I'm going to install a Gefen 4x1 tomorrow to switch a cable box, Blu-Ray and AppleTV to be controlled by an MX-900...

Gefen says the input codes are discreet, but they are not available from the UNI programming software - But I could be wrong!

Assuming I'm not wrong would it be safe to say all I need to do is learn each of the four codes into the MX-900 and away I go??

As always - thanks for the help!

Yes the switch will come with a remote with 4 discrete buttons on them. They learn fine and work fine. What you most likely will have issues with are syncing between sources and the TV (some sources not working some will and some not working after coming back to them)...hopefully you won't but better arrive early and plan on staying late with that one just in case. We spent the better of 3 days with gefen 6x2 hdmi...EDID issues, firmware issues, TV firmware problems, source issues...luckily it was all T&M!

I've heard about those issues.

So what did you end up doing - Firmware updates on the display, etc.?

Firmware on the display. 2 units sent back to gefen for chip changes. About 6 hours of logged tech support. Several DIP settings inside. Try this, then this, try that then that. Never again! I must say however that the tech we were dealing with was quite knowledgeable and accommodating. If you get in a bind send me a PM and I'll give you his name and extension...it's in an old phone and I'll have to dig it out.

I'm thinking to just go with a Key Digital KD-CSW4x1 and stick with component.

As I mentioned in an earlier post I mentioned my sources are cable, blu-rey and AppleTV to a Sharp display.

Pretty short drop and stereo from the display only...

Thoughts?

If you can get away with it and not have the client bitch about HDMI, 1080p, blah blah blah...I'd do component video any day over hdmi. I rarely spec it unless it's source direct to display or client insists because "they know better" than me.

You mean with regard to the argument of how 1080p looks between component vs. HDMI?

This client just wants it to work - that's why I'm running from this HDMI switch - too many negatives as this point.

Right...you always have the select few who feel HDMI is the only way to go...they've been to BBY and reading over at AVS. I challenge them to do a side by side test with exact TV, source and calibration and tell me which is component and which is HDMI...99% can't tell the difference and if they happen to guess right it's because they did a coin toss :-)

I had the Gefen 3x1 and programmed my 980 by learning from the remote but I found I had to reboot the switch every few days as it would just stop responding. I hooked it up to the reciever power so it was rebooted everytime the reciever was powered off but finally gave up as it was too quirky. Expensive does not mean good as far as Gefen goes. I have had three of their devices and was not happy with any but then switching HDMI is always a long shot.

WW