Owners of Octava 4x1 HDMI switcher with toslink (http://www.octavainc.com/HDMI%20switch%204port_toslink.htm), are you happy with it?
I read about it and it sounds good to me.
I like its features, especially Smart Scan which automatically switches HDMI sources (even though it includes a remote control) so I don't have to switch it manually at all. The price seems reasonable even with any 4 6ft HDMI/DVI cables for $25 dollars more. I am thinking about buying it.

Just one word "Awesome"

I just hooked it up and it works like a dream.

I am having difficultly programming my Harmony 659 remote. I did get it to work but I have to aim the Harmony to the left or right at 45-60 degree angle instead of straight ahead.

I tried different repeater settings with no luck. So for now, I have the octava switch shifted at an angle so I can point my Harmony straight at the TV. Looks kinda stupid but it works.

I'm mostly happy with mine and it's definitely the least expensive way to add extra HDMI and optical audio ports. It does feel a little cheap, it's very light and the main push button feels loose, but it works well for what it needs to do. I would recommend it.

I also have the Scientific Atlanta 8300HD unit, and was curious to see if you can turn the auto switching off, to possibly resolve that problem that dylanneild described.

Anyone?

I also have the Scientific Atlanta 8300HD unit, and was curious to see if you can turn the auto switching off, to possibly resolve that problem that dylanneild described.

Anyone?

Yes. If you press and hold the push button on the box for ~5 seconds the LEDs should cycle through and from that point on the Auto Sensing feature will be disabled. To enable it you just have to turn the power off and on again.

Unfortunately, the HDMI/Optical switch I got from Octavia began to malfunction (not responding to the remote or push button, changing inputs on its own) a few days after I got it. So far Octavia have been helpful and I'm expecting a replacement on Monday. I'll report back after a week or two once I've confirmed it's working properly.

I just received the 4 x1HDMI switch with optical Toslink and all is connected and all inputs work well. The only thing that is not working at all is the "Smart Scan" auto switching.

INPUT 1 - Scientific Atlanta 8300HD
INPUT 2 - Oppo DV-981HD
TV -Samsung LN-S4095D

I understand that the SA 8300 won't auto swicth back, but shouldn't it switch to input 2 when i turn on the oppo?

I just received the 4 x1HDMI switch with optical Toslink and all is connected and all inputs work well. The only thing that is not working at all is the "Smart Scan" auto switching.

INPUT 1 - Scientific Atlanta 8300HD
INPUT 2 - Oppo DV-981HD
TV -Samsung LN-S4095D

I understand that the SA 8300 won't auto swicth back, but shouldn't it switch to input 2 when i turn on the oppo?

I also had the same issue with the OPPO I have but I think it's related to the fact that the OPPO is by default on standby and is, in fact, already on. As a result the HDMI switch doesn't sense any changes when you 'turn on' the OPPO. Try unplugging the power to the OPPO, put the HDMI switch on Input 1, and the plug the OPPO power back in. The last time I tried this the HDMI switch did recognize the new component and swiched to Input 2.

BTW, I received a replacement HDMI switch from Octavia (the first one went bad, see previous post) and it's been working fine. They were very helpful (over email anyway) and sent it out reasonably fast.

I also had the same issue with the OPPO I have but I think it's related to the fact that the OPPO is by default on standby and is, in fact, already on. As a result the HDMI switch doesn't sense any changes when you 'turn on' the OPPO. Try unplugging the power to the OPPO, put the HDMI switch on Input 1, and the plug the OPPO power back in. The last time I tried this the HDMI switch did recognize the new component and swiched to Input 2.
Thank you nemozob.
I emailed octava support and received a quick response that mirrors your response:

"This may be a case where the Oppo DVD player does not actually "shut off" when you power it down. We detect on power down of the HDMI sources and some DVD players actually only go to "sleep" and keep the HDMI ports powered when you press OFF on the remote.
You can verify this by connecting the DVD to port 2 and then Turn OFF the DVD. If the LED stays on port 2 then that is what is happening."

I guess my next step will be to get a programable remote - any suggestions? I am looking at the Logitech Harmony 880...

BTW, I received a replacement HDMI switch from Octavia (the first one went bad, see previous post) and it's been working fine. They were very helpful (over email anyway) and sent it out reasonably fast.
They have been great - very fast shipping - ordered last Friday received Monday, and they responded very quickly to my email as i said before.

I guess my next step will be to get a programable remote - any suggestions? I am looking at the Logitech Harmony 880...

I've considered one too but haven't figured that out yet. I have a DirecTv HR-20 and the remote has 'modes' for other devices. The problem is that I've yet to figure out the code for the HDMI switch (I have an email into Octavia support) or even if there is one that I can access.

There are a bunch of universal remotes reviewed on cnet. If you do get one and it works with the HDMI switch let me know!

I have a question for those who own this:

For the coax and optical digital inputs and outputs, does it convert between those?

IE, say I have:

* Cable box that has digital audio via HDMI
* DVD player that doesn't support HDMI-audio but has coax digital output
* PS3 that has optical digital out
but:
* Audio receiver only has one coax digital input, no optical inputs

Can I connect the PS3 to this and it will convert the digital audio in the HDMI over to the *coax* digital output to go to my receiver, and/or take the optical input from the PS3 and output digital audio via coax to my receiver?

If so, I am all over this :D! If it will not convert the optical to coax, then if it can at least extract the digital audio from the HDMI signal and pass it through the coax output, that will be perfect also.

My solution for the HD8300 not going "off" and therefore not letting the octava switch "back" to it - was to plug the ac power for the octava into the 8300's AC accessory outlet. Then connect the 8300 to input 1. So when I switch the 8300 "on," the octava powers up too and it always powers on with input 1 selected. If something else gets selected, I can always go back the 8300 by turning it off and back on. Note you have to set the 8300's AC outlet to "On with settop" in the 8300 setup menu.

Also, I found that my Panasonic DDR needed to have the "Quick Start" function turned off to let the octava sense its power on/off status.

I have a question for those who own this:

For the coax and optical digital inputs and outputs, does it convert between those?

IE, say I have:

* Cable box that has digital audio via HDMI
* DVD player that doesn't support HDMI-audio but has coax digital output
* PS3 that has optical digital out
but:
* Audio receiver only has one coax digital input, no optical inputs

Can I connect the PS3 to this and it will convert the digital audio in the HDMI over to the *coax* digital output to go to my receiver, and/or take the optical input from the PS3 and output digital audio via coax to my receiver?

If so, I am all over this :D! If it will not convert the optical to coax, then if it can at least extract the digital audio from the HDMI signal and pass it through the coax output, that will be perfect also.

I'm also interested in having a HDMI switcher convert a digital audio HDMI signal to a optical/coax digital output. That's because my Oppo DV-981HD DVD player only outputs a digital DVD-Audio or SACD signal through HDMI.

Can anyone verify if the Octava 4x1 switch does this? If so, then I'm also interested in getting the unit.

I'm also interested in having a HDMI switcher convert a digital audio HDMI signal to a optical/coax digital output. That's because my Oppo DV-981HD DVD player only outputs a digital DVD-Audio or SACD signal through HDMI.

Can anyone verify if the Octava 4x1 switch does this? If so, then I'm also interested in getting the unit.
I've actually bought this since my post. And no, it does not convert between any of the signals. It doesn't even extract the audio from HDMI to send over coax. It is strictly a switch, that's all.

That said, it does solve most of my problems. Now I'm just waiting for the Mitsu tech to figure out why the HDMI-to-digital conversion isn't working on my TV. Cause once that is fixed, I can have the TV send the digital audio (over HDMI from the PS3) back out to the switch via digital coax, which then goes to the receiver. It's been two months and they've replaced every board that could possibly be involved (actually waiting for the last board which should be here tomorrow). If this doesn't fix it, I'm going to demand a new TV. That should be fun :)

I've actually bought this since my post. And no, it does not convert between any of the signals. It doesn't even extract the audio from HDMI to send over coax. It is strictly a switch, that's all.

Thanks for the quick reply maejrep. :)

OT: Does anyone know of a HDMI switch that can extract the digital audio into a optical/coax output? If not, then I might have to buy a new HDMI capable receiver.

I'm bumping this thread - because I too am considering the Oppo DV981 and want to get the digital from HDMI to optical for multi-channel sound...

Anyone?

For those of you who need a switch that strips audio from an HDMI source you need a different Octava switch. You need the 5 x 2 HDMI Switch + Splitter Distribution Amplifier with Toslink Audio Output.

http://www.octavainc.com/HDMI%20switch%20splitter_5x2_toslink.html

Hope this helps!

I purchased this switch last week to accompany a new TV and 2 (for now) HDMI inputs. When I first set it up it seemed to work ok, but was a bit clunky in its operation. The smart scan is more of an annoyance than a useful feature and the device seems to work better and more intuitively with this deactivated.

I have not had a chance to mess with it much, but the first day I hooked it up, video was passing successfully from my PS3 through the switch and to the display. However, last night it stopped working and only seems to be sending audio.

The device is very light and cheaply constructed. I am shocked that they are asking $250 for it when other HDMI switches are going for around $30. I do feel like i got ripped off since it was the only available device that could do HDMI + optical audio. I went ahead with the purchase because in the end it is still cheaper than buying a receiver when all I want to do is switch between devices.

After reading about nemozob's experience with a faulty unit and replacement, I'm beginning to think I received a dud as well. I'll work with it tonight, but if it continues to not function I'll have to either return it or get a replacement.

Update: my problem seemed to be cable related. I'm glad I found it before going through trying to send the box back when nothing was wrong with it. After using the switch for a week or two now, it seems to be working well.

I've had the switch for almost a year and a half and am happy with it, except for one problem. HDMI inputs are: PC video card at 1920x1080, PS3, and the 8300HD. The PS3 image has sparkles when using the switch, but Octava is sending me a new one. Their service is top-notch, I have to say.

It just blows my mind that this guy can't take the audio from an HDMI input and split it to the coaxial digital output! Are you guys absolutely positive this is the case? Otherwise it would be the perfect component, but my DAC/receiver doesn't support HDMI and I'd rather not have all the cables back there.

It just blows my mind that this guy can't take the audio from an HDMI input and split it to the coaxial digital output! Are you guys absolutely positive this is the case? Otherwise it would be the perfect component, but my DAC/receiver doesn't support HDMI and I'd rather not have all the cables back there.

IMHO, this is the only minor drawback of this awesome device. My home theatre system has just one digital (optical) input, thus the Octava switch was the only solution I could find anywhere in the world. My system includes TV, computer, digital set top box, blu-ray player and a home theatre bundled with conventional DVD player - all this stuff coupled through Octava switch and works simply fantastic.
Before getting the Octava device I could not even transmit video signal over 5 meters HDMI cable from my computer to TV - now it works like a charm.
Some extra optical cables are needed to transmit audio in parallel to HDMI - but IMHO this is no problem at all.
Also I want to mention perfect customers care and promt support from Octava - some queries of mine were resolved immediately. I'm so glad that I have found Octava over the Internet - thank you guys!