Can anyone recommend a good HDMI switcher? Ideally it needs to have 3 ports minimum. 4K @ 60Hz is also required as I also want to switch between a V1 PSVR headset.
@Vacuumator@graysoncharles has a good memory! I have quite an overly complicated signal chain for hdmi with switchers and matricies in the line, and for the one setup a series of repeater/boosters for which I'm still working out kinks, with consoles periodically blacking out with 4k hdr content.
The basic switchers i have don't seem to be available anymore... There's tons if similar ish generic Chinese brands that come and go regularly on Amazon. There's real name brands (sorrt of) but I've found they're generally expensive, behind the tech curve and don't work any better than the generics.
There's no hdmi 2.1 switches yet so VRR and 120 etc aren't applicable.
For 2.0 it's a bit hit or miss but generally any unit advertised as 18gbps, 4k60 hdmi 2.1 hdr /atmos should be good. There have been many more options in this past year. 2018 was really bleak and a lot of units that said they worked didn't. The hodge podge of units i have all do the job, now. Where they fall down is long cable runs. 4k60 hdr10 is VERY hard to get working reliable at 20ft+. That's the only place I've experienced headaches with the modern units.
Anything that says 18gbps is the key. A lot of "4k" ones aren't 18gb, and don't do hdr. The majority of them these days do it though!
Thanks very much for this (and for being remembered!). I currently have a Techole 2 port switcher (30Hz only) that was bought for a different purpose, but was tested with the Pro and PSVR and appeared to work. The only issue is there seemed to be a light snow effect and white lines flickering across the TV screen on occasion. I’m not currently using the switcher, but I recall this snow effect was on my PS3 when plugged into the switcher. The effect was very minor, but I don’t know if it can be attributed to a digital connection or not.
I will certainly have a hunt for a 18gbps switcher. Thanks again.
I would go with the labelling cables and plugging the device I need into the TV when I need it approach. Any device between your TV and your PlayStation is going to increase latency.
It will likely be for older devices, PS3, PS Classic etc. PS5 and one other device will be directly inputted into the HDMI sockets.
There is a school of thought that suggests repeatedly plugging and unplugging devices from HDMI inputs can cause wear and tear/break cables inputs over time. Also, it's not always going to be practical to change cables each time. Another argument is that despite HDMI being hot-swappable, apparently it's not recommended? Powering down multiple devices each time is also not always practical.
@Vacuumator Spec wise that switcher is ok. The only thing that gives me pause though I is that it's not externally powered. While it can work fine, sometimes devices that draw power from the hdmi and be unpredictable. Especially with PlayStations and other Sony devices - they have a notoriously weak 5v output. It might be better to find one that has an external usb or wall wart power source if only just add insurance. Even though this one may work just fine.
Also may not matter but that one you have to hit the button on the box, some have remotes, some auto switch. Auto switch is cool, though I've found some that work with everything. Some get stuck on xboxes all the time because it still has weak hdmi voltage for cec while in rest mode... Some switchers work fine with it, some don't auto switch with it on.
Tldr; this one may be fine, but one that takes external power may be more reliable. Remote or auto switch are nice, but not essential, and auto switch varies by model and what's connected as to how well it works.
@Ryall HDMI isn't usb. The connectors are definitely not rated for a lot of insertion cycles.... Cables are cheap, but tvs aren't! Could always get a coupler and keep switching at the coupler instead of the device, but switches really shouldn't add latency unless it's either poorly designed or doing something more than switching.
@Vacuumator I haven't experienced any noticeable latency. I have pre 4k switches though. My Xbox one X is going directly into my monitor (due to lack of a 4k switch). Then I have a 5 port switch into the other port that has PS4 (via vr box), Wii U, PS3, Nintendo Switch (via 10m cable that stretches round to my bedside table) and a second 5 port switch into the 5th port! The second switch has all the mini consoles plugged into it.
I used "neoteck" brand switches from Amazon because they were cheap, very very occasionally I have to reseat the cables if the switch hasn't been used for a long time but I'd rather reseat them in a £10 adapter than a £300 console or 4k monitor due to wear on the ports (could care less about the adapters and cables). I haven't looked into the 4k adapters to actually buy yet because my set up seems to work and I have just enough HDMI ports between the two adapters.
But yeah, point is that I have a super convoluted set up (with plenty of velcro cable ties!) that I don't notice any latency on but I am not a mega super pro gamer so Im not sure I'd be the sort of person to notice. I also use a powered USB hub to power the mini consoles and the two HDMI switches
Hi guys, I had this issue when I first purchased my 4k TV. Sadly don't have a pro so will need wait till I get a 5 to experience games in 4k but hey HDR is still awesome. Anyhoo, back to my point, some TVs ship with different HDMI slots (bit like USB 2.0/3.1 on computers). PS4 obviously gets direct into 2.1 compatible slot. 2nd hdmi has the 4K splitter, £5 from a certain 'cheap as chips' Chinese site. All HDMI cables, currently 2.0 with ethernet (couldn't tell you the speeds tbh, I open plug in and away I go lol). So, rather long-winded and slightly helpful, here's my 2 cents worth to the subject 👍
Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it isn't there. Which is why String theory exists in first place pmsl
Thanks again, I hadn’t even thought about powered switchers. As I am moving in a couple of months and hope to have a more permanent entertainment setup, it’s worth investing in the right device as I would also hope to have the switcher out of view/behind a false wall, where it won’t be easily accessible. A powered auto or remote switcher definitely sounds like the best option.
I’ve seen this one, it appears to be the same as the first one I linked, but just a different colour. As much as the white one is perhaps a little more aesthetically pleasing, these are probably more practical if they are all-metal construction (do switchers get hot?). I really don’t like the naff looking remotes that come with these two though.
@Vacuumator In the PS5 display settings it reports exactly the same support for all display modes as if the PS5 was directly plugged into the TV. LG OLED55B7V. And yes, I don't use the remote. I manually click the front button to switch. Also I power it from a wall socket.
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Topic: HDMI Switcher Recommendations
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