Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems HDMAX 421 or another solution?

Morning all...

I now have three HDMI sources and no switcher... A video processor is not on my shopping list until I've been able to check out the VXP processing in the new JVC HD1 projector.

Thoughts on a decent interim switching solution?

A second-hand HDMAX 421 would seem the ideal system integration option if and only if the price was right. Are there any issues I should know about?

Are there any other recommended and cost-effective HDMI switching options?

My sources are:

Oppo HD970 (480i/576i)
SkyHD (576p/1080i)
Tosh HD-XA1 (480i/1080i)

Thanks!
Joel

Hi Joel

A used HDMax 421 has just appeared on eBay today. It seems pricey, but I don't know what the RRP is anyway, so maybe it's still a good deal.

Cheers

George

I use a 421 to switch my G91 & SkyHD at the moment - it works great if a bit pricey (UK retail is of the order of �425 I believe). I went with the 421 because my G91 can control it automatically so I never have to explicitly switch HDMI inputs using the 421 front panel.
If you don't have a G91/G98 then I think I'd be looking at an alternate that is remote controlled (Octavia appears to a UK favorite I've noticed and they do various relatively inexpensive variants)

Graham

The appearance on eBay and the appearance of this thread are not unrelated! (though I have been thinking about this for some time).

As Graham says, retail is �425, so �200 to �250 would make sense. None of my sources nor display will be HDMI v1.3 so that shortcoming is not a big deal.

Graham, the 421 can be controlled via comms by a G68, no?

http://www.tmfsolutions.co.uk/homecinema_Octava_HDS3-UK.htm

Thanks for the hint Graham. The Octavia looks pretty good, especially if it auto-switches when a source is activated.

The 421 has a BNC comms connector certainly but I never got it to do anything via that route. The only way I ever got auto switching was if my G91 was hooked up to socket 4 - in fact I've disconnected the comms to the 421 completely now as redundant

My 421 also has the usual Meridian Din type Comms socket. I've used this to control the source switching on the 421 with a standard comms cable from my G91. (Note I intentionally didn't plug the G91 into socket 4 because which detects a Merdian Player as I was trying to get around a problem with my display). This comms connection worked fine with the G91 so I can't ses a problem using a G68. Even so I now use the RS232 to switch the 421.

I have the 421 running thru the 861 and it works fine- thru the comms it auto. switches when I select a different source on the 861- gary

I've been using 421 with 800 and telewest tv-drive controlled via the normal din comms (simply on default settings: DVD on 4 and tv/cable on 3 I think) and it's been flawless (I suspect it's about crash on me now I've said that, as 2007 has started out with a set of minor problems including the HDMI output from tv-drive failing for 2nd time).

It's expensive and has a blue led - which flashes if no good HDMI signal is present, for example when everything is switched off - but so far has worked seamlessly.

The look of joy on my wifes face when I explained she didn't have to switch between input configurations on the tv (component and HDMI on same input) anymore made both the price of the 800 upgrade and the 421 almost reasonable.

regards

Chris

Been there, done that!

My G68 based system now stands out by it's inability to switch HDMI, let alone take advantage of PCM audio from HD-DVD, from my other 2 systems. I now have 4 HDMI devices which need to share 2 HDMI inputs on my 1080p Sony 70" SXRD. When I get my replacement HD player for my HD-A1, the XA2, I'm going to be stuck with looking for a decent outboard switching solution or now have 2 sets of el-cheapo manual HDMI switchs! I wish Meridian would hurry up and do something to bring the connectivity up to date. I was getting to the stage today where I started to ponder the idea of saying goodbye to the G68 and getting a processor that can cope with all these HDMI requirements I now have. Even my Denon AVC-A1XV in my separate theatre install can handle the task without an issue.

I found the HDMax in the end, but was a bit mystified when I typed in 'hdmax' into the search box and eBay converted it to a search for 'humax'.