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Sony SB-HD41R: Review

Posted to Accessories 2010-03-21

The Sony SB-HD41R is a new 4-way HDMI 1.3a compatible selector switch from Sony. It features 3 HDMI inputs on the rear, 1 HDMI input on the front for easy access, and an HDMI output on the rear. The switch offer support for the latest features of the HDMI 1.3 standard, including 36-bit color.

Output of the SB-HD41R can be controlled using 1 of 4 buttons on top of the unit or by using the included IR remote control unit. The switch uses high-grade components throughout, with gold-plated contacts on the switches and HDMI connectors. Its high grade design provides the selector with the ability to process a large amount of high grade signals simultaneously. The unit is constructed using a shielded structure to eliminate outside interference.

Rating:

3.2 out of 5

Features

The SB-HD4R is full 1080p compatible, so it can be used for switching devices such as Blu-ray disc players, HD camcorders, upconverting DVD players and HD game boxes. It supports the latest HDMI 1.3a standards, so it should be able to grow with your home theater system or multimedia center. It's a bit on the pricey side, but switching HDMI signals is not just it matter of mechanical switches - it involves sophisticated electronics capable of operating at high frequencies.

Ergonomics

The SB-HD41R is pricey, but it gets high marks for convenience and usability. The inclusion of set-top buttons as-well-as a remote control unit makes the selector very versatile and its slim design makes placement an easy task. The inclusion of 1 input with front access allows you to easily plug temporary devices like a digital camera with HDMI output or an HD camcorder into the unit. The high-grade design virtually eliminates signal degradation, so your HD image, video or audio quality won't be affected by it.

Summary

If you've run out of HDMI inputs, the SB-HD14R can eliminate the problem for you. It's expensive, but is solves a real problem if you have a need for it. And it does its job without affecting the quality of your HDMI signal. If you're in need of more HDMI outputs, this is one of the highest quality solutions available.

Pros

3 rear inputs, 1 front
4 set-top buttons
Includes remote control
Slim design
Shielded construction

Cons

There are no cons for this product

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Monster Cable MC 500HD-2M : HDMI 500hd 2 Meter Standard Speed HDMI Cable