HI Guys, I’m looking for the easiest way to switch between all kinds of equipment – Something I can use with a Remote and change both Audio and Video in with very few buttons from across the room. Maybe a switch and a Universal Remote that has MACRO capabilities. On the output side I have a; Satellite = HDMI, Component, S-Video, and Composite DVD = S-Video and Composite Computer = S-Video And my old-old VCR = Composite On the input side, I have a separate 5.1 Sound System and my HDTV/Monitor. The Sound system takes either composite or Fiber as inputs and the HDTV takes HDMI, Component, S-Video, or Composite. Can anyone recommend a solution that can work with all the different inputs and outputs? What's the latest and greatest? Bill
It depends on how much you want to spend and what kind of quality you want. I like the Harman Kardon receivers. At the low end you can plug in all your audio and video into the switch, then you need to send the same cable type to the tv. For example, you have a vcr with composite, a dvd player with s-video, and a cable box with hdmi, all going to the receiver. You'll then need to have the same cables going out to your TV then you'll need to change the input on the receiver and the input on your tv. A macro remote like the Harmony 880 can do this, and many others. In the middle level you can have all the separate inputs and one HDMI or one DVI cable going to your tv. The receiver sends all the inputs out to the tv at the same quality it came in at. Upper level receivers will upconvert all those different inputs to HiDef and send to the TV over one cable, or 3 if it's component. Prices; Low end your looking at $200-$500 AVR 145 Middle, $500 to $1000 AVR 245 and AVR 445 Upper, $1000+ AVR 645 and 745 The Harman Kardon AVR's also will control XM radio and your iPod.
