hdmi splitter question.

I have a problem and am looking for a solution. This is probably going to be long winded. Sorry.

Bought a new ivy bridge mobo and processor
z77 mobo intel 3570k processor.
So that means HD 4000 graphics
Now I find out that the geniuses at Intel can't, or more likely won't write hd4000 drivers which will communicate with a Denon receiver, which is what I have (of course).

With older chipsets, people could just do an EDID override and all was good.
The drivers in my computer will not even acknowledge the existence of my receiver/projector.
For example, if I try and force detection, I see some "no monitor detected" type of message.
If I run MonInfo, an executable which reads EDID info from a monitor, it reports just fine. So it isn't a cable issue. Linux can also extend the display onto the computer, and my old nvidia card had no problem.

If I remove the receiver from the loop, the computer will detect the projector just fine.
Now, the projector is an optoma hd81 which includes a separate box for doing switching and scaling. That unit has the following hdmi connectors
3 switchable inputs
1 output which would normally go to your receiver.
1 input from the receiver to the scaler
1 output from the scaler to the projector.
So the chain if you are using the switcher would be
source (bd/computer/satellite) -> switcher -> receiver -> (back to) scaler -> projector

but you don't need to use the switcher if your receiver can switch inputs (which they can), so the NORMAL way to hook up is to bypass the switcher and do
source (bd/computer/satellite) -> receiver -> scaler -> projector

What I'm hoping I can do is

computer->splitter--+-> receiver -> switcher (input 1) -> scaler -> projector
................................+->switcher(input 2)-> scaler -> projector

So that for bd/satellite, I use input 1: The splitter never enters the equation. Receiver splits out and plays audio, and passes video on to the switcher/scaler/projector.
For computer I use input 2: Splitter passes audio and video to receiver; receiver plays audio from the computer, video just gets thrown. Splitter also passed video and audio to switcher; switcher passes video to scaler, audio gets thrown away.

What I don't know is how those kinds of passive splitters are going to handle the handshaking that goes on. You now have 2 devices, the receiver and the switcher trying to communicate with the computer. Both will tell it they can play video (since the receiver thinks it will be passing it along). I really don't know if the switcher will tell the computer it can play audio when a receiver is not hooked up.

Now from the looks of it, some people have 2 tv's hooked up and they don't appear to cause communication problems. Other people can't get it to work.

Passive or powered: in either case can both tell the computer what they are capable of doing and work? In my case is one device going to say "I can't play video" and the other say "I can't play audio" and I get no output? Is Intel's second rate driver still going to see a "denon" on the wire somewhere and just send out nothing?

The computer is not going to be used for material requiring hdcp, but of course everything is capable of using it.

Will a powered splitter be any better?

Thanks

Thanks, but the rest of my concerns remain. Is there much hope it will do what I want?

First, to be clear, in my second post, I meant assuming I give up the "passive" solution and try for an active only.




I just did a search, and CEC is the protocol that allows remotes to turn on or off other devices? I'll check, but I'm pretty sure that is already disabled in my Denon. I don't think the Optoma supports it, but I'll check on that also.


I'm thinking that is probably my only hope, and I have nearly none.


Since the hd4000 driver will not even acknowledge the existence of my Denon, I don't know if that will help, but 1920x1080p is supported by all, and that is what I was trying to use. Also 1920x1080i (which is what Optoma advertises best), but still no go.


Yes, I was aware of that.


And unfortunately that is what I expect will happen if I put in an active splitter. I was hoping someone more knowledgeable than myself would tell me I was wrong and that an active splitter would solve all my problems.

I'll send some whiney messages to Gigabyte, who makes my MB to tell them I want it to work with my receiver, but I expect no changes in anyones policy. I have resigned myself to putting in a separate video card, or running 6 analog audio signals to my amp. I'd rather the amp did the D/A since the converters are better, but I think this is my only solution unless I want to buy yet another video card. I have at least 3 still hanging around doing nothing. I know one will work (gt240) but it uses 20-30 watts extra, and it ticks me off that I have to waste it just because Intel or Denon or both appear to be acting like children who can't get along.