HDMI 4x1 Switch Question...

[JLucPicard]

I hope this is the right forum to ask this in.

I had my "Mover's Connection" install today and find myself with multiple HR20s and HR10-250s. I have two HDMI inputs on my HDTV. I also have two Component inputs. I am looking at running all of the HR20s through a switch like this one (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=2721&style=&seq=1&format=4#feedback) into one of the HDMI inputs.

What has me questioning is the last "review" comment about it not passing audio. I thought HDMI passed both video and audio. Is anyone familiar with this type of thing and can tell me if I make use of a switch like this, will that only handle video? If so, what do I do about the audio? Do I need a similar switch for that and will I possibly have synch problems? Is there an 'economical' switch that does both video and audio if the one linked above doesn't?

Thanks in advance for the help - what I LOVE about this forum! :D

[HDTVsportsfan]

I have a one year old 5x1 monoprice HDMI switch and it works fine.
I don't see why that one won't pass audio.

[litzdog911]

That's right .... not all HDMI switches are created equally, especially when it comes to switching audio. In fact, some HDMI devices don't pass audio properly either ... the HR10-250 can be especially finnicky.

Why not just connect two of them via HDMI and the other two via component. You probably won't detect any difference in video quality. Or perhaps invest in a nice AV Receiver with HDMI switching.

[JLucPicard]

Why not just connect two of them via HDMI and the other two via component. You probably won't detect any difference in video quality. Or perhaps invest in a nice AV Receiver with HDMI switching.
That's what I'm doing now with the three HR10-250s and one HR20, but I've now got three additional HR20s. One of the HR10-250s is a lease and I will be returning it soon, still leaving me with two HR10-250s and four HR20s.

[JLucPicard]

HDTVsportsfan,

I love your new avitar! :)

Do you happen to have an HR10-250 running through that 5x1 (or did you)? If you haven't had any trouble, I may just go with that. I'm sure at some point I can use the 5th input.

[HDTVsportsfan]

I used mine w/ an HR10, HR20, and an LG Upconverter w/ no problems w/ Video or audio. Maybe it's the luck of the draw.

Good luck to ya Jluc.

[JLucPicard]

Thanks, guys!!! And all within 15 minutes!

Now THAT'S service! :D

[HDTVsportsfan]

Our post's crossed.
Thanks on the avatar. he's a 2.5 year old 105 pound white german shepard.

I'm pretty sure I have Monoprice Part # 2777.
I used it for about a year w/ the 3 pieces of equipment i listed in my previous post.

[cb7214]

That's what I'm doing now with the three HR10-250s and one HR20, but I've now got three additional HR20s. One of the HR10-250s is a lease and I will be returning it soon, still leaving me with two HR10-250s and four HR20s.

how in the world do you find time to watch 6 DVR's with the ability to record up to 12 different channels simultainiously???:D

[JLucPicard]

Up until now, one was for FOX, one for NBC, one for CBS and one for ABC/others. I did that because I really couldn't find the time to watch it all and needed to spread the love so things weren't deleting on me all the time.

Plus, I'm one of the fantasy football freaks that D* caters to, and Sunday afternoons are great when I can catch all the HD action in HD.

In a way I'm hoping the fall/winter network season is kind of weak so I can catch some of the new HD stuff D* will be beaming (yes, sorry harsh, but I'm a bit of an optimist! :D) at the end of the year.

[captain_video]

I use a remote controlled 4x1 HDMI switcher made by Gefen. It has both HDMI and digital audio switching. The output is a DVI connection so I have to use a DVI to HDMI adapter cable to connect the switcher to my HDTV. The audio gets sent to my A/V preamp/processor for playback through my surround system. The only downside is that I need to use separate fiber optic cables for the audio in addition to the HDMI cables. Since I already had a bunch of them before I started using HDMI there was no extra cost involved. The switcher also has coaxial audio connectors for greater flexibility.

I was using it for three HR10-250's and a Marantz DV-9500 DVD player. I have since dropped DirecTV and gone with FIOS so I now use it for my Toshiba A2 HD-DVD player, HTPC, and S3 Tivo with the remaining input used for an unsubbed HDTivo.

[btrain]

HR20 and HDMI Switches...

Just looking for a quick recommendation on what people are using with the HR20. I have an LCD with one HDMI input, I would like to run both an upconverting DVD and the HR20 to that input. Before I buy, I was hoping to be sure it would work. Thanks for the help.