HDMI Switching?

Like I said before, this site and the guys that run it give us so much useful information. So when it says HDMI Switching when describing the specs on a receiver what does that mean?

The simple answer is that nobody knows that this means!

Some receivers that say "switching" actually do audio processing/decoding of standard DVD codecs and do L-PCM, some do not. If they say "HDMI pass through" however, this usually means that it does only HDMI switching. Confused yet? So am I!

Thanks Hawk and yes I am still confused LOL

So what do I need to get my HDa2 working on my regular cheap home theatre? Optical?

mvckalel, if your HT receiver doesn't have HDMI, then yeah... do the optical thing. You'll get some codec bitrates that exceed standard DVDs this way at least. And to be honest it sounds great. DTS 1.5Mbps is sweet and I can hardly tell the difference between it and lossless audio at 9+Mbps with fairly high end speakers. Then again I'm a bit old, so don't take my word for this one.

No problem...the only thing is that I dont have the money to purchas yet another piece of equipment to fully enjoy the new HD formats...so optical will work, ok.

EDIT: It has HDMI out but not in ... Hooked up for the first time my HD A2 to my cheap LCD TV, and it looked good. But of course, it didn't sound good...now I have to spend money on an coaxial digital cable...

[Post edited by mvckalel on Jan 3, 2008]

My take on it is that HDMI switching is when you have multiple inputs either HDMI or component and the audio/video swithes between them or up from component to HDMI. My Onkyo 605 does this, I have 2 HDMI inputs for Sat and DVD and can swith audio/video at the same time across the HDMI depending on what I'm watching the Sat or DVD to the TV and it auto adjusts the audio ouput to what it is getting, it will also upconvert my Xbox 360 from component to HDMI to the TV as well.

Quote:
it will also upconvert my Xbox 360 from component to HDMI to the TV as well.

Oh, then you have HDMI video processing, not just switching. Although, no one still knows what "switching" means when mentioned in receiver specs

Here is about the only thing I can find that explains switching which is what you can have either by swich box or in my case my Onkyo receiver doing this for me with 2 in/ 1 out connector
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Q.Can I use a HDMI switch to share a HD monitor with 2 HDMI sources

A. Absolutely. The 2 port switch allows you to switch between 2 HDMI or 2DVI sources to a HD monitor. We allow you to select the type of cables in case you have a DVI / HDMI mixed system.




Q. Can the HDMI switch pass digital audio

A. Absolutely. The 2 port switch is designed to pass digital audio through the HDMI connector. You will be able to view video and listen to the audio if you have a HDMI system. You must keep in mind that DVI can only support video.
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This blurb talks about the switching or switch as well -

A high definition monitor (HDMI switch) allows the user to select multiple entertainment devices in order to provide the best quality and resolution of the picture. The devices that can be hooked up to a HDMI switch are game stations, DVD players/ recorders (HD or blu-ray), settop boxes, HDTV, and monitors. The sources must be HDMI compatible.

There are different models of HDMI switches. The simplest and most basic model is the 2x1 HDMI, meaning that there are two inputs and one output. The user is able to switch between two different HDMI sources. For example, the user will be able to have a HD DVD player and a game station hooked up to the switch. The 2x1 HDMI switch is not highly recommended because the consumer will not have room for future expansion. The 4x1 HDMI switch allows up to four sources, which is recommended. A 5x1 switch is also available for the ultimate expandability. An external HDMI switch is beneficial for anyone who has a HD monitor and has less than the desired amount of inputs to expand the system.

There are many features a consumer should look for in an HDMI switch. A consumer should consider expandability. A 5-port HDMI switch is recommended for future expandability, while 2-port HDMI switch will not. It is also important that the HDMI switch has High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) capability. HDCP must pass data between source and monitor.

Another feature in a HDMI switch that should not be overlooked is that it is backward compatible, or able to take the place of a Digital Visual Interface (DVI). This means that the user will just have to select the correct cables, either HDMI, or HDMI to DVI, to customize the system. The switch should also include a remote control in order to select the specific channel desired. A dedicated power adapter is essential in an HDMI switch as some HDMI switches are powered directly from a HDMI cable, which can over load power to the HDMI sources. The function of the HDMI cable is to power the Extended Display Identification Data (EDID),which communicates the monitor's display capabilities to the computer.

[Post edited by dpdurst on Jan 31, 2008]

"HDMI Switching"

What!? You mean not only is Warners switching, but now HDMI is switching, too?

John