The selection of HDMI switches range from the very simple manual push-button switches to automatic HDMI switches with or without remote control.
An HDMI switch is used when you do not have enough HDMI inputs available, e.g. in a TV or projector, but want to connect more devices. You can connect an HDMI switch between the many appliances and the TV’s HDMI input and thus just switch between inputs to select which device you want to use. The number on a switch denotes the number of inputs to appliances, i.e. a 2-way HDMI switch can be used for 2 devices via one HDMI input on a TV.
If you want to control multiple HDMI sources to more than one TV or projector at the same time, a so-called matrix switch is used. An HDMI matrix switch can connect the various devices individually from each other to different receivers.
Remember to always use an extra HDMI cable from the switch to the relevant unit, as it is inserted in the HDMI connection. HDMI cables can be found here.