Question Automatic HDMI switching is a myth?

[KublaiKhan]

LG 65UJ63 4K LCD
Sony UBP-X800 Ultra HD Blu-ray disc player
Roku Ultra
Nintendo Switch
Wii U
Playstation 4

JTECH-18GSW5 five-way HDMI switch

I bought this switch because it supports 4K at 60HZ.

I just added the Roku Ultra the other day. Everything seemed fine prior to this. The video game consoles were connected to the switch, and I never heard any complaints. The Sony disc player was connected directly to the LCD. Now, I have to connect it to that JTECH switch.

The Roku cannot be connected to the switch. It's signal will not pass through, even when switched manually to the proper input. It has to be connected directly to the LCD.

The JTECH's automatic switching does not work for the Sony disc player. Its signal does pass though, provided the input is selected manually or by remote.

It may be the case that the Roku Ultra is incompatible with any type of automatic switch, because of the "always on" nature of the Roku. Logically, such a device would be problematic for a switch intended to automatically jump between active signals. But what do I know?

I guess what I'm asking is if anyone has a Roku Ultra connected to a HDMI switch that works? Should I be replacing my switch with something entirely mechanical, if such a thing exists? I'm sure I'm not the only person in the world with both a Roku and a physical disc player connected to a television, so there must be a smart solution for my current dilemma.

If you could stomach my babble and offer some kind of hope, you're a saint!

 

[KublaiKhan]

From what I understand, HDMI is far too complicated for manual switching. We have left those days far behind. I'm less certain, but a general lack of lack of HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) compliancy may prevent some streaming devices from working with switches.

There are other, better rated switches, some of which claim to be compatible with the various streaming boxes. However, many users report the opposite is true.

I know I'm not dropping hundreds on a switch that may or may not work.

 

[hang-the-9]

I don't have your specific hardware connected, but at our conference rooms and auditorium we have lots of HDMI switch hardware that works with no issues. That hardware is a lot more than than the switch you have though, I think everything is Crestron which is about 400 for their HDMI distribution switch.