How to add multiple HDMI inputs to 8K TVs?

 Let’s say you’re enjoying a cozy afternoon in your home watching an action movie on your 8K TV when you suddenly want to play an FPS game on your gaming console. What’s more annoying than you having to stand up and connect your console to your TV, only to find out that you have your NVIDIA Shield and Laptop connected to it? So the next thing you do is unplug one cable just to plug in another one. 

It’s a pretty tedious task, especially if you know that you have to unplug your console again afterward and reconnect the device you removed. All this could be easily addressed by an 8K HDMI switch. An 8K HDMI switch saves you from the need to constantly remove HDMI cables on your 8K TV. Not to mention, protect your 8K TV’s HDMI ports from irreparable damages or expensive repairs. 

Before we discuss the best HDMI switch option for your 8K TV, let’s have a quick discussion on what an HDMI switch is.

What is an HDMI Switch?

HDMI switches are used to connect multiple media devices to your display. Again, TVs usually only have one or two inputs. Investing in a high-quality HDMI switch will allow you to choose any device you want to be displayed on your TV easier and faster.

It’s also important to note that not all HDMI switches are built the same. Some HDMI switches don’t have the capability to transmit the same audio and video signals that your devices transmit. For example, if your Apple TV is trying to transmit 8K video signals to your 8K TV but passes through an HDMI switch that can only support up to 1080p, then your 8K TV will only receive a 1080p video signal. 

Here are more things to consider when getting an HDMI switch. 

1. Number of input ports
   Of course, since you’re getting an HDMI switch to connect multiple devices to your TV, it’s best to consider how many ports you need. Usually, people who use HDMI switchers for gaming, home, or office setups opt to use switches that have 4 inputs.
   
   
2. HDCP Compliance
   HDCP, or High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection, is a technology that’s used to protect copyrighted material. If you use an HDMI switch or any multimedia streaming device that’s not HDCP-compliant, you will not be able to play any protected content. 
   
   
3. Supported resolution
   As we have discussed earlier, for you to fully enjoy the crisp display of your 8K TV, your HDMI switch has to support 8K resolution. Even if you have an 8K TV, but you’re passing your 8K UHD content through an HDMI switch that can only go as high as 1080p, then your 8K TV will only be displaying 1080p. 

As promised, we’ll also be suggesting an 8K HDMI switch that you can rely on for your home, work, or gaming setup. 

OREI BK-401: 4x1 8K HDMI Switch

Let’s start with a quick overview of its technical specifications.

The OREI BK-401 is an HDMI 2.1 switch, which means that it’s equipped with the latest HDMI technology. HDMI 2.1 makes it possible to support higher resolutions and higher frame rates. 

The BK-401 is an HDMI switch that’s capable of transmitting up to 8K @ 60Hz or 4K @ 120Hz. As long as both your input and output devices have the power to transmit video signals this high, there won’t be any problems. This device allows for 4 HDMI inputs so you can feel free to connect your gaming consoles, multimedia streaming devices, and computers. 

For the supported audio formats, the OREI BK-401 is also a device that supports high-quality formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

What’s even better about the OREI BK-401 is that it can also accurately sync audio and video signals so you can enjoy whatever digital content you want to watch. This type of audio and video sync is especially useful for gamers who are planning to use an HDMI switch for their action-packed games where sound cues are just as important as the display. Having said that, the OREI BK-401 may be the best HDMI switch for gaming.

How to set up your OREI BK-401

1. Place all your input devices and your HDMI switch near your TV, or in their designated locations on your TV stand. If you’re placing your devices far apart, make sure your HDMI cable is long enough so you can safely run it to your HDMI switch.
2. Connect all your HDMI input devices to your HDMI switch using HDMI cables. If your input device does not readily support HDMI, consider getting an adapter.
3. Connect the HDMI switch to the power adapter that came with it.
4. Connect your 8K TV to your HDMI switch. Make sure you connect it to the HDMI Output port. 
5. Power up all your devices.

How to choose an input device:

There are two ways to select an input source. You can either do it directly on your HDMI switch or through its remote control.

For the first option, all you have to do to switch the input source is to click a button on your HDMI switch. However, when using this option, you can only switch inputs one at a time. For example, if you’re currently on HDMI Input 1 and you want to switch to HDMI Input 4, you have to click the button on your HDMI switch 3 times, or until you reach your desired input source. 

For the second option, you can use the remote control included in every OREI BK-401 that you purchase. You can remotely turn your HDMI switch on or off through the remote as well. The best advantage of using a remote for your OREI BK-401 is that you can jump from one input to another without having to manually cycle through each source. For example, you can easily jump from HDMI Input 4 to HDMI Input 3 with just a click of a button. Using the remote control for your HDMI switch is undoubtedly the quickest and easiest way to control it.

Overall, the OREI BK-401 is an excellent product with many features. It’s perfect for any type of home setup, plus it’s very easy to use. Purchase your OREI BK-401 now and see for yourself why this should be your first choice for all your streaming, working, and gaming needs. Click here to visit our shop! We have included a full list of all the OREI BK-401’s capabilities in our shop, including more technical information you might want to see before buying one. It has a 1-year warranty, along with lifetime tech support.

Do you want to learn more about HDMI switches? Visit our blog and check out more articles like this!