Virtually all consumer-ready HDMI switchers support 1080p and Dolby Digital/DTS. The type of television you have can also make a difference in which switcher you need. Sometimes this feature performs as designed, but other times the source components and other factors keep it from working well. These are admittedly the most convenient style, but the convenience comes with a higher price tag. This is more convenient, but it adds another remote to your collection to confuse or lose.Īutomatic: Some advanced switchers sense which source device has been powered on most recently and select that HDMI source.

Remote: Other HDMI switchers include a button on the unit and a remote control, so you can change which source is being accessed from across the room. This is the most reliable method, but you still must get up from your seat to change the source. Manual: Nearly all switchers offer a manual switching method in which you push a button to change which source is being accessed. However, since the point of buying an HDMI switcher is to expand your options, it might be wiser to purchase a unit with extra inputs to accommodate more components you may buy in the future.ĭifferent HDMI switchers toggle between sources using a handful of methods. Units with more ports usually cost more than units with fewer inputs. Typically, HDMI switchers offer between two and eight inputs. When choosing an HDMI switcher, you need to think about your entertainment needs and habits. High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is the easiest method for transmitting high-quality, uncompressed video and audio data. You then connect the switcher’s HDMI output to your television and select the source you want to use. Instead of manually switching the cables between the components, you plug the cables into the inputs on the switcher. It can help you avoid disruptions and damage. Simply put, an HDMI switcher expands the number of HDMI sources you can connect to your TV at once. Or maybe your child broke a cable trying to plug in a gaming system. You’ve popped your popcorn, dimmed the lights, and settled down to enjoy a movie only to find the wrong component is plugged in. Perhaps you’ve been playing musical chairs with your HDMI input for a while.

While the number of devices you own grows, the number of HDMI inputs on your television does not. Where you once had a single cable box, you now may have a Blu-ray player, Roku box, Fire Stick, and multiple gaming units. As technology advances, our entertainment sources keep multiplying.

Hdmi switch box