What is anyone using for HDMI switches?

Monk

Monk

Active Member
I bought one of these https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=15378 4x4 switches.
 
I need to return it due to a quirk I can't live with (RS-232 control circumstance) but at 169.00 I thought it worked quite well for the most part.
 
Now I'm looking at larger switches like this 8X8 https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=39665
Eight outputs is cool. Unless there are some super new specs or formats / resolutions coming out soon I'm probably going to buy this one.
 
Any / All comments welcome.
 
 
Monk said:
I bought one of these https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=15378 4x4 switches.
 
I need to return it due to a quirk I can't live with (RS-232 control circumstance) but at 169.00 I thought it worked quite well for the most part.
 
Now I'm looking at larger switches like this 8X8 https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=39665
Eight outputs is cool. Unless there are some super new specs or formats / resolutions coming out soon I'm probably going to buy this one.
 
Any / All comments welcome.
Click to expand...
What was the "quirk"?
 
I have been using Monoprice 4x4 switch for a while, but I wrote my own script for it. I am still on HS2 so it is really easy to write drivers, ASCII or hex. The old Homeseer scripting is very powerful. If you have to use the current plugin, I would think that 8x8 switch from Monoprice would have the same protocol and may have the same "quirk". I was looking at this model to upgrade to 8x8: ="https://www.amazon.com/TESmart-Matrix-Switcher-Supports-Control/dp/B06XK47R52" The comm protocol for it is ASCII.    
 
Nope - Their support had to send me that particular doc, it wasn't 
published elsewhere.
Any other switch has docs I can readily get to. That particular switch is "different".
PS - your link doesn't go any where.
 
Argh. That one is also not directly accessible. I am liking the TESmart you linked to -  @~449 it would seem a bargain if it works as advertised. And the commands - they appear easily scripted you think? Maybe even do presets and choose by sending HTML strings/
 
I was looking at TESmart specifically because it uses ASCII strings and that allows me to link the switch to HAI. And the LAN protocol is good for web queries. Hopefully it does work as advertised.
 
Let us know how it works.
 
I'm still using a component matrix switcher and it works great.  But fewer and fewer TVs and source devices come with component inputs/outputs anymore.  I may be forced to switch to HDMI eventually.
 
I got it today. Have not hooked any video to it yet, checking the Serial / Lan abilities.
So far via serial I have tried most of the commands.
Create presets
Recall presets
Mute / unmute the key press "buzzer" as they call it.
Recall the current connection status - what input is connected to what output
Switch a single input to display on all outputs.
 
I haven't figured out the purpose of lan connection except to allow their app to control it.
The app they provide is near worthless / buggy. Trying to connect to it via web browser doesn't work.
 
Great to hear the serial part works. Mine is coming tomorrow. I will not have a need for LAN, but I guess it could be useful for someone who does not want to use the serial port.
 
Testing begins.
I have had two sources / 2 outputs on continuously for > 24 hours.
I created a HS event that  alternates the sources back and forth between the outputs every 10 minutes.
There are anomalies, not enough for a return. I've seen reviews that mention what I'm seeing - one monitor blanking for a second when another output is switched to the same input. The 4x4 Monoprice also does this.
And of course - the LED panel stays on constant + power is extra bright.
 
I don't know the resolution of either source + I don't have anything 4K to send it. Going to have to fix that.
 
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