J-Tech Digital 4x1 HDMI switcher: An HDMI switch so nice, we reviewed it twice

Monoprice markets this very same gadget, which handily solves the problem of having too many HDMI sources and not enough inputs.

- JONATHAN TAKIFF

Soundbars with one or a just few HDMI inputs are supplanting A/V receivers with six or more HDMI inputs. That was supposed to simplify our home entertainment systems, but many of us have discovered that we have too many video sources—set-top boxes, streamers, gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, and so on—and not enough HDMI inputs to handle everything. The solution? An HDMI switcher and audio extractor. We recently found one such device marketed under two different brand names: J-Tech Digital and Monoprice.

It’s apparent that neither J-Tech nor Monoprice actually builds these devices. The companies must source them from an other manufacturer, because they’re identical apart from the labeling. We thoroughly tested both the J-Tech Digital JTECH-SWE41 and the Monoprice Blackbird 4K 4x1 HDMI Switch (P/N 39666) and found that each delivered solid performance with four HDMI inputs and one HDMI output. We put J-Tech in the headline because as of this writing, it was selling for $25 less than Monoprice’s device, which you can purchase here (fave.co/3h4069a). Since they’re essentially the same device, we’ll refer to them in this review in the singular.

Blessed with sophisticated processing skills and ARC (audio return channel) support, this switch box helps consolidate your gear, cable runs, and connections. While ultraslim, measuring 7.1x3.3x0.5 inches (WxDxH), the powered switcher has a front panel display that offers precision control buttons and not-too-bright green LED indicators. HDMI inputs in back allow you to connect up to four 4K or 2K video source devices.