Resolume Forum

Looking for a quality brand HDMI switcher. I have 2 4K outputs and need to switch between house PC and guest VJ to avoid hot swapping. Any brands or recommendations much appreciated thank you!

Hey raw,
how are you doing?

For an uncomplicated and safe switch I would recommend you a seamless switcher. Sadly they are quite expensive for 4K signals. The point is that you don't want to reconfigure your output again after a switch which can end up in a EDID re-handshake with typical cheap switchers. This will not happens with a seamless switcher.

Here are some reliable but expensive brands I know:
Puretools
Tv-One
Analogway
Extron
Barco


But there is a cheaper way to get around the expensive seamless route which also works just fine.

1. Buy a cheaper HDMI 4K Switch like for example:
Amazon HDMI 4K Switcher

2. Buy two 4k EDID Managers/Emulators like them: EDID Emulator

These EDID Emulators will let your VJ computers think they are always connected to a 4K 60 Display. So they will never try to do a new handshake after a switch with a cheap switch.

The only downside with this method: Your output to the inhouse system will turn black for a second or so after a switch.


I hope that helps.



best wishes
cosmowe

ADD:
Just found this little guy

HDMI Switcher with EDID management

At least the marketing text says that there's kind of edid management going on. It is quite cheap for what it is. I don't tested this device before. But it could might work in your case.


Best wishes
cosmowe


Edid:
Actually just brought one now. Seems to be a nice addition for my toolcase

Thank you for your help this is great! Will definitely look into these!

I found this on Amazon. It has the EDID and two outputs. I think this is a good brand I have seen before. I will probably order this and give it a test run and let you know how it handles.

OREI 4K HDMI Matrix Switch 4 X 2, Switcher 18G UltraHD with Arc Supports Upto 4K @ 60Hz & 1080P IR Audio Extractor Arc EDID HDCP 2.- Remote Control - Full Matrix Selection

https://a.co/d/fcU3JFN

nice, tell me your about your experience with this device after your tests.

Best wishes
cosmowe

So I got this switcher all set up and it works well. the remote is handy and has 4k @ 60 support. the only issue is that the guest VJ will not see the two external displays until i switch signals which is i assume what the seamless switching feature is on a more expensive unit. Still much better than hot swapping!

Nice....sounds good.

And I brought a pair of these PureLink

I was fairly surprised when they arrived... 1st: I oversaw that they are bi-directional and 2nd: And that is awesome....they don't need power at all. They use the 5v from the HDMI ports.

Made some tests.... working great!


Best wishes
cosmowe

if you have that PureLink plugged into a laptop does it detect an external display on the laptop before switching to its input?

Hey RAW,
sorry for my late reply. Sadly, no, you still have to use cheap EDID emulators at the inputs.

Best wishes
cosmowe

Thank you for this info! the unit I sent a link to does not detect external displays when you plug into your laptop so I spoke with OREI support and they said this unit has this feature so when this arrives i'll test it out and let you know how it goes. Hopefully seamless switching should work!

https://a.co/d/56g2INg