Hdmi Switcher
HDMI, which stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface, is the best interface available to the general public for sending audio and video over a cable.
HDMI’s success is based on the transfer of digital information. Previous audio and video formats, such as composite and component cables, used analog signal. Thanks to the use of the Transition Minimized Differential Signaling protocol (TMDS protocol), the HDMI format can send digital uncompressed data at a high capacity, with little noise.
The result is a higher video resolution and audio quality that has no match in the market. Although a lot of people still use analog signal, digital signal in the form of HDMI support has been developed for new products as the market for HDMI increases.
The catch for HDMI devices is that they’re expensive. And the difference in price between a standard TV and a high definition TV is enough that most people can’t afford to buy more than one of the latter.
On the other hand, getting several source devices is much more convenient, since they perform different functions. A lot of people want to have a blu-ray or high definition dvd player, a video game console that supports HMDI and a high definition cable box.
This arises the problem of having 3 output cables and a plasma TV with only one input. In those cases, an HDMI switcher is recommended.
An HDMI switcher is an ingenious device that will let you connect several HDMI sources to it, and then send one of those signals to a receiver. The advantage of having an HDMI switches is that you don’t have to disconnect and connect cables every time you want to use your source devices. For example, if you want to play a videogame with your Playstation 3 right after you finished watching a blu-ray movie.
You can understand the format of an HDMI switcher because it’s designated with a multiplication number, for example, 2x1 HDMI switcher or 4x1 HDMI switcher. The first number indicates how many inputs the HDMI switcher has. The second number indicates how many outputs the HDMI switcher has.
So, for example, a 2x1 HDMI switcher will have two inputs and one output. This means that you will be able to connect two sources, like a videogame console and a high definition DVD player, to one receiver, like a plasma TV.
Once installed, an HDMI switcher is really easy to use. All it takes is pressing one button to change from one signal to the other. Very often, the buttons will be big and you can apply labels to them, so anyone knows what signal they activate. Another type of HDMI switch will let you use a remote control to select the sign you want, so you won’t even have to stand up!
