HDMI splitter

thewolfe

I need another HDMI port on the back of my TV.

I'm trying to connect a set-top box to the TV but all HDMI ports are being used. I've seen an HDMI cable splitter that has no power and turns one HDMI port into two.

Everything else I see is a box with power.

I really don't have the space or power source available for a box.

If I can find it, will a HDMI cable splitting into two, work or does it need power?

jkkyler

Sounds like you need a SWITCH not a splitter. A splitter turns one HDMI feed into two or more of the same feed while a switch allows you to feed multiple HDMI feeds into one device and then choose which one comes out the other end. I am not sure if there are non-powered switches or not.

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HT- Panasonic TH-50PZ800U 1080p plasma, Panasonic PT-AX200u LCD projector, Elite Vmax Electric 100' screen, Onkyo TX-NR905 AVR, Paradigm Titan Monitor v5 fronts, Paradigm CC-190 v6 center, Paradigm Atom Monitors v5 surrounds(x4), HSU research VTF-2 sub, xbox360+hd-dvd player ,Sony BDP-S550 blu-ray, D*tv H21 HD-DVR

Bedroom: Insignia NS-lcd26, Samsung BDP-1400 blu-ray
Den - Vizio 20" 1080p LCD + Samsung BD-p1600

Don't believe everything you read on the internet - Albert Einstein

thewolfe

So, if I plug a splitter (Just one cable splitting into two) into the back of my TV so that I now have two HDMI ports instead of one, I cannot plug two different devices like a TiVo box and a DVR into them?

jkkyler

Correct, a splitter makes one signal into identical two. That is not what you want. You want to be able to choose between signals not duplicate one to multiple sources.

__________________
HT- Panasonic TH-50PZ800U 1080p plasma, Panasonic PT-AX200u LCD projector, Elite Vmax Electric 100' screen, Onkyo TX-NR905 AVR, Paradigm Titan Monitor v5 fronts, Paradigm CC-190 v6 center, Paradigm Atom Monitors v5 surrounds(x4), HSU research VTF-2 sub, xbox360+hd-dvd player ,Sony BDP-S550 blu-ray, D*tv H21 HD-DVR

Bedroom: Insignia NS-lcd26, Samsung BDP-1400 blu-ray
Den - Vizio 20" 1080p LCD + Samsung BD-p1600

Don't believe everything you read on the internet - Albert Einstein

thewolfe

Okay so do the "Switch" boxes allow two device's signals to go to the TV at the same time so that I can view either device (TiVo or DVD) without physically switching the HDMI box back and forth.

Right now I can view the TV through my TiVo box or through the Verizon set-top box by just changing the input on my TV. Will that still happen automatically with the splitter box?

And thanks for the help, jkkyler.

RBTO

Monoprice has a good selection of HDMI switches, including a manual pushbutton one, but you would probably want an automatic switch. These sense which source is on and select that source. If all your sources are on, they usually allow manual selection - some have remotes for that purpose. Here is one possibility to consider:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

thewolfe

Hard to get my head around this.

The Tivo box and DVD player are now plugged into the TV. The new Verizon set-top box requires an HDM port so I will plug the new switch into one of the ports on the TV and then plug the new Verizon box and DVD player into the switch.

Now, I want to use the DVD player so it takes over that port and the switch shuts off the Verizon box feed or I want to use the DVD player and have the TiVo plugged into the switch as well as the DVD player so that when I use the DVD player it shuts off the TiVo. Shutting off the feed to either the TiVo box or the Verizon set-top box will not work.

My problem is I always need the TiVo and Verizon set-top box on at all times.

Do I have the function of the switch correct. Is there a way to have TIVO, Verizon set-top box and DVD player on at the same time?

Also, since my Verizon set top box, which is now working on component cables, will be replaced with the Verizon set-top box using HDMI, I guess I could use the component cable connections which are available on my DVD player and will be available on the back of the TV which are now being used by Verizon set-top box that's going to be replaced.

Sorry for rambling but I'm trying to work this out with the easiest scenario.

Which sounds like using the component cables with the DVD player that are now being used with the old Verizon set-top box and will be available when the new HDMI Verizon set top box is installed.

That would eliminate the need for a switch especially if the switch shuts off one of the units if I understand that correctly.

jkkyler

All the switch will do for you is allow you to decide which of the feeds it receives is displayed on your tv. It won't affect the functionality of any of your devices. Leave what you want on or off.

__________________
HT- Panasonic TH-50PZ800U 1080p plasma, Panasonic PT-AX200u LCD projector, Elite Vmax Electric 100' screen, Onkyo TX-NR905 AVR, Paradigm Titan Monitor v5 fronts, Paradigm CC-190 v6 center, Paradigm Atom Monitors v5 surrounds(x4), HSU research VTF-2 sub, xbox360+hd-dvd player ,Sony BDP-S550 blu-ray, D*tv H21 HD-DVR

Bedroom: Insignia NS-lcd26, Samsung BDP-1400 blu-ray
Den - Vizio 20" 1080p LCD + Samsung BD-p1600

Don't believe everything you read on the internet - Albert Einstein

thewolfe

So I can have all 3 of my devices on and using the "input" on my tv remote and view any of them?

Not normally this dense but also don't want to buy something that won't let me seamlessly view any of my 3 devices. Thanks for the posts.

RBTO

With an automatic switch, you can leave all your devices on all the time, but you will have to select one of the two devices feeding the switch manually (at the switch itself unless it has its own remote) as well as having to select the TV HDMI input with your TV.
Your solution of using your two HDMI ports for your Tivo and Verizon boxes with the two HDMI ports and component feeds from your DVD player is also a good choice (actually much better). That way you still can switch sources using your TVs remote and no external extra switch.

Attached Images

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thewolfe

Thanks RBTO & jkkyler, you have helped me work through the cable maze and it seems as though it also saved me a little dough cause I don't have to buy anything new and I'll be able to use my devices as I have in the past.

Will try to remember to post back when the new Verizon HDMI settop box arrives and I have all things working.

thewolfe

And by the way, what are these used for.http://www.dougsstuff.com/HDMI_splitter.jpg

Bigloww

"This passive splitter will distribute a single HDMI input to two HDMI outputs. Note that this splitter does not pass the HDCP copy protection information, so it is unsuited for use in home theater systems. Please use one of our powered splitters for home theater applications. "


So basically you can take a computer or BD player and split it to 2 seperate displays simo.. But as the note states, HDCP issues can occur.. You definately need a HDMI switch or use component video for 1 of your devices..

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thewolfe

Would that splitter work on any of my 3 devices and....what do you use that kind of splitter for?

shophialee26

What you need is a HDMI Switch. It enables you to switch between multiple HDMI sources to one TV. I would recommend checking KVMSwitchTech as they offer a wide range of HDMI Switch and HDMI Splitter products.