Video Asylum

Posted by Joe Murphy Jr (A) on November 22, 2003 at 14:25:34

In Reply to: DVI Question posted by Bill Z on November 22, 2003 at 11:24:13:

There are a few DVI-HDCP switchers available or soon to be available. The price ranges from $200 to $400+ depending on the brand and how many sources you want to be able to switch (2 sources or 4 sources).

Whichever one you decide on, should you decide to get one, make sure it is HDCP compliant. If it's not, it may soon be worthless -- regardless of price.

These boxes are or will soon be available from Gefen and Pacific Cable, among others. Another possible option, though it may not be available for a few months, is an STB with a DVI input. Some of Samsung's STBs have firewire input capability, so DVI input capability shouldn't be far off.

One small problem with any switcher. The levels coming off the sources may not match. Then, if you calibrate your display, you need to be sure that the DVI signals conform to the same standards. There's the digital video standard (CCIR 601, 16 - 235 from black to white, allows for below black and above white) and the digital PC standard (0 - 255 for black to white, no below bkack and no above white).

Here are a few DVI switchers:

http://www.pacificable.com/DVI_Switch.html

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/products/switchers.jsp