Transformative Engineering just debuted an interesting HDMI switcher in the form of the HDS-42AVR. Claiming it can switch 4K sources to two outputs (one output is UHD4K featuring 60Hz refresh rate, 4:4:4 color, 18.2 Gbps bandwidth and supports all current audio formats such as Dolby True HD and DTS Master and the second HDMI output is designed to present full audio formats of the selected input, but with muted video (720p sync only).

The application for this product is to allow multiple (up to four) HDMI2.0 sources (up to HDCP2.2) to be used with a current-generation UHD4K display capable of handling HDCP2.2, while transferring the Audio Only portion of the source to the Audio playback system (external surround system) for a system that is not capable of handling the HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2 signals. Without this device, TA says that use wouldn’t be able to listen to the higher-level audio streams, which are only available from the HDMI signal path. In fact, attempting to connect any HDMI2.0 signal (audio or video) into a legacy AVR/Processor will yield no output to the display or speakers. An Installer can integrate the operation of the HDS-42AVR via IR and RS232. It lists for $449. Here are more details.