Problems Splitting HDMI to 3 TV's

[csingsaas]

We have been pulling our hair out over this one.

We have a retail store that has three flat screen televisions located throughout. In our storage room, we have a cable box with an HDMI output. From there, we have a 1x4 HDMI splitter hooked up.

The splitter is a:
Choice Select CHO4066 HDMI Distribution Amp, 1 in/ 4 out, Mini case

The television closest to the storage room is connected with an HDMI cable to the splitter. The other two televisions are far enough away where we have an HDMI extender (HDMI to Cat-5) connecting the TV's.

Here are the symptoms we are seeing. The television closest the storage room (connected via HDMI cable) will not work (does not display any signal) when the receiver is powered on, the other two televisions work. We found a workaround, where if we unplug the HDMI cable for the closest television (the one that doesn't work) from the splitter before powering everything on - and then plug it in after, it will work. It works until everything is shut down and turned on again.

What could the problem be?

If you need clarification let me know!

 

[bandphan]

Long runs and HDMI spliters are finicky. Cheap extenders and cat5 distribution will cause issues. What programing are you going to display? Is Component video not an option?

interesting article

 

[csingsaas]

Well the thing is - the store is located in a new stadium and the wiring has all been done so we are kind of stuck with what we have. The programming is just basic cable TV, nothing special.

They did run cat5 to the closest tv in case we wanted to puchase 2 more extenders and try that. But right now it is using a straight HDMI cable. They did this because it is a huge hassle to try to rewire things.

Where do you think we should start with this? Try getting two extenders and then go that route with the TV that we are having problems with? Or is it more likely to be the splitter itself?

 

[bandphan]

It could be a number of things. They make HDMI cat5 distribution, but its not cheap and works well. If Cat5 is already run, just use component instead of hdmi. Also did your check the cat5 terminations to make sure they are correct?

 

[bandphan]

This product is fairly inexpensive and Ive had success using it.

http://www.ramelectronics.net/audio-video/a-v-distribution/cat5-audio-video-extension-balun-s/av-distribution-systems/ce-labs-component-to-cat5e-distribution-amplifier-c5t6/prodC5T6.html

 

[csingsaas]

What is a "HDMI cat5 distribution"?

 

[csingsaas]

Thanks for the link I'll check it out.

 

[bandphan]

What is a "HDMI cat5 distribution"?

Like the splitter you are using, but for commercial and custom applications. Unless you are using a 1080p source there is no reason you need HDMI.