HDMI Switch

An HDMI switch allows you to share multiple sources with a single high definition display. Using an HDMI DVI adapter cable, you can also connect DVI devices. Typically you would use a switch to hook up a cable or satellite set-top box, a DVD player (and eventually a HD DVD or Blu-ray player) and a games console such as the Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3 when it ships.

There are a few things you should look for when buying an HDMI switch. You want at least four inputs — two inputs might be ok for your current equipment, but you should allow for expansion in the future. The switch should be capable of passing HDCP data straight through from the source to the display and to make it as flexible as possible it should support connecting DVI devices using a HDMI DVI cable, and should have a remote control for switching between inputs. Some switches are able to automatically switch between inputs, but nevertheless, a remote control is essential.

All HDMI switches are not equal. There are a number of considerations to be made when building an HDMI switch to ensure that the quality of the signal which is output is as high as possible. Poorly designed switches will degrade the signal and some may have difficulty with interference between inputs when more than one inpput is switched on at a time. So you shouldn't necessarily choose the cheapest switch if you want to make the most of your HDTV.

Choose a switch from a well-known manufacturer, read reviews, and talk to friends and colleagues. If possible, you should try and test out a switch before buying – the last thing you want is to get it home, hook it up and find that it causes problems and interferes with your enjoyment of your HDTV or projector.

HDMI cables primer