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Using Splitter for Cable Box

post #1 of 6
7/27/10 at 3:18pm
Thread Starter 
Hi,
Sorry if this is a simple question for some of you gentlemen. I'm a newbie and this is not my field.

I have a at&t UVerse box with 1 hdmi out, a pioneer VSX1020-k AV, and a Visio lcd tv.
Before installing the pioneer AV, UVerse box was connecting to TV using a hdmi cable and everything was controlled by one remote.

I changed the setup so Uverse hdmi out goes to AV and then AV connects to TV:

Uverse -> Pioneer AV
AV -> TV

I'm happy with this setup but wife wants to have the option of bypassing AV so she does not have to turn the AV on all the time (same old setup).

I was thinking about a 1->2 HDMI splitter so the output of Uverse box would go to splitter and then from splitter one would go to TV (HDMI-1) and the other one would go to AV and from AV to TV (HDMI-2)
This way whenever I want to have a Dolby or surround sound, I can use HDMI-2 (on TV) and using HDMI-1 would be like before.

Will this setup work? If yes, can I use a passive splitter or I have to buy one of those boxes?
If I need to buy a box, do you have any suggestion? (don't want to pay much)
Also, if I just need a passive splitter, which brand you gentlemen suggest?

Thanks
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post #2 of 6
7/28/10 at 11:01am
In theory either type of splitter should work, but with HDMI nothing is guaranteed. I would recommend an active splitter. You might try one from Monoprice. They have a good return policy if it doesn't work. They also have inexpensive HDMI cables if you need some to hook up the splitter.

A problem you could have is that the source will output only stereo and not surround sound to the AVR when also connected to the TV. If so you may have to go to a switch such as this, which only connects one output at a time.
(Note that this switch is somewhat unique is that it is bidirectional and can be used with one input and two outputs. Most switches will only go from multiple inputs to one output which wouldn't work for you.)
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post #3 of 6
7/28/10 at 11:27am
something to consider... rather than deal with the potential issues surrounding splitting the hdmi signal...

assuming the uverse box has component out ports, and that they are active at the same time as the hdmi port is, it might be easier just to run component cables (and spdif/analog sound) to the tv...
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post #4 of 6
7/28/10 at 12:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ccotenj View Post

something to consider... rather than deal with the potential issues surrounding splitting the hdmi signal...

assuming the uverse box has component out ports, and that they are active at the same time as the hdmi port is, it might be easier just to run component cables (and spdif/analog sound) to the tv...

This forum thread suggests that you may not be able to output HDMI and component at the same time.
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post #5 of 6
7/28/10 at 2:31pm
darn...

good thing i put "assuming" in the first post...
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post #6 of 6
7/29/10 at 6:47pm
Thread Starter 
Gentlemen,

I'd like to thank you all. I solved the problem :-) I bought an optical cable and connected Uverse box to AV with an optical cable. Currently the setup is:

Uverse->TV (HDMI)
Uverse->AV (Optical)

This way we can enjoy the TV like before and whenever we there is a DOLBY movie/program, we can simply turn the AV on.

Regards
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