Using HDMI Switch to Expand HD Theater System

HDMI will continue to be the de-facto standard in home video transmission for 2 reasons: 1) uncompressed digital format ensures the best picture quality and 2) HDMI allows content providers to ensure that their intellectual property is protected through HDCP.

It is clear that more equipment such as Cable/Satellite Set Top boxes, DVD players, HD DVD players, Personal video recorders, video game stations, and computer video cards will adopt HDMI/DVI. However, many early-generation HDTV monitors only had 1 or 2 HDMI input leaving the early adopter no way to easily add HDMI enabled sources. Furthermore many Surround Sound Audio Receivers do not include HDMI switching.

End users can solve this problem by using external HDMI switchers. HDMI switchers allow end users to add HDMI sources and at the same time upgrade their existing Surround Sound Audio Receiver with HDMI switching capabilities. This allows the end user to fully experience the benefits of HDMI. 3x1 HDMI switch allows the user to connect up to 3 HDMI sources and share it with 1 HD monitor or projector. The 5x1 HDMI switch are for power users who intend to add in more sources in the future. 3x1 and 5x1 HDMI solutions ensure that the end user always has adequate number of ports for future expansions.

All switches should be HDCP compatible and transparent to the HDCP process ensuring compatibility.

Jeff Su is product-marketing manager at Octava Inc. http://www.octavainc.com Jeff is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology (BSEE, MSEE) and has over 10 years of experience in CATV systems, RF, and microwave designs. He may be reached at info@octavainc.com

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