Two way HDMI switchers

[Dave2002]

I thought that HDMI switchers are usually uni-directional - typically with one input and 3 or 5 output, possibly with automatic switching or sometimes only manual or remote switching.

Following what looks like gremlins in our Toshiba TV which seem to have affected the HDMI port, I thought I could test these more thoroughly with new switchers - after all it might have been the installed switchers which have failed, not the TV, though I think that’s unlikely.

I was surprised when looking at the river people’s store to note some bi-directional HDMI switchers. Are these for real?

If they work they could be useful, for example to connect a whole bunch of kit either to one TV or another one, or to switch from one TV to an AV amp.
The ones I’ve noticed are only 2 in-1 out or vice-versa (1-in-2-out) but could be good to have as a spare, or for testing, or indeed for use “in anger”.

[richardfinegold]

I thought that HDMI switchers are usually uni-directional - typically with one input and 3 or 5 output, possibly with automatic switching or sometimes only manual or remote switching.

Following what looks like gremlins in our Toshiba TV which seem to have affected the HDMI port, I thought I could test these more thoroughly with new switchers - after all it might have been the installed switchers which have failed, not the TV, though I think that’s unlikely.

I was surprised when looking at the river people’s store to note some bi-directional HDMI switchers. Are these for real?

If they work they could be useful, for example to connect a whole bunch of kit either to one TV or another one, or to switch from one TV to an AV amp.
The ones I’ve noticed are only 2 in-1 out or vice-versa (1-in-2-out) but could be good to have as a spare, or for testing, or indeed for use “in anger”.

I believe switchers usually have multiple inputs, to accept signals from multiple sources (DVD, Game Consoles, cable boxes,etc) and usually have just one output, as most TV monitors have only 1 HDMI input. The switcher allows one to select which input to be used and obviates the need the to disconnect the fragile HDMI cables when one wants to change inputs.
I am as baffled as you are as to why bi directionality is even desirable...

[Dave2002]

I am as baffled as you are as to why bi directionality is even desirable...

I'm not so much baffled, but just wondering if they work, if they are reliable, and if they can be put in chain of switchers. So for example, I might have a Blu Ray, a computer and an Apple TV box all feeding into one TV. If I get another TV I might then want to switch that ensemble into the second TV sometimes - it might be useful to save having to unplug everything. If one is also using HDMI for audio - than a unit like my Oppo unit could be switched to a TV if we wanted to use it to watch DVDs, but to an AV amp or external DAC if I wanted to use it to listen to music.

The other thing which people seem to care about now is whether the interfaces support 4k.

[Frances_iom]

tho most HDMI switch boxes appear to have some electronics (there is a LED indicating selected channel) maybe the cheaper one are merely mechanical switches as used in the past for Keyboard-Mouse-Video switchers would give bidirectional transfer

[Dave2002]

tho most HDMI switch boxes appear to have some electronics (there is a LED indicating selected channel) maybe the cheaper one are merely mechanical switches as used in the past for Keyboard-Mouse-Video switchers would give bidirectional transfer

Thanks. That might be the explanation. Not sure if that would really be a problem if they worked well enough, but I didn't think that they could be that "simple".

[richardfinegold]

I'm not so much baffled, but just wondering if they work, if they are reliable, and if they can be put in chain of switchers. So for example, I might have a Blu Ray, a computer and an Apple TV box all feeding into one TV. If I get another TV I might then want to switch that ensemble into the second TV sometimes - it might be useful to save having to unplug everything. If one is also using HDMI for audio - than a unit like my Oppo unit could be switched to a TV if we wanted to use it to watch DVDs, but to an AV amp or external DAC if I wanted to use it to listen to music.

The other thing which people seem to care about now is whether the interfaces support 4k.

I am missing something here. If you connect the Oppo to both a TV and simultaneously to an AVR, in both cases the signal is originating with the Oppo and ending up with the second component. That is unidirectional. Bidirectional would mean that the same HDMI cable would carry
From the TV, say, back to the Oppo. Since the Oppo has separate HDMI inputs and outputs , such a cable and switch doesn’t make any sense.
Btw, I believe that you said your Oppo is a 93 or a 95, so it doesn’t support 4K

[Dave2002]

I am missing something here. If you connect the Oppo to both a TV and simultaneously to an AVR, in both cases the signal is originating with the Oppo and ending up with the second component. That is unidirectional. Bidirectional would mean that the same HDMI cable would carry
From the TV, say, back to the Oppo. Since the Oppo has separate HDMI inputs and outputs , such a cable and switch doesn’t make any sense.
Btw, I believe that you said your Oppo is a 93 or a 95, so it doesn’t support 4K

I think there are several scenarios.

Several inputs - single destination - only one "route" active at any one time e.g (a) drive either screen A or screen B from one computer (b) drive either screen or AVR from computer (but not both) - if wanting to sometimes route audio, but not picture.

Several inputs - mulitple destinations - only one route from one input to multiple outputs active at any one time e.g drive two screens from one computer

Of course HDMI links are bi-directional in the sense that control signals are (may be) sent back from the output to the source. I don't know if HDMI is fully symmetrical.

When referring to HDMI switches, the configuration may be fixed, so that they are not dynamically bi-directional, but the switch itself is either set up as a 2 in to 1 out device, or a 1 in to 2 out device.

Indeed my Oppo does not support 4k, but if I buy a new switch I might want one which will work with devices I may buy in the future.

Interestingly some "switches" also seem to amplify or reinforce the signals, as if the specs are to be believed, they can drive what looks like up to 30 metres of cable - about 100 feet, so those are not going to be passive switches.

[richardfinegold]

I'm not so much baffled, but just wondering if they work, if they are reliable, and if they can be put in chain of switchers. So for example, I might have a Blu Ray, a computer and an Apple TV box all feeding into one TV. If I get another TV I might then want to switch that ensemble into the second TV sometimes - it might be useful to save having to unplug everything. If one is also using HDMI for audio - than a unit like my Oppo unit could be switched to a TV if we wanted to use it to watch DVDs, but to an AV amp or external DAC if I wanted to use it to listen to music.

The other thing which people seem to care about now is whether the interfaces support 4k.

I think the proper term for what you seek is HDMI splitter, not a switch

[Dave2002]

I think the proper term for what you seek is HDMI splitter, not a switch

Possibly. Amazon isn't always consistent with that though, sometimes referring to Switches, sometimes to Switch Splitters etc. There aren't very many good explanations around, though the ones on this page are OK - and introduce yet another device - an HDMI matrix - http://www.hdconnectivity.com/blog/2...a-hdmi-matrix/

It gets to be a bit of a can of worms as different devices may do various clever things. I already mentioned sending signals over long cable lengths, and some convert down to signals which can travel over ethernet. Some check the standards on the inputs, and outputs, and map them all to something which might work. So I'm not sure that simple terminology is always applicable.

[richardfinegold]

Possibly. Amazon isn't always consistent with that though, sometimes referring to Switches, sometimes to Switch Splitters etc. There aren't very many good explanations around, though the ones on this page are OK - and introduce yet another device - an HDMI matrix - http://www.hdconnectivity.com/blog/2...a-hdmi-matrix/

It gets to be a bit of a can of worms as different devices may do various clever things. I already mentioned sending signals over long cable lengths, and some convert down to signals which can travel over ethernet. Some check the standards on the inputs, and outputs, and map them all to something which might work. So I'm not sure that simple terminology is always applicable.

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/hdmi-switch-vs-hdmi-splitter-everything-you-need-to-know/