Monoprice has just posted their 4x1 1.3b HDMI switch - Page 6

I really doubt if it is the switch. I have found that the cables can become loose or the cable is not seated correctly. Try to wiggle the cable or try reversing cables. I have a PS3 going to the same switch and it works fine.

I purchased two of these switches, and neither work with my Pio Elite plama. I'm going to manually connect the source cables to the main 30' line running to the TV. Very frustrating, but I refuse to spend more money on HDCP compliant products that aren't exactly HDCP compliant.

Really? I highly doubt that so many people here would be having problems if there were no issues with the switch. Plugging in an HDMI cable is not rocket science - and if so many people are having cable seating issues as you suggest, then I would say that is an issue with the physical construction of the ports on the switch.

However, I really don't think it's a cable seating issue, the problems people are describing in this thread are almost certainly a problem with the HDCP implementation. Of course, I'm not sure that it's particularly Monoprice's fault - there is no way they could test the switch with every piece of equipment and every display out there. However, it's somebody's fault - somebody, whether it be Monoprice or the other equipment or display manufacturers, is not adhering to the HDMI/HDCP specification.

If there were no HDCP at all, I am quite sure there would be no problem. Let's blame the content providers for forcing us to use a technology which has done absolutely nothing to stop piracy and has only made it more difficult for real consumers to access content they legally purchased.

I've got a Roku Netflix player, Apple TV, and a PS3 hooked up thru the Monoprice switch. The Roku and Apple TV work great but I get intermittent video sparkles (but no audio crackling) when I use the PS3. It's driving me nuts.

I just wanted to post the resolution to my issue in this thread.

I contacted Monoprice about this issue, and they said it could be a defective switch, so they sent me a replacement free of charge. The replacement did not work and exhibited the same behavior - black screens on HDCP material (PS3, Cable Box), and working fine for non-HDCP material (HTPC). So, I called Monoprice back and suggested returning the 4x1 switch altogether and exchanging it for the 5x1. They said that they do not do exchanges, but I could ship the 4x1 back for a refund and apply the credit toward the 5x1. So, I shipped back the 4x1.

However, instead of getting the 5x1 switch, I decided to go ahead and buy the Onkyo TX-SR805 receiver that I had my eye on. I received my 805 yesterday and the HDMI switching works perfectly on it - everything switches perfectly to my TV, the PS3, Cable Box, and HTPC, no problems at all.

With this knowledge, I think I can confirm that the Monoprice 4x1 switch does indeed have HDCP issues, at least with my television, a Samsung HLN567W DLP. I wanted to post this information here in case anyone has a similar TV and is considering this switch. Try the 5x1 first!

I haven't seen anyone mention this, but has anyone gone from using the previous version 2.5 4x1 switch to the version 3.0 4x1 switch...?

I am using the 3.0 version with NO issues. Read my full review here for details about this new version;
http://404era.com/blarg/2008/8/26/th...f-quality.html

Feel free to leave comments whether you agree or disagree, thanks!
*Those interested in contributing to the blarg, ie reviews, etc. feel free to leave a msg.*

I recently purchased the PZ800U. I had it mounted on my wall, with 1 hdmi connected from the tv to my receiver, and then all devices (PS3, Xbox360, and Cable Box) connected to the receiver. My receiver blew out on me a few weeks ago, so it is in the shop. I just purchased an HDMI switch to hold me over from Monoprice (http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2)

The problem is that when I use my switch with my cable box I get no audio, only video. The switch works fine with the PS3 and the Xbox360. I also took my cable box and switch upstairs and tried it on an older panasonic plasma (TH-42PX60U) and it worked perfectly fine, audio and video. I can connect my tv directly to the cable box via the HDMI wire without any issues as well. So it appears it has something to do specifically with the PZ800U I guess??? Does anyone have any thoughts, is there some setting on the PZ800U that is blocking the audio via the switch? The cable box I have is the Scientific Atlanta 8300HD.

I am still trying to figure this out with my PS3. It does not display correctly in 1080p mode. It gets the "sparkles." If I hook my cable directly from my TV to my playstation it works fine. I am using the latest 4x1 switch from monoprice. Still no luck. Just a short 1.5 ft cable running from the PS3 to the switch. I may try the 5x1 to see if that helps. Why can't they state on their webpage though specifically that the 5x1 works and the 4x1 doesn't?

I heard bacl from Monoprice and they stated that the switch was known to have problems with Scientific Atlantic cable boxes and some Panasonic tvs combined. I ended up getting the Accell 4x1 switch which works with everything (although the PS3 only works on port 4??)

I ordered a MonoPrice "4X1 Enhanced 1.3b Certified HDMI Switch with built-in Equalizer and Remote (REV.3.0)" back in July... unfortunately, I only got around to trying it out today.

No joy.

I have a Samsung HLN507W TV with a DVI (HDCP compliant). The sources I'm trying to get to work are at Toshiba HD-A3 HD-DVD player and a DirecTV HR21 HD-DVR. The HR21 works fine through the switch. The HD-A3 doesn't.

I haven't yet tried swapping around cables yet. I've got a couple of HDMI to DVI cables I could try (although that cable works just fine HD-A3 to TV and HR21 to TV). I've also got other HDMI cables I can try.

I also haven't called MonoPrice yet. After I exhaust the cable combos, I'll do that.

Any other suggestions?

-Steve

Did you try switching the HD-DVD player in different ports on the switch. Sounds stupid, but I have an Accell switch, the PS3 on works on port 4 and the Xbox only on Port 3...

I t hink I have the same HD DVD player as you where I have my Monoprice3 HDMI switch, haven't had a chance to hook it up though. If I get a chance I will give it a try and report back if it works.

Yup, I tried all of the ports. Still nothing but black screen on the TV. It IS receiving some sort of signal though... otherwise it would be a blue screen with big "NO SIGNAL" in the middle of the screen. I tried other cable combos. No luck there. Power cycling everything didn't help either.

Is there any reason having the power (and signal) remaining on the HR21 should negatively affect the switch? Even though I use a harmony to control everything, the HR21 never gets turned off.

Why on earth can't these things JUST WORK?

-Steve

I hear ya. My receiver broke so I needed to get a switch while it was in repair. The monprice doesn't work with my Panasonic TV. The Xtreme switch I have doesn't work with the HD DVD player or the PS3. I ended up buying the Accell switch (little more pricey then I would have liked). Only certain ports work for certain items, and now my SageTV which was working originally now doesn't work...

FWIW, when I had problems with this 4x1 switch I exchanged it for the 5x1 and didn't encounter any problems. Now I'm using my Denon 1909 for HDMI switching so I pulled the 5x1 switch out of the mix.

Not working with my Panny Blu-ray player was the reason I had to return an earlier version (2006). My Belkin quit working so am trying this again so I ordered this one. I have 2 HDMI inputs, so may be able to get the Panny to use one of these by itself. Could not beat the price.

I received this switch today and works perfect with everything. Now I have to program my Logitech remote.

I purchased one of these and my panny bd35 does not work properly with it.
It only works right when there is a bluray in the player(@24hz). if there is a dvd or the player is empty the tv flickers and has static(@60hz).

Does anyone know why this is?

I think I may have gotten a defective unit. I have the following devices:

Xbox 360
PS3
DirecTV HR20-700
Sony upscaling dvd

Panasonic SA-XR57 receiver
Panasonic 50PH9UK plasma

It seems that whatever I plug into port #3 of the monoprice switch has red horizontal static effecting my picture. it doesn't matter what device, or what cables I use, the output from port #3 is always corrupted.

Send it back for a RMA, they seem pretty good about replacing bad ones. Mine has worked pretty much flawlessly for me for about a year.

yeah, I'm gonna email them about it tomorrow.

If it still doesn't work out after you get it back you might want to try the 5x1 switch they sell. Folks that have had problems seem to be mostly OK with that one.

I'm 99.9%sure it's just a problem with port #3. No matter what I plug in, or what cables I use, there is the red static throughout the picture, and there are drop outs every 10 to 15 seconds. All of my devices work flawlessly on the other 3 ports.

Why do I find these threads after I order the switch and it doesn't work?

It works fine with m Hanns-G 28" monitor. It doesn't work with my PS3. I tried different ports. I have a 6" cable going from PS3 to the switch and a 15" cable going out to the monitor.

Has anyone who couldn't get it to work with a PS3, got it to work? Or did you guys just send the switch back? How can it work with some PS3s and not others? That's not PS3s fault. They are all the same.

Well I had to pay shipping back for the incompatible unit. Going with something with higher quality next time.

I opted for the 5x1 monoprice unit when I ordered mine a few months ago.
Works great with a PS3 80gig, Xbox 360 Elite, and my HTPC.
Hooked up to my Panny 42PZ80U.

I contacted them early last week, they shipped a replacement out and I received it on Friday.

The good news, all 4 ports seem to work. My DirecTV HR20-700 and Xbox 360 Pro both work without issue on all 4 ports.

The bad new, neither of my sony devices (PS3, dvd player) will work with the new unit, regardless of what port/cable combination I use. The dvd player just has some flickering on screen, the hdmi light goes on, but no video/audio, just flickering. The PS3 gets no result, no hdmi light, no nothing.

Lets see if they'll send me another one.

Just got the monoprice HDX-401E pid 4088 for christmas today...

.. and it works fine on any port in 1080i mode with our motorola DVR, but the xbox 360 only works with "sparkles" and artifacts on port 1 and either cycles through tons of video modes and eventually lands on 480p or doesn't work at all on all the other ports. Port 4 sometimes ends up with a hugely oversized, flickering, scrolling display.

After reading this thread I am not sure if an RMA will fix the problem or if I should send it back immediately and pick up the Oppo 3 port switch. We'll see what monoprice says, though I am not currently convinced a new switch will surely fix the problem.

For what it's worth, I am using a 10 foot monoprice 24awg (I think, that or 22..) white jacketed cable between the switch and the TV, which has always worked when directly connected to anything. I purchased a couple cheaper 3' monoprice HDMI cables for the short runs and switching them out doesn't seem to have anything to do with it. Again.. wiggling connectors around in the ports has never been an issue for me before. The problem lies with the switch and the switch alone. We'll see what monoprice says to my RMA request.

If price and the extra HDMI port are not an issue would you get the 3X1 Oppo HM31 or the 4X1 HDX-401E Monoprice? I need a switcher to share the HDMI port of my Panasonic TV with my 8300HD DVR and my new Vudu box. I'd like to hear about technical advantages/disavantages and features of one over the other... if any? Thanks...

EDIT: At Monoprice all comparable 4X1 switchers are currently sold out... Are their switchers sold any where else?

Reply: YES! i tried 2 Monoprice 4x1 switchers and sent them back because they did not properly recognize HMDI signals. The Oppo has been spot on every time.

That having been said, it's only fair to note that the Oppo is about 3x the price of the Monoprice. Further, the Monoprice people were willing to take back both units for a full refund with very little quibbling. The versions I tried were 10 months ago, so perhaps they have worked out the bugs.

It's interesting that, to my knowledge, no one is making a RELIABLE 5-6 input HDMI switcher. Because I have 6 HDMI input devices, I ended up purchasing 2 HDMI switchers. It would be nice if someone could design one that had at least 6 inputs and worked well.