EDIT - Well I got the RS232 working so I edited the thread.

Using only 2 inputs right now and 6 outputs and it's working great minus the source status lights not really lighting up. Adding 2 more inputs and the final 2 outputs next week.

Just mentioning the RS232 is solid and the unit is performing well.

We also just did an install with the Snap 8x8 with CAT outputs. It works fine with 2 DTV boxes, Apple TV 3, Sony Bluray and C4 HC250 as the sources. Displays are mostly Sony....Proj, 4 flat panels, and a 22" Samsung. The only issue we had at first was EDID was not letting 1080P through. We used the PC utility and got it sorted out in no time. It is a nice unit.

Were you able to successfully view the apple tv 3 input on multiple displays at the same time?

This is what I want to know too. The ATV can only handle 2 handshakes by itself. If its watchable on 3 or more TVs then the matrix is handling the handshake itself. That should also mean almost instant video switching when going between sources.

We just used a snap 4x4 switch. 2 tvs so don't know if it does more than that. Is the hanshaking the same as the number of keys available?

I think I remember Snap saying that the 4x4 passed the handshake through so it didn't do it but the 8x8 handled it internally.

The 4x4 and 8x8 both have HDCP key managment and will replicate keys for each output.  I've got one of the new 4x4 switches for some testing and it seems to take about 3-4 seconds for image to appear when switching sources.

First one goes into a job that was pre-wired over two years ago with CAT5e.  Have two more slated for jobs that were wired more recently with shielded CAT6.

And this is with a single source being output to multiple displays at the same time? Primarily an AppleTV 3?

Hopefully your real world implementation goes as well as your test results. I'd love to hear about it when you have them up and running.

Hi tweeterguy and cpchillin – SB Smarthomes is correct, we manage the keys internally (on all of our 4x4s and 8x8s) so you will be able to see AppleTV (or any other source with limited keys) on all outputs simultaneously. Switching time is typically 2-4 seconds depending if HDCP is involved (some sources do not have HDCP) and how quickly the display can negotiate EDID (some brands/models are faster than others – we have over 24 models of displays in our two test labs and all are different).

BisyB, Audiophiliac and SB Smarthomes – thanks for your support and feedback!

Like to hear how the UTP 5e works out!

Our install used UTP cat5e. No problems. Longest run might be 80'.

That's great to hear!

In another install, we used the atlona 8x8 and our longest run very near 200 feet with rj45 splice in the crawl. All utp cat5e. No issues at 1080p. But then I have had under 50 foot runs with problems.....it just depends on the environment and the equipment I guess.

I like the snap extenders. I do not think I have had one that would not work. One with some emi interference, but it was not snap's fault. They just seem to work well period.

They now show to be out of stock on the 8x8

I would not be surprised. It really is a nice unit for the $$$. Without jumping up to an HDBaseT solution, it seems like a no brainer IMHO. We just installed the one, and have another one coming in for another job I think.

On a side note, I just unboxed and tested a ShinyBow 4x4 HDMI matrix (2 cat5).....what a difference. 10 seconds to switch sources. Receiver has to be "visible" to use IR. And we noticed that it is the exact unit that MP sells. Awesome. I hope it works.