Hap C
Agent
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2002
- Messages
- 41
Thought I would post the results of my recent experience with two of the component video switchers discussed in this thread, the Audio Authority 1154 and the Zektor HDS4.
I originally purchased the Audio Authority 1154 to use with a Rotel RSP-1066 processor, which only has 2 HD inputs, and I have 3 HD sources. Based on my review of this thread, and other research, I decided the AA 1154 switch was "the one". I liked the automatic switching feature provided by the AA 1154. However, the AA1154 delivered to me last week had a really bad sync problem in the upper portion of the picture, about 2"-3" down from the top, appearing as an indentation in the shape of the letter "C" on the right side of the picture, then wavy lines all across the picture lining up with the "C" indentation, ending up on the right side with a protrusion in the shape of a reverse "C". The rest of the picture left a lot to be desired as well. Not fuzzy, but lacking it detail and clarity. Very disappointing. The HD picture obtained when running the signal through the AA1154 was not as sharp as my HD components when they were run direct in to the TV, or through the Rotel. After lots of experimenting, I confirmed that all 3 of my HD sources (terrestrial HDTV via antenna, HD cable, and progrsssive scan DVD player) had the identical sync problems when run throuh the Audio Authority switch, regardless of which of the 4 AA inputs were used. Again, with the AA 1154 out of the loop, all HD sources worked fine direct in to the Rotel processor, and/or switched through the processor. AA tech support suggested the problem might be the component video cables I was using, so although I was already using high-end cables I went out and bought some new cables as a test. No improvement. Same sync problem still there. I concluded it was a bad switch from AA, and sent the AA 1154 back to the dealer and ordered a Zektor HDS4, which arrived today.
Wow! All sources work fine through the Zektor, no sync problems, but more importantly the overall quality of the HD signal passed by the Zektor is significantly, hugely better, with much greater clarity and detail than the AA switch. Not sure if that's because the AA switch was defective generally, or if it's some other reason. The video bandwith on the Zektor is greater than 250mhz, compared to 60mhz on the AA. Wonder if the higher bandwith can make that much of a difference? Digital audio switching on the Zektor also works fine, and the remote codes/options on the Zektor work perfectly, easy to program, everything works flawlessly. I originally intended to run one HD source through the Rotel RSP-1066 (video 1) and the other two HD sources through the Zektor, then into the Rotel RSP-1066 (video 2), but the Zektor switching works so well I ended up running all sources through the Zektor then video direct in to the TV, with 1 digital audio direct in to the Rotel. Works perfectly, sounds great.
I was originally ticked off that the AA switch was defective, but that was a blessing in disguise. If the AA had not been defective, I would never have tried the Zektor, which IMHO is a much better piece of equipment. Quality of the construction of the Zektor is also higher, a metal 17" wide component that looks like a high-end component, compared to the boxy plastic housing of the AA switch. The quality of the RCA inputs on the Zektor is also higher; much sturdier, with gold plated contacts. Only drawback to the Zektor is cost, $299 compared to $169 for the AA.
Anyone else out there compare these two switches directly and, if so, what were your results?
Cheers,
Hap
I originally purchased the Audio Authority 1154 to use with a Rotel RSP-1066 processor, which only has 2 HD inputs, and I have 3 HD sources. Based on my review of this thread, and other research, I decided the AA 1154 switch was "the one". I liked the automatic switching feature provided by the AA 1154. However, the AA1154 delivered to me last week had a really bad sync problem in the upper portion of the picture, about 2"-3" down from the top, appearing as an indentation in the shape of the letter "C" on the right side of the picture, then wavy lines all across the picture lining up with the "C" indentation, ending up on the right side with a protrusion in the shape of a reverse "C". The rest of the picture left a lot to be desired as well. Not fuzzy, but lacking it detail and clarity. Very disappointing. The HD picture obtained when running the signal through the AA1154 was not as sharp as my HD components when they were run direct in to the TV, or through the Rotel. After lots of experimenting, I confirmed that all 3 of my HD sources (terrestrial HDTV via antenna, HD cable, and progrsssive scan DVD player) had the identical sync problems when run throuh the Audio Authority switch, regardless of which of the 4 AA inputs were used. Again, with the AA 1154 out of the loop, all HD sources worked fine direct in to the Rotel processor, and/or switched through the processor. AA tech support suggested the problem might be the component video cables I was using, so although I was already using high-end cables I went out and bought some new cables as a test. No improvement. Same sync problem still there. I concluded it was a bad switch from AA, and sent the AA 1154 back to the dealer and ordered a Zektor HDS4, which arrived today.
Wow! All sources work fine through the Zektor, no sync problems, but more importantly the overall quality of the HD signal passed by the Zektor is significantly, hugely better, with much greater clarity and detail than the AA switch. Not sure if that's because the AA switch was defective generally, or if it's some other reason. The video bandwith on the Zektor is greater than 250mhz, compared to 60mhz on the AA. Wonder if the higher bandwith can make that much of a difference? Digital audio switching on the Zektor also works fine, and the remote codes/options on the Zektor work perfectly, easy to program, everything works flawlessly. I originally intended to run one HD source through the Rotel RSP-1066 (video 1) and the other two HD sources through the Zektor, then into the Rotel RSP-1066 (video 2), but the Zektor switching works so well I ended up running all sources through the Zektor then video direct in to the TV, with 1 digital audio direct in to the Rotel. Works perfectly, sounds great.
I was originally ticked off that the AA switch was defective, but that was a blessing in disguise. If the AA had not been defective, I would never have tried the Zektor, which IMHO is a much better piece of equipment. Quality of the construction of the Zektor is also higher, a metal 17" wide component that looks like a high-end component, compared to the boxy plastic housing of the AA switch. The quality of the RCA inputs on the Zektor is also higher; much sturdier, with gold plated contacts. Only drawback to the Zektor is cost, $299 compared to $169 for the AA.
Anyone else out there compare these two switches directly and, if so, what were your results?
Cheers,
Hap
