XtremeMac HDMI switch and cables for Apple TV

Apple accessories are big business, and the Apple TV is no different. Apple has teamed up with XtremeMac to help you get your Apple TV connected, and they seem to have every option covered: HDMI, Component, HDMI>DVI, Toslink -- even analog audio, (no ATV doesn't support composite or S-Video). This takes care of most sets, but many TVs only have one HDMI input, so XtremeMac is also offering a HDMI 4-port switch. You can use the supplied remote or the button on the front, but there's no auto switching, which would have been nice. The surprisingly delightful part is the price; while many major retailers charge as much as $150 for a HDMI cable, this one is only $19.99. No word on the price of the switcher, but all will be available by the ATV's launch in February.

[Via iLounge]

[Alcaron @ Jan 10th 2007 5:16PM]

Thats one loooong HDMI cable for $150.

My suggestion...http://www.bluejeanscable.com/

GREAT prices and their cables are top notch, just got a 4' DVI->HDMI cable from them last week, like $17 and you should see this thing, the shielding is incredibly thick and the quality is just top notch, VERY happy!

Screw big box retailers like best buy.

[Juan @ Jan 10th 2007 5:21PM]

Best cable value I've found is at monoprice.com.

[Eh @ Jan 10th 2007 5:28PM]

Is it really that important to play your 640x480 itunes video through a cable designed for 1080p? I would rather go with RCA, atleast it would blur out the compression artifacts.

[Jeremy K. @ Jan 10th 2007 5:46PM]

I think the assumption is that Apple is going to start releasing HD material through iTunes.

[allen Gragg @ Jan 10th 2007 5:57PM]

Don't bite on the "high-end" cables out there, especially when it comes to digital. A $25 HDMI cable delivers the same 01010110101 signal as the $150 cable. I had to run 25'+ cables to my projector thru the ceiling and if i had bought the "recommended" cables i would have been spending almost as much as i did on the projector for HDMI, Component, etc. You can find some great quality + deals online.

[... @ Jan 10th 2007 7:25PM]

So now having hdmi/dvd (they are the same thing, remember), and composite covers any TV out there? What happened to the like 98% of all tv's in existance that only have s-video, or even those ones that only have a RF in...

[Galley @ Jan 11th 2007 1:27AM]

It appears that the Apple TV does NOT support old-school TVs.

"Apple TV works with widescreen, enhanced-definition or high-definition TVs capable of 1080i, 720p, 576p, or 480p resolutions".

Interesting...

[Derek @ Jan 11th 2007 9:03AM]

lets look at apples website they have 4 things that you need and number one is

A Widescreen TV
It works with a broad range of widescreen TVs capable of:

• 1080i
• 720p
• 576p (PAL format)
• 480p

[Mahkno @ Jan 11th 2007 11:51PM]

Cables are too short.... : /

Need some 8 meter ones.

[djfred @ Jan 12th 2007 1:38PM]

Um, the pre-order form on the link lists the price as $99.99, not $19.99. Figures. Maybe in the future you might want to downplay your delight just a tad. Them marketing boys is ruthless when it comes to adjusting the price to fit expectations. Purty, though.

[djfred @ Jan 12th 2007 1:41PM]

Oh, I get it. The cables are $19.95, not the 4-port switcher. My bad. Proceed.