dual HDMI out components or pass-through receiver

olilugo

Hi all,

As I update my video/audio components, I find the following challage.
My Home theather is not a dedicated one, by that I mean sometimes we use the receiver, amp, speakers, but sometimes we just want to use the TV and whatch a moview without using the receiver.

If I buy a new receiver and Blue ray player, I would like to get all the benefits out of the HDMI technology, but I also want to be able to use my TV without the rest of the components.
If you think about it, the same challage applies to all components attched to the pre/receiver.

The question is: is there a Blue ray player, game console player; that have 2 hdmi outs? or
Is there a receiver that can pass-through the signal while on standby?

If none of the above: how would you setup your system for the kind of flexibility I need?

Today, I use hdmi to my TV and I have to use the digital coax or optical connection on the receiver.
If I buy a new receiver I just don't see how I can take advantage of the new technoloy while keeping the flexibility of using my TV with or without the receiver.

Any advice?

WilliamM2

I have not seen any with dual HDMI outputs. You could always run HDMI to the reciever, and the analog audio and component to the TV. Switching inputs on the TV would either run it through the HT, or direct to the TV.

I'm not sure if HDMI switchers will work in reverse, if there is one that does, you could feed it the HDMI from the player or cable box, and then switch whether it goes to the HT or direct to the TV.

You could also get a reciever with dual HDMI outputs, there are several. Turn n HDMI audio out, and you will have to turn the TV volume down when using the HT, and the reciever volume down when using the speakers in the TV.

olilugo

Wow I can not believe no one else have had to at least think about this.
William Thanks for the suguestions, I was hoping someone already figure it out how to really use their systems without compromising the ability of the hdmi 1.3 technology and yet be flexible to be able to view 1080p video without having the receiver on.

Fallen Kell

You need to get a HDMI switch unit like these:

2 HDMI in, 2 HDMI out (mirrored output)
http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=2757
4 HDMI in, 2 HDMI out (mirrored output)
http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=3099

It is basically either a 2/4 in, 2 out HDMI switch that allows you to mirror the output to 2 locations at the same time, so you can hook up one output to your TV and another to your receiver. Check the specs though before purchasing something like this. I would find out what version of HDMI it accepts, because for Blu-Ray, you will want HDMI v1.3 connects or above.... But that is the kind of gear you are looking for. And yes, they are expensive....

avguytx

I don't think I've used just my TV for volume in the last 10+ years of having HT stuff in 2 different houses. I've always just connected it thru the receiver and used that for volume mainly since it's easy to use because of the Harmony remote. So basically, it's all or nothing for me.