet.

Check it out. Go to the Advanced Search on Ebay and enter this number:

250252645501

...where it says "Enter Keyword or Item Number"

It looks really good, style & design wise & the specifications/description sounds like they've read this forum in terms of what's needed but I'm a newbie essentially and have no idea how good these are. There's also another identical model that has 5 inputs.

Check it out and ask the senior brains here what they think of it. I know from these threads that everyone normally gets their quality switchers from Monoprice or Blue Jeans. (Check out their links on top the this sites webpage) but I hear you on the price front. I'm also looking for a cheap alternative to the pricey go-to items on this forum.

Good luck!:)

Does Monoprice deliver to Canada?

I've posted my own thread to get impressions on this HDMI switcher on EbayOn the surface, that switch looks OK but it does not include a power supply!

It is like buying a pig in a poke ... or being a test pilot.

At least the monoprice unit has the backing of the experience of thousands of AVS users.

$33 from Hong Kong with no safety net versus $47 for a known product from from monoprice.

No contest.

Does Monoprice deliver to Canada?Yes. The yship by post with "good" paperwork so it is very quick and cheap!! Buy your cables from them too to save a little more by doubling up on the shipping costs.

What do you want it to 'autodetect'??
the intended source... if i have 3 inputs and only 1 is on i would want the switch to be smart enough to know what im trying to do.

ex. if the last input used was my cable box, and im just powering everything on to watch a blu ray i would watch the switch to go over to the blu ray input rather than the previous cable box input.

Karmick, looking at your ebay post, they say that it is 1.3 certified, but also list the bandwidth at 2.5Gbps when by definition of the 1.3 standard the bandwidth of the cable was increased to 10.2Gbps @ 340Mhz so i would be very wary of that item.

thanks cavu, i think i came across that before, but i liked the styling of the terk and thinking it was high-end i opted for that one now that i have another perspective i'll try that one out

i would watch the switch to go over to the blu ray input rather than the previous cable box input.That'd create interesting havoc when your HDTV DVR turns itself on to record a program. :rolleyes:i liked the styling of the terkI've never heard of 'terk' so can't comment.

That'd create interesting havoc when your HDTV DVR turns itself on to record a program.

didnt think about that... i never use the DVR part of it unless i wont be here to watch it, the other 2 are movie sources blu ray and vudu so they most likely wont be on unless i knowingly turn it on. the ones i have planned are either ps3/xbox360 and a computer. so i guess the computer would pose a problem in the same regard

i never use the DVR part of it unless i wont be here to watch itWe never EVER watch anything in real-time (except CNN in the kitchen) and so all the programs we normally like are preprogrammed to record every new episode. So the DVR goes on and off all the time whether we are watching something or not.

This way, we watch what we want at our convenience and never give a thought to what the network schedules are.

i never give a thought to the network schedules either :D.. just have no shows i watch regularly.. if im aware of something that i want to see i'll watch or record it, other than that i just watch movies, i have about 1000, and the rest are on vudu which is like movies on demand for rental or purchase

it does not include a power supply!

* No power needed (If the input equipment is standard, otherwise power needed).

Also read something else to that effect from what seemed to be an experienced member I was going wildfire thru posts today...

At least the monoprice unit has the backing of the experience of thousands of AVS users.

Can't argue with that from from my lmited understanding of this type of thing tis Ebay unit might work along the same basic principle as a USB splitter and even Card Readers that are self powered (think they call it USB cord powered or some such thing - I've got one of of both of those and they are amazing; never failed me once!:)

At the same time, that's why I'm here; you guys are the experts. When I was going thru Monoprice and others earlier today I did not see the one that someone posted on Shaunfastic's (sp?) thread; the ones I saw were way pricier and had me scared:eek: But the $32 sounds good. I might well go with that.

$33 from Hong Kong with no safety net versus $47 for a known product from from monoprice.

As far as safety net, not quite true though; that seller backs his stuff up and you can get a refund and there's even support he/they offer. Aside from the protection Ebay itself offers.

Anyway, good news all around today as I have more good options than I thought I would have when waking up this morning!


No contest.


IN any case, I welcome the thoughts and, suggestions and expertise. This place is gold!-plated...!;)

Cheers

PS: I read in another post today as I was going trhu info on all this that you didn,t need a power source for a switcher as long as your equipment was standard. I wish I remembered who said it as it was an experienced member (one with an impressive title below his name anyway...)

Anyway, still learning...:confused:

Yes. The yship by post with "good" paperwork so it is very quick and cheap!! Buy your cables from them too to save a little more by doubling up on the shipping costs.

Thanks cavu! :)

Found this (http://cgi.ebay.ca/HDMI-5-x-1-Switch-Switcher-1-3b-with-Remote-For-HD-TV_W0QQitemZ250252605256QQihZ015QQcategoryZ14962QQtcZphotoQQ cmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262).

It has 5 input ports and comes with its own power supply. Might go with this one cuz the seller also has Component power cables I need and so save on shipping. i was gonna go with a member's suggestion and go with Monoprice to save on shipping for Component cables but their shipping is too expensive as the cheaper option is nixed on the larger package with cables ($109 for 5 cables + HDMI switch-Monoprice) This one is not automatic.

The other ones:

I tried to link to but simply can't for some reason. A 3x1 & 5x1

they're also good, come with own power source & the 5 port one comes with free gold plated HDMI cable:D...but the specs read 1.40MH amplifier bandwidth (...?) which is very odd.

Far as I can tell the above two are not automatic either.

All come with discreet ir / remote.

Too bad Monoprice is so pricey on delivery for me in Canada. Their component cables (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10235&cs_id=1023501&p_id=321&seq=1&format=2) are designed with audio cables! Sweet!

ttyl

Can anyone tell me what the approx. switching times are for the Monoprice HDX-401E ??