Hdmi switch

[pewternhrata]

Need recommendations for a hdmi switch, need a min of 2 inputs and must have 2 outputs (1 out to tv and the other out to receiver for audio) will be used to connect an amazon fire box (4k)

 

[TLS Guy]

Need recommendations for a hdmi switch, need a min of 2 inputs and must have 2 outputs (1 out to tv and the other out to receiver for audio) will be used to connect an amazon fire box (4k)

That is a lousy idea. The two in switch is fine. The two out will get you into a pile of hurt. The problem is that the TV and receiver will interfere with each other and cause chaos.

Remember HDMI is two way communication. So the problem is the collision of the EDID data between your TV and the receiver. EDID is extended Display Identification Data. That will be different for the TV and receiver and cause the chaos and headaches.

Forget this 4K nonsense. If you must you need a new receiver and cabling. The rule applies peripherals to receiver, to TV. Only use the on/off switch on the TV.

There is really no significant difference between 2K and 4K. In fact the new 4K TVs are not a patch on the better older 2 K TVs we used to have and that I use.

By the way Amazon Fire devices are a PETA. See my review of the Intel NUC. That is a fantastic way to take care of all of your streaming requirements.

 

[pewternhrata]

So I'd be better off running hdmi to the tv, then optical out of tv to receiver

 

[TLS Guy]

So I'd be better off running hdmi to the tv, then optical out of tv to receiver

You would be better off running everything through the receiver, and one HDMI cable to the TV.

Unless you update everything, 4K is not worth the downgrade in the sound. If you use ARC or optical you can use the loss less codecs.

To use 4 K and have good sound you pretty much have to replace the whole system. This is an idea I will not entertain.

 

[pewternhrata]

Wife wanted a bigger tv (I couldn't say no) ended up with an lg 65uh6150. integra dtr 7.8, I don't want to run the amazon video through it. looks better straight to tv (also amazon box looks better than streaming through the tv itself, however I am connected via wifi to the tv until I receive a new ethernet cable) audio side I typically run dolby PLIIX movie when streaming from hulu, Netflix. since I mostly use PLIIX, optical would work soundwise for me correct?
I will continue to run the ps3 through the integra hdmi as I have not noticed any difference doing otherwise.

 

[TLS Guy]

Wife wanted a bigger tv (I couldn't say no) ended up with an lg 65uh6150. integra dtr 7.8, I don't want to run the amazon video through it. looks better straight to tv (also amazon box looks better than streaming through the tv itself, however I am connected via wifi to the tv until I receive a new ethernet cable) audio side I typically run dolby PLIIX movie when streaming from hulu, Netflix. since I mostly use PLIIX, optical would work soundwise for me correct?
I will continue to run the ps3 through the integra hdmi as I have not noticed any difference doing otherwise.

No! PLIIX is a derived algorithm from two channel. Netflix streams and supports Dolby Digital Plus which is what you should be using for Netflix.

 

[pewternhrata]

I'm thinking now that it shows as dolby plus through netflix, I'll have to check, most streaming I use seem to send only a 2ch signal (with hdmi) which is when I change to PIIX.
I haven't used optical/coax in a long time and im not too familiar with codecs they support. if I'm thinking correctly, that bc I run a simple 5.1, that optical in the end would not hurt me too much, especially since it's not used for any critical movie watching or music listening.
Im always lost when it comes to formats these days, I even find myself looking up pcm vs bitstream quite often.
I got the optical and ethernet cable in the mail today (tv is mounted close to the wall so i need right angle cables) so I'll play around with it and see what works best.

 

[pewternhrata]

Here's everything as it sits now

Anthem blx200, use for just music, digital coax to integra, integra does its thing.

Ps3 to integra (hdmi, audio and video) ps3 decodes, integra shows multi. hdmi from integra to tv.

Amazon fire, hdmi (audio & video) to tv. optical from tv to integra. integra displays dolby digital.

Tv, optical to integra. integra shows dolby digital.

 

[lovinthehd]

I'm thinking now that it shows as dolby plus through netflix, I'll have to check, most streaming I use seem to send only a 2ch signal (with hdmi) which is when I change to PIIX.
I haven't used optical/coax in a long time and im not too familiar with codecs they support. if I'm thinking correctly, that bc I run a simple 5.1, that optical in the end would not hurt me too much, especially since it's not used for any critical movie watching or music listening.
Im always lost when it comes to formats these days, I even find myself looking up pcm vs bitstream quite often.
I got the optical and ethernet cable in the mail today (tv is mounted close to the wall so i need right angle cables) so I'll play around with it and see what works best.

This list may be of use to you as far as codecs and types of connections needed...