HDTV cable, satellite HDTV, up-converting DVD player, XBox 360, Blu-ray, HD-DVD, Series 3 TiVo, PCs, Macs, and more. These devices have one thing in common, to get killer results you must use DVI or HDMI to connect to your HDTV display device.

And, that's a problem for many of us, if:

1. Your HDTV display has only one (or maybe two) HD (DVI or HDMI) inputs.
2. You're perfectly happy with your current receiver setup to switch your audio and non-HD sources. However, it doesn't have HDMI or DVI switching capability.
3. You don't want to spend thousands of dollars to switch three HD devices.
4. You have a home theater receiver that does a poor job of implementing HDCP at full HD resolutions. More on that after the jump.

Bottomline: If you need a great way to switch HD video, the Gefen 4x1 HDMI switcher handily comes to the rescue.

Read more for details. 

With so many reasons to want multiple HD sources connected to your HDTV display, it's no wonder that excellent, easy-to-use products like the Gefen EXT-HDMI-441 4x1 HDMI switcher exist.

Brief DVI, HDMI and HDCP Primer

While far from comprehensive, here's some background for those of you new to DVI, HDCP and HDMI. Those of you familiar, can skip ahead.

DVI (Digital Visual Interface) is an established industry standard for connecting computers and other electronic devices (like cable boxes, DVD players, etc.) to displays in order to provide a digital high-bandwidth (over 7.4 gigabits) at a maximum of 2.6 megapixels - which is larger than the HDTV standard of 1920x1080. Some DVI connections support HDCP (see below) some do not. If you have an older DVI device, it's important to know if your DVI device supports HDCP.

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) is a more recent standard for high-bandwidth visual communication that adds digital quality audio to the interface. With the use of a simple adapter, DVI and HDMI devices work well together.

HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is a digital rights management (DRM) standard for protecting digital content over high-bandwidth digital connections like HDMI and DVI. HDCP is important because devices like HDTV cable/satellite and Blue-ray/HD-DVD boxes may, depending on the programming content, require HDCP throughout the chain from content source to final display. If the HDCP chain can't be maintained, the content may be scrambled or reduced in quality. Not all DVI (and possibly some HDMI) implementations are fully compatible with all HDCP devices. In some cases, home theater receivers and HDMI/DVI switchers cannot play all content either due to not enough bandwidth or incorrectly implemented standards.

These are the 5 things you need to know to understand DVI, HDMI and HDCP:

1. In order to support the latest devices, your DVI display must support HDCP.
2. Nearly all HDMI devices support HDCP.
3. Many (not all) DVI devices support HDCP.
   
4. DVI and HDMI can work together without problems.
5. In order to play HDCP content (which includes many HDTV channels provided through cable and satellite), every device in the chain must properly support HDCP.

So why an HDMI switcher?
No home theater receiver currently offers 4 HDMI input switching for less than $2,000, and most of the sub-$1,000 units have only two HDMI inputs of which some have problems correctly implementing HDCP. Besides, if your current receiver (especially if you spent over $1,500 for it) works well for you, why replace it. For less than half the price of such receivers, or between $600 and $800, you can buy the EXT-HDMI-441 and better remote control and get HD video switching.

So, if you love your 5.1, 6.1, or 7.1 home theater receiver or amplifier, you’ll want to maintain the audio quality you’re used to. Plus, you’ll gain the ability to switch HD signals without spending thousands of dollars to do it.

Our test system included:

• Gefen EXT-HDMI-441 HDMI Switcher.
• Samsung 61" DLP rear projector (single DVI input)
  
• Denon home theater receiver (no DVI or HDMI switching)
• Oppo Digital upscaling DVD player (with DVI out)
• Motorola DVR provided by Comcast (with HDMI out)
  
• Media Center PC with an ATI Radeon 9800XT (with DVI out)

Gefen EXT-HDMI-441 4x1 HDMI Switcher Connections

The Gefen 4x1 HDMI Switcher comes in a nondescript box and looks a bit more like a piece of commercial broadcasting gear than consumer home theater gear. When you open it, you can tell it's all business. It's sturdy and well made. While it looks like it's designed to fit in a rack, the rubber feet and 13" width are the clues that it's really not. Inside the box is the EXT-HDMI-441, a functional remote, power supply, manual and Gefen is generous enough to include four 6-foot HDMI cables.

Gefen's Nondescript Box

Setup is quite painless. Depending on the devices you are connecting, you may need to purchase a few DVI-to-HDMI cables or converters or one additional HDMI cable (if you fill the EXT-HDMI-441). In our case, we had to purchase a DVI-to-HDMI cable for the display and the Media Center PC. The Oppo Digital OPDV971H came with a DVI-to-HDMI cable. After connecting the devices, the EXT-HDMI-441 just works. Now, switch the display to the connection the EXT-HDMI-441 is using. Then, using the buttons on the remote, switch the EXT-HDMI-441 to the port number of the device you want to watch. You’re ready to watch HD-quality video!

Gefen EXT-HDMI-441 4x1 HDMI Switcher Contents

The EXT-HDMI-441 is a bit austere for my taste. It screams, "hide me in the back" when compared to all the other devices in our test system. Because of this, you may opt for the remote extender (EXT-RMT-EXTIR) for an additional $25. Another reason to hide it is the power and input number LEDs can't be dimmed or turned off, and they're pretty bright.

Gefen EXT-HDMI-441 4x1 HDMI Switcher Back

Now switching video occurs with a different remote than switching audio. You may want to invest in a remote control such as a Philips Pronto or a Logitech Harmony that can switch groups of equipment with a single button.

Gefen 4x1 HDMI Switcher Features

• Switch between any four HDMI sources
• Extends the range of HDMI-compliant devices by equalizing and reclocking the HDMI signal
• Maintains high resolutions up to 1080p, 2k, and computer resolutions up to 1920 x 1200
• HDMI pass-through
• HDCP pass-through
• Discrete IR remote (included)
• IR extender plug-in (extender optional)
• Serial RS-232 remote port

Gefen 4x1 HDMI Switcher Specifications

• Video Amplifier Bandwidth: 1.65 Gbps
• Input Video Signal: 1.2 volts p-p
• Input DDC Signal: 5 volts p-p (TTL)
• Single Link Range: 1080p/1920 x 1200
• HDMI Connector: type A 19 pin female
• Remote Control Port: RS232 female, mini-stereo
• Power Supply: 5V DC
• Power Consumption: 10 watts (max)
• Dimensions: 13.25"W x 1"H x 2.75"D
• Shipping Weight: 6 lbs.

Include in the Box

• EXT-HDMI-441 4x1 HDMI Switcher
• RMT-4IR Remote control
• Four 6-foot HDMI cables
• 5VDC Power Supply
• User's Manual

Price

Retail: $399.00

Street: ~ $295.00

Pros

• Quality
• Ease of setup -- nothing to configure.

Cons

• Cost, while cheaper than receivers, $300 is nothing to sneeze at.
• The device and remote, while very functional are a bit austere.
• Yet another remote control.
  
• Can't turn off or dim bright LEDs.

If you need to switch between multiple HD devices and aren't in the market for a new receiver, or if you need to switch three or more devices, I highly recommend the Gefen EXT-HDMI-441 HDMI Switcher.

Grade: Recommended 

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