| Comects Neptune 4 x 2 HDMI Matrix Switcher |
| Written by John E. Johnson, Jr. |
| Tuesday, 26 July 2011 00:00 |
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Comects is a Hong Kong-based company that makes A/V accessories, including switchers. We have reviewed a few of their products, and at this point, I had stopped reviewing HDMI switchers because most receivers and processors have HDMI input switching built-in. However, the Comects Neptune 4x2 HDMI switcher is unique, in that it has four inputs and two outputs, and you can route any of the four inputs to either of the two outputs, simultaneously (meaning that it is called a "matrix" switcher). So, for example, if you have a satellite box, Blu-ray player, and media server in your home theater, and you also have an HDTV in an adjacent room, you can route the Blu-ray player to the receiver (which forwards the video to your HDTV or projector) in your home theater, while the satellite box or media server is routed to the HDTV in the adjacent room. The unit is priced at $305 USD, with a $30 shipping and handling charge (shipped to USA). This may sound expensive for an HDMI switcher, but matrix switchers involve much more complicated engineering than a single switcher that simply connects a choice of several sources to a single output. I remember looking at a DVI matrix switcher some years ago, before HDMI, and it was several thousand dollars. Looking on several current websites that sell switchers, a 4x4 HDMI matrix switcher was listed at more than $2,000. I did find one 4x2 HDMI switcher for $295, on sale for $99, but can't vouch for its quality without having it here to test. The Neptune includes a 5 volt wall wart and a remote control to select which source you want to be connected to which output. It passes deep color (36 bit) and 3D. The front panel has two buttons to select two inputs out of the four, and which of the two outputs you wish those inputs to be routed to. The HDMI output jacks are located on either end of the unit, and the four HDMI input jacks are on the rear panel. In the photo above, Input 1 has been routed to Output A, and Input 2 has been routed to Output B. In use, the Neptune performed as advertised. It has a signal repeater, so it supplies enough voltage for long HDMI cables (the cable going to the HDTV in the adjacent room). It is a clever accessory that I think would be useful when you have one Blu-ray player and satellite box, but two HDTV displays in separate rooms. Comments (3)
Seems a lot like my switcher
written by Paul , July 26, 2011 I've been using a 4 in, 2 out HDMI switchbox for several years now (my receiver is not HDMI equipped and I did not want to upgrade it back in 2007 when I started to accumulate HDMI sources for my then new PJ and small monitor). It cost me about 130$ shipped and has worked without any problems whatsoever (including the use of one 20 foot and one 25 foot HDMI cable). I don't know if it can handle the latest audio codecs (no way for me to try that out and the literature that came with the unit is not handy) and, of course, it does not allow for 3D output (though I don't really care about that). I also don't get simultaneous output (something that many new receivers seem capable of doing and something that, along with 3D, might well account for some of the price difference between this unit and mine). It is a handy device for anyone not wanting to buy a new AVR just yet. I plan to keep it bundled with my current AVR when it moves to the living room after I upgrade the HT AVR. While I cannot comment on this unit specifically, I can vouch for the usefulness of such a device generally.
I have a similar device
written by Paul , July 26, 2011 Mine is older (no 3D compatibility, no simultaneity) and it cost me a little more than half (in 2007) of the one under review. Can be seen here http://www.connectgear.com/HDMI/HXSW42.htm Has worked flawlessly since then, so I can attest to the usefulness of such a device. If I were getting one today, the Neptune would be of interest for its 3D potential (I have a PS3 that, thanks to its flexible platform and a firmware update, became a 3D player for free) and its simultaneous output would be nice to have. Those two features surely account for some of the price difference (and the full retail, on mine, was a lot closer to the Neptune's price, at any rate). I plan to upgrade my "man-cave" AVR (pretty much settled on the Yamaha RX-A2010, after much research over the past nine months) but my current AVR will go in the living room and my matrix switcher will remain with it. For anyone wanting to extend the life of a non-HDMI AVR (or one with limited inputs/outputs), a device like the Neptune is certainly quite helpful.
3D Would be nice..
written by Tom Foolry , January 12, 2012 Yeah, I've been using some of the older models, mostly, but I'm starting to think that it's about time to upgrade to something like this hdmi matrix. I'm especially looking at getting a 3D compatible one, but I'm not sure if I can justify the price just yet... Write comment
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