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Question: Most confusing reviews I have ever read. Does this unit need a power supply for the remote to work or not?
Document: A read-through of reviews reveals that sometimes this thing will work, other times it won't. Mine was one of the ones that won't. When connected, mine worked a few minutes with my DVD/VHS combo, and not at all with my new Blu-ray player. After 30 seconds with the combo unit plugged in, I started to see intermittant green flashes, then video worked, then did not work, then worked, then didn't work... and then just stayed not-working.
Just what I needed. I love the auto-switching function. I haven't had it for very long, so I cannot comment on longevity. I have no use for the remote or IR sensor, so I don't now if those work. I'm very puzzled as to why it came with a connection for a power supply as these items don't need it. Overall, this is perfect. I love the small size.
Our PS/3 supplies plenty of power through its HDMI port to cause the LEDs to light and the remote and manual switch button work fine when it is turned on. But we don't want to leave the PS/3 on all the time and our small Comcast digital adapter doesn't supply enough power to run the switch fully - a 5 volt supply which is not included with the unit is necessary to use the switch when only the Comcast adapter is on.
Although the write up for this product states that no power supply is required, the unit requires an additional 5vDC power supply to work as an automatic switch and that was not included with the unit or offered as an optional extra,  I have not installed it as yet and the instructions state that it will work on manual without the power supply, but since I wanted the option to have it work automatically as well an manually, I will have to scrounge up a power supply somewhere.
I selected it mainly because:1. It has 3 ins to 1 out, which is what I required for my system.2. It has IR control capability, with discrete commands for each input already present in the Harmony Remote database.3. Reviews stated it did not require an external power supply (in spite of the 5VDC in present on it).4. VERY reasonable price, and Prime-eligibleI now have it installed and it is meeting/exceeding all my expectations.
I needed a switch to handle my expanded hdmi input setup, however, I had read several reviews stating the problems with motorola cable boxes. This switch worked without a problem and switched between the motorola box, xbox 360 and ps3 very smoothly. Another plus is the price. There is no need to pay for expensive solutions when this one provides a quick and easy answer for additional hdmi ports.
Very convenient!-Remote control + receiver included.-Attractive and minimal design.-The unit is able to operate drawing on power solely from the attached HDMI cables. (It has a power supply input for DC5V but did not come with a power supply. )Important details on how it functions:-If you are currently one one input (say a PC) and power on a second (a PS3) it will not automatically switch to the newly powered on PS3.
I bought this on the assumption that it would work as described. It does not.The problems I had were the following1. In order for the remote to work, you need to be very close. If not, the remote is useless2. In order for the switching to work, you need to walk up to the unit and press the select button which defeats the purpose of a remote.3.
Remote only worked when within inches of switch. Replaced remote battery to no avail.The battery came out scratched, as if an interior part was out of place. The unit did work when switched manually. Reception to my TV was slightly patchy, but this may have been the fault of a streaming unit which needed driver updates. I have found a way to do away with one HDMI cable and no longer need the switch, but will update this review if I find a use for it.
We have an HDTV with only a single HDMI input, and several devices with HDMI output including a PS3, and Apple TV and a computer. We had had another similar device which stopped working after a year (and was a bit dodgy before that). This one works so far.The remote doesn't work unless you also buy a separate power supply. We haven't done that, so no remote for us. Which is okay, we have waaaay to many remotes as it is.
Answer: No it does not. But I wish I had spent A little more money and got a better one.