Evergreen's low-cost component/optical remote hub
By Matt Burns 
posted August 3rd 2006 4:05PM
posted August 3rd 2006 4:05PM
Evergreen has a tendency to produce low-cost products and you know what, we don't mind. These items might not look like anything fancy but they tend to get the job done for the right price. Their latest jaunt into this market comes in the form of a component video/optical hub that can function via a remote. The unit would allow you to plug three component devices into the hub and then run one cable to your display. That is if your display happens not to be 1080p; not that there is many devices that output 1080p over component, but if you happen to have one, be warned that this hub will not pass that signal. Evergreen understands us and made it switch via a remote. Do yourself a favor though and program the IR signal into the learning remote that you have. The hub is retailing for 9,980 Yen ($86) and is available right now.
To funny just bought one yesterday from Amazon but not Evergreen but CablesToGo... same exact thing (based on picture) for $50. Been doing my research for a component switcher and this one got great reviews from AVS Forums and other sites, especially for the price.
I will let you guys know how it is when I get it in, hopefully early next week.
Amazon link below:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AM3U2I/sr=8-1/qid=1154636461/ref=sr_1_1/102-1898300-1005730?ie=UTF8
KC - I just received mine yesterday from www.buy.com. It was $41 after rebate-but the rebate expired August 31, 2006. I bought the Cables to Go one as well. I haven't connected it yet, but I will let you all know what I think as well. It has to be the same one.
http://www.buy.com/prod/Cables_To_Go_Impact_Acoustics_3_Play_High_Performance_Component_Video/q/loc/101/201752105.html
Would I be able to use a Harmony remote with this? I'm going to need to get a component switcher soon and this (or the Cables To Go one that the previous two posters bought, more likely) looks like a good candidate... if I can add it to my "Watch TV", "Watch a DVD", or "Play Xbox 360" activities.
Great timing, I've been looking for one of these. Tell me, do these *require* the remote or will they do that thing where it automatically sends the signal of whatevers on, with some sort of logic if two are on at the same time?
Dracula, yes I have the Harmony Xbox 360 remote and it works with the switch.
Since this is an "optical remote hub," does that mean I can use it to switch between Toslink optical cables? Right now I have to manually switch the Toslink cable between my Xbox360 and HD cable box. It's killing me.
Keith, why not an optical splitter? I bought one and connect my origional xbox and xbox 360 to my receiver. Works great and its cheap! Click my name to get to an example.