Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems HDMAX and GEFEN HDMI switchers

A quick question about a very important issue that will face us all very soon. The HDMI switchers how good are they and will they be obsolete in a few months. I have seen Gefen just released their 4x1 HDMI switcher last week and also M has the HDMAX 421 in the market,.Which one is better in doing the switching job without adding more artfacts to the picture and also the issue of HDCP which is a major problem in most of the M DVD plyers.

MLS:

I don't see switchers as being obsoleted anytime soon.

The 421 works very well, and in combination with the 121 allows you to run very long cabling without concerns for noise. In addition, it removes a layer of integration complexity and I know in my system that's worth serious consideration I do wish that they would have all the inputs in a row followed by the outputs, instead of input 1, 2, OUTPUT, 3, 4.

My first DVI switch was a Gefen and it had problems with the remote. A newer version of firmware resolved that issue, however for the 4x1s they don't have the input and output on the same side. That's a PITA to deal with as you either have to mount the switcher sideways or you have extra lengths of cabling. So close, yet so far.

Yes, I've worked with both of these, as well as the Zektor 5x1 switcher. The Zektor has switching/conversion for TosLink and Coaxial digital audio on inputs 1-4, which is another one of those almost perfect solutions. If it had switching/conversion on input 5 it could be really great. Perhaps when the HDMI version of the Zektor switch arrives it will.

Anyway, I've worked with a few of the products in case you couldn't tell.

I think I'll stick with the 421 for its ease of integration into the system. Combined with the 121 it will handle copper cable runs to a practical length for almost any system requirement.

Cheers,

Thanks John. I will give M a try. The Gefen HDMI 4x1 switcher has been a major disappointment so far. The gefen with my Sim2 C3X has been nothing but problems so far. The Gefen in the chain caused very dark picture from all the inputs and second the video noise was like snow in the black background which got fixed by EQ trim. But my major problem is the flicker which comes on for a few minutes and goes away. Without Gefen in the chain no problems.

MLS:

Well the Sim C3X is a bit higher grade display than I run

I will say that if there's a problem with cabling quality for DVI or HDMI, my quite humble Sanyo PLV-Z2 has no problems letting me know that there's noise via sparklies :p

Cheers,

John I got the HDMI cabling from " BetterCables" which is the best I have seen. The same cable without the Gefen in the chain is knock out cable. I will call Gefen tommorrow to see what could be the cause.......
Thanks again.

Not sure if anyone has noticed, but is the HDMAX "421" a cheesy name concocted from the "4 to 1" switching functionality?

Yes. You seem surprised.

Cheers,

A more real world product would be a 422, if you ask me.

MJC

That's a matrix switch, which becomes vastly more complicated than a straight up switch.

Cheers,

Just seems a cheap and cheesy name to me. That's all.

Might be vastly more complicated but I also think it would be vastly more useful (and I don't think I'm alone in operating 2 main displays ...)

I completely agree with you there goodolddog. I don't currently own 2 displays but wouldn't consider a switcher without this capability for future plans.

I also believe the HDMAX 421 is quite expensive just to be a temporary measure until such a device as a 422 or at least a further HDMI spec is decided upon.

Please correct me if I'm wrong on both counts - I've heard the 421 is around �450 and switchers may not need changing when the spec changes??

Just my 2penneth

Cheers

Simon