Customer Reviews

IOGear 4-Port HDMI Automatic Switch with Remote and HDMI Cable GHDMIAS4 (Black)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Nice and small package with auto switching ... only if you have the right stuff. Hitachi HD, Sony DVR and an Xbox 360 Elite ... no way will it work with any of it.
After over 19 minutes with two different customer support people, all they could tell me was I should upgrade the firm ware on the Sony DVR and the Xbox was only now going through the testing stages. There is a handshaking that has to go from the TV and the HDMI components to activate the auto switch. If it times out too quickly, the box will not switch. Doesn't even switch with the remote.
I was hoping for an auto switch, but not this one. If you decide to go with this unit, make absolutely sure all of your components are new and HDMI V1.3 with the most recent firmware.

Works flawlessly.

Like a lot of people, I didn't want to upgrade my $$$ Denon Amp to an HDMI platform, which meant I needed a solution for a growing number of HDMI signals I'm throwing at my 2 port plasma which include an upconverting VHS, an HD Tuner, Xbox360, DVR, and Blu Ray player. This IOGear unit works intuitively and automatically to switch to the active channel, but when occasionally it doesn't you have a remote to make the switch manually.

IOGear gets 5 stars for excellent engineering and for the price point. Smart shoppers can save a bundle on this unit if they're patient in their search.

This item would probably have worked but they do not keep up to date with PS3 updates. The unit will not work with PS3 firmware 2.01. I talked to IOGear and they do not have a fix right now. Their recommendation was to send them the unit and they would update it when they had a fix. They had no timeline on the fix so needless to say I sent it right back. Units should be upgradable by personal computer not by having to send back to the factory. Poor design consideration. Everytime an HDMI component updates, the unit may not work. Call IOGear to make sure your HDMI units will work with their switch

I've been using the IOGEAR 4-port HDMI switch for close to 6 months now. I started with a switch from Monoprice, but could never get it to work with my Xbox360. The screen would flash in and out with a green screen in between, indicating there was some handshake issue. I have never had that problem with the IOGEAR.

My current configuration is: Comcast HD DVR, AppleTV, Xbox360, and PS3 going into the switch, which is then connected to a 24" Dell HD monitor.

The automatic switching feature works great with the 360 and PS3, but does not work with the Comcast HD DVR, or AppleTV. When I turn on the 360 or PS3, the switch automatically goes to that device and when I turn off the 360 or PS3, it automatically goes back to the last device.

Everything is not perfect though (hence the 4 stars), about once every 2-3 weeks the AppleTV will experience a problem whereby it shows a solid white screen when trying to show DRM'd video. To resolve this issue, I have to restart the AppleTV. Seems like some kind of HDCP issue (IOTW DRM sucks!).

As I mentioned at the start, I tried a switch from monoprice first mainly because they were so highly recommended on avsforum's, however the monoprice never worked for me. The IOGEAR has been working beautifully.

Works as advertised, I liked the auto-switching feature, although the remote is very directional (not always senstive). Now to the negative, those blue lights on the front are really BRIGHT at night, blinding really. Cover with black tape? - then you can't see whats on...another dig...the blue lights are supposed to indicate what is on, but there is absolutely NO labeling of what is what....just a blue light in various places on the faceplate... Confusing - you bet!

Lights are very bright, not labeled so a bit confusing. After connecting to Scientific Atlantic Cable Box and Sony Playstation, blue light kept blinking on/off and blanking out TV screen. After some technical support, they said that DVR's send a constant signal and don't allow it to switch automatically. I unplugged DVR and just hooked to Sony Play Station and still had the problem. It might be the Play Station affecting it because when connected to the Cable, it works fine. Alas, I have to return because it doesn't work as it's purported to work.

I was a little reluctant when purchasing this item due to the reviews, but there were enough good reviews that I decided to try it.

I have Comcast DVR & a XBOX 360 plugged in, and the auto switch works great! I believe the switch gives priority to the first slot, but you can easily switch using the remote.

I hooked up my 360 to slot 1 and DVR to the second slot. This way my 360 has priority when its turned on. This setting works well for me.

cons:
1. The lights have no labels and they are pretty bright for a dark room.

It's nice that it auto switches, but my devices would frequently lose HDCP sync with the tv. That means you've got to turn off all your devices, the tv, and remove power from the switch to reset it. This switch is now collecting dust in a box in my garage for this reason.

The auto switch logic in this unit creates a major problem when used with a DirecTV DVR.

Apparently the switch looks for a constant HDMI source. In the case of a DirecTV DVR, when you switch from one channel to another, for a brief moment there is no HDMI signal. The IOGear HDMI switch therefore switches off that source, but does not switch back to it when the DVR starts sending out a good HDMI signal again. So now the DVR is no longer displaying on the TV, nothing is. It gets very tiring to have to use the remote to get the switch to work again. And even with a new battery, the remote has a very short range, so often I have to get up and walk over to the switch and hit the physical button on the unit.

Yes, it does work with constant HDMI sources like a DVD player, but don't buy this switch if you plan to use it with a DirecTV receiver or DVR.

I would much prefer a switch without automatic switching logic. Ideally it would just stay on the selected source until I request a new source with the remote.

Bought mine about 3 months ago. I wish I had seen the issues written here before I bought it, I would have passed on it. Very flaky device. About 65% of the time it would auto switch properly between devices. My PS3 didnt work through it in any usable capacity, while my Direct TV worked perfectly through it, when I switch to cable, the HD channels would not be displayed properly. Not sure if I can RMA since I dont have the original receipt anymore per the info on IOGears site.