No power sent to HDMI switch?

[iamsen47]

I recently bought a HDMI switch so I can share one monitor between my mac mini and PS4. Although the switch comes with a power plug, I was told that it is unnecessary unless I'm laying really long cables, something over 20m.

And just as the sales guy said, it runs off my PS4 fine without power. With the PS4 running, I can also switch to the mac mini channel and it'll display fine. However, once I switch off the PS4, the screen just cuts out. It seems like the mac mini either isn't powering the switch, or is not sending enough power to the switch.

I could just plug it in, but I'd like to know if there's another solution.

 

[Macman45]

I've had a couple of those things....not one worked reliably, and of course we now have streaming, and apps like AV server.

If you have an ATV you can also take advantage of mirroring, which will put your Mac's screen on your TV.

For test purposes, plug the thing in...if it works, you have your answer.

 

[famous600]

Currently going through the same thing. Picked up a belkin to split a signal with a wii U and Mac mini. It's garbage and taking it back today once my kinivio 3 to 1 switch arrives later today. I'll let you know how it works. Although this one requires power. As long as it works I'll be happy.

 

[mcnallym]

Researching on the Web then other people have said that tried unpowered HDMI switches with PS3 and didn't work yet PS4 does, so cannot even say that all Playstations doe this.

I believe that it really comes down to the HDMI implementation from the Manfacturer.

As such would suggest that plug in the Power to the switch.

 

[haravikk]

iirc only newer HDMI devices push enough power over HDMI for that kind of purpose, I believe the same issue applies to the Chromecast which can plug-in to some HDTVs and get all the power it needs that way, but has a USB cable just in case.

I used to use a powered HDMI switch but it was a relatively inexpensive one and suffered from ghosting, even with only a single device switched on. But since then I replaced the HDTV I was using with one that has three HDMI ports, and it's just so much more convenient.

If you absolutely need to use HDMI for the combined audio/video, then I'd probably recommend looking at an HDTV of similar size; 1080p is a great resolution for smaller screens (or bigger screens at a distance) and they usually include a heap of ports unlike monitors which are often more limited.

The other alternative is using a different connection for one of your devices, e.g - by buying an HDMI to DVI cable, but in that case you also need to add a cable for sound, and switching that over can potentially be a problem depending upon the model of monitor (some won't switch sound inputs automatically).

 

[famous600]

As mentioned above my belkin SUCKED. Received a Kinivo 301BN today and although it requires power, it works flawlessly. Have a Mac mini and Wii U hooked to it. Mini is on, turn wii u on and it auto switches. Turn wii u off and auto switches back to the mini. Perfect.

 

[Che Castro]

I have a similar problem

I'm using a hdmi switch from monoprice
Everything works but when I switch from cable box to mac I see a fast green screen for a second
I tried changing the hdmi cables and still the same
I can't replace the hdmi switch because this is one of the few hdmi switches with optical and stereo outputs

Is this normal?