IOGEAR's first automatic 2x1 HDMI switch now shipping
By Richard Lawler 
posted Mar 27th 2007 1:45PM
posted Mar 27th 2007 1:45PM
Got more HDMI devices than available HDMI ports? Since getting up off the couch to change connections is not an option, you're going to keep everything plugged in all the time. IOGEAR just announced it has begun shipping the first "true" automatic HDMI switch, the GHDMIAS2, using its patented HDAS technology to instantly lock on to the correct HDMI source. The HDMI 2x1 Automatic Switch detects an active source, switches automatically and delivers perfect quality 1080p resolution and HDCP compatibility with no latency. We've seen automatic switches before but they usually take a few seconds to change between devices. The MSRP for adding one more automatically switched HDMI port to your setup is $169.95, so its probably still cheaper to count the jacks on your new HDTV before purchase.
This is pretty nice and cheaper than a television with more ports. The difference between the TV I have now, and the next model up with more HDMI ports was $500 bucks. I could easily add another HDMI port when the time comes instead of upgrading to the XBR version of my TV.
MEH! Been done already...
http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/16/radiient-offers-up-4-port-hdmi-switch-hub/
Not been done already. This switch is auto detecting. Notice the lack of a remote in the product shot.
I saw a similarly priced HDMI switch at Best Buy. I couldn't believe that. I ended up just replacing my 8 year old receiver with one with HDMI passthrough. Considered it a $170 discount.
lets hope that the latency is at a minimum, as it would be terrible playing ps3 (and soon the 360) with a laaaaag
hahaha. Hey, I'll take my $88 monoprice.com FIVEx1 HDMI switch any day. It's remote controlled and I have my Harmony universal remote programmed with it so I never have to 'switch' anything, the remote does it. So, for me it is automatic, $100 cheaper and has 3 more ports then the IOGEAR.
iogear also released a 4x1 autoswitch with remote. i can't find a price though
Rick beat me to it... three thumbs up for monoprice.com. I went into my local Best Buy this weekend looking for some HDMI cabling. After I picked my jaw up from the floor at their f**kin' ridiculous pricing for even a 3ft male-male HDMI ($50 or more). I went online to monoprice.com and got the same for less than $8.
Add another vote for the Monoprice 5:1 switch here. For the price, it just can't be beat. And yes, it fully supports 1080p.
Do you have to actually turn off one device and turn on the other for this switch to detect which is active?
Let's say you have a Dish DVR on the first port, and a PS3/xbox/dvd on the second port. To use your second port, you will need to turn off your DVR (and also stop recording in the process).
Most auto-sensing switches act when it detects a change the source input of your display. The problem with the detection in the past has been unwanted switches - for example, my HD cable box 'phones home' at midnight, which can cause a cheap auto-switch to kick over. Also, when playing on the PS2, changes in resolution can also trigger the signals of an auto-switch.
If you've already got a good universal remote, save the $$$ and go with a manual switch.
instead of turning off your DVR, you would turn on & off the PS3 when you want to use that device
@BSW, I already have a Yamaha receiver that does HDMI and audio switching. I was just curious to know how this "auto sensing" worked.
On a side note to others reading, I would put the $170 towards a good receiver that does HDMI switching, instead of buying this device.
@BSW: Some of us have more than 2 or 3 HDMI sources!
With the addition on a Xbox 360 Elite next month, I will have 4 HDMI sources! My Onkyo receiver has only two HDMI inputs, and my Plasma TV has only one HDMI input. So I definately need a switch of some sort... even the highest-end receivers ($3000+) can't handle 4 HDMI sources at the moment.
The monoprice 5-to-1 Switch is calling my name... I'll avoid this lame autoswitching crap, thanks.