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1 Input/2 Output HDMI Switch??

post #1 of 15
4/28/12 at 7:16am
Thread Starter 
I need a 1 input and 2 output HDMI switch for my Home Theater room that will work with Directv. I want to watch my movies on my projector and regular programming on my 40". I don't want to go the AVR switching route.
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post #2 of 15
4/28/12 at 7:47am
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2
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post #3 of 15
4/28/12 at 8:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rgathright View Post

I need a 1 input and 2 output HDMI switch for my Home Theater room that will work with Directv. I want to watch my movies on my projector and regular programming on my 40". I don't want to go the AVR switching route.

Just to make sure you understand, in this configuration you will likely only get stereo audio output. That said, Monoprice is the cheapest for a reliable distribution amp.
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post #4 of 15
5/14/12 at 9:21am
@alk3997 -
Just to clarify: Even if the HDMI input to the Monoprice product carries 5.1 audio, the HDMI outputs will carry only 2-channel stereo audio?

A newbie thanks you in advance. . .
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post #5 of 15
5/15/12 at 4:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pbaxter View Post

@alk3997 -
Just to clarify: Even if the HDMI input to the Monoprice product carries 5.1 audio, the HDMI outputs will carry only 2-channel stereo audio?

A newbie thanks you in advance. . .

Sort of. The source device is told by the destination (the sink - which is the AVR and TV in this case) what capabilities the sinks have. The source then adjusts its output the match the capabilities of both sinks. So, the source will only *send* 2-channel audio out if a single 2-channel sink (a TV, for instance) is included as one of the outputs.

So it isn't the outputs that change to 2-channel, but instead it is the input that becomes 2-channel. This is the lowest common denominator principal and is part of the EDID communications you'll hear about. Remember HDMI only includes a single audio stream at any time.
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post #6 of 15
5/15/12 at 12:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by alk3997 View Post

Sort of. The source device is told by the destination (the sink - which is the AVR and TV in this case) what capabilities the sinks have. The source then adjusts its output the match the capabilities of both sinks. So, the source will only *send* 2-channel audio out if a single 2-channel sink (a TV, for instance) is included as one of the outputs.

So it isn't the outputs that change to 2-channel, but instead it is the input that becomes 2-channel. This is the lowest common denominator principal and is part of the EDID communications you'll hear about. Remember HDMI only includes a single audio stream at any time.

Thanks, Andy. That helps.
I'm trying to split the hdmi output from my TIVO to go both to an hdmi input on the TV and to an hdmi input on my receiver.
If the tv can process 5.1 all will be well.
If it can't, then the receiver will be getting 2-channel stereo. In that case I think I can run an optical audio cable from the TIVO to the receiver and assign it to the input to which the TIVO is attached.
Does this sound ok?
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post #7 of 15
5/15/12 at 12:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pbaxter View Post

Thanks, Andy. That helps.
I'm trying to split the hdmi output from my TIVO to go both to an hdmi input on the TV and to an hdmi input on my receiver.
If the tv can process 5.1 all will be well.
If it can't, then the receiver will be getting 2-channel stereo. In that case I think I can run an optical audio cable from the TIVO to the receiver and assign it to the input to which the TIVO is attached.
Does this sound ok?

Yes, that's the correct way of handling this.
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post #8 of 15
5/15/12 at 1:02pm
The Monoprice line has been mentioned elsewhere on this forum - I'm thinking of their model "8204 1X2 Mini HDMI® Splitter w/ 3D support".
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post #9 of 15
5/15/12 at 2:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pbaxter View Post

The Monoprice line has been mentioned elsewhere on this forum - I'm thinking of their model "8204 1X2 Mini HDMI® Splitter w/ 3D support".

That should be fine for your application with your plan to use a S/PDIF cable as well for digital audio.
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post #10 of 15
5/15/12 at 7:58pm
www(dot)lenkeng(dot)biz/Html/Product/1x2-hdmi-splitter.html

another choice for you ,you can also find perfect product from this manufacturer
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post #11 of 15
5/15/12 at 9:34pm
I found some splitters here as well
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post #12 of 15
6/30/12 at 1:16pm
I've tried a lot of different switches and splitters and finally found one that works like a charm. I'ts a bi-directional HDMI switch from Sewell with HDCP pass through and it's $24.99 shipping was $2 and change. I'm going to order a couple more.

http://sewelldirect.com/2x1-or-1x2-HDMI-Bi-Directional-Switch-with-HDCP-Passthrough.asp
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post #13 of 15
7/12/12 at 9:12am
So this may be a question for individual TV vendors but I'll give it a shot. If an HDTV out of the box just does stereo then an HDMI splitter would negotiate down to two channel. What if later you used the TV's TOSLink out to drive a 5.1 soundbar system, is the HDMI circuit/handshake now aware that the TV is 5.1 capable? Will future handshakes with this device be at 5.1? (assuming the other splitter device is also 5.1).
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post #14 of 15
7/12/12 at 9:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bmcleod View Post

So this may be a question for individual TV vendors but I'll give it a shot. If an HDTV out of the box just does stereo then an HDMI splitter would negotiate down to two channel. What if later you used the TV's TOSLink out to drive a 5.1 soundbar system, is the HDMI circuit/handshake now aware that the TV is 5.1 capable? Will future handshakes with this device be at 5.1? (assuming the other splitter device is also 5.1).

If I understand soundbars correctly, if the soundbar has an HDMI input, the HDMI signal is usually sent to the soundbar first and then to the TV (using the soundbar's HDMI output). It allows the soundbar to alter the EDID and pass along the TV video information.

For non-HDMI soundbars, it will depend upon whether the TV sends 5.1-channel output with the Toslink. Many were limited to sending 2-channel for HDMI inputs. If you used a direct cable or antenna TV station then 5.1-channel could be sent out the Toslink connector. Again, it's a situation where each specific TV model may be different.
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post #15 of 15
7/22/12 at 5:46pm
Another recommendation for the Monoprice #8204.. 1 in 2 out splitter. Works flawlessly with my small 21" monitor and my big 52" Sony Bravia.. No problems yet, just plug in power and plug in your cables..
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