HDMI splitter

wrigley

My daughter has an older 1080p LCD TV with 1 "HDMI in" and 1 "HDMI out". She recently upgraded to HD cable and she also has a Sharp BD-HP22U BD player. Can she use a basic HDMI splitter or does she need to go to an amplified splitter switch?

The cable company (Comcast) told her to use RC cables for the HD connections. I'm not an expert, but I think she will get a better picture using the HDMI connection? Thanks

Mike

wutadumsn23

Yeah, HDMI is the best, but if the units support Component cables, they are probably second in line. Get an HDMI switch box and you will be good. They can be a bit pricey though, the cheapest one I found was $55, but I'm sure they can be had for less. If not, component cables would be cheaper, and the picture quality wouldn't suffer that much, IMHO.

-Jeff

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=211118621&listingid=43066813 splitter box

Slinger182

I don't have any experience with a splitter but my buddy has this switch and hasn't had any problems.

http://bluejeanscable.com/store/hdmi-accessories/index.htm

unc2701

OK, she need a switch, not a splitter. Splitter would drive 2 TV's off one source; switch allows 2 sources to go to one input. Monoprice has plenty of cheap models:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=109&cp_id=10110

wutadumsn23

unc2701 wrote: »

OK, she need a switch, not a splitter. Splitter would drive 2 TV's off one source; switch allows 2 sources to go to one input. Monoprice has plenty of cheap models:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=109&cp_id=10110

That was what I linked in my post, no? Figured they could be had for cheaper, just wanted to let him know what he was looking for.

-Jeff

unc2701

wutadumsn23 wrote: »

That was what I linked in my post, no? Figured they could be had for cheaper, just wanted to let him know what he was looking for.

-Jeff

Response was to the OP. Your post wasn't up when I started my response.

wutadumsn23

My bad.

-Jeff

wrigley

unc2701 wrote: »

Response was to the OP. Your post wasn't up when I started my response.

Thanks guys....I appreciate the info. Does she have to worry about HDMI 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc.....when selecting a switch box?

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011001&p_id=2786&seq=1&format=2


Mike

cheddar

I have used the monoprice 2x1 manual switch with good results. HDMI is notoriously difficult to get a proper handshake with. The manual switch physically moves the connection from one source to the other. You can hear the new connection clicking in to place when you push the buttons. So you aren't messing with the signal, just creating a new physical path.

Although I haven't used others, many switches electronically switch the signal and create another point where handshake failure can occur. So although they have ratings, they may be less reliable than the manual switch.

cstmar01

Also check to see if the comcast box is really putting on 1080P. Most are still putting out 1080i which can be passed through component cables just fine, as well as you normally will not be able to tell a difference between 1080P and 1080i on TV's that are a bit smaller, normally around 42-46" and below. If you can hook up via component then all you would need would be the 3 cables and a opitical cable or digital coaxial cable for the sound. HDMI does make it a bit easier for you to just use 1 cable, but as noted there can be handshake issues when using them but normally a switch isn't too bad to work with.

Huck344

I have the below monoprice HDMI switch. I've used it for about a year. I have my PS3, BDP, Directv box and Xbox360 connected to it. I've never had a problem. I like that it has a remote function.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=4088&seq=1&format=2

wrigley

cstmar01 wrote: »

Also check to see if the comcast box is really putting on 1080P. Most are still putting out 1080i which can be passed through component cables just fine, as well as you normally will not be able to tell a difference between 1080P and 1080i on TV's that are a bit smaller, normally around 42-46" and below. If you can hook up via component then all you would need would be the 3 cables and a opitical cable or digital coaxial cable for the sound. HDMI does make it a bit easier for you to just use 1 cable, but as noted there can be handshake issues when using them but normally a switch isn't too bad to work with.

Yeah.............it's probably 1080i. I have DirecTV HD and it's 1080i.

Mike

wutadumsn23

wrigley wrote: »

Yeah.............it's probably 1080i. I have DirecTV HD and it's 1080i.

Mike

Same here, and I have Comcast. HD channels are broadcast in 1080i for me.

-Jeff

ViperZ

It's like $10-15 difference to get a full blown 4-to-1 1.3b-certified remote-operated switch. I think it's worth the extra money, considering that it can be used with newer equipment.

grif32

cstmar01 wrote: »

Also check to see if the comcast box is really putting on 1080P. Most are still putting out 1080i which can be passed through component cables just fine, as well as you normally will not be able to tell a difference between 1080P and 1080i on TV's that are a bit smaller, normally around 42-46" and below. If you can hook up via component then all you would need would be the 3 cables and a opitical cable or digital coaxial cable for the sound. HDMI does make it a bit easier for you to just use 1 cable, but as noted there can be handshake issues when using them but normally a switch isn't too bad to work with.

There is nothing that broadcast in 1080P and probably won't for a very long time. So 720P/1080I is all you will ever get. So all should still be putting out 1080I and not 1080P

To the op:

I have a Monoprice 2x1 switch part #HDS-201 you can have it, if you pay shipping. Its a manual switch. Or you can just use component and rca cables/optical etc for sound for the cable box and HDMI for the Blu-Ray player.

LMK
Chris

wrigley

grif32 wrote: »

There is nothing that broadcast in 1080P and probably won't for a very long time. So 720P/1080I is all you will ever get. So all should still be putting out 1080I and not 1080P

To the op:

I have a Monoprice 2x1 switch part #HDS-201 you can have it, if you pay shipping. Its a manual switch. Or you can just use component and rca cables/optical etc for sound for the cable box and HDMI for the Blu-Ray player.

LMK
Chris

Chris,

I appreciate the offer. She decided to just use the RCA cables for now. Thanks again for the offer!

Mike

grif32

wrigley wrote: »

Chris,

I appreciate the offer. She decided to just use the RCA cables for now. Thanks again for the offer!

Mike

NP Mike...