“XtremeMac’s four port HDMI switcher is designed with the Apple TV in mind, but works with any game consoles, cable and satellite set top boxes, DVD and HD disc players, and other equipment supporting the High Definition Multimedia Interface port. XtremeMac’s switch is well built and value priced [US$99],” Daniel Eran Dilger reports for AppleInsider.
“Users integrating the Apple TV (review) into their existing stereo and TV setup might quickly find themselves out of audio and video ports. The ideal way to connect the Apple TV is using its HDMI port, which not only handles high definition video, but also piggybacks audio on the same cable,” Dilger reports.
“The downside to HDMI is that cables are often outrageously expensive. At both CompUSA and RadioShack, all the HDMI cables were priced at $100 and up, just for a simple cable. Even a generic branded DVI to HDMI adapter was $50. It was therefore a pleasant surprise to find the Apple Store carrying a variety of XtremeHD cables by XtremeMac, priced at just under $20,” Dilger reports.
Dilger reports, “XtremeMac makes a variety of cables, chargers, cases and other accessories custom designed for Apple’s iPods, the iPhone, and the Apple TV,” including the four-port HDMI switch box reviewed in the full article here.
“At both CompUSA and RadioShack, all the HDMI cables were priced at $100 and up, just for a simple cable. “
I bought a DVD player at Frys in So. Cal. that had an HDMI cable included in the package. Total price – $68.00
MW sense – you have to use common sense
Try
http://www.monoprice.com/products/search.asp?keyword=HDMI&x=0&y=0
Cables for 10 to 15 bucks..
Even Apple sells HDMI cables for about $20
No connection to me (pun intended)
@ron
that’s an exception, and a nice one at that. (though doesn’t quite count because it’s ‘bundled’, not separate package).
If you go shopping for stand-alone HDMI cables or DVI to HDMI cables it gets expensive fast, I bought my stuff at walmart, target, and radio shack and the lowest one was $68. Then I found out that Apple has them for round $20… would have taken them all back if I had the packaging…
Sorry for the Bushism… didn’t read the entire MDN synopsis now did I.
Still the link gets you good cables for a decent price
CompU$A
Radio$hack
… ’nuff said.
(Who the heck shops at RS anyway???! Oh, yea, people with more dollars than sense)
Hmmm, spend $2000 on an HDTV and want el cheapo cables? Doesn’t make much sense.
Good quality cables DO make a difference, especially since HDMI transmits video AND audio signals. Certainly, some cable prices are insane… like some high-end audio cables… but those are in a different league.
you must be a sucker. I got an HDMI cable for 2.50 while my roommate got one for 100 bucks cause so guy as best buy told him that the other HDMI cable they had in stock does not support full 1080. I use my cable and it is the exactly the same. Just think of it this way, cables are what they company makes real profit on. There is no difference between buying a cat 5 cable from Best buy for 25 bucks and making one your self for 1.50. Same with printer cables, HP makes more money off you because you buy the expensive cables. I am sure you think those really think Monster cables makes the Data go faster. I bet if I told you that if you put your cable box with a hdmi cable above the tv, the picture will look better because the video and audio will travel down to the tv faster with the gravity. WOW.
Hmmm, spend $2000 on an HDTV and want el cheapo cables? Doesn’t make much sense.
It makes sense if you appreciate getting value for your hard earned money.
A $2000 HDTV may be worth the $2000 one pays for it.
A $20 worth cable that sells for $100 just because your already spending the big bucks and “what’s $80 more to you anyway, you just bought a $2000 HDTV” is not a value oriented choice.
Good quality cables DO make a difference, especially since HDMI transmits video AND audio signals. Certainly, some cable prices are insane… like some high-end audio cables… but those are in a different league.
Well lump in $100 as insane for a HDMI cable that offers not noticable difference over a $20 cable.
It’s just that the market for HDTV’s was small due to the early technology and high prices. Now that people are buying HDTV’s the prices are coming down and so are the prices for cables.
If your buying a $100 cable that matches the quality of a $20 cable, I got a few houses I want to sell you.
was looking at the xtrememac 4x but they did not have a model with digital audio separated. why? some earlier source devices and cheap tv’s don’t pass digital audio thru hdmi correctly. probably an issue with incompatible hdmi versions. anyway, the only way to be compatible with all devices is to have the audio channels separate.
ended up getting an octava 4x with separate 4x tos & digital coax. the naked option was $274. the option w/4 hdmi cables in one toslink cable was $294. that makes the cables $20.
the xtrememac looks nice with your mini & is just $99. if your devices work with digital audio in your hdmi channel, it is a less expensive option than the octava with the free cables. if you were an early adopter, or need to convert to dvi-d, then be sure your audio solution works before you buy anything.
went this way to accomodate an appletv, ps3, hdsat, and hdmi home theater reveiver/dvd. still have an empty channel for the appletv. guess i’m waiting for rev1.
Isn’t HDMI transmitting DIGITAL bits and bytes? How does the expense of a cable matter when it’s all digital?
KenC-
You’re right. If it’s digital you either get the signal or you don’t. That’s why over the air HD and digital broadcasts don’t have static. If cables are transmitting analog signals then it matters, but not as much as you might think. You have got to have a great ear and a pristine listening environment to really benefit from oxygen free copper and other expensive cables. And Monster is crap and no better than other inexpensive cables made by some morally and environmentally deplorable asian corporation.
@ KenC and snapathon
Well said you are both correct, people need to read your posts and save their money.
Of course some Audiophiles will disagree as it “cheapens” their ideology of sound and the world contained within it.
–
Audio – 10% of the production – 90% of the problems, as us Lighting tards like to think.
@ mackle —
So did your octava unit end up working with your Apple TV. I’d really rather not spend 274 dollars for a fairly simple device but if there are not other less expensive alternatives that would work with, HDDVR, DVD, and AppleTV then I might not have another option.