Pro HDMI switches (Extron, etc)

[bobrocks95]

Gearing up for Tink4K/Morph4K by HDMI modding various consoles and getting the rest of my setup ready.

Since the most I need for consoles that would go into a 4K scaler would be 1080p60, aka HDMI 1.0-level support (barring HDCP nonsense maybe), I was wondering if there were any nice older pro options for a switch I could grab on ebay. Metal enclosure, rack mountable, built to last kind of thing.

I have 7 consoles with HDMI now, probably will be up to 10 in the near future. I saw the Extron SW8 HDMI which would look great matching on top of my Extron VGA Ars SW12, though I'd love 12 inputs on one switch without needing to daisy-chain.

Any other recommended brands to look through? I have a blind spot past Extron for pro switches since their VGA options were so nice.

[fernan1234]

I used an SW6 HDMI for a while and it worked very well. They don't auto-switch by default. You can look at the manual to see how it works.

[bobrocks95]

I used an SW6 HDMI for a while and it worked very well. They don't auto-switch by default. You can look at the manual to see how it works.

Wow wild that you need a jumper cable in place to auto-switch inputs. Hoping I can find some decent brand with 12+ inputs, but I'll keep an eye out for an SW8 HDMI.

[fernan1234]

Wow wild that you need a jumper cable in place to auto-switch inputs. Hoping I can find some decent brand with 12+ inputs, but I'll keep an eye out for an SW8 HDMI.

Yeah it's kinda weird, but you really just need two bridged pins there. I remember I was lazy and just bought a tiny make-shift two-pin jumper on ebay for like 3 bucks.

[bobrocks95]

Ooh anybody with a Kramer switch? They have a great looking 1U unit with 16 inputs, but I'm concerned that it won't auto-switch since it isn't mentioned anywhere. vs-161h

[Dochartaigh]

I don't follow all the HDMI mods... are you going to have them output already upscaled industry-standard (i.e. broadcast standard) resolutions to the Extron?

I've had issues with my Extron SMX with HDMI (which I assume uses similar protocol to most of their HDMI switchers) when using the OSSC on certain consoles on certain multiplier modes (meaning they weren't always vanilla 480p/720p/1080p signals) – and it wasn't my TV itself acting up (always fine when it runs straight to the TV). Unfortunately can't tell you exactly which consoles/modes as it was too many years ago, but that was why I stopped using my 2x different Extron SMX's with multiple different (8x8 and 4x4 I believe) HDMI planes/cards... just something to keep in mind.

[bobrocks95]

I don't follow all the HDMI mods... are you going to have them output already upscaled industry-standard (i.e. broadcast standard) resolutions to the Extron?

I've had issues with my Extron SMX with HDMI (which I assume uses similar protocol to most of their HDMI switchers) when using the OSSC on certain consoles on certain multiplier modes (meaning they weren't always vanilla 480p/720p/1080p signals) – and it wasn't my TV itself acting up (always fine when it runs straight to the TV). Unfortunately can't tell you exactly which consoles/modes as it was too many years ago, but that was why I stopped using my 2x different Extron SMX's with multiple different (8x8 and 4x4 I believe) HDMI planes/cards... just something to keep in mind.

Any scaler would be placed after this switch, but you're right, I should keep compatibility in mind since things could always be off. For the 240p consoles I'll have with HDMI mods (N64, PS1), PixelFX is adding a "direct mode" that outputs 240p, which some switches could certainly balk at even if they support 480i. Dreamcast, Xbox, PS2, GameCube, and Wii shouldn't have any issues as that generation on was pretty much conformant timings/standard outputs.

If the 240p direct modes don't work, I could output in 480p or 720p though, and I'm sure the Tink 4K/Morph 4K could both handle optimal sampling from there.

[Josh128]

After struggling with "cheap" units, I got a 4x1 Atlona unit. I use it to switch between my HTPC and my Channel Master OTA DVR on my living room plasma.

Metal enclosure, autoswitching, RS-232 configurable, I just works, pretty much never have to touch it. Apparently there are rack mount versions with more ports.

[bobrocks95]

After struggling with "cheap" units, I got a 4x1 Atlona unit. I use it to switch between my HTPC and my Channel Master OTA DVR on my living room plasma.

Metal enclosure, autoswitching, RS-232 configurable, I just works, pretty much never have to touch it. Apparently there are rack mount versions with more ports.

Thanks Josh, I'll look into Atlona more if the TESmart I just ordered has any issues. A cursory glance on ebay shows they have a 16-input 1U size unit, but oddly all 3 listed are as-is for parts which doesn't inspire confidence. Who knows though.

[orange808]

Extron and Kramer are companies that do not care about gaming or home consumers. They never have. Should probably avoid their HDMI switches after 1.4. Their customers don't care much about robust audio, VRR, and off spec signals for bleeding edge gaming/theatre setups. I imagine a person would get laughed out of the building if they brought a game console to work for testing with one of their switches.

[bobrocks95]

Extron and Kramer are companies that do not care about gaming or home consumers. They never have. Should probably avoid their HDMI switches after 1.4. Their customers don't care much about robust audio, VRR, and off spec signals for bleeding edge gaming/theatre setups. I imagine a person would get laughed out of the building if they brought a game console to work for testing with one of their switches.

I only need very basic HDMI support up to 1080p 60Hz for my purposes, but future direct 240p digital modes definitely might not play nicely with them. I'm not sure they'll play nicely with the TESmart either though, so it may be a gross hunt to find something decent.

[Unseen]

I'm concerned that it won't auto-switch since it isn't mentioned anywhere.

In professional gear I would expect no auto-switching at all or only as a non-default option because you really do not want your broadcast/projection/... interrupted when something unexpected happens on a different input.