[DealExtreme.com] Cheap HDMI switch (warm?) - $15

Nov 19th, 2009 10:25 am

#1

TimberWolf5 [OP]: Newbie; May 2, 2008; 34 posts; 6 upvotes; Toronto

Nov 19th, 2009 10:25 am

[DealExtreme.com] Cheap HDMI switch (warm?) - $15

I came across this HDMI switch on dealextreme. Since most of us are buying LCD's this time of the year I thought I would post this. This is an intelligent HDMI switch that automatically switches between 3 different sources and has 1 output. It is also powered by HDMI.

For this price ($15) it has incredible value and its freeshipping. Keep in mind that Bestbuy is asking about $200 for a similar device.

This will be usefull for those that don't have enough HDMI ports on their LCD.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.21015

Keep in mind that quality/noise for HDMI is irrelevant. So a cheap hdmi switch will perform just as good as an expensive hdmi switch. It's all 1's and 0's

Its dealextreme so expect to wait three weeks for the device.

Found the same one on ebay with the help of one of the posts below. According to some of the posts ebay will deliver the item faster. The link is below and its about dollar cheaper than DX.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Super-Premium-slim-m ... 1feb2#shId

Nov 19th, 2009 10:50 am

#2

roar: Sr. Member; Aug 21, 2005; 567 posts; 24 upvotes; Burlington

Nov 19th, 2009 10:50 am

The price is pretty great, I don't think Monoprice can even get you out a 3x1 for any cheaper shipped.

But... all HDMI switches are not created equal... their ability to handle the 'handshaking', for lack of a better term, of different devices does differ greatly. There are only two reviews on the site and both are positive which is a good sign, I'd read through the discussions more before buying. But for $15 I wouldn't be too disapointed if you got it home and it didn't work with all your devices.

Nov 19th, 2009 11:00 am

#3

bryan35: Deal Addict; Feb 3, 2008; 1808 posts; 381 upvotes; Winnipeg

Nov 19th, 2009 11:00 am

I tried 3 different switches and none of them worked on all of my devices. For $15 it would be worth a try.

Nov 19th, 2009 11:01 am

#4

codtongues: Deal Addict; Jun 18, 2004; 1206 posts; 399 upvotes

Nov 19th, 2009 11:01 am

Thanks for $15 I will have to give it a try.

Nov 19th, 2009 11:24 am

#5

gflux: Deal Addict; Jun 16, 2004; 1535 posts; 9 upvotes

Nov 19th, 2009 11:24 am

I've been having nothing but problems with DX lately - and I used to love them. My last order wouldn't show up under my account and it took over a week for them to respond (web page says 24-48hrs for a response to a ticket). It took over 3 weeks for it to be delivered and it was only a partial delivery and my order still doesn't show up under my account.

Nov 19th, 2009 11:26 am

#6

billsan101: Sr. Member; Mar 7, 2008; 798 posts; 63 upvotes

Nov 19th, 2009 11:26 am

i find a cheap hdmi switch is never good. i bought a 5 way switch from directcanada (this one) for like 50$, and half the ports didn't work or had issues.

I say buy something with a well known brand or that you can return easily.

Nov 19th, 2009 11:46 am

#7

Aske001: Deal Fanatic; Feb 21, 2006; 5148 posts; 100 upvotes

Nov 19th, 2009 11:46 am

I have this HDMI switch from DX. It's a bargain, and it works just fine.

The only minor problem I have encountered (which may not be the fault of the switch) is that occasionally when it auto-switches to my DVD player there is picture but no sound. A quick cycle through the manual switching restores the sound. It's probably a timing issue somewhere between the DVD player, the switch and the TV.

I have had a few more problems with DX lately too. My last order was "waiting for supplier" for 4 weeks on "2-5 day" items. A pre-order enquiry was never answered. Now I've been waiting for it for 4 weeks since shipment and it hasn't arrived.

Nov 19th, 2009 12:06 pm

#8

appleb: Deal Fanatic; Nov 3, 2007; 8350 posts; 2008 upvotes; Toronto

Nov 19th, 2009 12:06 pm

I saw something like this on clearance at Canadian Tire for $10. I figured $10 is pretty cheap for an HDMI switch.. almost too cheap. I decided not to buy it... good thing I didn't because reviews on the item were horrible.

From what I've read, it's better to buy an HDMI switch with it's own power supply. The unpowered ones can behave a bit flaky, and may or may not work with your setup.

Nov 19th, 2009 1:20 pm

#9

dgege: Deal Addict; Mar 10, 2008; 1259 posts; 546 upvotes

Nov 19th, 2009 1:20 pm

I have this exact switch, bought it from eBay for cheaper. It actually works pretty well. Like Aske001 said, sometimes you need to manually cycle it, because of timing issues. But I think in my case the problem lies with my receiver that doesn'T play nice with my PS3.

Get it from eBay, faster shipping (DX are slacking off lately) and cheaper.

Nov 19th, 2009 2:15 pm

#10

Vinman: Banned; Dec 12, 2005; 9328 posts; 804 upvotes

Nov 19th, 2009 2:15 pm

I have this and it works perfectly, with a few caveats:

1) Don't hook a receiver/HTIB to it, as it will auto-cycle to the video output when you turn it on for audio.

2) Put some tape over the LED indicator lights.

Other than that, it's been 110% stable and right now I have BR, HD and WDTV units hooked up to it at 1080p. Switches like a dream and I've never had to use the manual buttons.

Nov 19th, 2009 3:41 pm

#11

Matrixvibe: Deal Expert; May 14, 2007; 15308 posts; 2519 upvotes; Scarborough / Markha…

Nov 19th, 2009 3:41 pm

Thanks for posting, great price, will give this a try

Nov 19th, 2009 5:08 pm

#12

gohtor: Sr. Member; Nov 26, 2003; 643 posts; 11 upvotes

Nov 19th, 2009 5:08 pm

can't confirm if this unit will behave erratically but bravia's in general tend to have communication problems with hdmi switches.

Nov 19th, 2009 5:15 pm

#13

Vampslay: Member; Aug 27, 2009; 213 posts; 4 upvotes; Ontario, Canada

Nov 19th, 2009 5:15 pm

TimberWolf5 wrote: ↑
Keep in mind that quality/noise for HDMI is irrelevant. So a cheap hdmi switch will perform just as good as an expensive hdmi switch. It's all 1's and 0's

Its dealextreme so expect to wait three weeks for the device.

I beg to differ we had an Xtreme Mac HDMI switch (79.99) what we considered cheap 2 years ago... and we would get snow effects in our pictures through it Not very noticeable unless you were watching a dark movie... but still an annoyance

We now have a pass-through on our Denon 989 receiver and it is much better.

Cannot quote on this unit but if you look hard enough you might see some interference.

Nov 19th, 2009 9:26 pm

#14

TimberWolf5 [OP]: Newbie; May 2, 2008; 34 posts; 6 upvotes; Toronto

Nov 19th, 2009 9:26 pm

Vinman wrote: ↑I have this and it works perfectly, with a few caveats:

1) Don't hook a receiver/HTIB to it, as it will auto-cycle to the video output when you turn it on for audio.

2) Put some tape over the LED indicator lights.

Other than that, it's been 110% stable and right now I have BR, HD and WDTV units hooked up to it at 1080p. Switches like a dream and I've never had to use the manual buttons.

Some Great advice. Will definitely cover the led's with electrical tape.

Nov 20th, 2009 3:29 pm

#15

chorizo3663: Newbie; Nov 14, 2007; 92 posts; 12 upvotes

Nov 20th, 2009 3:29 pm

Thanks OP! Ordered one.

Nov 20th, 2009 6:25 pm

#16

LeeJaeDong: Banned; Jul 29, 2009; 38 posts; 13 upvotes; US

Nov 20th, 2009 6:25 pm

The price is reasonable,but not hot

Nov 20th, 2009 7:36 pm

#17

fatpiggy: Deal Addict; Jun 10, 2005; 2190 posts; 132 upvotes; Richmond Hill

Nov 20th, 2009 7:36 pm

I bought one off ebay as well. The thing is very tiny, about 2" x 2" x 0.5" and weighs about 4 oz. I would say the manufacturing cost is about US$1. It works but I prefer something more solid.

$3 to $5 is a more reasonable price but there's nothing similar in the market so it's only worth it if you really need one.

FS - AMD S939 3500+ CPU

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/show ... p?t=541364