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HDMI splitter audio question

post #1 of 8
Thread Starter 
I've read a ton of forum posts and articles on the web and I have a question....

Let me explain my setup first, let me know if you need any other information.
I ran my DVR through the whole house using a splitter. Video works perfect, no issues at all.

DVR ->"ViewHD 4 Port HDMI 1x4 3D Powered Splitter Ver 1.3" ->
-> Samsung TV LN32A330
-> Samsung TV LNS4092D (has a samsung bluray home theater with optical input no hdmi switching)
-> Samsung TV LN52B75 (has a sony bluray home theater with optical input no hdmi switching)

I understand that all three tv's do not support 5.1 audio optical out from a HDMI input.
I understand that when using a HDMI splitter that audio defaults to the lowest supported audio on each path.
I would rather not replace or buy ALL new home theater equipment that incorporates hdmi switching.

I purchased a "Monoprice 4X1 HDMI® Switcher w/ Toslink & Digital Coaxial Port (Rev.2) w/ 3D support" in order to extract the 5.1 hdmi audio to the optical input on the home theater. This works like a charm, as long as the other two tv's are disconnected.

My questions is, if I purchase two more "Monoprice 4X1 HDMI® Switcher w/ Toslink & Digital Coaxial Port (Rev.2) w/ 3D support" and hook them up to the other two paths, will this "trick" the DVR into thinking each path is 5.1 capable?

So the proposed setup would be:

DVR ->"ViewHD 4 Port HDMI 1x4 3D Powered Splitter Ver 1.3" ->
-> "Monoprice 4X1 HDMI® Switcher w/ Toslink" ->Samsung TV LN32A330
-> "Monoprice 4X1 HDMI® Switcher w/ Toslink" ->Samsung TV LNS4092D
-> TOS link to samsung bluray home theater
-> "Monoprice 4X1 HDMI® Switcher w/ Toslink" ->Samsung TV LN52B75
-> TOS link to Sony bluray home theater

I understand that this setup is crazy, but buying 3 of these switches only costs about $150...and buying 3 new receivers capable of hdmi is MUCH more expensive.

Here are links to the items mentioned above:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003L14WB8/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00263D7A4/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00
post #2 of 8
Why not just connect directly to the other home theater devices with 5.1 capability rather than connecting to the TVs with only 2.0 capability?
post #3 of 8
Thread Starter 
The receivers are your basic HTIB's. All they have is HDMI output, no video input whatsoever.

Samsung HT-BD1250 Blu-ray Home Theater System
Sony BDV-E370 Sony 5.1 Blu-ray Disc System
post #4 of 8
Sorry, I was only referring to connecting the optical audio cable not the HDMI video cable. My point is you currently plan on connecting the optical cable from the splitter to the TV and then on to the HTIB. Why can't you just connect it directly from the splitter to the HTIB which would give you 5.1 capability rather than only 2.0 from the TV? This is why you have the issue now in that the other 2 TVs must be disconnected in order for you to get 5.1 in your current setup configuration.
post #5 of 8
Thread Starter 
I see the confusion, the editor removed my spacing when i did my little text diagram. I've attached a diagram that is easier to understand. The Monoprice Switcher IS running HDMI to the tv and optical to the HTIB. Diagram #1 successfully achieves 5.1 audio as long as TV2 and TV3 are unplugged (due to HDMI the lowest audio supported would be 2.1 if everything was plugged in).

My questions is if I do what is in diagram #2, will that get me 5.1 audio on both HTIB's without the unplugging cables?

Sorry for any confusion, I should have drew up the diagram the first time!

499
post #6 of 8
Why use the HDMI switches w/optical at all? DVRs have an optical output so simply connect that to a 1:3 optical switch which would then be connected to each of the 3 HTIBs with the HDMI video passing from the 1:4 splitter to each of the TVs.
post #7 of 8
Thread Starter 
Two of those runs are 50 feet of HDMI, and one is 6 feet of HDMI. That would require running 50 feet of optical cable, which I have considered until I stumbled upon the hdmi audio extractor concept.
post #8 of 8
Your suggested config will work, all be it at a cost of $150 as you say ... while 50' of optical cable costs < $10, although may also require a repeater if the signal is weak.
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