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  11. HDMI switcher: a technical connection acrobat

HDMI switcher: a technical connection acrobat

HDMI switcher: a technical connection acrobat

If you want to use more than one screen, HDMI-Changeover switch particularly practical. Especially if you are active in the gaming sector, you can only benefit from using these devices. This article tells you what an HDMI switch is, what types there are and how you can use them.

What is an HDMI switcher?

A pair of HDMI switcher is a device that is used to connect two or more HDMI devices connect to a single HDMI port. This is useful when you have two or more HDMI devices that you connect to a single TV, Monitor or want to connect a projector. These devices can usually support between two and eight HDMI devices.

Usually they are very easy to install and use. You just have to make sure that all the devices you want to connect are connected to the same circuit. Then all you have to do is connect the HDMI switch to the HDMI port of your television or monitor.

When you turn on the HDMI switcher, it will automatically establish the connection between the connected devices. Then you can simply select the device you want to use by pressing the appropriate button on the HDMI switcher.

What is it used for?

HDMI switches are there to expand an HDMI port. This is ideal if you want to connect more than one HDMI device, for example, but don't have enough HDMI ports on your TV and/or monitor.

However, switches of this type can also be used to switch connections if you have multiple HDMI devices that you want to use alternately. They are therefore a good addition for anyone who regularly works with multiple HDMI devices.

Advantages of an HDMI switcher

  • They allow you to use your TV, DVD-Player, Blu-ray player and other devices on a single HDMIConnection to connect. This not only saves space, but also makes operation easier. Especially if you have one, for example Gaming PC used with multiple screens, this is convenient.
  • Most HDMI switchers are equipped with a remote control that you can use to conveniently switch between the connected devices. But there are also models that already have an automatic switching function that changes the device as soon as a new one Signal Will be received.
  • HDMI switchers are usually very easy to install and use. In most cases, you only need a few cables to connect them. Particularly practical: some models offer advanced functions such as an automatic switching function or a picture-in-picture display.

What types of HDMI switchers are there?

HDMI switchers come in several types: mechanical and electronic HDMI switchers.

Mechanical switches are the simplest and cheapest options. They feature a number of physical ports that you can use to connect your HDMI devices. These ports usually have a switch that allows you to toggle between the connected devices.

Important: These switches are usually very inexpensive, but they require you to manually switch the cable if you want to connect a different device. Some mechanical switches also offer a feature to automatically switch when a device is already turned on.

Electronic switches are a bit more complex and expensive, but they also offer some additional features. They feature a range of HDMI ports for you to connect your HDMI devices to, as well as a separate port for a Power Supplies. This type of switcher has a remote control that you can use to switch between the connected devices.

Important: These devices use an infrared remote control or a switch on the front or side of the device to switch the HDMI devices. Electronic switches are slightly more expensive compared to mechanical switches, but offer more convenient operation. These devices also have the option of an automatic switching function.

In addition, there are now also intelligent electronic HDMI switches. They offer a variety of other useful functions, such as a sleep timer function or a detection function to determine which device is connected.

the essentials in brief

HDMI switchers can bring you a number of benefits when you want to use multiple screens and/or devices at the same time. Depending on your personal preferences and needs, you can choose between mechanical, electrical and intelligent HDMI switches.

FAQ: HDMI switcher

Can you turn one HDMI connection into two?

This is possible with a so-called HDMI matrix. With this, the HDMI inputs/outputs can be combined in different ways.

What is the difference between an HDMI splitter and an HDMI switch?

While an HDMI splitter separates (i.e. “splits”) the input signal to two different devices, the HDMI switch allows you to switch (i.e. “switch”) between devices connected to a single screen.

How does an HDMI splitter work?

As a rule, a distributor of this type has one HDMI input and at least two outputs. By connecting the HDMI output of one device to the input of the HDMI splitter, you can transmit the signal going through the HDMI cable to multiple screens.

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