4x2 HDMI splitter

[gazprince80]

Does anybody know of a good 4x2 HDMI splitter?
Linking the following:
-PS3
-Dishnetwork HD
-XBox 360

to:
-2 Samsung LCD screens (1 in basement to Onkyo receiver, 1 in living room)

*Want to be able to have two remotes to control this for a distance.
*Do not want to be able to lose audio quality. Heard that the monoprice 4x2 switcher will downgrade to the lowest quality HDMI output. But i guess I can always connect the ps3 to an onkyo receiver for audio 7.1 via optical

I was specifically looking at this from monoprice:link

 

[Seth=L]

The signal passes, or it doesn't pass. If the signal strength is too low it will most likely be caused by excessively long HDMI cable runs, I don't think the switcher will cause any problems. That switcher is powered too, I believe that means it will boost the signal for longer cable runs as well.

 

[gazprince80]

Audio

So audio quality is not a issue?? Some of the comments by some of the users of this switchers stated that if I have two output sources. 1(2 channel speaker for 1 of the TVs) & another a AV receiver (7.1) then it will down convert both to 2 channel. I guess I can always work about this but connecting direct to the 7.1 with an audio optical and then using the switcher as a video.
Any thoughts? Any other switch recommendations for a decent price?

 

[bandphan]

Your saying you have 3 sources and two displays? What AVR are you using? What exactly are you trying to accomplish?

 

[gazprince80]

Trying to accomplish

Trying to accomplish the following.
Ability to watch the 3 HD sources in EITHER/BOTH the basement or the living room. i.e. Play PS3 in living room by flipping a switch or in the basement by flipping the switch.

I also have the following receiver in the basement Onkyo Black 7.1-Channel Home Theater System, Model HTS6100B

 

[BMXTRIX]

It would be typical for an HDMI matrix switcher to go with the lowest common denominator for audio/video. There are times where they automatically set things up, but this is part of the headache with the world of standards we live in right now.

My assumption: You have two displays, one uses it's internal speakers, the other uses a surround A/V receiver. You have several sources you want to share between the two displays and you would prefer to use HDMI to do this.

Recommendation: The Monoprice is not likely to be much different than anything else. If your intent is to use the internal speakers in the TV, then you have a VERY serious issue if you want to send the audio via HDMI because the HDMI source MUST send audio out in a format which is compatible with that TV. HDMI won't send DTS-HD and stereo audio at the same time. So, you just get stereo audio. Not sure how you deal with that other than sending the audio separately from the video, which isn't going to be straightforward.

In my home I'm using analog audio for all stereo zones and coax digital for surround zones, then HDMI for (some) video only. I plan to include HDMI audio when I get a new receiver, so it will be interesting to see how things work, but you are delving into the world of digital hell right now, and with HDMI matrixing there simply isn't a 'great' solution. Especially with small HDMI matrix switchers which are typically far more expensive than the Monoprice one, and still very limited for production facilities.

You can pick up a 4x4 Extron HDMI matrix this spring for about $3,000 or so which will likely work really well.

Yeah, Monoprice is cheap.

 

[bandphan]

So all the gear is located in the basement? How much is your budget? How is the gear currently connected?

 

[bandphan]

Ive been watching this and waiting for some good feedback.

 

[gazprince80]

It would be typical for an HDMI matrix switcher to go with the lowest common denominator for audio/video. There are times where they automatically set things up, but this is part of the headache with the world of standards we live in right now.

My assumption: You have two displays, one uses it's internal speakers, the other uses a surround A/V receiver. You have several sources you want to share between the two displays and you would prefer to use HDMI to do this.

Recommendation: The Monoprice is not likely to be much different than anything else. If your intent is to use the internal speakers in the TV, then you have a VERY serious issue if you want to send the audio via HDMI because the HDMI source MUST send audio out in a format which is compatible with that TV. HDMI won't send DTS-HD and stereo audio at the same time. So, you just get stereo audio. Not sure how you deal with that other than sending the audio separately from the video, which isn't going to be straightforward.

In my home I'm using analog audio for all stereo zones and coax digital for surround zones, then HDMI for (some) video only. I plan to include HDMI audio when I get a new receiver, so it will be interesting to see how things work, but you are delving into the world of digital hell right now, and with HDMI matrixing there simply isn't a 'great' solution. Especially with small HDMI matrix switchers which are typically far more expensive than the Monoprice one, and still very limited for production facilities.

You can pick up a 4x4 Extron HDMI matrix this spring for about $3,000 or so which will likely work really well.

Yeah, Monoprice is cheap.

Great feedback. What i was wanting to know is if the monoprice switch works the same as the expensive ones, which you answered. i.e. losing audio from 5.1 to stereo.

Ultimately, i only need dts-hd audio on the receiver for the following (ps3 for blue-ray, DishDVR for games). If i do the following will this setup work? Give me 5.1 audio in the basement.

Also, the basement is still unfinished, so I want to first plan the equipment and wiring diagrams before I set off on a path. See attached pdf file. I figure pictures are better then writing paragraphs.

Any other thoughts or recommendations? I know the monoprice hdmi switch has a remote, but based on the feedback it is not very good. Is there a RF solution out there?

 

[billy p]

Does anybody know of a good 4x2 HDMI splitter?
Linking the following:
-PS3
-Dishnetwork HD
-XBox 360

to:
-2 Samsung LCD screens (1 in basement to Onkyo receiver, 1 in living room)

*Want to be able to have two remotes to control this for a distance.
*Do not want to be able to lose audio quality. Heard that the monoprice 4x2 switcher will downgrade to the lowest quality HDMI output. But i guess I can always connect the ps3 to an onkyo receiver for audio 7.1 via optical

I was specifically looking at this from monoprice:link

The splitter should work for both sources and the signal will be down graded to pcm. I also found out when using a HD box if the signal is being sent via HDMI the other audio sources aren't recognized(ie:coax or analog). Otherwise....the spiltter works fine.

 

[BMXTRIX]

The biggest issue is that the PS3 won't output audio in two formats - it's HDMI, OR digital optical, OR analog. You can't do both HDMI & toslink.

Other products may have this issue as well, which is obnoxious, though most will do analog stereo audio at the same time they do HDMI audio. Not sure about coax/optical digital audio with many components.

This is the CF of all this stuff! I would really like HDMI and component video (1080i) at the same time from most of my sources - but most of my sources won't do that either. It's either HDMI OR component, not both.

There are exceptions, such as the Panasonic BD60 which will deliver analog audio (for sure) at the same time as HDMI audio. Likewise, it will deliver HDMI video and component video at the same time.

Your one issue with your setup (maybe) is that you can't easily switch between one optical audio and another if you want the same input to be used on your receiver. ie: PS3 = HDMI 1 & Optical 1
DVR = HDMI 1 & Optical 2
All = HDMI 1 & Optical 3

If you have access to run cabling to your living room TV, then I would see what HDMI surround formats it accepts, as it may take DTS or similar which is the same as what you would get from a digital optical connection. It won't give you HD audio, but will retail the surround format at good quality. That really depends on your display.

 

[gazprince80]

The biggest issue is that the PS3 won't output audio in two formats - it's HDMI, OR digital optical, OR analog. You can't do both HDMI & toslink.

Other products may have this issue as well, which is obnoxious, though most will do analog stereo audio at the same time they do HDMI audio. Not sure about coax/optical digital audio with many components.

This is the CF of all this stuff! I would really like HDMI and component video (1080i) at the same time from most of my sources - but most of my sources won't do that either. It's either HDMI OR component, not both.

There are exceptions, such as the Panasonic BD60 which will deliver analog audio (for sure) at the same time as HDMI audio. Likewise, it will deliver HDMI video and component video at the same time.

Your one issue with your setup (maybe) is that you can't easily switch between one optical audio and another if you want the same input to be used on your receiver. ie: PS3 = HDMI 1 & Optical 1
DVR = HDMI 1 & Optical 2
All = HDMI 1 & Optical 3

If you have access to run cabling to your living room TV, then I would see what HDMI surround formats it accepts, as it may take DTS or similar which is the same as what you would get from a digital optical connection. It won't give you HD audio, but will retail the surround format at good quality. That really depends on your display.

BMXTRIX--So i Played around with the Ps3 today. What a bummer it won't output in two formats. I have updated the drawing to take out the optical. Looks at best it was a 5.1 bitstream and 2 ch pcm.

What i would like is a 7.1 setup in my basement tv and minimal 2 channel is fine on the living room tv. What else can I try or options are available?



Budget on wiring and switches: $500
Additional TV for basement: $2000
I am looking to keep items in the basement for 1 it is cooler down there and it keeps the living room of clutter. Have a new born and would hate for him to play with my toys.