HDMI Switch Advice

themadman on 28/08/2018 - 21:53

Hi guys,

Looking for some advice on picking a HDMI switch. I just bought a Chromecast Ultra and after plugging it in to my PC screen realised that the screen didn't have speakers. So I went on a search for a HDMI with audio splitter and discovered this whole category of products. I've decided to get a multi HDMI input + 1 output so that I can plug my computer into it as well and just use a remote to switch sources rather than the clunky screen interface. My main requirement is 2+ HDMI inputs, 4k HDMI output and an Aux output (to plug my existing computer speakers into). I'm finding rather limited options for ones with an Aux output, and came across one by Vention which looks nice.

Before I blow $20 on this though, I wondered if people here had much experience with these things? I figure there's not much that can go wrong if it's sitting on a desk never getting touched (not much wear and tear, not very complicated tech etc). Is buying a cheap Asian one a bad idea? I don't really want to spend $50+, but if all the alternatives are junk I might have to…?

Electrical & Electronics HDMI Switch

Comments

  • Starayo on 28/08/2018 - 22:14

    I have no experience with that type, but I once got a similar cheap chinese HDMI audio splitter and the sound quality was awful, and I am pretty damn far from an audiophile. So I wouldn't get my hopes up too much, personally.

    • themadman on 29/08/2018 - 00:27

      Hmm, the speakers I have are pretty terrible tbh. Old Logitech ones I bought off gumtree for $15 haha. That said, it's a fair point. No way to know unless I try them though I guess! How much did yours cost, out of curiosity? I saw all the simple audio splitters and they looked pretty junky. This looks a bit more premium, but I'm sure it's not much better aha.

  • trustnoone on 28/08/2018 - 22:17

    Don't know much, but I have a cheap HDMI switch, works well but I can't get CEC functions to work on it, might be an issue if you're trying to switch on or off your tv and stuff through chromecast. Also splitter I have has its own automatic switch, this can get annoying for me as when I dock my NintendoSwitch it flips it to the nintendo, then back to my PC. Lastly the first cheap one I bought was powered through USB, so it might take up a power or USB slot if you get a powered type.

    • themadman on 29/08/2018 - 00:23

      Cheers for the tips. I don't actually have CEC, but that does sound like a neat thing to try. I think it does have a power supply, so need a powerpoint for that. I have an 8-port one so shouldn't be an issue. I was actually kinda hoping that it would auto switch tbh. Sounds like yours isn't auto-switching properly?

  • rhino015 on 28/08/2018 - 22:27

    I have a digitech branded one from Jaycar that I got for $125. After a while I had issues where I had to power cycle the switch box to get the image to show on the tv again. The one I bought had stereo analogue output though, so maybe adding that complication causes issues. It decided digital audio and converted it to stereo analogue. Also the remote got lost in the lounge lol

    • themadman on 29/08/2018 - 00:19

      Sooooo, basically the expensive ones still have problems? aha. Makes me a little more reassured about buying this, even if it is a bit junky.

  • AustriaBargain on 28/08/2018 - 23:12

    Do you have an old AV receiver around the house? Most of them function as decent dedicated amps for stereo speakers or headphones. They are pretty big though.

    • themadman on 29/08/2018 - 00:20

      AV receiver? I have a set of Aux speakers and a HDMI chrome cast. Not sure how that would help?

      • Diji1 on 29/08/2018 - 00:55

        An AV reciever would allow you to switch HDMI ports but it's very expensive compared to buying a simple HDMI switcher.

        You can pick them up second hand pretty cheap though.

  • Stewardo on 29/08/2018 - 00:35

    I’ve got a cheap powered hdmi splitter off ebay, 4 in 4 out, works great with remote.
    I have all the equipment in the lounge room and use an ir sender to control everything
    Sounds like you need a soundbar too

  • HighAndDry on 29/08/2018 - 12:30

    the screen didn't have speakers.

    Does the screen have an audio-out though? It'd be a far sight better than putting audio through a HDMI splitter.

  • spackbace on 29/08/2018 - 13:50

    so that I can plug my computer into it as well and just use a remote to switch sources rather than the clunky screen interface

    Hang on, why not just use the pc to play media? Why use the Chromecast at all?!

    Use Netflix/plex etc direct through pc to screen and shelve the CC. Computer becomes media centre

    Is this not the logical (and free) solution?

    • themadman on 29/08/2018 - 15:49

      It is an option at present (and is what I have been doing). I may end up moving my computer out of the living area, at which point I'd like to be able to keep using the speakers + Chromecast in my 32" display, rather than buy a whole new TV (want to get a better screen for the computer, rather than a new tv). I got a chromecast ultra for $25 and figured I would at least get it all set up and working aha! I have a google home and would like to be able to do full control from the couch with voice/phone. You do raise a decent point though!

      • spackbace on 29/08/2018 - 16:00

        (want to get a better screen for the computer, rather than a new tv)

        Home theatre amp with multiple hdmi inputs and cec. Actually this might be the best, and you'll use it later as well. Computer in 1 input (for now), ultra in another, with your speakers plugged in as an output.

        With hdmi cec on the amp, when it recognises that the ultra is turned on, it'll switch to that input automatically

        • themadman on 30/08/2018 - 09:31

          Just did a quick search and they look neat. But I don't really have the money for a $200+ piece of gear? Do you have any recommendations for one that I can get <$40?? I really don't want to put a lot of money just to be able to use a chromecast?

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