Not all LCD tv’s have more than one HDMI port, and this poses trouble if you have more than one device to connect to it. Say a game console, a set top box and even a streaming stick like the Amazon fire-tv or the new google Chromecast. So how do i connect more than one HDMI device to the TV if I have only one HDMI port. Watch on to find out.
Here I have the AmazonBasics 4K HDMI switcher. Comes in this typical Amazon cardboard packaging.
Open it up and we have the switcher itself, a USB to barrel port power adapter. Here’s the power adapter, and the switcher.
It feels cold, as It has a metal construction, and feels solid to the touch. 3 port 4K 3 input one output HDMI switcher.
Here’s the “selection” button to manually switch between the ports. It is nice and clicky. To the left are the LEDS which indicate which port is active and IR is the sensor for the remote. Power led lights up when powered on, we will talk about this in a minute.
The side has vents for heat dissipation and circulation of air.
And here are the HDMI ports. Three inputs and one output. The output is marked in white. Next to it is the power port.
The remote. Very basic, just three buttons to directly switch to a certain input using the 1,2,3 buttons or left and right to cycle between them.
A manual.
Let’s set up the HDMI switcher now shall we. Connecting the power cable we can see the device is now active.
I have nothing connected as yet but led 1 is lit up. Tapping on the selection button it cycles between the three led’s indicating that it’s switching.
I did notice that I don’t need to connect the power adapter to use the device as it can pull power from the HDMI port themselves which is great.
I have the HDMI now connected to the monitor here, so one is the PlayStation, another is a DSLR and the third an Amazon Fire-TV Stick.
Tap on the button and there you go it works; I can switch between the three inputs using the button up front
The remote needs a CR2032 battery and it doesn’t come with one, which is a bummer.
I have an old cr2032 battery, let’s see if it works.
It seems to be working, that’s great. So now we can switch between three inputs using the remote. Another remote to lose between the cushions.
So that was an easy way to connect more than one device to a tv with only one HDMI port. It’s fast and easy to use and works without a hitch. This amazon basics version is a bit more pricey, but it supports 4k and has a nice metal build, there are other budget options too which I will include links to in the description.
So that was it, if you have any questions do write in to me at tech@talkingstuff.net or WhatsApp me at 9652578833.
