The HMS-41 auto-HDMI switch: 1.3a and Simplay HD certified... not that it matters

That was quick. Just a day after showing you an HDMI 1.3 switch requiring manual intervention, we get this: the automatic HMS-41 QuadMax switch. Not only is it HDMI 1.3a compliant, but it will automatically sense, then source the detected live input for display on your television. When multiple sources are hot, the unit will even default to a user defined priority. Sound familiar? That's because this box looks to be every bit the OEM'd cousin of Radiient's HDMI switch. We have it from Radiient that their current box is also HDMI 1.3a compliant albeit lacking support for one important optional subset of the spec: 1080p in Deep Color. So are you really willing to take the chance with this box PS3 owners? For what it's worth, the HMS-41 (like the Radiient switch) brandishes a US-centric, "Simplay HD" certification. A pointless rubber stamp if such oddities can go through without alerting the consumer whom the certification is meant to protect. The HMS-41 will cost ya about ¥60,000 or $486 for the 4-inputs available when it ships in July -- a not so subtle reminder to count those HDMI inputs when purchasing your flat panel.

[Via Impress]

Read -- Radiient response on 1.3a
Read -- HMS-41

[MDB @ Jun 19th 2007 9:52AM]

$500? That's a lot of dough. This looks to me as if it's only marketed to high-end home theater enthusiasts. I have a mid-range Marantz SR8400, and I've been thinking about upgrading to an HDMI 1.3 switching receiver, and the new 1.3 passing Onkyo is only several hundred dollars more than the cost of this switch. It could be very useful, though, if you have a classic amp or if you have high-end gear that costs big bucks, too much to replace, but doesn't have HDMI switching. For me though, I'm saving up until I can afford a new HDMI 1.3 receiver

[Rick Lyon @ Jun 19th 2007 10:11AM]

and this is better than monoprice's cheaper options because?

[John @ Jun 19th 2007 10:23AM]

Don't you know. iPhone is the new HDMI. OMG INTEGRATED VIDEO AND SOUND ON ONE CORD BREAKTHROUGH!!!

[John Doe @ Jun 19th 2007 10:58AM]

"Not only is it HDMI 1.3a compliant"

So basically it won't work with my 2 year old Toshiba HDTV with HDMI?

[Adam Daniel @ Jun 19th 2007 1:06PM]

"important optional subset of the spec: 1080p in Deep Color"
Which displays support that HDMI profile and that optional subset again? Oh wait, there are none that could even visually resolve this color-bit depth even if they did. Yay marketing.

[Sean O @ Jun 19th 2007 1:50PM]

Autosensing can actually be really bad for some people. Like people who have a Harmony remote and components that are always on (like a DVR).

The author shouldn't be touting autosensing as if it were some superior feature over the other device. Many high-end home theater owners would prefer manual switching via IR or serial port control.

[RafaelAustin @ Jun 19th 2007 2:02PM]

"Which displays support that HDMI profile and that optional subset again? Oh wait, there are none that could even visually resolve this color-bit depth even if they did. Yay marketing."

I believe Mits just announced (in May) a line of LCDs with this feature. Marantz has a projector. And what about the Toshiba Toshiba LX177?

[Adam Daniel @ Jun 19th 2007 3:07PM]

OK, I will grant that I was incorrect to say no display at all will be able to differentiate at that bit depth. I believe I can make up for that, however, by adding that HD DVD and Blu Ray do not support content of that bit depth, and neither does the telecine equipment used by hollywood to digitize films in the first place.