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Kinivo 301BN Review: Premium HDMI Switch With Remote!

Modern LED Televisions comes with the one or two HDMI ports, and very rarely with a third one. And with the increasing number of HDMI devices like Chromecast, Xbox, TV Set Top Box  & Blu-Ray player, we can easily run out of the HDMI ports.

HDMI Switches are great in such cases, where you can extend the number of ports availability with your TV or even your HD monitor. But sadly most of the consumers fails to choose the perfect one due to cheap and low quality HDMI switches available in the market.

With the sad experience with one such HDMI switch, I opted for Kinivo 301 BN, a 3-port premium HDMI switch, that not just works great but has a classy look.

kinivo-301-bn-hdmi-switch-1Kinivo 301BN HDMI Switch Review

The device has a shiny black top with the Kinivo branding, and has an aluminium finish on its body. Compared to the cheap three-way switch I have used before, this device impressed me at very first glance.

Unlike the generic switches with three side ports location, Kinivo 301BN have all the HDMI ports are conveniently located at the back side. It looks better this way, even if you are keeping the switch along with your TV in your living room.

On the back-side, you get the output HDMI port, which you can connect directly to your LED/LCD TV’s HDMI-in Port. And follows the three HDMI input ports, where you can plug in your Xbox to play games in 1080P, Blu Ray Player or your Chromecast.

kinivo-301-bn-hdmi-switch-2On the left side, there is an AC adapter port for powering this device up. The adapter is high quality and comes with the sufficient length of the cable, for locating your HDMI switch conveniently.

kinivo-301-bn-hdmi-switch-3The right side of the device is completely free of any ports, which maintains a nice aluminium finish on the body.

The front side comes with the Power indicator, Power Switch, IR point for the Wireless remote, and input and output indicators that lights up in cool blue color, when powered on.

kinivo-301-bn-hdmi-switchAll the HDMI ports are well placed and designed, and had no issues even when all 4 ports are connected side-by-side.

Apart from connecting its power adapter, there is no additional setup required to enjoy your additional HDMI ports. Just plug in your devices and get your full HD 1080P content rolling.

Kinivo 301BN HDMI Switch comes with the active switching technology, that identifies the active inputs and switches to it first automatically.  The remote will be a great help, if you have multiple active devices running at the same time. The remote works flawless with the switch from considerable enough distance, to access it from your couch.  And the buttons are simple 1,2,3 or with the ‘Next’ and the ‘Back” navigation, that even a kid can operate.  Switching between HDMI ports takes a minute delay, which is similar to as that of switching HDMI in most of the LED TVs.

The remote works flawless with the switch from considerable enough distance, to access it from your couch.  And the buttons are simple 1,2,3 or with the ‘Next’ and the ‘Back” navigation, that even a kid can operate. Switching between HDMI ports takes a minute delay, which is similar to as that of switching HDMI in most of the LED TVs.

In terms of resolution, Kinivo HDMI switch supports 3D, HDCP 1.2 compliant 1080P output, that comes with the advantages in latest technologies like the 36-bit deep color, content protection and resolutions of 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, and 480i.

I tested by connecting my PC, Xbox 360 and Airtel DTH Set top box through this HDMI switch, and it has no loss of quality at all, compared to direct TV connection. So, in terms of performance it’s exactly what I was expecting from a premium HDMI switch!

Verdict

At the price of just Rs. 1,500 in India ( & about 30$ in US), Kinivo 301BN is the perfect HDMI switch, you should get for expanding your HDMI gadgets. This switch will not only impress you with the premium build and design, but the performance!