Review: XCM HDMI/DVI Crossover Selector

[bandit]

XCM HDMI/DVI Crossover Selector
Manufacturer: XCM
Site: Buy from Play-Asia (http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-38tr-71-120-77-5-49-en-15-xcm-84-j-70-26gu-43-bm.html) / Buy from Goldenshop (http://www.goldenshop.com.hk/AI-trad/psx3/hdmidviselect.htm)
Price: $49.00-$69.99


http://www.goldenshop.com.hk/AI-trad/psx3/hard/hdmidviselect.jpg

Overview : A 5 in 1 video selector: 4 HDMI and 1 DVI input with 1 HDMI and 1 DVI output. Also features a unique extra audio plug and socket to connect to a loudspeaker.

Play any HDMI or DVI source at 1080p on your compatible TV or PC with this plug and play selector with unique features like being able to connect to an amplifier and extra speakers for perfect sound matching the quality of the image, or the included DVI-HDMI converter.

Features :
Input: 4 * HDMI, 1 * DVI
Output: 1 * HDMI, 1 * DVI
DVI-HDMI converter included
Easy to set up
Compatible with HD Televisions
Compatible with VGA/PC screens
Audio socket to connect to amplifier/extra speakers
1080p resolutionQuality/Usability : The XCM HDMI/DVI Crossover Selector is designed to allow you to toggle between four (4) HDMI and one (1) DVI. If you havent noticed, as more and more devices such as HDTV's, HD cable, satellite boxes, DVD players (Blu-Ray and HD-DVD), they are now incorporating HDMI and DVI. As more people get into high def, they will have more and more devices but are only limited to a certain amount of inputs on their devices.

The selector is made of durable plastic. The top of the Crossover Selector has five switches (4-HDMI, 1-DVI). On the right and left side is a HDMI IN and Left and Right Audio IN. The front has two HDMI IN and L & R Audio IN as well as a DVI IN and L & R Audio IN. The back has a DC IN to plug the AC adapter into and a HDMI OUT and L & R Audio OUT. This is connected to your TV/monitor.

Setup is plug-and-play. Simply plug in the cables, select the port and you're good to go! If you have more than one device that uses DVI, you can also use those DVI devices so as long you use the appropriate adapter. If your monitor uses DVI, the Crossover Selector comes with a DVI to HDMI adapter so you can connect it to the device. When a device is in use, an LED is lit up to let you know which one is in use.

Testing with a Sony PlayStation 3, XBox 360 Elite and HD-DVD Player and a Dell PC that uses DVI, all devices switched without a problem. I did not notice any quality downgrade. Even upconverted DVDs worked without a problem. What makes the Crossover Selector stand out from some of the HDMI selectors is that you are able to connect audio cables to the selector.


Connecting to TV
http://www.youtube.com/v/QhKOIBD0ql0

Connecting to monitor
http://www.youtube.com/v/irdoe_SG__Q

Conclusion : Overall, the XCM HDMI/DVI Crossover Selector worked flawlessly. The ability to connect audio cables to the selector and to a home theater system is a big plus in our books. It would have been nice if it included a remote that lets you switch between the devices instead of having to manually switch to the device you want to use. Those who live in the US or outside of Europe will need to power adapter converter that will fit their outlet. The included power plug has three prongs.

Images via comments

[bandit]

Whoops...didnt set video permission. It is now viewable!

[sulk]

I have a VGA monitor, and i was wondering if you could use the HDMI-DVI adapter and put a DVI-VGA adapter on it and have it work on VGA monitors?

Just would mean that I could buy this now, and still use it later down the line when I get rid of my VGA monitor.

If not then I guess I'll just have to use the XCM component to VGA.

[bandit]

I have a VGA monitor, and i was wondering if you could use the HDMI-DVI adapter and put a DVI-VGA adapter on it and have it work on VGA monitors?

Just would mean that I could buy this now, and still use it later down the line when I get rid of my VGA monitor.

If not then I guess I'll just have to use the XCM component to VGA.
I dont see why it wont work. So as long the DVI is a female (no pins) plug on the DVI-VGA. Then again, I could be wrong as I havent tried this setup.

[Nicko01]

I got a free cable off of tigerdirect.com that is HDMI to DVI-D, which i use to put my PS3 on my computer monitor. You could just use that and get a cheap DVI-D to VGA adaptor.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1776685&CatId=467
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1185185&CatId=1638

The price went up to $15 for the the cable that i got for free, but there is what you need at a total of around $25.
Much cheaper.

[bandit]

I got a free cable off of tigerdirect.com that is HDMI to DVI-D, which i use to put my PS3 on my computer monitor. You could just use that and get a cheap DVI-D to VGA adaptor.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1776685&CatId=467
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1185185&CatId=1638

The price went up to $15 for the the cable that i got for free, but there is what you need at a total of around $25.
Much cheaper.
Those items are wayyyyy overpriced. You can get cables and adapters for more than half the price TigerDirect is selling. Those looking to get cables for really cheap even with shipping included, go to http://www.monoprice.com

[sulk]

Well I just looked around, and I dont think that there is a HDMI -> DVI-I cable around.

All the cables I saw only were DVI-D, which only has the digital portion of DVI.

I always thought that HDMI sent basically a DVI signal along with audio, but looking now it seems that it doesn't send the anlaog portion of a DVI cable, so there's basically no way to do it via cables. Other then the HDfury, and I'm not willing to pay 180 for one of those.

So yea, looks like that only way that I'm gonna do it is by using the xcm component to vga converter.

[rafelsr]

Hello, my tv is a Philips 32pf5320, and it have only one dvi with minijack 3,5mm audio. I suppose that I should connect the switch to tv with cable dvi-dvi (or hdmi-dvi) and audio with rca-minijack. PS3, dvd, XBOX360..to the switch with hdmi. My question is if I only need hdmis to listen the devices in my tv or I have to plug rca from every device. Sorry my english, I'm spanish. Thanks

[bandit]

Hello, my tv is a Philips 32pf5320, and it have only one dvi with minijack 3,5mm audio. I suppose that I should connect the switch to tv with cable dvi-dvi (or hdmi-dvi) and audio with rca-minijack. PS3, dvd, XBOX360..to the switch with hdmi. My question is if I only need hdmis to listen the devices in my tv or I have to plug rca from every device. Sorry my english, I'm spanish. Thanks
DVI does not output sound so you'll need audio from speakers. If connecting devices to selector via HDMI, you only need one speaker/amplifier.

[rafelsr]

Thanks for answer. I know that dvi does not output audio, for that I connect rca-minijack from switch to tv. But the PS3 or any device that I connected with hdmi, have sound without rca (only with hdmi)?. I upload an image. Thanks

[sulk]

I'd assume that it would get audio from the hdmi cable, but looking at the diagrams it looks like the only way to get audio is through the analog cable. Not through the hdmi. Kinda weird.

But I guess bandit would know for sure since he reviewed it.

[bandit]

Thanks for answer. I know that dvi does not output audio, for that I connect rca-minijack from switch to tv. But the PS3 or any device that I connected with hdmi, have sound without rca (only with hdmi)?. I upload an image. Thanks
Yes, that is correct. No RCA is needed if you connect the system to the selector via HDMI.

I'd assume that it would get audio from the hdmi cable, but looking at the diagrams it looks like the only way to get audio is through the analog cable. Not through the hdmi. Kinda weird.

But I guess bandit would know for sure since he reviewed it.
Yes, it gets audio from HDMI.

[jedijawn]

Does anybody know if this works on a non-hdcp dvi monitor? Say and Apple Cinema HD display??

[OOHJIMMY]

Can anyone post up a link showing me where i can buy my speakers for the PS3?

i bought Genius SW-5.1 1000 surround System which happens not to work :/

Can anyone make my surround system to work?
it has 3 plugs to plug in to but the XCM only has 2 (red and white) so i plugged it in and nothing happened do i need extra things to help support it to make it work?


(link)http://www.buy.com/prod/genius-sw-5-1-1000-25-watt-6-piece-speaker-system-for-pc-genius-sw-5-1/q/loc/101/204901669.html

i'm actually pretty stressed that i wasted time and money for this but it's definitely worth it. in the future.