Dual source for TV

[billy p]

I'm trying to configure a second a/v source using component and fibre optic cables. I'm currently using HDMI via my receiver(yamaha htr6190) for BRP and HDTV content. I thought this would be easy? Just connect the HDMI direct to tv and use the comp/digital cables via my receiver and your done. Well my SA HD4250 won't allow both audio singals to pass through and I would need to switch the source each time, but the picture is fine. How can I make this work because I don't want to use my avr all the time to watch tv and what works for some of you?

 

[AVRat]

How about HDMI to receiver and Component/stereo analog to the TV.

 

[billy p]

How about HDMI to receiver and Component/stereo analog to the TV.

I kind of painted myself into a corner with this because I've installed 2 hdmi and 1 set of component cables for my install & no audio(I thought I'd use the receiver for that). I would hate like hell to have to re-do it. I think the problem lies within the SA explorer hd4250 itself. The setting menu allows for 3 audio choices (hdmi,dd or other) and when you select HDMI the other 2 aren't recognized. What I need is to send the HDMI signal from the HD box to the avr and tv...is there such a thing or am I SOL.
Regards, Bill....

 

[billy p]

Anybody here use a hdmi splitter and how well do they work?

Thanks, Bill....

 

[jostenmeat]

Anybody here use a hdmi splitter and how well do they work?

Thanks, Bill....

I think I hurt my brain trying to think of something for you yesterday, and the HDMI splitter or switcher for that matter crossed my mind . . . but how would that help you here? You would still need another HDMI cable to the TV . . . Right? I could very well be missing something.

Bill, I say either always use the HT (c'mon you paid for that quality, use it, and it's good for your electronics/speakers to be used for longevity's sake AFAIK), or find a different cable box that doesn't require fiddling.

I predict only a 0.5% chance I can find something, but will you please tell me your particular location (nearest large city), and your cable provider?

AFAIK, some of my friends have to keep bothering their service providers for a better cable box, and eventually they get one (rather than some formerly broken, now barely refurbished cable box, with a bad IR sensor, DVI rather than HDMI, etc).

 

[billy p]

I think I hurt my brain trying to think of something for you yesterday, and the HDMI splitter or switcher for that matter crossed my mind . . . but how would that help you here? You would still need another HDMI cable to the TV . . . Right? I could very well be missing something.

Bill, I say either always use the HT (c'mon you paid for that quality, use it, and it's good for your electronics/speakers to be used for longevity's sake AFAIK), or find a different cable box that doesn't require fiddling.

I predict only a 0.5% chance I can find something, but will you please tell me your particular location (nearest large city), and your cable provider?

AFAIK, some of my friends have to keep bothering their service providers for a better cable box, and eventually they get one (rather than some formerly broken, now barely refurbished cable box, with a bad IR sensor, DVI rather than HDMI, etc).

Hi Josten, I should leave things well enough alone and use the H/T but what fun would that be. In all honesty all I wanted to do was clear up some of the cables lying around and hopefully make things easier when my wife views tv(she doesn't care for SS all the time). If the splitter can send one signal to the tv and the other to my avr without interuption it might be worthwhile...IMO.
PS: Sorry if I caused you any angst.....
Regards,Bill...

 

[jostenmeat]

If the splitter can send one signal to the tv and the other to my avr without interuption it might be worthwhile...IMO.

Ah, but if you send a signal to the avr, it still needs to get to the TV. (You can't send just only one signal to the TV, and then another source ending at the receiver).

However, I forgot about something, but I think some receivers might be able to pass-thru signals even when off? hmmm, I'll try search functions, but the keywords are so common, that it could be tough. You also might have HDCP-handshake issues (where the stb doesn't have a repeater, and so the signal dies at the receiver). Nm, after rereading your post, I presume the cable box signal passes through just fine.

I assume it doesn't pass through when off, but if you don't know, try? I'll see if I can dig something up, but you ought to say if getting a different receiver is completely out of the question, atm.

EDIT: I feel kind of funny sending you to Buckeye Nut in the steam vent, but maybe ask him if he's learned anything since this post? Oh, it's from today in fact, hm:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=662705&postcount=4

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Hey billy,
your post really hurting my brain, or i'm just dumb

Bear with me for a sec: Are trying to use your TV and cable box sometimes without turning on the receiver??

Why?

Tv speakers as rule of thumb suck, just go ahead have everything go to receiver and turn off these TV speakers. This is what I do.
Like Buckeye I haven't heard em in a long while....

To simply your life (A LOT) just get universal remote - like harmony (even cheap one will do like 520 about $50)

My boss resisted the harmony for very long , but now he got and he loves it !!

 

[jostenmeat]

Hey billy,
your post really hurting my brain, or i'm just dumb

That's how I felt. Hey, let's just pretend it's only the first.

Bear with me for a sec: Are trying to use your TV and cable box sometimes without turning on the receiver??

Yes he is.

Why?

Wifey.

To simply your life (A LOT) just get universal remote - like harmony (even cheap one will do like 520 about $50)

My boss resisted the harmony for very long , but now he got and he loves it !!

Oh dear, I can see nightmares with a macro based Harmony trying to send a set of signals (surely all with very long delay for stoopid cable boxes, and that is already after making the far fetched assumption that the IR receiver and upstream electronics within the cable box work smoothly), and the wife sitting there holding the remote still for 20 seconds straight, praying to God. Then once the macro is out of sync, she's gonna pull out the shotgun and blow poor Billy's system to bits and pieces.

 

[billy p]

Hey Josten, that last paragraph made me LMAO but your so right. I can't tell you guys how many times she has called me to FIX IT. The easy fix would be to just use the receiver as is, but I've played things out in my head and the splitter outta work....here's hoping.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

hey, yea, macros can get outta sync, but Im my experience (i got the 880 remote) it happens rather rare with proper education of our better halfs : "Honey, Could you please point the remote in general direction of TV then you'd like to turn it or of off"
Plus Harmony got nice Help button to fix that out-sync issues..

Some harmony remotes are RF based (890) so prolly these have less chances of breaking the macro....

Back to your issue, imo splitting hdmi prolly not going to work, but I think you can split out component video and coax digital cable , yes - it'll create cable hell, but just might work...

 

[billy p]

hey, yea, macros can get outta sync, but Im my experience (i got the 880 remote) it happens rather rare with proper education of our better halfs : "Honey, Could you please point the remote in general direction of TV then you'd like to turn it or of off"
Plus Harmony got nice Help button to fix that out-sync issues..

Some harmony remotes are RF based (890) so prolly these have less chances of breaking the macro....

Back to your issue, imo splitting hdmi prolly not going to work, but I think you can split out component video and coax digital cable , yes - it'll create cable hell, but just might work...

If the splitter acts as a pass through device than I see no unforeseen issues...but I didn't see any issues before starting this thread either.....

BTW...thanks guys
Regards, Bill...

 

[billy p]

Well I tired using the splitter and it worked okay but the audio signal being set to the receiver is only PCM..... That kind of sucks and I had to revert back to my original set up.....
PS: Anybody have a use for an HDMI splitter....
Regards, Bill

 

[bandphan]

Yank that tv off the wall, pull 4 rg59 and 2 cat5, and close er up Get some GreenLee GloStix for ease

 

[billy p]

Yank that tv off the wall, pull 4 rg59 and 2 cat5, and close er up Get some GreenLee GloStix for ease

Its always good advice to plan ahead(sure wish I did...)....but that freaking thing is not coming off the wall....

 

[NicolasKL]

However, I forgot about something, but I think some receivers might be able to pass-thru signals even when off?

My Denon does. If I shut it off while I'm watching TV I'll lose picture for a second and then it'll redo the handshake and it'll come right back.

Universal remote macros aren't really a big deal. All the wife needs to know is if something gets out of sync she just has to hit the power button on the remote (to shut everything off) and then if there's anything still on, shut it off manually. My wife's a complete technophobe and she hasn't had any issues that she couldn't solve herself despite the fact that my Harmony controls about 10 different components including a 5 input HDMI switcher.

 

[bandphan]

My Denon does. If I shut it off while I'm watching TV I'll lose picture for a second and then it'll redo the handshake and it'll come right back.

Universal remote macros aren't really a big deal. All the wife needs to know is if something gets out of sync she just has to hit the power button on the remote (to shut everything off) and then if there's anything still on, shut it off manually. My wife's a complete technophobe and she hasn't had any issues that she couldn't solve herself despite the fact that my Harmony controls about 10 different components including a 5 input HDMI switcher.

Or use discrete codes or toads and its all good

 

[j_garcia]

A $30 HDMI switch from Monoprice should solve this for you. If you only turn on the cable box and not the receiver, the box will switch to that input. If you turn on the receiver it should switch to that one or you can use your remote to select it directly.

Yamaha's newest receivers can pass through signal even while they are in stand by.

 

[billy p]

A $30 HDMI switch from Monoprice should solve this for you. If you only turn on the cable box and not the receiver, the box will switch to that input. If you turn on the receiver it should switch to that one or you can use your remote to select it directly.

Yamaha's newest receivers can pass through signal even while they are in stand by.

Hi John, I did buy one from Monoprice item #5068(product#hdp-102). I sent output 1 to my TV and the second to my avr. It must be some form of handshake issue because the receiver signal displays digital 2 ch pcm(works fine if I don't use second source). I spend most of last evening tinkering and I finally gave up. FWIW... I'm still bugged, but it's something I can live without. As was mentioned in an eariler post, I'll have to re-educate the Missus not to point the harmony towards the floor...