HDMI Matrix Question

Well there is no way around it. You need an input on your matrix for every source you want to distribute. A couple of considerations you could make:

- check out the "Just Add Power" stuff. Distributes HDMI over IP instead of using a "traditional" matrix architecture.

- Or simply buy local blurays for each room. 8X8's get pricey, and waking to a central location to load a disc can be a pain anyways.

But the short answer is if you want to use a traditional matrix, you'll need more than 4 inputs.

If all you want to do is add a DVD player so that all TVs can use it, all you need is a 1X4 matrix. This will work: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10113&cs_id=1011307&p_id=6192&seq=1&format=2

You'll need to lay 4 more runs of HDMI to each TV. No need to mess with the cable boxes, they can stay put.

Ok... then you'll have to do a combination of things... grab the aforementioned 1x4 and also four of these: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011001&p_id=8150&seq=1&format=2

Each cable box will go into it's own switch as input 1. Then take the 4 outputs from the 1x4 and plug them into the 4 other inputs on the other boxes.

And re: running new wiring... if your wiring isn't tacked down anywhere and placed in any very tight holes, my suggestion is to take 2 or 3 new runs of wire, securely attach them to one end of the old run (duct tape, electrical tape), and pull the old run through the walls, thus bringing the new runs with it.

Do you use all four cable boxes at the same time to show different programs? If you move them all to a matrix, any TV can watch any of the cable boxes, so you may be able to share them. This usually depends on the number of people in the house.

If you could share cable boxes by moving to a 4x4 matrix, and say reduce to 3 cable boxes, you'd have room for the DVD player on the matrix. This would be a far simpler solution...


Jeff

This is true. Pick up the monoprice 4x4 for only a couple hundred bucks and get rid of one of those cable boxes. Or make it a local cable box next to the TV.

You're not going to have automatic switching with the equipment I listed. For any of the solutions we mentioned, you're going to need to either (a) purchase a universal remote that can control the matrix and your other equipment or (b) walk to the matrix each time you want to switch the source.

Pick up the monoprice 4x4 matrix then. http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=5704&seq=1&format=2

It's the easiest solution for you.

Yes, you should be able to use any universal remote.

In theory, yes. Though I've never tried it myself. Just make sure you purchase through Amazon or Monoprice or someone else with a consumer friendly return policy, just in case it doesn't work. An alternative is running just one more line of cable to the closest TV for that cable box. Then you'll have 3 boxes and the DVD on the matrix with 1 box being local (but still in the closet).