I need a monitor that displays two different sources: one connected through HDMI, and another connected through either HDMI or DisplayPort. My current monitor makes me open the on-screen menu, navigate to the input section, and select the source manually. I'd prefer a monitor with a dedicated input-toggle button, or separate buttons for each input, so switching happens immediately without using the menu. This will only be a secondary monitor, so I'm flexible about the other specifications. Are there any monitors with controls like this, or would an external switch be a better solution?
3 Answers
An HDMI switch or KVM may be a simpler and less expensive solution than limiting your monitor search to models with dedicated input buttons. Many HDMI switches let you change sources with a single physical button or remote.
I’d recommend using an external HDMI switcher. It gives you the one-button input change you want and lets you choose almost any monitor based on its panel, size, and price rather than its menu controls.
Do you have any particular type or model of switcher you’d recommend?
An HDMI switch is probably the most reliable approach here. Connect both sources to the switch and run one output to the monitor, then press the switch’s physical button whenever you need to change inputs. Just make sure it supports the resolution, refresh rate, HDR, and HDMI version you plan to use.
That makes sense. I had mostly seen USB switches before, but I’ll look for HDMI switchers as well. A monitor is essentially acting as a switch already, but the controls on many models aren’t very convenient.