Belkin ships a low-cost 2-port HDMI switch

There are quite a few HDMI switches out there for the input-challenged, but this latest box from Belkin is by far the least-expensive we've seen at $49.99 list -- which means street prices might be even lower. Nothing too special apart from that: 1080p compatibility, HDMI powered, IR remote for switching, and Belkin's classy-but-anonymous case design. Shipping now in the US and Canada, March 2008 in Europe, Asia, and Australia.

[superfresh @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:39PM]

Vote me down if you must...but I can't find it anywhere...what was the amazing technology unveiled at the event Gore attended?

To refer to the product: I like this. Belkin always seems to come out with good products. I'll be buying two.

[superfresh @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:44PM]

Nevermind. Found it.

http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/global-warming-47120308

[DataGuy @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:42PM]

Although they don't have the same asthetics, you can get a 3- or 4-port HDMI switch w/ remote from Monoprice for around the street price of this Belkin 2-port.

[Chris @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:06PM]

Exactly what I was thinking... monoprice ftw

[seoultrain @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:47PM]

http://www.buy.com/prod/joytech-tri-link-3-port-hdmi-switch-with-remote-3-to-1-switch-between/q/loc/108/204972580.html

This has been $30 or less for months.

[Sameer Surampalli @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:59PM]

Thanks for that link. Looks a like a good bet. I could use one of these, especially if I buy a monitor with HDMI.

[Bad Beaver @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:12PM]

Am I the only one who thinks most HDMI-switches are a total rip-off?

[Paris @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:22PM]

I don't see why they cost so much either. Isn't all a switch does redirect the signal from each input wire to the output wire?

[Jason @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:18PM]

One thing that bothers me about this one is that the input ports are on the front. Which is where I would assume the IR receiver is. Which means that hiding the cables might pose a problem.

[memodude @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:21PM]

In the picture on the Belkin website, it looks like there's a separate IR receiver you plug into the switch.

[xdreamwalker @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:24PM]

I see that now. I guess that would be useful if you wanted to hide the whole thing and just keep the ir bug visible.

[Andy @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:06PM]

$18 at momoprice

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011001&p_id=2786&seq=1&format=2

[NomBomB @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:09PM]

i got a $20 automatic switcher on ebay that works perfectly. ive got a 360 and a ps3 sharing one hdmi port on my receiver... it works at 1080P with 5.1, no remote needed. search for "2 Port HDMI v1.3 Auto Switch Selector" you cant go wrong...

[Craig Tucker @ Dec 3rd 2007 3:24PM]

Agree with the autoswitching. Turn on your console and bam, that signal is up on the TV. My Westinghouse LCD does this automatically, and its an incredibly nice feature.

[Vidikron (FU) @ Dec 3rd 2007 2:48PM]

For you A/V gurus here... do HDMI switches really have any impact on the type of HDMI signal being passed (e.g. 1.2 vs 1.3)? For example, is it possible for a switch to be able to pass one but not the other?

[Marshall @ Dec 3rd 2007 3:12PM]

For a properly designed switch, no. It should just be connecting pins to pins. Now, tat assumes that there isn't come crazy shielding problem with the switch, which their shouldn't be.

Now, some switches have a built in buffer that helps with long cable runs, but if you're not going across your house, just get whatever's cheap. And finally some people reported HDCP handshake problems early on, but I haven't heard any recently that couldn't be fixed by flipping the switch one more time.

Marshall
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The Real HT Info Podcast

[Vidikron (FU) @ Dec 3rd 2007 3:46PM]

Do you have any preference for electronic vs manual switching(in terms of performance... the convenience of electronic switching is obvious)? Basically, I see the need for getting an HDMI switch in the near future and want to ensure I get something that works... but I also don't want to pay a ridiculous price.

[Marshall @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:05PM]

Manual versus electronic is a toss up, though, in theory, if all you care about is reliability, there are less chains in the process to breakdown in a manual switch. Though, if convenience factors in and the extra money won't kill you, and you have room for one more remote, then there is something to be said for not having to get up off the couch.

Myself, I'm all about bang for the buck and shoe-string budgets, so I have a manual switch from monoprice.

Marshall
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The Real HT Info Podcast

[Rick @ Dec 3rd 2007 3:41PM]

If this is the cheapest you've seen, you haven't seen monoprice.

[electroglyph @ Dec 3rd 2007 4:18PM]

i bet it breaks in 31 days like every other piece of Belkin junk

[DanielZ @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:42PM]

You've missed out on an even better option in the Joytech Tri-Link 3-Port HDMI Switch. It's sold as a PS3 accessory but it works great with any HDMI, is 1.3 1080p compliant and looks good.

[Wwhat @ Dec 3rd 2007 6:28PM]

Problem with the belkin company is that they serve dual markets, on the one hand they sell quality products, and on the other hand they sell cheap junk.
This makes it a bit hard to judge their stuff on the name belkin because it's hard to tell which category any product belongs to.

[Discosis @ Dec 3rd 2007 8:46PM]

Today's Zazz is a 3-port 1080p-compatible HDMI switcher for AUS$48 shipped (not HDMI-powered though).

http://www.zazz.com.au/

... makes this $49.95 a bit pricey, no?