HDCP, HDMI -> DVI, Switches help

Dritz

I am looking to remodel my current entertainment setup to be just a tad simpler.

I have a rather old HDTV which only does 1080i and only has a DVI port. Nothing I currently have outputs to DVI, only HDMI. I'd like to purchase a switch so that I can use that single DVI port.

The only thing I know about HDMI are the complaints over HDCP. I'm looking to purchase this switch. I'd have all my inputs into the switch be HDMI and the output be a HDMI to DVI cable.

Will I run into any serious problems with image quality? I'm a little worried about getting tossed down to 480p because some small thing isn't compliant. In regards to cables that switch I posted had something I've never heard of in it's description:

NOTE: 24AWG or thicker (lower AWG number) cables are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for best performance. Some devices will require thicker gauge, category 2 cables to work with this switch. For runs up to 15ft, use 24AWG. For runs of 20ft or more, use 22AWG (which is thicker than 24AWG.) Also, some source devices will not work with HDMI cables shorter than 4ft. If you require short HDMI cables, we recommend using at least 4ft 24AWG cables with this switch.

I would have thought a cable is a cable, never heard of AWG before. I'd really like to get 3ft cables as well, would that really not work with some devices?

Finally I wouldn't mind having a audio switch as well but I can't seem to find anything on monoprice. This seems to be the only choice but I really don't need component.

Thanks for the help.

Rderdall

AWG is the American Wire Gauge. As a rule, the lower the number, the thicker the cable. Better quality HDMI cables are made of better quality wire, and often have a lower gauge. Longer HDMI cables also have a lower gauge.

Now, on to that switcher. The price is appealing, but that disclaimer about the required HDMI issues sounds like a headache disclaimer. I'm an electronic systems technician, and do custom home automation and theatres for a living. HDMI is a headache with GOOD equipment.

I don't know what your budget is, but I would highly recommend a video scaler. The DVDO Edge is an INCREDIBLE product. Not only does it upconvert every video source to 1080p, but it also NEVER FAILS. What I mean by that, is that it solves HDCP Handshaking problems. It's a little pricey, but it's definitely worth the money.

Dritz

Yah to expensive. I am certainly looking to do things on the cheap. Although I don't want to noticeably decrease the look of anything, I am not that concerned with it. Up-converting is definitely not a concern of mine. Thanks for the advice though.

vonPoonBurGer

Does your TV support HDCP? Note that you can do HDCP over DVI. In fact, for the video portion of the signal HDMI and DVI use identical signalling (with or without HDCP) so you can convert HDMI to DVI with a simple adapter. If you have HDCP problems, it's an issue between the display and the source device. The switch shouldn't even factor into the equation, unless it's a really crappy switch that's subtly mangling the signal in some way.

vonPoonBurGer

Dritz wrote: »

Finally I wouldn't mind having a audio switch as well

If you want audio and video switching, you're really looking at a receiver setup, something like this plus speakers.

Dritz

Yah I've been thinking of a new receiver and in that case I would not mind paying the price for it. I have an old home theatre in a box (Dolby Pro Logic II whoo) and wasn't sure the best approach to upgrading the receiver. I am not an audio guy at all and even if I was the room I'm using would just be a nightmare to set something 'good' up.

The box solution I have is the SA-HT730. The 'receiver' is just one of those crappy ones with a DVD player built in. All the speaker cables connect to the subwoofer which connects to the receiver through a 'system cable' which I think would be analogous to the universal port on that receiver you linked to.

For now if I were to get a receiver I would just want to get the receiver. I might upgrade speakers and such piecemeal in the future or something. If I were to get the receiver you listed or something similiar could I just plug my current speakers into it with speaker cable and my subwoofer with a system cable? Other than that my subwoofer has no other outputs.