PlayStation 3. Xbox 360 Elite. Blu-ray. DVR. HD-DVD. Cable. Satellite. These are some of the high-definition devices that are filling gamers’ entertainment centers. If your HD set has only one or two HDMI ports, this presents an exhaustive problem when it comes to switching devices. First you have to reach behind your TV and grab the HDMI cable, trace it back to the device you wish to unplug, yank it out (gently – you don’t want to break anything), find the slot on the device you want to use, and plug it in.

If this scenario rarely pans out in your household, chances are just one HD unit reigns supreme. But if you’re like me and are constantly switching platforms, the chore of cable switching can be very annoying. OPPO Digital aims to have a solution with the HM-31 Advanced 3x1 HDMI Switch. The HM-31 is a small, lightweight box with three separate HDMI ports. Using this device’s handy remote control, gamers, movie buffs and TV junkies alike can hop between their HD equipment with the press of a button.

Switching Time

The HM-31 is as straightforward as they come. On the front you’ll find a power (light) indicator, a device selection button (for when you can’t find the remote), an IR remote sensor, and three HDMI input indicators. The ports – DC in (power adaptor), IR in, three HDMI in, one HDMI out, and RS-232C – are found on the back.

Underneath the device are three slots for wall mounting, which is where the IR in port may be necessary. Under normal circumstances, you’ll use the remote as is. But to work, it requires direct line-of-sight. If your HD setup prevents that from happening, it won’t work. You’ll have to get up and push the select button. Ouch. The thought of getting up when you technically shouldn’t have to is just too painful to think about.

To alleviate this problem, purchase an external IR remote sensor. Place it directly in front of your line-of-sight and you’ll be all set.

Hard. Where?

The HM-31 feels solid, but it’s not the kind of thing you’ll want to bang around. That goes for any anything HD device, but the remote is light and sturdy enough to withstand at least a few drops to the floor. It uses a CR2025 lithium battery, which helped reduce weight and allowed the designers to create a remote that’s thinner than your thinnest television. That will change once the near-paper-thin Organic LEDs replace LCDs, but that’ll be a while.

If your home theater has an integrated control system, your custom installer can download the RS-232C control protocol from the support section of the OPPO Digital Web site, www.oppodigital.com. OPPO doesn’t specify which home theaters are supported, but the manual notes that it can be integrated “into most custom home theater control systems.”

Should there come a time when you need to store the HM-31, there’s a thin, Velcro-latched case included with the package. It won’t keep it safe from a fall, but at least you won’t have to watch dust accumulate in every crevice like your retired game consoles.

Pros:

• Quick and painless switching between HD devices

• No noticeable drop in picture or sound quality (supports all HD resolutions, including 1080p)

• May be added to your home theater’s control system

• Can be wall-mounted

Cons:

• The $99 price tag is a bit steep

• Needs a separate power source

• External IR remote sensor not included

Verdict: 8.0
Not a must-own for everyone until HD devices become more prevalent. But if you’re an early adopter of high-def devices, the HM-31 gives you the chance to hook up three of them simultaneously.