Comments on: Gotta Get a Gefen (HDMI switch) http://www.livedigitally.com/2006/08/02/gotta-get-a-gefen-hdmi-switch/ Reviews and opinions about consumer technology, gadgets, Websites, new media, services, and more. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 23:13:42 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Anonymous http://www.livedigitally.com/2006/08/02/gotta-get-a-gefen-hdmi-switch/comment-page-1/#comment-224048 Anonymous Mon, 31 Dec 2007 01:04:18 +0000 http://www.livedigitally.com/?p=962#comment-224048 Go to Monoprice.com and look for an HDMI switch box, it can be had for under a $100. The box only accepts HDMI cables, but it does come with a remote. Go to Monoprice.com and look for an HDMI switch box, it can be had for under a $100. The box only accepts HDMI cables, but it does come with a remote.

]]> By: Scott Sumner http://www.livedigitally.com/2006/08/02/gotta-get-a-gefen-hdmi-switch/comment-page-1/#comment-49208 Scott Sumner Sun, 27 Aug 2006 03:29:40 +0000 http://www.livedigitally.com/?p=962#comment-49208 So with GenFen were you able to go from HDMI-to-DVI using the Moviebeam? I was under the impression that Moviebeam disables DVI cabilities even if it support HDCP. So with GenFen were you able to go from HDMI-to-DVI using the Moviebeam? I was under the impression that Moviebeam disables DVI cabilities even if it support HDCP.

]]> By: James Depew http://www.livedigitally.com/2006/08/02/gotta-get-a-gefen-hdmi-switch/comment-page-1/#comment-44791 James Depew Wed, 09 Aug 2006 04:59:40 +0000 http://www.livedigitally.com/?p=962#comment-44791 Jeremy, Thought I would pass along this little accessory that Gefen offers. The remote IR extender is compatible with several of their products including the HDMI-DVI out switch you reviewd here. It allows you to hide the switch without losing any functionality or IR performance. TWO added benefits that eliminate your negatives - hide those bright LEDs and eliminate the odd cable routing. eg. Flip the switch upright on its short side behind the TV stand, HDMI cables coming into the left side, DVI out the right and up to the TV (or reverse based on which side your HDMI cables tend to be in your component stack and the input on the TV...) = hidden LEDs, less cable strain, no more odd routing -> Home Theater Bliss. http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=2207 Oh, and the RJ-45/Cat5 port is for extended distance switching using an additional mechanical switch box such as http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=1315 The automation system integration for 'discrete control' uses the RS-232 port. Great Review - I have always been impressed with Gefen products. James Depew <b><a href="http://www.linksysinfo.org" rel="nofollow">www.linksysinfo.org</a></b> - The most comprehensive and original 3rd party support and firmware for Linksys Routers - including the WRT54G! Jeremy,

Thought I would pass along this little accessory that Gefen offers. The remote IR extender is compatible with several of their products including the HDMI-DVI out switch you reviewd here. It allows you to hide the switch without losing any functionality or IR performance. TWO added benefits that eliminate your negatives – hide those bright LEDs and eliminate the odd cable routing. eg. Flip the switch upright on its short side behind the TV stand, HDMI cables coming into the left side, DVI out the right and up to the TV (or reverse based on which side your HDMI cables tend to be in your component stack and the input on the TV…) = hidden LEDs, less cable strain, no more odd routing -> Home Theater Bliss.

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=2207

Oh, and the RJ-45/Cat5 port is for extended distance switching using an additional mechanical switch box such as http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=1315

The automation system integration for ‘discrete control’ uses the RS-232 port.

Great Review – I have always been impressed with Gefen products.

James Depew
http://www.linksysinfo.org – The most comprehensive and original 3rd party support and firmware for Linksys Routers – including the WRT54G!

]]> By: Avi Greengart http://www.livedigitally.com/2006/08/02/gotta-get-a-gefen-hdmi-switch/comment-page-1/#comment-44660 Avi Greengart Tue, 08 Aug 2006 18:55:56 +0000 http://www.livedigitally.com/?p=962#comment-44660 http://hometheaterview.typepad.com/hometheaterview/2006/08/livedigitally_r.html http://hometheaterview.typepad.com/hometheaterview/2006/08/livedigitally_r.html

]]> By: Dave Zatz http://www.livedigitally.com/2006/08/02/gotta-get-a-gefen-hdmi-switch/comment-page-1/#comment-44263 Dave Zatz Mon, 07 Aug 2006 12:54:03 +0000 http://www.livedigitally.com/?p=962#comment-44263 $300 seems extreme when considering most of the boxes I'm connecting cost less (such as my LG LST3510). My solution in the den has been to use analog cables with the LG and HDMI with the MovieBeam... though occasionally, I'll flip them. My strategy has always been less boxes... I used the LG box with my former projector (two devices [dvd player and hd tuner] in one = one cable) and prior to that HTPCs (all devices in one = one cable). Fortunately, newer sets have multiple HDMI interfaces which has become the standard. If we don't go back to a p rojector with our next move, whatever 50"-60" set we get should have multiple inputs. $300 seems extreme when considering most of the boxes I’m connecting cost less (such as my LG LST3510). My solution in the den has been to use analog cables with the LG and HDMI with the MovieBeam… though occasionally, I’ll flip them. My strategy has always been less boxes… I used the LG box with my former projector (two devices [dvd player and hd tuner] in one = one cable) and prior to that HTPCs (all devices in one = one cable). Fortunately, newer sets have multiple HDMI interfaces which has become the standard. If we don’t go back to a p rojector with our next move, whatever 50″-60″ set we get should have multiple inputs.

]]> By: Shoeman http://www.livedigitally.com/2006/08/02/gotta-get-a-gefen-hdmi-switch/comment-page-1/#comment-43836 Shoeman Fri, 04 Aug 2006 22:33:49 +0000 http://www.livedigitally.com/?p=962#comment-43836 Found this article linked at HDBeat, and I'll echo my comment from there ... I wonder how (if at all) this is better than the even-smaller (& cheaper) 5x1 MonoPrice HDMI switch (that has all HDMI, including output, and all slots conveniently in the back)? Of course, it's possible the Geffen 'extends' signal better, but with a mix of PCs, HD DVRs from Dish, and now Cable and an upconverting DVD player connected to my monoPrice switch, with cables varying in length from 3 to 15+ feet, I see no problems at all. Everything happily renegotiates through the switch whenever needed. Product ID 2777 at http://www.monoprice.com And yes, it comes with a remote, 5 lights and is controlled by Logitech Harmony remotes too. Found this article linked at HDBeat, and I’ll echo my comment from there …
I wonder how (if at all) this is better than the even-smaller (& cheaper) 5×1 MonoPrice HDMI switch (that has all HDMI, including output, and all slots conveniently in the back)?
Of course, it’s possible the Geffen ‘extends’ signal better, but with a mix of PCs, HD DVRs from Dish, and now Cable and an upconverting DVD player connected to my monoPrice switch, with cables varying in length from 3 to 15+ feet, I see no problems at all. Everything happily renegotiates through the switch whenever needed.
Product ID 2777 at http://www.monoprice.com
And yes, it comes with a remote, 5 lights and is controlled by Logitech Harmony remotes too.

]]> By: blippy http://www.livedigitally.com/2006/08/02/gotta-get-a-gefen-hdmi-switch/comment-page-1/#comment-43747 blippy Thu, 03 Aug 2006 21:21:31 +0000 http://www.livedigitally.com/?p=962#comment-43747 I realize this is much more expensive but I find it a lot more useful for people that have large hometheatre setups that have projectors for instance. $550 http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=3099 It has 4 HDMI inputs and 2 HDMI outputs (cloned) So if you don't want to turn on the projector but still want to use the sound system or something else off of a WinMCE machine for instance you can still do it. I realize this is much more expensive but I find it a lot more useful for people that have large hometheatre setups that have projectors for instance. $550

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=3099

It has 4 HDMI inputs and 2 HDMI outputs (cloned)

So if you don’t want to turn on the projector but still want to use the sound system or something else off of a WinMCE machine for instance you can still do it.

]]> By: bdcmedia » Blog Archive » Gefen HDMI switcher reviewed http://www.livedigitally.com/2006/08/02/gotta-get-a-gefen-hdmi-switch/comment-page-1/#comment-43740 bdcmedia » Blog Archive » Gefen HDMI switcher reviewed Thu, 03 Aug 2006 18:45:54 +0000 http://www.livedigitally.com/?p=962#comment-43740 [...] Posted Aug 3rd 2006 1:35PM by Erik Hanson Filed under: Digital TV, Reviews Jeremy Toeman reviews the Gefen 4×1 HDMI switcher on his LIVEdigitally site, and talks about its ease of use (it is HDMI after all), as well as his few minor complaints about the unit. It’s good to see manufacturers getting in on HD componentry, as Gefen also makes some other switching and extending products, as we’ve mentioned before, and the reviews have all been pretty positive as well. This particular model takes up to four HDMI (or DVI with adapter) inputs and sends any one of them to a DVI output. Being that he works at Sling Media, Jeremy knows about marketing products, and he likes what he sees in this product. Gefen also makes an HDMI-output model with the same four inputs (and yes, it comes in black, too). So, good times for those of you who have that new-fangled digital cabling, now when are we going to see some component switching love from Gefen for us poor analog HDTV users? [...] [...] Posted Aug 3rd 2006 1:35PM by Erik Hanson Filed under: Digital TV, Reviews Jeremy Toeman reviews the Gefen 4×1 HDMI switcher on his LIVEdigitally site, and talks about its ease of use (it is HDMI after all), as well as his few minor complaints about the unit. It’s good to see manufacturers getting in on HD componentry, as Gefen also makes some other switching and extending products, as we’ve mentioned before, and the reviews have all been pretty positive as well. This particular model takes up to four HDMI (or DVI with adapter) inputs and sends any one of them to a DVI output. Being that he works at Sling Media, Jeremy knows about marketing products, and he likes what he sees in this product. Gefen also makes an HDMI-output model with the same four inputs (and yes, it comes in black, too). So, good times for those of you who have that new-fangled digital cabling, now when are we going to see some component switching love from Gefen for us poor analog HDTV users? [...]

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