Switch or splitter?

[cmdogz]

Just set up a HT system - Sony 52" LCD, Yamaha RX-V1800, 4xUsher S520, Usher S-525 center, Hsu VTF1 Sub, Oppo 983 DVD and Cox (Scientific Atlanta 8300} HD CATV box. Everything connected via HDMI cables... HDMI out from A/VR to one of three HDMI "ins" on the TV. I'd like to be able to watch regular TV without turning on the whole AV system. For example - to watch the news or regular programming, BUT to also be able to watch things like HBO movies with full A/V features.

My rookie logic tells me that an HDMI splitter should work - split the HDMI "out" from the cable box with one feed going through the A/V receiver and then out to the HDMI 1 input on the TV and the other feed going directly to the HDMI 2 or HDMI 3 input on the TV? This should allow me to use the TV remote to select either HDMI 1 or HDMI 2 depending on whether I want just regular TV or enhanced video from the A/V receiver.

Am I correct? Or would this be just too simple to hope for? If a splitter will work - whaddya recommend as a product?

 

[j_garcia]

I do believe a splitter will work (I haven't tried them, but they are out there). I use a remote controlled switch box to switch between HDMI devices. You could also just hook up component from the box to the TV if you have a component cable laying around.

 

[cmdogz]

Thanks, J Garcia. What type of switch are you using?

 

[j_garcia]

Monoprice 2x1 works great and was only $30.

 

[Weasel9992]

I used to use VGA or HDMI splitters to do almost exactly what you're trying to do now. It'll work just fine.

Frank

 

[cmdogz]

Thanks JG - I contacted Mono Price and they tell me that the switch probably won't work for my application. They say its a one-way switch: 2 into 1 is OK; 1 into 2 not OK. Tried component set up with poor results - picture/sound were poor and got screen messages that the HDMI connection was blocked. Maybe give aplitter a try. Thanks for your help, though. I just assumed that with all the high-tech stuff an AV receiver can do, a pass-thru of the cable signal w/o powering on the receiver would be a no brainer. Had I known this, I would not have purchased the Yamaha.

 

[cmdogz]

Thanks, Frank. Is there a particular HDMI product that you've had good luck with? I realize this is all a crap-shoot it as seems that one product works with certain TVs and not others; some cable boxes and not others, etc., but I'd like to start with one that has worked for someone else.
Jim

 

[j_garcia]

There's another thread like this somewhere here where people have commented on various switches that do and don't work with their equipment. I'll see if I can find it.

 

[GlocksRock]

I don't know of any receivers that will pass signals through any of their inputs while powered off. I tried the autosensing HDMI switch sold from firefold.com with my RX-V1800 and it didn't work, but it worked great with my old RX-V1600. Not sure why it worked with the old receiver and not the new one, but I don't really need it anyway as the 1800 has twice as many HDMI inputs as the 1600.

 

[j_garcia]

Here is one thread, though it doesn't specifically talk about receivers. There is also a review of and Impact switch

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33637&highlight=hdmi+switch

How about this guy:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10113&cs_id=1011303&p_id=2522&seq=1&format=2