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We ran into very few problems with the Accell switcher in our setup. Despite the switcher's HDMI ports being certified at "only" version 1.2 of the standard (not the newer 1.3), we had no problem passing 1080p/24 video with DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks in bit stream format. Switching between inputs was fast, whether we were connected to a receiver or not. The Accel switcher also didn't flinch when we connected a component using a 65-foot HDMI cable. While one might attribute that to the advertised built-in signal booster, we did find that several other switchers handled the long cable run without built-in boosters.
A caveat to all HDMI switchers--and products with HDMI ports in general--is that we've found frustrating compatibility issues in a variety of scenarios. An HDMI switcher may work perfectly well in one setup, then not work in another because of a different combination of home theater components. (Indeed, the problems often lay with the components themselves--cable boxes are somewhat notorious--rather than the switchers.) Because of this, we recommend buying a switcher from a retailer with a solid return policy, as it's impossible to know if it will work flawlessly in your setup ahead of time.
Overall, the Accell was one of the best HDMI switchers we tested, and the fact that we could use it without power made it a standout favorite. On the other hand, buyers should be aware of the fact that the nearly as good Monoprice 5x1 HDMI switcher is selling for only $50 at the time of this review. While it won't work without power, we're pretty sure you can buy an extra power strip with the savings.
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"Bulit-in booster provides excellent picture quality over long HDMI cable runs"
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