Hi all,
Not sure how many will be interested in this but I'll post just in case!
I have recently been looking for an HDMI/ethernet matrix switch.
Obviously I live in Aus and there's not so much info about these (at least for us DIY'ers). Hence my post.
My desire was to have 4 inputs- Foxtel IQ2 x 2, PS3 and DVD player. 4 outputs to TVs of various types (1 via an HDMI receiver).
I ended up opting for the HDAnywhere for a few reasons:
1. Can share internet as well as video (saves me running 2 different sets of cabling thru house)
2. Only needs 1 cable rather than 2 to each receiver
3. IR repeater said to work with foxtel IQ2 remote
4. Reasonable cost (you can easily pay > $3000 AUD for a 4x4 matrix here). Sure its not cheap either though.
5. Seems to look OK, making it more likely to meet with spousal approval.
6. Power over ethernet eliminates the problem with plugs being the wrong type for Aus, or voltage issues with a US manufacturer.
So now that it's arrived, here's my impression:
Cost - AU$2350 including delivery. At first UK VAT was appearing on the invoice, but after a couple of emails this was rectified. I went for 3 of the standard receivers and 1 wall plate. The wall plate is a bit bigger than the Aus standard, but just cut as small a hole as possible and you could still cover it with an Aus wall plate at a later date if you took the HDanywhere out.
Response to emails/queries - Very good so far. Had a small issue getting VAT removed from order but was sorted pretty quickly.
Delivery - Pretty quick- arrived not much more than a week after order. Outside packaging box looked a little battered but inside that the units were very well packed/cushioned so now damage.
Appearance - The units do look nice, brushed aluminium. 1 quibble, the blue LEDs on the front could be a little dimmer. Will have to obscure it in some way.
Functionality - Here's the best bit, it just does what it's supposed to. Setup is very easy, just plug it in. No hassles with handshaking etc, it just works. At present my longest cable run is 15m over rather beaten up Cat5E stranded cable. The 1080p transmits fine. Should be better once I get my permanent solid Cat6A cabling in. The remotes work fine with foxtel IQ2, which had been a concern as apparently foxtel can be fussy with IR extenders etc. In terms of power, just needed to replace the UK power cable with an Aus variety, same sort as is used for PCs and laptop chargers so didn't even need to buy one as I had an old one lying around. Otherwise you could use a plug converter (UK to Aus) as the voltage is no different.
Overall - 10/10 - Very happy so far. Small quibbles are the over-bright LEDs, and less stickiness than I'd like on the pads to attach the IR transmitters to their targets. Pretty minor.
Not sure how many will be interested in this but I'll post just in case!
I have recently been looking for an HDMI/ethernet matrix switch.
Obviously I live in Aus and there's not so much info about these (at least for us DIY'ers). Hence my post.
My desire was to have 4 inputs- Foxtel IQ2 x 2, PS3 and DVD player. 4 outputs to TVs of various types (1 via an HDMI receiver).
I ended up opting for the HDAnywhere for a few reasons:
1. Can share internet as well as video (saves me running 2 different sets of cabling thru house)
2. Only needs 1 cable rather than 2 to each receiver
3. IR repeater said to work with foxtel IQ2 remote
4. Reasonable cost (you can easily pay > $3000 AUD for a 4x4 matrix here). Sure its not cheap either though.
5. Seems to look OK, making it more likely to meet with spousal approval.
6. Power over ethernet eliminates the problem with plugs being the wrong type for Aus, or voltage issues with a US manufacturer.
So now that it's arrived, here's my impression:
Cost - AU$2350 including delivery. At first UK VAT was appearing on the invoice, but after a couple of emails this was rectified. I went for 3 of the standard receivers and 1 wall plate. The wall plate is a bit bigger than the Aus standard, but just cut as small a hole as possible and you could still cover it with an Aus wall plate at a later date if you took the HDanywhere out.
Response to emails/queries - Very good so far. Had a small issue getting VAT removed from order but was sorted pretty quickly.
Delivery - Pretty quick- arrived not much more than a week after order. Outside packaging box looked a little battered but inside that the units were very well packed/cushioned so now damage.
Appearance - The units do look nice, brushed aluminium. 1 quibble, the blue LEDs on the front could be a little dimmer. Will have to obscure it in some way.
Functionality - Here's the best bit, it just does what it's supposed to. Setup is very easy, just plug it in. No hassles with handshaking etc, it just works. At present my longest cable run is 15m over rather beaten up Cat5E stranded cable. The 1080p transmits fine. Should be better once I get my permanent solid Cat6A cabling in. The remotes work fine with foxtel IQ2, which had been a concern as apparently foxtel can be fussy with IR extenders etc. In terms of power, just needed to replace the UK power cable with an Aus variety, same sort as is used for PCs and laptop chargers so didn't even need to buy one as I had an old one lying around. Otherwise you could use a plug converter (UK to Aus) as the voltage is no different.
Overall - 10/10 - Very happy so far. Small quibbles are the over-bright LEDs, and less stickiness than I'd like on the pads to attach the IR transmitters to their targets. Pretty minor.