LINDY releases remote-controlled 3 port HDMI switch
By Donald Melanson 
posted August 18th 2006 4:35AM
posted August 18th 2006 4:35AM
In the grand scheme of things, having too many HDMI devices and not enough HDMI inputs is a problem most of us would love to have, but it's still good to know that there's companies like LINDY out there making dreams come true for the HD-obsessed. The company's new descriptively-named HDMI Switch Remote will give you three extra ports to connect HDMI or DVI sources (with an adapter) to your HDTV or projector, and it'll let you switch between them from the comfort of your couch with its handy remote control. Fully HDMI and HDCP-compliant, the unit should easily handle video up to 1080p and multi-channel audio, as well as resolutions up to 1600 x 1200 if you're using it with a DVI source. You can get one now, in the U.K. at least, for £149 (about $280 US).[Via Crowdedbrain]
£149 just for switching between sources? Who's that crazy?
What is it with the advent of 'High Definition' in this generation? I'm quite annoyed with the naming convention and how the HD tag seems to be bolstered onto everything without a proper justification format-wise.
I mean Monitors, Televisions, CD's and DVD's have good descriptions of what they mean at the current time sensibly, but what the heck with HD?
What happens when something gets beyond HD, does it become Super HD Holoimage 512? And Blu-ray, I guess one day we can expect a 'Green Ray Max Alpha 7' providing it beats the HD-DVD format in the 'war' what a turkey *sigh*
It just all seems like a pile of bull with the glamorisation in the gadget marketplace recently. Quite frankly, i'm underwhelmed with the HD era as it stands now.
My PC CRT monitor has been pumping HD resolutions for the past 5 years...detailwise, its not a vast step up right now except for with gaming, and physics.
Bring on the 4D Holoscopic Sensovision!
Jassen,
You are correct in this thinking, before long we will have something better and the naming convention will become confused. However don't forget the moniker for graphics adapters and monitors namely VGA, then SVGA then XVGA, then SXVGA, it's gone so far now most people I know refer to the resolution rather than the name, and as TV Standards progress this may happen in this area too.
As for the LINDY remote controlled HDMI switch, it's about time, it's one of the things holding me back, most TVs only have one HDMI a couple have two. But once you use those two up with a Blu Ray player and an HD Player, where does your media centre hook up? What about the PS3? Heck, MS might release an HDMI plug for the XBox 360!
Why buy this when Monoprice has been selling a 5x1 HDMI switch for months at $125 USD? I have it, it's quite lovely, and also comes with a remote. It allows me to switch between my HDMI capable cable box and DVD to my single HDMI input tv w/no problems. Its black and looks a bit smaller than this thing.
..and I have 3 more ports to grow into! (sorry for 2 posts)
patrick -- I agree. I have one too. The monoprice version offers 5 total inputs, costs much less, smaller in size and comes in black with their own remote too!
LINDY's version is not worth the money.
Neither the Lindy nor the Monoprice box have SDIF audio out, so you can't use these with a surround sound reciever unless it has HDMI in.
Gefen's switchers are even more expensive, but they have SDIF out and can be used with any reciever with coax digital audio. Gefen also has a 4x2 switch, which is nice if you want two mirrored outputs but don't need the ridiculous Monoprice 4x4 unit. Too bad the Gefen 4x2 is almost $500! Does anyone else make a 4x2 switcher with a separate digital audio out?
What makes this so great?
Here's the same thing, available in the U.S., it's cheaper, and it comes in your choice of white/blue or black/blue.
http://sewelldirect.com/Gefen-1x3-HDMI-Switcher.asp
Pretty much every HDMI switch i've seen is a sheetmetal box.. this radiient one actually looks cool:
http://www.radiient.com/s.nl/it.A/id.30/.f?sc=2&category=41
Here's an even better deal for those ordering from radio shack. http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2272483&cp=&origkw=hdmi+switch&kw=hdmi+switch&parentPage=search
Further info regarding HDMI! http://cinema-audio.blogspot.com/