您是否有比实际HDMI端口更多的设备连接到电视？在人们经常拥有多个游戏机(game consoles)、蓝光播放器，甚至可能还有一台计算机连接到他们的显示器的世界中，这种情况并不少见。
大多数主流电视(TVs)和显示器都有多个HDMI输入，但有时这还不够。自动HDMI开关可能只是门票，但它们是如何工作的？
什么是HDMI？
HDMI 或高清多媒体接口(High Definition Multimedia Interface )是现代数字显示设备的标准。这是最广泛的连接类型，您可以在从笔记本电脑到游戏机的所有设备上找到它。共有三种连接尺寸：标准、迷你和微型。
迷你(Mini)和微型HDMI连接器通常用于小型设备，例如运动相机，因为它们的机身通常对于笨重的标准(action cameras)HDMI连接器来说太小了。
HDMI电缆传输数字信息。它们携带声音和视频等。这也是一种双向连接。这意味着通过HDMI电缆连接的两个设备可以相互通话。这是自动HDMI切换器的一项重要功能。
简而言之 HDMI 开关
HDMI开关解决了电视上(HDMI)HDMI端口太少的问题。在开关的一侧有一个连接到电视的HDMI输出。(HDMI)在Switch的另一侧，您会发现可以连接控制台或有线电视盒等设备的多个输入端。通过遥控器或物理控件操作开关会改变将哪个设备的信号传递到显示器。
具有自动HDMI切换功能的开关可以检测到哪个设备处于活动状态，然后会自动将输出切换到该设备。如果实施得当，您将永远不必在输入之间手动切换。然而，糟糕的自动开关可能比它们的价值更麻烦。如果他们经常出错，那么简单地使用遥控器或板载控件从一个设备切换到另一个设备就不会那么令人沮丧了。
自动切换如何工作？
由于HDMI是双向通道，因此每个设备都可以主动指示何时发送信号。自动切换器会检测当前处于活动状态 的HDMI电缆并切换到该电缆。(HDMI)
原则上听起来很简单，但这个过程需要一点逻辑。毕竟，您不希望开关在不应该改变输入的时候改变输入。通常(Generally)，自动HDMI切换仅在当前只有一个设备通电并发送信号时才有效。如果您想在多个都在主动传输的设备之间切换，则必须使用遥控器或板载控件手动进行。
具有自动切换功能的电视
您可能根本不需要自动HDMI开关。许多最近的电视型号现在都内置了自动HDMI切换功能。更好的是，如果您不喜欢它，您通常可以在选项中打开或关闭它。高端电视(Higher-end TVs)还包括典型的三个HDMI端口。让您无需使用开关即可连接更多设备。
另请记住，某些设备提供HDMI直通选项。它们都有一个 IN 和OUT端口。例如，Xbox One游戏机与某些蓝光播放器(Blu-ray)一样具有直通功能。像这样将设备链接在一起是另一种节省所需HDMI端口数量的方法。
最好的自动 HDMI 开关
通过对自动HDMI(HDMI)开关如何工作的基本解释，我们可以看看您可以购买的一些实际开关。对于这些开关，每个人都有不同的需求。因此，我们为不同的用例和预算选择了示例，让您对所提供的自动HDMI切换选项有一个很好的了解。
Zettaguard是一款(Zettaguard)非常实惠的4K开关，具有相当中性的风格和丰富的功能。我们立即发现吸引人的一个设计特点是将所有HDMI端口放置在设备的背面。使您可以轻松地进行整洁且不引人注目的设置。
Zettaguard支持最大UHD 60Hz信号，(UHD 60Hz)几乎(Zettaguard)涵盖所有内容。除了 PC 和下一代控制台 120Hz 模式。话又说回来，几乎没有人拥有 4K 120Hz 电视，所以现在这不是主要问题。
最后，很高兴看到画中画功能。当您不想在源之间自动切换，但想同时观看多个时，这是一个很酷的选择。
暂且不说这个开关的品牌名称是“Awake Lion”，而且它的样式看起来像是NES时代的东西，这是一笔了不起的交易。在我们看来，价格低于 50 美元的 4K 60Hz 的五端口交换机是一种偷窃。
该开关的自动切换功能具有记忆功能，重新启动时会回到您上次使用的来源。如果您想自己动手，它确实带有一个丑陋的遥控器，但对于需要连接五个设备的预算有限的人来说，这似乎是一个不错的选择。
事实证明，亚马逊的自有品牌既是一个很好的产品线，又是真正的轻量级产品。这款 3 端口开关非常适合可能只有一个或两个HDMI端口的旧电视。也许是一个 1080p 的单元，它已被移到卧室。
话虽如此，这款开关支持4K输出和自动切换。我们特别喜欢它使用USB电源而不是墙上适配器。大多数电视(TVs)，即使是非智能型号，都有某种USB端口。所以你应该可以选择使用它来为这个开关供电。它很便宜，它是基本的，它会做的工作！
Totu只比亚马逊品牌(Amazon-brand)的交换机多出几美元，它提供四个端口而不是三个。Totu看起来也(Totu)更高级一些，并承诺与一系列HDMI设备具有特别广泛的兼容性。这还包括音频标准的完整列表。
与亚马逊(Amazon)的选项不同，它仍然依赖壁式适配器供电，但考虑到它的价格有多接近以及更高级的构建和功能列表，放弃这一优势是值得的。
乍一看，这个来自（不可发音的） Sgeyr(Sgeyr)的五端口交换机看起来有点像USB集线器。这意味着您可能希望将其隐藏在某个地方，而不是将其作为娱乐设置的一部分公开显示。也就是说，除非你喜欢那种东西。
这款交换机的主要吸引力在于拥有 5 个带自动切换功能的端口，价格仅为 30 美元。但是，需要注意的是，这是一款较旧的 HDMI 1.4 产品。所以 4K 内容被限制在 30Hz。这使得它成为 4K 游戏的禁忌，但在更高的刷新率下输出 1080p 则完全没问题。
切换它
虽然自动HDMI切换并不是最具革命性的技术，但它只是一项可以让您的生活更轻松的小功能。这一切都增加了每个人都应该享受的现代生活的便利。现在，如果我们能想办法让遥控器从你忘记它的地方飞过来就好了。也许某种远程无人机混合动力？
How Automatic HDMI Switching Works
Dо yoυ haνe more dеvices to connect to your TV than actual HDMI ports? In a world where people often have multiple game consoles, Blu-ray players and perhaps even a computer to connect to their display, that’s not uncommon.
Most mainstream TVs and monitors have multiple HDMI inputs, but sometimes it’s just not enough. An automatic HDMI switch might be just the ticket, but how do they work?
What is HDMI?
HDMI or High Definition Multimedia Interface is a standard for modern digital display devices. It’s the most widespread type of connection and you’ll find it on everything from laptops to game consoles. There are three connection sizes: standard, mini and micro.
Mini and micro HDMI connectors are usually found on small devices such as action cameras, since their bodies are often too small for the chunky standard HDMI connector.
HDMI cables carry digital information. They carry both sound and video, among other things. It’s also a two-way connection. Which means that both devices connected by an HDMI cable can speak to each other. That’s an important feature when it comes to automatic HDMI switches.
HDMI Switches in a Nutshell
HDMI switches solve the problem of having too few HDMI ports on your TV. On one side of the switch there’s a single HDMI output, which connects to the TV. On the other side of the Switch, you’ll find multiple inputs where devices like consoles or cable boxes can be connected. Operating the switch via its remote or physical controls changes which device’s signal is passed on to the display.
Switches that feature automatic HDMI switching can detect which device is active and then will switch the output to that device automatically. If it’s implemented well, you’ll never have to manually switch between inputs. However, bad automatic switches can be more trouble than they’re worth. If they constantly get it wrong, it’s much less frustrating to simply use a remote or onboard control to change from one device to the other.
How Does Automatic Switching Work?
Because HDMI is a two-way street, it makes it possible for each device to actively indicate when it’s sending a signal. An automatic switcher detects which HDMI cable is currently active and switches to that one.
It sounds simple in principle, but there needs to be a little but of logic to the process. After all, you don’t want the switch changing inputs when it shouldn’t. Generally automatic HDMI switching only works if just one device is currently powered on and sending a signal. If you want to switch between multiple devices that are all transmitting actively, you’ll have to do it manually using the remote or onboard control.
TVs With Automatic Switching
You might not need an automatic HDMI switch at all. Many recent TV models now include an automatic HDMI switching function built in. Even better, you can often turn this on or off in the options if you don’t like it. Higher-end TVs also include more than the typical three HDMI ports. Letting you hook up more devices without having to employ a switch.
Also keep in mind that some devices offer an HDMI passthrough option. They have both an IN and OUT port. For example, Xbox One consoles feature such a passthrough as do some Blu-ray players. Chaining devices together like this is another way to save on the number of HDMI ports you need.
The Best Automatic HDMI Switches
With that basic explanation of how automatic HDMI switches work out of the way, we can look at some actual switches you can buy. Every person has different needs when it comes to these switches. So we’ve chosen examples for different use cases and budgets, to give you a good idea of the automatic HDMI switch options on offer.
The Zettaguard is a very affordable 4K switch that has fairly neutral styling and plenty of features. One design feature we immediately found attractive is the placement of all HDMI ports on the back of the unit. Making it easy to have a neat and unobtrusive setup.
The Zettaguard supports a maximum UHD 60Hz signal, which covers just about everything. With the exception of PCs and next-generation console 120Hz modes. Then again, hardly anyone has a 4K 120Hz TV, so it’s not a major issue right now.
Finally, it’s nice to see a picture-in-picture function. When you don’t want to switch automatically between sources, but want to watch more than one at once, it’s a cool option to have.
Setting aside for a minute that the brand name of this switch is “Awake Lion” and that it’s styled to look like something from the NES era, it’s an amazing deal. A five-port switch with 4K 60Hz for under $50 is a steal in our view.
The automatic switching function of this switch has a memory function, where it will go back to the last source you used when restarted. It does come with a ugly remote control if you want to take matters into your own hands, but for anyone on a budget who needs to connect five devices, it seems like a fine choice.
Amazon’s house brand has proven to be both a good line of products and genuinely light on the wallet. This 3-port switch is perfect for older TVs that may have only one or two HDMI ports. Perhaps a 1080p unit that’s been moved to a bedroom.
That being said, this switch supports 4K output and automatic switching. We especially like that it uses USB power rather than a wall adapter. Most TVs, even non-smart models, have a USB port of some sort. So you should have the option of using that to power this switch. It’s cheap, it’s basic, and it will do the job!
Coming in at just a few dollars more than the Amazon-brand switch, the Totu offers four ports rather than three. The Totu looks a bit more premium as well and promises especially wide compatibility with a range of HDMI devices. This also includes a comprehensive list of audio standards.
Unlike the Amazon option, this still relies on a wall adapter for power, but given how close it is in price and the significantly more premium build and feature list, it’s worth giving up that advantage.
This five-port switch from the (unpronounceable) Sgeyr looks quite a bit like a USB hub at first glance. Which means you’ll probably want to hide it away somewhere rather than display it openly as part of your entertainment setup. That is, unless you like that sort of thing.
The main appeal of this switch is having five ports with auto-switching for only $30. However, the caveat is that this is an older HDMI 1.4 product. So 4K content is limited to 30Hz. That makes it a no-no for 4K gaming, but perfectly fine for 1080p output at higher refresh rates.
Switching it Up
While automatic HDMI switching isn’t the most revolutionary technology, it’s just one more small feature that can make your life easier. It all adds up to the convenience of modern life everyone should enjoy. Now if only we can figure out a way to get the remote control to fly over from where you forgot it. Maybe some sort of remote drone hybrid?
