Thankfully, the days when televisions had a single input are fading into the distant past. With the average consumer today fully expected to own a DVD player, a gaming system (or two), a cable box, DVR, et cetera, the backs of most new TVs have enough plugs and ports to rival a 1970's synthesizer.

Unfortunately, most TVs still come with a single HDMI port or, if you're lucky, two. Sure, you could hook up your Hi-Def devices via S-Video or Component. But if you shelled out the money for an upscaling DVD player or an X-Box 360, you really should be getting the picture quality you paid for, which is only going to happen with HDMI. And if your TV has a single port, and you've got more than one device, the only solution, just like in the days of analogue TV, is the switcher box.

IOGEAR's latest four port HDMI switch is a strong step up from their two-port offering, adding a small remote, in addition to doubling the number of ports, for a price increase of just $20 over the two-port option. Unfortunately, at $189, the four port switch is probably the better value than its smaller sibling, it still ain't cheap. Similar HDMI switches can be had for a lot less, if you're just looking for a cheap fix.

This switch, though, offers a host of features many cheaper switches lack. First off, the switch supports HDMI 1.3, and is fully HDCP-compliant, meaning it won't likely become obsolete, at least for a while, and will probably play well with any HDMI device you might decide to buy over the next few years.

Also, aside from the remote, which will let you toggle through HD goodness to your heart's content, the IOGEAR switch is also automatic. So when finish watching 300, and maybe want to hit up some Halo, all you have to do is switch on your X-Box, and the HDMI box will do the rest, sensing the new source, and switching over so you can get your frag on. IOGEAR was also thoughtful enough to include an HDMI cable in the package, so you won't be tempted to run out to your local electronics store and spend way, way, way too much money for a cable that can be bought for a few bucks online.

It's also worth noting that the IOGEAR switch looks a lot nicer than budget switches as well, because the last thing you want staring you in the face while you're watching a 1080p Michael Bay explosion-fest on your $4k plasma is a cheap-looking, ugly little box. The angled lines and blue LEDs of the IOGEAR switch look equally at home next to a PS3 or on top of a TIVO.

There clearly are cheaper options to expand your HDMI inputs, but $189 (or way less) gets you extra HDMI in top-of-the line style, the convenience of a remote, and smooth aesthetics that won't look out of place next to a several-thousand-dollar HDTV setup. Try doing all that with a $50 black box from Monoprice. The IOGEAR 4 Port Automatic HDMI Switch is available now.

Post by Matt Safford