Video game consoles, Blu-ray players, Apple TV: the list can get longer and longer. The entertainment centers in today’s living rooms are housing more devices than ever, and, with the increased number of devices, our televisions have to be receivers for more and more cords. While many HDMI televisions have lots of HDMI ports to plug in our devices, an increasing number of devices means that sometimes we cannot fit them all into one device.

Enter the HDMI switch, a relatively new and very useful device that can help you keep all your devices connected. Here are some answers to the common questions that people ask about HDMI devices, including what they are used for and how they operate.

What is an HDMI Switch?

An HDMI switch is a simple device that essentially turns a single HDMI port into multiple HDMI ports. Basically, it is a funnel for your HDMI devices that lets you keep everything connected, no matter how many HDMI ports your television actually has.

Why Don’t I Just Buy a Receiver Instead?

Receivers are incredible devices, ones that can help you manage your entire entertainment system through a single machine. They can also be very costly and are made for people who are very, very serious about the ins and outs of modern entertainment systems. The 4K HDMI switch offers a simpler, more streamlined solution to the problem of more devices than HDMI ports, often for a dramatically lower price.

Doesn’t This Mean Yet Another Remote?

Absolutely not. Many HDMI switches are compatible with universal remotes, meaning you don’t have to create a drawer that is dedicated to trying to keep track of the many remotes you need to operate your television and entertainment center. Instead, you will likely only need one, or perhaps two, to help you switch through all of the devices you have plugged into your HDMI switch.

Even better, the more advanced models of HDMI switches actually have an automatic priority arrangement, so they will automatically switch between devices as they are turned on. In other words, if you are watching TV and decide you want to watch a Blu-Ray, all you have to do is turn on your Blu-Ray player and the HDMI switch will automatically swap over to your movie. All you have to do is set up the devices in the order of priority that you want.

Simply, put, an HDMI switch is used to add extra HDMI inputs to your television set. As our technology changes and we demand more HDMI inputs from our TVs, an HDMI switch can help make that a reality by simply, and effectively, turning a single HDMI port into multiples. That way, you don’t have to constantly fiddle with cords, and you don’t have to think about buying a new TV just for the number of HDMI ports it has in the back.

AVI Integration Inc. has a number of HDMI switches available, ranging from simple manual devices to the hi-tech versions that automatically switch between devices. So, whether your TV doesn’t have enough ports, or you have lots of different devices, there is a switch that will make your entertainment experience more seamless.