If you find yourself constantly plugging and unplugging HDMI cables from your TV, then it may be time to buy an HDMI switch.
Most people have a handful of game consoles, digital receivers, and video players in their entertainment center. But most TVs usually have just two or three HDMI ports, a frustrating design choice that can turn a simple game night into a complicated adventure behind the TV. If only you could add more HDMI ports to your TV!
Well, it’s clear that TV manufacturers aren’t going to suddenly start bulking up TVs to house more ports, so you have to take matters into your own hands. An HDMI switch is the easy cost-efficient way to add more HDMI ports to your TV, and it can actually help you organize all of the messy cables that have snaked their way around your entertainment center.
But there are a lot of HDMI switches to choose from, and they all serve different functions that will inevitably appeal to different people. Some HDMI switches are the size of a DVD player, but they’re usually remote-controlled, and easier to organize down the road. Some HDMI switches are small enough to hide behind your TV, but you may find yourself digging around to choose your video source or to reorganize your setup. Here’s a little something for everybody.
Proster 5×1 HDMI Switch and Audio Extractor ($27)
Not all TVs, projectors, or computer monitors have audio outputs. This isn’t a big deal for most people, but if you want to use external speakers in your entertainment setup, then you should consider getting an HDMI switch that supports audio extraction.
If you’re looking for a semi-automatic remote-controlled HDMI switch that has audio extraction capabilities, then you should check out the Proster HDMI switch. Its five HDMI inputs support 4K and 3D, so you don’t have to compromise quality for convenience. Plus, it has an auxiliary output and optical audio output for external speakers. The Proster also has an automatic function that, when active, can automatically switch to whichever source is outputting video.
The Proster is also small enough to hang behind your TV, which is a plus for anyone that wants to keep their entertainment center looking clean. It requires power from a micro-USB cable, but that’s to be expected from such a powerful little device.
iArkPower 3×1 HDMI Switch With Optical and RCA Outputs ($40)
The iArkPower is a nice, premium HDMI switch. Its three HDMI inputs support 4K and 3D, and it has an RCA output and optical audio output for external speakers. This device also comes with a remote control, and it has an automatic feature that can be toggled on and off.
Really, this is an HDMI switch that you don’t have to hide behind your TV. All of the ports are on the back of the device, so it looks good and is easy to access. This is a good HDMI switch for entertainment centers that don’t have a lot of hiding space, or for situations where you’ll be plugging and unplugging different video sources.
