Hoping to bring relief to crowded home theaters, IOGEAR today launched its new 4-port HDMI switch. In contrast to some AV switches, the new model automatically detects and routs the audio and video of an active HDMI source to an attached HDTV or receiver. A wireless remote will also allow manual control of sources. Either method is ideal for the Apple TV and other media devices that may compete for limited space on the default ports of most HDTVs, according to IOGEAR.

Matching the full HDMI spec, the port supports HDCP encryption from start to finish for Blu-Ray and other HD video formats. The 4-port version of the HDMI switch should be available now from several resellers for $190.