Hdmi Input
If you are looking for the best of the best in audio and video quality, then you can’t go wrong with HDMI.
HDMI, which stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface is an interface for transmitting digital data from a source device to a receiver. Unlike previous audio and video interfaces, like composite and component cables, HDMI requires only one cable to transmit the information. This single cable transmits more data than composite and component cables, with a bandwidth of 340 MHz (or 10.2 Gigabits per second). In turn, this increase in information transfer translates into a much higher video resolution and a much more detailed quality audio.
The only disadvantage of HMDI is its price. Most devices that send HDMI signals are more expensive than their analog counterparts. And HDMI receivers are even more expensive.
Because of their high price, most people buy just one HDMI receiver, usually a plasma TV. They also buy HDMI source devices, like new generation video game consoles, and blu-ray players, although these purchases are spread over a period of time.
A problem occurs when people have several HDMI devices, but their receiver has only one HDMI input. In this case, a HDMI switch that has several inputs can be useful. Without one, you’d have to change cables and connect them to the single HDMI input of your receiver every time that you wanted to use a different source device.
Most switches have two or four HDMI inputs. You should select the one you want depending on how many signals you plan to use now and in the future. Most people are happy with the simple 2 input switch. One HDMI input is used for a cable box, and the other HDMI input is used for an entertainment appliance, like a blu-ray player or a video game console.
However, this is not enough for people who love electronics. For example, if you have a blu-ray player and a video game console, you’ll want an extra HDMI input for each.
There are HDMI switches that connect to several receivers as well, although they’re not as common; for example, the 3x2 HDMI switch. If you have two plasma TVs, you’d probably not going to want to buy a playstation 3 and a blu-ray player for each of them. A 3x2 switch will let you connect two cables to the HDMI input of each of your plasma TVs. Of course, you could also carry the video game console or the player from room to room instead. But doing so would be troublesome and you’d have to connect and reconnect the cable to the HDMI input every time.
In the end, it all comes down to your personal preference, the level of technology you want or need in you life, and of course, your budget.
