OPPO HM-31 Advanced HDMI 1.3 and 1080p Switch
by OPPO Digital
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Our Price: $949.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of OPPO HM-31 Advanced HDMI 1.3 and 1080p Switch
Customer Review: Reliable, simple, up-to-date (i.e., "current") HDMI switcher (1.3 compliant)
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought both an Oppo HDMI switcher (this review) and an Oppo DVD player, and they both work very well.
This switcher is essential for slightly older HDTVs (like mine; two years old is now "old" in HDTV (sniff, sniff)!!) that have only one HDMI input. Today's models typically have three HDMI inputs!! So unless you want to constantly change the HDMI input cable on your TV whenever you switch from one source (e.g., cable box) to another (e.g., DVD player), you need an HDMI "switcher" (or "switch box"). Oppo's switcher accepts three HDMI cables as inputs, and then routes them all (only one at a time) to one HDMI input on your HDTV. You can "switch" from one HDMI source to another by either pushing a button on the front of the switcher, or using the small, included remote to do same. (I keep the remote hidden away, as I have small kids who could easily abscond with it to that unknown place where kids takes parents' items, never to be seen again.) In short, this is THE switcher (switch box) to get if you have multiple HDMI sources but only a one-HDMI-input HDTV.
For those not current on HDTV hardware, HDMI is fast becoming the standard, all-in-one digital cable for hi-def signals. It takes a digital signal from a digital source (like a current cable box, satellite dish or upconverting DVD player) and transfers it digitally to the HDTV; no muss, no fuss, and very little strain on the inner hardware of your HDTV. Most other cables (like the annoying five-wire component cables (3 for video signals and two for audio signals)) actually accept an analog (i.e., "old style") signal from a digital source and send that to the HDTV, which must then translate the signal back into digital, thereby degrading (in varying degrees) the original digital signal AND making the HDTV do a lot of internal work with its own hard drive to present the signal (to the best of its capabilities) in hi-def. So bottom line: use HDMI for the clearest, cleanest digital signal transfer to your HDTV whenever available (and the cables need NOT be high-priced Monster cables; more on that below).
Now, one further caveat: not all HDTV cables and switches are the same. The industry body that created HDMI occasionally updates the technology. First came HDMI 1.1, then 1.2 and most recently, 1.3. Granted, the updates/improvements are modest to the regular viewer's eyes and ears, but they nonetheless exist, so at this time (December 2007), you want to get an HDMI 1.3-compliant cable and (when necessary) switcher whenever possible. Bottom line: this switcher is fully 1.3 compliant (Oppo takes this stuff very seriously and apparently prides itself on same), so it is the most current switcher out there.
And P.S.: in my experience, Monster cables do no better than other, less expensive HDMI cables. Just make sure that whatever HDMI cables you get and use, that they are HDMI 1.3 "compliant" (or "certified").
CONCLUSION: simple, niche product, but current with latest, HDMI 1.3 standards and made by a reliable, serious, hi-tech company that makes only the best when it makes a product. Well worth the price if you have an HDTV with one HDMI input but you have multiple HDMI sources.
Customer Review: Great HDMI Switch!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Well, as most have said, this HDMI Switch is as good as it gets. VERY easy to set up, takes all of maybe five minutes. No need to configure anything on it. I truly love this thing. For those with a AV Receiver with only 2 HDMI in's (like myself), this can add an extra 2 HDMI in's if you really need them! This has 3 HDMI in's, and 1 HDMI out; which needs to go into and HDMI in on your receiver. Since I have 2 HDMI's in, this Switch takes one up, however it still leaves me with the 2nd HDMI in on my receiver, as well as the 3 on this unit. I currently only have 3 things that I need HDMI for, so it's nice to know I've still got an open one if need be. If someone really felt inclined, and lets say had 2 HDMI in's on there receiver, two of these units would allow you to have 6 HDMI in's, which should be enough for ANYTHING one might need!
I use this with an HK AVR-347 Receiver, which has 2 HDMI in/ 1 HDMI out. I have Comcast HD-DVR cable box, PS3, and Toshiba A-30 HD player, all which I run via HDMI. Being that my AVR-347 only has 2 HDMI's, it caused me to have to use more cables, and pretty much constantly tweak settings and have to make adjustments etc. I could run HDMI from the cable box straight to the TV, but then I would have to run an Optical/Coax from the cable box to the 347, and it just created more work etc. Got the PS3 running into slot 1, the Toshiba A-30 running into slot 2, and Comcast HD DVR into slot 3. (Slot 3 is the slot meant for Cable boxes etc, something to do with how they always give off a slight signal even when off, regardless, just followed the advice of others who have posted, and I can say it works like a charm.
Just leave the AVR-347 set on Input HDMI 1, and the TV's input on HDMI 1 as well. This Switch does everything automatically! Turn the PS3 on, and BAM, switches to that input right away. Turn it off, and switch to Cable box, and right away automatically selects the correct input (Input 3 BTW).
If you are looking to add some HDMI inputs to your setup, look no further, this is it. Have had ZERO issues with lip sync issues adding this switch into my setup, and no picture quality issues as well.
Only thing I can think of, and I have not run into this yet, is if I were say watching a Blu Ray on the PS3, and then a show I had scheduled in the DVR caused the DVR to switch on to record the show, not sure if it would cause a problem? I'm sure somebody has encountered that, so I'll look for the info, but even if that did cause a problem, this unit is still one of the best pieces of equipment I have ever purchased!.
Customer Review: Great little device!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have a dedicated home theater with a myriad of a/v gear that was mostly pre HDMI connectivity. My projector has a single HDMI input, which is used for my HD DVD player and my HD DVR outputs to it by a DVI. I just upgraded HD DVR to a different company and the new one has HDMI outputs so I needed another input for the projector because I want to keep using my old DVR for over the air broadcasts (my new one doesn't have that capability). Therefore a HDMI switchbox made the connectivity work for me.
My requirements were:
1. 3 HDMI outputs or more
2. HDMI 1.3 capabilities
3. Auto switching so I can tuck it out of sight
This unit has all three, plus the added bonus of remote control should you need to manually select the input. I looked at the Radiient and Purelink as well as Terk but decided to give this unit a try due to the generally good reviews of other Oppo products in the a/v literature. It also was priced significantly lower that the higher-end Radiient and Purelink.
First let me say that set-up is a breeze. I used the excellent HDMI Inspire 1080p (6.6ft) 2M HDMI PS3 Cable 1.3b Certified and I was up and running in 5 minutes. I hooked my HD DVD into input one as the highest priority since it will only be powered on when watching a movie, and my DVR into input two so it will be displayed when the HD DVD is not in use.
The box works as advertised providing seamless transitions from source to source. There is no noticable degredation of video quality on my 110" projected display. It does what it is supposed to do without a hiccup. I still have one extra input which may be used for a Blu-ray someday maybe.
Now, if I could ask for a few more things on this, or any other switchbox, it would be the following:
1. Include optical audio with the inputs so those of us using separate surround sound processors and projectors can send the audio portion of the signal to a separate component.
2. Include a DVI input for those with multiple type sources.
3. Make a locking device so that the cables, which can be weighty or at certain angles can pull out without a positive "lock".
I highly recommend this product and at this price it just can't be beat.
Customer Review: Great Switch if your want a custom look.
Summary: 5 Stars
The Oppo HM-31 is the best-looking HDMI switcher I ever had. The top of the switcher is black brushed metal, and the front and sides have a glossy black look. There are three LED lights to indicate which source is selected, plus an additional LED to indicate power. To the right is a Select button, so you can toggle through the inputs if the remote goes missing. It's tough to make something as utilitarian as an HDMI switcher look good, but Oppo pulls it off. The included remote is a weakness, as it has the slim, credit-card-style design, although we appreciate the separate buttons for each input. I definitely prefer full-size remote.
The three inputs and one output will allow you to switch between three connected devices. As mentioned above, there are discrete remote codes for each input, which make it easier to program with a universal remote, and universal remotes make it much easier to integrate an HDMI switcher into your home theater setup. For example, with an activity-based universal remote such as a Logitech Harmony, you can simply select Watch TV and it will change the respective inputs on the switcher, the TV, and the AV receiver without your needing to remember which input is which. Unlike most of my other switchers, the HM-31 does include some custom installer-friendly features such as an RS-232 port and an IR input.
The Oppo performed as advertised. The HM-31 is one of the few switchers with an HDMI certified port, although we found that the HDMI version didn't have a real impact on performance. IT had no problem passing 1080p/24 video along with DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks in bitstream format. The speed of switches was pretty quick about 4 seconds which was more than acceptable for me.
Great little switch
Customer Review: Very pleased
Summary: 5 Stars
This is my first review (that's how inspired I am by this product), and I am not a "tech" person.
I bought this product based on a review written by Jeffhdz and I am very satisfied. The product works well and was very easy to install. I needed a switch for the same reason as he did - additional HDMI input ports. His set-up is very similar to mine. I have an A/V receiver with 2 inputs which were being used by a satellite receiver (HD_DVR) and cable box (also HD_DVR). I was purchasing a Sony BluRay and discovered that I would need another HDMI input. Someone suggested a HDMI switch. I came to Amazon and saw Jeffhdz's review. I am not a tech person, but even I understood his review. The switch works like a charm. The picture is beautiful. Just one word of caution. I also have a H659 Harmony remote. The autoswitching mentioned in his review did not work for my components. However, I called OPPO. They were very nice. The gentleman explained that some BluRays are always on although the machine is technically off. This low grade signal makes the OPPO switch think the device is actually on and therefore, doesn't automatically switch. No problem, OPPO added its device to the Logitech database under Amplifier - audio/video switch. I reprogramed the Harmony which took about 5 minutes. Everything works wonderfully. I press Watch a Movie, the OPPO switches to the right port; I press Watch Cable and the OPPO switches to correct port. All in all I am very pleased. If you do buy this product and are hooking up a cable box be sure to use port 3 as suggested by Jeffhdz and OPPO.
Thank you Jeffhdz and OPPO.