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running out of HDMI sockets is a switcher the answer?

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Old 20-11-2009, 10:22 PM   #1
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running out of HDMI sockets is a switcher the answer?

I'm running out of HDMI sockets on my Onkyo 674. There are only two. At present ocupied by Virgin + box and Istar mini. I'm hoping to add Blu ray and FreeSat through HDMI.

Question: If i keep the V+ plugged into the amp and connect the three other boxes to a HDMI switcher and plug that into the amp, will it work? Will it have handshake issues?

I was thinking of using this:

Neet® - 3 Port HDMI AUTO SWITCH 3x1 Mini Hub Box (3 way input 1 output) 1080p Full HD v1.3b HDMI Switcher

any advise?
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Old 20-11-2009, 10:35 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by miltsharman View Post
I'm running out of HDMI sockets on my Onkyo 674. There are only two. At present ocupied by Virgin + box and Istar mini. I'm hoping to add Blu ray and FreeSat through HDMI.

Question: If i keep the V+ plugged into the amp and connect the three other boxes to a HDMI switcher and plug that into the amp, will it work? Will it have handshake issues?

I was thinking of using this:

Neet® - 3 Port HDMI AUTO SWITCH 3x1 Mini Hub Box (3 way input 1 output) 1080p Full HD v1.3b HDMI Switcher

any advise?
with my old amp i used a switcher to connect my hddvd player and bluray player to 1 hdmi socket and didnot get any problems
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Old 20-11-2009, 10:42 PM   #3
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I am not familiar with either of your current sources but is there any way you could free up AVR HDMI inputs by connecting HDMI straight to TV for picture and using a secondary connection to AVR for sound?

If not a switch seems the answer.
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Old 21-11-2009, 7:34 AM   #4
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HDMI is a comms package between three devices, transmitter, switch and switch. All work slightly differently and as such it is quite possible (and certainly not uncommon) to get most of your devices switching seemlessly but not all. Just look at the passthrough issue with many receivers. Switches are much better nowdays but legacy HDMI kit might still give you issues. This might be a firmware fix but often you will have to 'live' with it. Solutions around it are a direct connection to the second HDMI socket or using something like component connections. I would also get the biggest switch you can.
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Old 21-11-2009, 12:15 PM   #5
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thanks for the advice. It looks like a suck it and see approach but I suppose a switcher is cheeper than buying a new amp
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Old 21-11-2009, 2:37 PM   #6
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I think I'm right in saying your Amp doesn't do HD audio and is just a switcher in essence.

I'd personally If that was the case simply use the switch direct to the TV rather than through the amp. (Get a 4 or 5 port one rather than a 3 port)

Even if your Amp did do Audio It would only be necessary to route components that require connecting for the Audio to give HD sound tracks (i.e your BD player) everything else could go direct to the TV (via a switch if needed) Why compicate matters by going through the amp if not necessary.

Last edited by Jamie; 21-11-2009 at 2:42 PM.
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