I have a pt-ax100u and a smaller LCD TV. I'd like to be able to use them simultaneously with DIFFERENT sources (e.g., watch TV on the LCD while playing games on the PJ). I have no need to mirror the displays.

I devised a plan to use all HDMI cables, and only have to run one long cable across the room to the TV. I'd appreciate it if you guys could take a look at my diagram and let me know if you think it will work. i guess the biggest question is the hdmi splitters (i'm hoping the $14 monoprice splitters will work)...though I have read that they will not get the signal to 2 displays at the same time, are they able to drive the signal to one device effectively?

Thanks for your help

I have a pt-ax100u and a smaller LCD TV. I'd like to be able to use them simultaneously with DIFFERENT sources (e.g., watch TV on the LCD while playing games on the PJ). I have no need to mirror the displays.

I think the following product is going to make your life easier:

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=3331

I think the following product is going to make your life easier:





if only...

looks like a good solution, but it's $2000. My combination of 2 switches and four splitters would only run me about $150 on monoprice.

thanks for the tip, though.

Yeah + $5000.00 worth of headache. :D

Yes, technically this should work as there are no limitations to the HDMI or HDCP specs that prevent this from working. Just keep in mind that it might take a little longer for the picture to come up after you power up because 2 levels of authentication may have to occur. Please let us know if you get this up and running!

HDMI_org,

I wired the setup using the 5x1 switchers and 1x2 splitters from monoprice. paid less than $200 for the switches, splitters, and cables. currently i have only my comcast hd-dvr and sony dvp-ns75h upconverting dvd player hooked up (360, htpc, bluray coming in the future). I have a 50 foot HDMI cable running to my 37" westinghouse, and a 6 foot HDMI cable going to my PT-AX100U.

I'm happy to say that after some tweaking the setup IS WORKING. Here's some things to note.

1. I cannot seem to drive both displays simulatneously from a single source. Sometimes it works for a moment but then i get a green screen on both or one saying there is an HDCP error. This doesn't bother me because I don't plan on using the same source for both displays at the same time.

2. I had to use different inputs for each source on the switchers, i.e., i tried to plug the cable box into input 1 on both of the switchers--for whatever reason, this did not work. I now have the cable box connected to input 5 on one switcher, and input 2 on the other. the dvd player is connected to 4 and 1.

3. I CAN use different sources simultaneously, i.e, sportscenter on the TV, gattaca on the projector. this will be most useful when i get the 360/PS3.

4. Since the switchers are identical, the remote controls them both at the same time. It's kind of a pain, so I end up doing it manually on the switchers--easy enough.

5. The switchers weight about as much as a slice of bread, which means the hdmi cables (especially the 50 footer) absolutely manhandle them. i have them stacked right now, and they are stable enough, i suppose, but i wish they were much heavier.

6. On a more general note, HDMI (even without all this splitting and switching) seems awfully finicky. I'm a bit disappointed in my experience so far.


thats all for now, ill keep you updated as i get more sources. this solution has turned out to be WAY less expensive than other alternatives, and i believe it is also more versatile.

I'm planning the same thing with one 5*1 switch and then :rolleyes: one 1*2 splitter.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=2777&seq=1&format=2&style=
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10113&cs_id=1011301&p_id=3049&seq=1&format=2&style=
Is this what you did or does anyone know how well this will work?

that's exactly what i did, except i used a non-powered splitter. It has worked great for me thus far. my last post has all the details