AVIDGRAM HDMI Switcher & TESmart HDMI Splitter are 2 great devices to capture 1080p while viewing 4K UHD 60Hz
Since I picked up the Samsung TU7000 43′ 4K TV, some things needed to change. If I wanted to take advantage of my TV and Amplifier cross-talking, the TV needed to be connected directly to the output of the amp. The issue with that though is you can’t add a splitter. Most splitters process the picture and don’t let cross-talk to work. This means the TV cannot control the amp. If I was not going to record with the Elgato HD60 S. This would not be a problem. Just connect all my HDMI devices to the amp and the TV to the amp. Problem solved. However, I want my Elgato HD60 S to work. This means the setup needed to be changed.
The Search
There are a few things I wanted on my checklist.
HDMI Switcher
- 4K UHD at 60Hz
- Support HDR10
- Fast switching
- 7.1 Surround Sound
- No ghosting (Monitor Ghosting)
- No overheating issues.
- Affordable.
HDMI Splitter (The same thing really but also this)
- Channel 1: 4K UHD at 60Hz / HDR10 / 7.1 Surround Sound
- Channel 2: 1080P at 60Hz / Stareo
I found the HDMI switch fairly quickly. Looked to be modern and seemed to check off all the boxes. I found the AVIDGRAM Model: AG2SW51X (Amazon.ca) HEADS UP, They changed the link to another type. Unsure if that one works well or not.
The Splitter took a lot longer sifting through sites, and types and most of them did not check all the boxes until I found one. I found the TESmart Model: HSP0102A2U (Amazon.ca).
My Plan
After purchasing both the AVIDGRAM HDMI Switcher & TESmart HDMI Splitter, I needed to set them up. This is my layout.
- All my HDMI devices connect to the AVIDGRAM HDMI Switcher.
- From the AVIDGRAM HDMI Switcher outputs into the TESmart HDMI Splitter.
- From the TESmart HDMI Splitter Channel, 1 goes into the Pioneer VSX-933 HDMI Port 1 and then out to the TV from the Pioneer VSX-933.
- From the TESmart HDMI Splitter Channel, 2 goes into the Elgato HD60 S to capture 1080P
This setup lets me record normally and enjoy 4K.
AVIDGRAM HDMI Switcher Review
AVIDGRAM AG2SW51X is a 4K HDMI 2.0 5.1 switcher.
Specs
- Brand: AVIDGRAM
- Model: AG2SW51X
- Compatible Devices: Projector, Monitor, PC, Television, Blu-ray Player, Xbox One X, Wii U, Raspberry Pi and I am sure a lot more HDMI 2.0 devices.
- Number of Ports: 5
- Product Dimensions: 16 x 6.1 x 1.42 cm; 343 Grams
My Tests
- Power: 5v / 0.1568A | 156mA
- Output 4K UHD at 60Hz
- Does Support: HDR10
- Does Support 7.1 Surround Sound
- No Ghosting (Monitor Ghosting)
- Two: IC: iTE 66353FN | 2105-AWS | A1ATNA
My Notes
- Has a short cord. That’s it. For me, I can make my own cords or a PCB to connect everything to, but for the normal user, this will be the main complaint.
Usually, my notes would be weird issues or problems with the device but it just works.
AVIDGRAM HDMI Switcher Power
AVIDGRAM HDMI Switcher Images
AVIDGRAM HDMI Switcher is using two IC: iTE 66353FN | 2105-AWS | A1ATNA
No schematic that I can find. But there you go.
TESmart HDMI Splitter Review
Specs
- Brand: TESmart
- Model: HSP0102A2U
- Compatible Devices: Projector, Monitor, PC, Television, Blu-ray Player, Xbox One X, Wii U, Raspberry Pi and I am sure a lot more HDMI 2.0 devices.
- Number of Ports: 3. 1-in / 2-out
- Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 5.4 x 2.4 cm; 200 Grams
My Tests
- Power: 5v / 0.0931A | 93mA
- Output 1: 4K UHD at 60Hz
- Output 2: 1080P at 60Hz
- Does Support: HDR10
- Does Support 7.1 Surround Sound
- Ghosting (Monitor Ghosting) None
- IC: CH6001FN | 1945-BWA | A16DQB
My Notes
- When HDR10 games are playable, the Elgato HD60 will not connect.
This is just an issue with the Elgato HD60 not supporting HDR10. So if I want to record, I need to disable HDR10 in supported games. - Connecting the splitter between my Pioneer VSX-933 HDMI output to Samsung TU7000 43″ HDMI Input, the TV thinks a Blu-ray player is connected and both the TV and Amplifier no longer cross talk.
- One device I have does not work on the splitter but does on the switch. My USB-C to HDMI Adapter. It shows the Dex desktop on my Samsung phone for 5 seconds then cuts out and repeats the same thing every 5 seconds. So, unfortunately, I cannot use it with the splitter.
TESmart HDMI Splitter Power
TESmart HDMI Splitter Images
TESmart HDMI Splitter is using two IC: CH6001FN | 1945-BWA | A16DQB
No schematic that I can find. But there you go.
Conclusion
The AVIDGRAM HDMI Switcher is a great choice for HDMI 2.0 4K 60Hz if you don’t mind running the “best and greatest” consoles at slower speeds. AVIDGRAM HDMI Switcher just works out of the box with no problems besides missing feet and having a small power cable. Besides that, the AVIDGRAM HDMI Switcher was worth it for me.
The TESmart HDMI Splitter for the price does exactly what I need it to do. TESmart HDMI Splitter lets me play my games in 4K UHD at 60Hz while still letting my older Elgato HD60 S record what I am doing at 1080P 60Hz. I did get my phone adapter with my S10 to work on this device. Not sure what the issue was but plugging my S8 into the adapter connected to the TESmart and then plugging my 810 back in it would work and still works today. So I have no idea what changed.
Having both the AVIDGRAM HDMI Switcher and TESmart HDMI Splitter running as one seems still snappy to play my games without noticeable lag, flickering, or any ghosting issues. This setup restores how I had my setup before but with better viewing quality which is nice. At least now I don’t need to reach to the back of my Pioneer amp to plug something in. I can just do it below the TV.
I am glad at least I was able to have a 7.1 surround passthrough. I do have ghosting issues but it’s not these devices, it’s my Samsung TU7000 43′ 4K TV that does but I can switch off Picture Clarity Settings and problem solved.
If you’re looking for a similar setup, I recommend it!