XtremeHD 4 to 1 HDMI switcher

[MarketTantrik]

Gear Review: XtremeHD 4 to 1 HDMI switcher

 

From Ars Technica

http://arstechnica.com/journals/hardware.a...1-hdmi-switcher

__________________________________________________________

 

 

HDMI can be expensive technology. If you're not careful about where you shop, you can easily spend upwards of $50 per cable, and HDMI switchboxes for televisions with only one input can easily cost in the hundreds of dollars. Which is why we were so interested in the XtremeHD HDMI Switcher. We're going to forgive the fact the word is "XTREME" is in the title after we chug this Mountain Dew, and then we can get down to business.

 

The styling of the unit clearly shows that this switcher is supposed to be used with the AppleTV, but who cares? It's a four-port HDMI switcher for $100! I'll put up with the fact that it looks a little Apple-y at that price; I just put it under my Wii, and it blends right in. Installation couldn't be easier; there is an output that you connect to your display, and you plug the other HDMI cables into the back of the unit. The switcher is powered, and while the plug is thin enough to fit into most power strips, it is longer than your standard plug.

 

The unit itself is very solidly built, with a good heft and a feeling of density to it. It's much smaller than a normal piece of A/V equipment, so unless you do have an AppleTV it might be hard to fit into your setup, but it may also be small enough to simply rest on top of your components mostly unnoticed.

 

There are two ways to switch between the inputs: the unit comes with a very svelte remote control, and you can also hit the "source" button on the front of the switcher. The remote is tiny; it's more couch-food than anything. It is IR though, so any universal remote should be able to take over the source selection duties.

 

With support for resolutions up to 1080p and a video amplifier bandwidth of 1.65Gbps, this is a very capable switcher for only $100. Sure the size and styling may put some off, but if you can move past that then this is a great value.

__________________________________________________________________________

[Hot-Drake-Pixel]

You might wanna move to General Category, ya?