More HDMI things than ports in the TV

[ajprice]

What do I need to be able to connect extra HDMI stuff to my TV, and ideally change between them with a harmony remote. The TV has 4 HDMI inputs, at the moment I have:

Youview box
Fire TV
Xbox One
PS4

Input 4 is on the side of the TV, so I switch cables between the PS4, PC and Chromecast. It's very possible that I'll buy more boxes, but at the moment the count is 6.

I've tried one of those HDMI switches with the little remote for about £10-15, and it did work, but it's now iffy on the PS4 connection (flickering screen, PS4 is fine direct into HDMI 4). It's similar to this one.


So what kind of switch/hub/box do I need that will work properly and be controlled with a Harmony, so that I can set up the commands to switch between the box inputs? And where from, and how much?

Cheers.

[TheRainMaker]

Probably better off getting an AV receiver, you could connect up some proper speakers then as well, any of the main brands will work with the harmony system, Pioneer & Yamaha are worth a look.

[JimbobVFR]

Does your existing switch have a separate power supply?
Some of the cheaper ones will work without a power adapter but they steal power from the HDMI. I previously had a cheap switch which had an optional power supply but it was way more reliable with the power adapter plugged in.

[B17NNS]

Get yourself an AV receiver.

And a nice 5.1 speaker system to go with it

http://www.creative-audio.co.uk/HD.php?_DEN_X2400H...

[ajprice]

B17NNS said:

Get yourself an AV receiver.

And a nice 5.1 speaker system to go with it

http://www.creative-audio.co.uk/HD.php?_DEN_X2400H...

That website gave me a headache

I've got a Samsung 32" TV and a HW-H500 soundbase speaker I'm happy with, connected to the TV by optical. It's a small room, so I think a 5.1 setup would be overkill . It's just the HDMI connections I'm short of, so I'll have a look at AV receivers, a few threads on those came up on a search here so I'll try to get something while the easter sales are on. Denon, Pioneer, Onkyo and Yamaha come up as the good ones, I'm not looking for an all singing and dancing £££ thing but I may as well get something that supports surround sound, HDR and 4k.

The switch box I've got came with an IR receiver dongle and a little remote, I don't remember it coming with a mains power cable.

[B17NNS]

ajprice said:

Denon, Pioneer, Onkyo and Yamaha come up as the good ones

I've got a Denon AVR-X2400H. Nothing to complain about. £349.

https://www.whathifi.com/denon/avr-x2400h/review

You can always add a couple of small satellites later on if you want the full surround experience. It's 7.1 so you have the option of using it for another zone somewhere else in the house or adding 2 Atmos speakers.

Also a pretty capable amp for 2 channel in Pure Direct mode.

Edited by B17NNS on Friday 30th March 21:39

[ajprice]

Yep, just been looking at that as it was listed on the creative audio link. Looks like a decent piece of kit, and it's £299 at Richer Sounds .

[B17NNS]

ajprice said:

Yep, just been looking at that as it was listed on the creative audio link. Looks like a decent piece of kit, and it's £299 at Richer Sounds .

No brainer at £300. Alexa support is coming soon via a firmware update if that's your thing.

[anonymous-user]

Absolutely get an av amp. I went through all the hdmi switching hell untill I upgraded to an HDMI AV amp (denon).

[ajprice]

Just phoned the local Richer Sounds about the AVR-X2400H (it was an in store only offer, not online and delivered) and it's out of stock. Bugger. So I can get it from Amazon for £326 + £14.50 delivery, or look for something else.

Edited by ajprice on Saturday 31st March 13:57

[Tony1963]

Sevenoaks HiFi have the Denon AVR-X2400H in stack at £299.

[ajprice]

Tony1963 said:

Sevenoaks HiFi have the Denon AVR-X2400H in stack at £299.

Cheers muchly!!! Sending many internet pints . Ordered and done.

[B17NNS]

ajprice said:

Ordered and done.

Good choice, you won't regret it

[tenohfive]

B17NNS said:

ajprice said:

Ordered and done.

Good choice, you won't regret it

Agreed, very happy with mine.

[Tony1963]

ajprice said:

Cheers muchly!!! Sending many internet pints . Ordered and done.

Wahoo! I'm useful!

[ajprice]

It's arrived, it's on and it's working. Not fully set up yet.

There are a lot of vents on the top of it, does it get hot and need a lot of airflow or is it ok to put it in the TV stand with not much clearance above it?

[B17NNS]

Mine's in an open rack, about 100mm of space between it and the next shelf.

Manual is here if you've got a few hours.

http://manuals.denon.com/AVRX2400H/EU/EN/index.php

ETA, Denon recommend 2" either side and 5" above.

https://denon.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id...

[ajprice]

Thanks, the TV stand is one of those glass shelf corner stands, just under 20cm between the shelves, so it wouldn't leave much gap. Similar to this with even space between the shelves



So I can get a bunch of long cables and put it on top of the bookcase in the other corner, or get a new TV stand with more space between the shelves.

[B17NNS]

I'd say you'd be fine. It'll let you know if it gets too hot by turning itself off.

[ajprice]

Thanks, I'll move things around in the morning, too busy watching the golf now