Buying guide for best hdmi switchers
As technology advances, our entertainment sources keep multiplying. Where you once had a single cable box, you now may have a Blu-ray player, Roku box, Fire Stick, and multiple gaming units. While the number of devices you own grows, the number of HDMI inputs on your television does not. Perhaps you’ve been playing musical chairs with your HDMI input for a while. You’ve popped your popcorn, dimmed the lights, and settled down to enjoy a movie only to find the wrong component is plugged in. Or maybe your child broke a cable trying to plug in a gaming system. It’s time to get off the cable carousel. You need an HDMI switcher.
Simply put, an HDMI switcher expands the number of HDMI sources you can connect to your TV at once. It can help you avoid disruptions and damage. Instead of manually switching the cables between the components, you plug the cables into the inputs on the switcher. You then connect the switcher’s HDMI output to your television and select the source you want to use.
Key considerations
When choosing an HDMI switcher, you need to think about your entertainment needs and habits.
Inputs
Typically, HDMI switchers offer between two and eight inputs. Units with more ports usually cost more than units with fewer inputs. 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.
Switching method
Different HDMI switchers toggle between sources using a handful of methods.
Manual: Nearly all switchers offer a manual switching method in which you push a button to change which source is being accessed. This is the most reliable method, but you still must get up from your seat to change the 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 more convenient, but it adds another remote to your collection to confuse or lose.
Automatic: Some advanced switchers sense which source device has been powered on most recently and select that HDMI source. These are admittedly the most convenient style, but the convenience comes with a higher price tag. Sometimes this feature performs as designed, but other times the source components and other factors keep it from working well.
Did you know?
If you want to watch Blu-ray or HD DVD movies, you’ll need to buy a switcher that supports HDCP. Not all switchers support HDCP copy protection encoding. If you don’t use these devices, you won’t necessarily need a switcher that does.
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HDMI switcher features
The type of television you have can also make a difference in which switcher you need. Virtually all consumer-ready HDMI switchers support 1080p and Dolby Digital/DTS. That said, if you plan to route the switcher’s output through a home theatre receiver rather than directly to the TV, you need to make sure it’s compatible with the system’s advanced audio format.
Compatibility: If you plan to use your switcher with an Ultra HD 4K TV and similar components, you’ll need to make sure the switcher is 4K compatible. Check to make sure the switcher supports your device’s HDMI handshake requirements, typically known as HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Copy Protection) or HDCP 2.2, to get the devices to start communicating. Additionally, if your system requires signals that are HDR encoded, use 3D video, or feature other advanced styles, you’ll need an HDMI switcher that supports them.
Wireless: A handful of switchers can support wireless connectivity as well as connections to wired devices. These devices have a traditional HDMI output as well as a wireless one that sends a signal to a display. These devices are especially helpful with wall-mounted televisions or in instances where you don’t want to run cables across the room or through walls. They can also help to reduce tangled jumbles of wires. Again, convenience will cost you more, and you’ll need to be sure the switcher supports your system’s requirements.
PIP mode: Switchers equipped with picture-in-picture (PIP) mode let you see the feed from other sources without switching from the one you’re currently using. This can help you keep track of your different media options without losing the one you’re already using.
"If you’re having trouble with your HDMI components connecting, check your universal remote. Some turn on all components at once, which can interfere with the TV’s connection with the source you want. Make sure you’re only turning on one component at a time."
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HDMI switcher prices
Prices of HDMI switchers vary greatly depending on the number of inputs and the formats supported.
Inexpensive
Budget switchers cost about $10. At this price, switchers can generally handle two or three sources and support 1080p. Some support HDTV 4K and a few other options.
Mid-range
These switchers cost between $20 and $30. Switchers in this price range should have at least three inputs and offer automatic or remote switching options. You should expect offerings to support 4K video to at least 30Hz, Ultra HD, and possibly 3D. They may not support all HDCP options.
Expensive
Higher-end HDMI switchers cost around $40 or more. If you’re paying this much, your switcher should have four or more ports and support a majority of video formats as well as HDCP. However, be sure to check for your specific format because the technology is always changing.
Premium
Some wireless switchers cost significantly more than $40. Remember, with these units, you’re paying for the aesthetics of wall mounting and fewer cables, as well as the convenience of not securing cables across the room or mounting them in your walls.
Tips
If you’re an Apple TV user, be aware that its “always-on” function interferes with some HDMI switcher auto-sensors. You may need to check carefully or be prepared to select sources manually or use a remote.
Some switchers don’t receive enough power to operate when only one source is turned on. If you’re having problems, turn on another device or two that are connected to the source.
If you’re specifically looking for a switcher that offers PIP, be sure to check the window sizes. Some PIPs practically split the screen into dual panes, while others make the secondary window much smaller. Select the one that best meets your needs.
When setting up your switcher, put it in a place where all the components feeding into it can reach it, such as the middle of an entertainment center.
FAQ
Q. I’m thinking about replacing my old television with a smart TV. Will I still need multiple HDMI ports?
A. Probably. One of the main selling points of a smart TV is that it can stream content through its internet connection as an alternative to using multiple devices. It might cut down on the number of cables you need, but it probably won’t eliminate your Blu-ray player or gaming systems, which all connect through HDMI cables. When you’re shopping, either buy a TV with the number of HDMI inputs you think you’ll need, or get a switcher that’s compatible with your new TV.
Q. If I buy a device that automatically switches sources, do I really need a remote, too?
A. We recommend it. While many HDMI switchers are designed to detect power and signals, in reality, it doesn’t always work. Some switchers can’t get enough power to operate if only one source is turned on, so a second source needs to be powered up, which can interfere with the sensors. Apple TV’s “always-on” feature is notorious for complicating things. Without a remote, you could be left getting up and toggling the switcher manually, one of the problems you were trying to avoid when you bought the unit.
Q. Is there any foolproof way to make sure I get a switcher that supports all my media?
A. Unfortunately, there’s no easy way other than carefully checking the specs. Every TV, sound, and theatre system is slightly different in its technology, signals, and inputs. The answers aren’t always intuitive. To save yourself a headache, hours of troubleshooting, and possible return costs, make sure what you buy is fully compatible before completing the purchase.
