Review on 🔀 goFanco Intelligent 4x4 HDMI Matrix Switch 4K 60Hz YUV 4:4:4 HDR with Auto Downscaling (Output 4K & 1080p Simultaneously) & Alexa Echo Voice Control, HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2, 18Gbps, IR, RS-232, Control4 by John Invert

This is a gofanco PRO-Matrix44-SC review. This is a 4x4 HDMI matrix switcher with 4K to 1080p auto downscaling. Now that everything is working, everything is fine and works as advertised. But getting there was an adventure. First of all, the upscaling from 4K to 1080p works quite well. It appears to output true 4K to compatible devices, while 1080p displays connected to the same input will receive the 1080p version of the signal. The conversion does not cause any obvious delays or unnecessary loss of quality. I can actually use AI upscaling on an Nvidia Shield TV with a 1080p display this way and the visual improvement is still noticeable. I can't say if it will look as good in native 1080p output mode without upscaling and downscaling. The built-in web interface is very crude, incomplete and the device doesn't actually support HTTP. protocol, which can complicate trying to integrate it with third-party software. I did not try the cloud interface, instead I decided to block the matrix to access the internet. Now for problems. My first remote didn't work at all. I've reinstalled the battery half a dozen times and tried once by rotating the battery in the opposite direction from the markings. I even tried another new battery of the same type. What amazes me is that when I looked through the phone's camera at the remote's IR LED, I could see that it clearly lit up when the buttons were pressed. But the HDMI matrix did not respond to this. No response via built-in IR receiver and no response via external replaceable IR receiver. By the way, note: do not try to remove the protective plastic layer from the IR receiver window on the matrix housing. I just accidentally ripped off the hard plastic window and pushed it inside the device. (The remote still didn't work with that window by the way) So I contacted Gofanco support and after some talking we concluded that the remote was probably defective. They sent me a new remote that worked. Then, to the giggles, I tried the new remote's battery in the old remote. Suddenly the old remote worked just as well as the new one. I've swapped batteries between the remotes several times and each time both remotes worked perfectly. But my third party battery with the same good voltage still didn't work in these remotes. What the hell?! Unfortunately, the problems didn't end there. On the day the replacement remote arrived I found that output 2 of the matrix was not working at all. Gofanco support wanted me to try downloading the latest firmware to the matrix. Exactly the same firmware version it came with. I pranked them and ordered a USB to serial port adapter to download the firmware. Here's another tip: if you have a serial adapter for this HDMI matrix, get one with a DB9 connector (open pins) and studs on the sides of the connector. Some USB to serial port adapters have female DB9 connectors and/or screw holes on the sides. In any case, downloading the firmware didn't solve it, so Gofanco support instructed me to send the faulty HDMI matrix back to Revain. The replacement matrix arrived today and all inputs and outputs work perfectly. The remote was no better than the first. It didn't work until I fiddled with it and reinstalled the battery too many times. But once it started working, it kept working (for now).