Monoprice 8X1 Enhanced Powered HDMI Switcher w/ Remote

The media could not be loaded.  Starting: comes up in my configuration with 5 of 8 input signals, immediately goes into blithering mode (see photo - red light all across). Exit insanity mode by selecting a channel you don't want, then the one you do - by physically pressing the buttons, because the remote is ignored when device is insane. Then I power up my TV, and after a few seconds my (Visio) TV apparently instructs the video selector to "go nuts", returning it to insanity mode (see video).Despite the frustration upon start-up, this device has been easily worth the money, and I would readily purchase again, or a self-therapy-ing updated version for 50% more money.

I was disappointed the serial protocol wasn't documented, so i ran the included application and logged the data, with the following result:Connect 9600 baud, 8N1Query String (send to switcher): 20 3F 00 00 F1 20 08 00 00 55 20 07 00 00 0AResponses: (note that for capture purposes, only one input was present at a time, and the device was allowed to autoselect the input) No inputs: 80 0B C0 01 08 48 52 4D 2D 32 32 31 38 E9 80 02 01 00 52 80 02 01 00 52 Channel 1 Selected: 80 0B C0 01 08 48 52 4D 2D 32 32 31 38 E9 80 02 01 01 0C 80 02 01 01 0C Channel 2 Selected: 80 0B C0 01 08 48 52 4D 2D 32 32 31 38 E9 80 02 01 02 EE 80 02 01 02 EE Channel 3 Selected: 80 0B C0 01 08 48 52 4D 2D 32 32 31 38 E9 80 02 01 03 B0 80 02 01 03 B0 Channel 4 Selected: 80 0B C0 01 08 48 52 4D 2D 32 32 31 38 E9 80 02 01 04 33 80 02 01 04 33 Channel 5 Selected: 80 0B C0 01 08 48 52 4D 2D 32 32 31 38 E9 80 02 01 05 6D 80 02 01 05 6D Channel 6 Selected: 80 0B C0 01 08 48 52 4D 2D 32 32 31 38 E9 80 02 01 06 8F 80 02 01 06 8F Channel 7 Selected: 80 0B C0 01 08 48 52 4D 2D 32 32 31 38 E9 80 02 01 07 D1 80 02 01 07 D1 Channel 8 Selected: 80 0B C0 01 08 48 52 4D 2D 32 32 31 38 E9 80 02 01 08 90 80 02 01 08 90Commands:Switch to input 1:20 02 01 01 A5 20 08 01 00 91 20 01 01 01 41 20 07 01 00 CESwitch to input 2:20 02 01 02 47 20 08 01 00 91 20 01 01 02 A3 20 07 01 00 CESwitch to input 3:20 02 01 03 19 20 08 01 00 91 20 01 01 03 FD 20 07 01 00 CESwitch to input 4:20 02 01 04 9A 20 08 01 00 91 20 01 01 04 7E 20 07 01 00 CESwitch to input 5:20 02 01 05 C4 20 08 01 00 91 20 01 01 05 20 20 07 01 00 CESwitch to input 6:20 02 01 06 26 20 08 01 00 91 20 01 01 06 C2 20 07 01 00 CESwitch to input 7:20 02 01 07 78 20 08 01 00 91 20 01 01 07 9C 20 07 01 00 CESwitch to input 8:20 02 01 08 39 20 08 01 00 91 20 01 01 08 DD 20 07 01 00 CEAudio and video can be switched separately: To switch only audio to channel 1: 20 02 01 01 A5 20 08 01 00 91 To switch only video to channel 1: 20 01 01 01 41 20 07 01 00 CE To switch both at the same time: (just run the commands together) 20 02 01 01 A5 20 08 01 00 91 20 01 01 01 41 20 07 01 00 CEChecksum calculation: Taking the command to switch audio to channel 1, the breakdown is: 20 - Prefix 02 - Indicates we're switching audio (01 is video) 01 - Unknown 01 - Channel number to switch to A5 - Checksum of first four bytes (calculated via CRC-8/MAXIM 1 Wire CRC) 20 - Unknown 08 - Unknown 01 - Unknown 00 - Unknown 91 - Checksum of last four bytes (calculated via CRC-8/MAXIM 1 Wire CRC)

I bought this as a solution for the growing number of game consoles hooked up to my TV. I like having everything hooked up and ready to go at a moment's notice, and my current TV only has a measly 2 HDMI inputs located in a hard to reach spot in the center back of the TV. So having a switcher has always been a must for me and the more inputs, the better.After playing around with cheap unpowered 3x1 and powered 5x1 switchers, I finally decided to take the plunge and buy a 8x1 unit. The price jump when going from 5 to 8 is massive, so it wasn't an easy decision. But overall, I'm glad I did it.This unit does what it says it does - it switches between 8 different inputs. Inputs can be switched using the buttons along the front or with the mini remote included. The remote is IR so presumably you could program switching functions into a universal remote. The build quality is very sturdy with a metal casing and rubberized feet. Input plugs are spaced out nice and evenly across the back of the unit and are labelled clearly. The unit is externally powered (as expected with this many inputs) but unlike smaller/cheaper switchers, it can be turned off when not in use. The image quality is good and I've seen no real issues with degradation. I also haven't felt any notable lag in my games, although it wouldn't be surprising to learn if there was a frame or two added. That's just how it goes with switchers. I can't really tell on this unit though and that's a good thing.Another thing I'm not sure if I've seen others mention is the ability to daisy chain. Many cheap switchers will NOT like to daisy chain with other switchers in order to get more inputs. But I know for a fact that this unit does in fact work with my 3x1 unpowered switcher. So in case I go even crazier and add even more consoles simultaneously hooked up, it's good to know I have the ability to do so via daisy chain.Now for the things I don't like... first are the lights along the front. These things are BRIGHT and cannot be switched off or dimmed while the unit is on. Another annoying thing is that they scroll between 1 through 8 when no input has been selected. I've resorted to placing a long strip of electrical tape over my buttons just so that I don't have to see the constant bright, scrolling lights.The other issue I have is that there is no auto-detection. While auto-detection can sometimes be more of a pain than its worth (some devices draw too much power even when powered off and can switch over when you don't want them to) I still would've liked to have the option to switch it on or off. As it stands, this unit will ONLY switch when the device in question is already on and I press the correct input number on either the unit or the remote. By default, it actually does auto detect input 1 for me (my cable box) so that's nice at least. But for inputs 2-8 it can be slightly annoying to have to fumble for the little remote and press the button just to get the image to come up. For a device that costs $100 or more, you'd think auto-detect would be a standard feature someone would want.So overall, I think this is the best there is for an 8x1 switcher. There aren't a lot of choices and the price is pretty intimidating, but at least this provides a solid option. There are some design choices that I question, but at least it does the job and works well.

EL EQUIPO FUNCIONA BIEN EL TIEMPO DE LLEGADA FUE CORRECTOLO UNICO QUE NO ME GUSTO ES QUE NO ME LO PUDIERON FACTURAR

Works as advertised. Only downside is the bright front panel LED's, as others have noted. More than that, the current input LED *blinks* all the time, which is distracting when looking towards the TV. The box has to be positioned front facing, as that's where the remote sensor is.

Perfect item if you have too many hdmi products and not enough ports I just wish this had bluetooth support instead of infrared even works on upscaling and downscaling connectors

excellent product, fast shipping.

verry good for appletv , rooku , aver media aver cinéma mp3 etc, Google chromecast. no good for sony PS3.