Cheap solution to switch between two HDMI displays

[sadpup]

I have two HDMI displays 37" LCD and a Epson TW600 projector and wanted a cheap solution to switch between the two.

Found this on the net and fitted it in reverse and it works a treat.

http://www.astarsolutions.co.uk/products/list.php?id=139

 

[abs]

I have two HDMI displays 37" LCD and a Epson TW600 projector and wanted a cheap solution to switch between the two.

Found this on the net and fitted it in reverse and it works a treat.

http://www.astarsolutions.co.uk/products/list.php?id=139

i have a similar dilemna but i have a ps3 currently connected to my 1080p sony lcd tv but i also want to connect it to my amp and play through my projector so i can also get uncompressed sound from hdmi. i am not routing the tv through the amp. will the switcher you mention allow me to plug the ps3 into it and then connect the router to the tv and projector to enable hdmi on both?

 

[museumsteve]

I have two HDMI displays 37" LCD and a Epson TW600 projector and wanted a cheap solution to switch between the two.

Found this on the net and fitted it in reverse and it works a treat.

http://www.astarsolutions.co.uk/products/list.php?id=139

Good stuff however I was in Currys yesterday and saw a Logik HDMI switcher (looks similar to those you linked to) 4 in / 1 out and it was £29.99 bargain

 

[abs]

anyone?

 

[MattZani]

if you were to open it up and wire it so that it was always outputting from both outputs, then yes, but it may not work...

Matt

 

[Stephen Neal]

if you were to open it up and wire it so that it was always outputting from both outputs, then yes, but it may not work...

Matt

I think it is VERY unlikely to work. HDMI is based around the display and source "talking" to each other in both directions. If two displays were wired in parallel, they would potentially both be talking at once...

However - it may be that the audio connectivity is independent of the video - as DVI is video only? If that were the case it MAY be possible to split audio in one direction and video in another - however the handshaking may still be an issue if it is common to both audio and video.

(A distribution box for HDMI - which is an active device - may be a solution - but they won't be cheap)

 

[MattZani]

Thanks Stephen, you seem to know alot more than me! i didn't think about the sources talking to each other, i thought it just outputted!

Matt

 

[Chris Muriel]

The communication (talking to each other) is largely to do with the built in DRM , i.e. HDCP content protection.
Hollywood rules

Chris Muriel, Boston (normally Manchester)

 

[MattZani]

HDCP sucks, i have to buy a new HDTV because my pc monitor (planned to be used with PS3 for cheap HD) Doesn't support HDCP!

Matt

 

[Joe Fernand]

Hello all

MattZani - there are 'Black Box' solutions that may enable you to retain your non HDCP display; though they cost 175.00 GBP upwards.

abs - what your trying to achieve seems pretty simple but is actually quite tricky.

Your AV Receiver will most likely require you to have an active Display attached to its HDMI Output before it will allow you to access the 5.1 audio on any of its HDMI Inputs.

The AV Receiver will need to be a HDMI 'Repeater' device if you want to access the 5.1 Audio over HDMI when the attached Display is a 2.0 device.

As the AV Receiver is an HDMI Repeater lots of HDMI Distribution amps will not work as expected in your set up if you place them before the AV Receiver.

The following may work - assuming you don't require the 5.1 audio when viewing on the LCD TV and you find an HDMI Distribution amp that works in your system:

Source > HDMI Distribution Amp
HDMI Distribution Amp Output 01 > AV Receiver > Projector
HDMI Distribution Amp Output 02 > LCD TV

The Octava HDS32-UK 'Cross Switch' will likely work in the above set up - see http://www.octavainc.com/HDMI switch 3x2 port.html

If you want the 5.1 audio when viewing on either Display device you will need to connect the system as follows:

Source > AV Receiver > HDMI Distribution Amp
HDMI Distribution Amp Output 01 > LCD TV
HDMI Distribution Amp Output 02 > Projector

If you want a tried and tested HDMI Distribution amp have a look at the Gefen EXT-HDMI-142 - see http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=2514

Joe

 

[MattZani]

i've heard of the black boxes, but i've decided to go for a full blown HDTV, its 7" bigger aswell

Matt

 

[abs]

Hello all

MattZani - there are 'Black Box' solutions that may enable you to retain your non HDCP display; though they cost 175.00 GBP upwards.

abs - what your trying to achieve seems pretty simple but is actually quite tricky.

Your AV Receiver will most likely require you to have an active Display attached to its HDMI Output before it will allow you to access the 5.1 audio on any of its HDMI Inputs.

The AV Receiver will need to be a HDMI 'Repeater' device if you want to access the 5.1 Audio over HDMI when the attached Display is a 2.0 device.

As the AV Receiver is an HDMI Repeater lots of HDMI Distribution amps will not work as expected in your set up if you place them before the AV Receiver.

The following may work - assuming you don't require the 5.1 audio when viewing on the LCD TV and you find an HDMI Distribution amp that works in your system:

Source > HDMI Distribution Amp
HDMI Distribution Amp Output 01 > AV Receiver > Projector
HDMI Distribution Amp Output 02 > LCD TV

The Octava HDS32-UK 'Cross Switch' will likely work in the above set up - see http://www.octavainc.com/HDMI switch 3x2 port.html

If you want the 5.1 audio when viewing on either Display device you will need to connect the system as follows:

Source > AV Receiver > HDMI Distribution Amp
HDMI Distribution Amp Output 01 > LCD TV
HDMI Distribution Amp Output 02 > Projector

If you want a tried and tested HDMI Distribution amp have a look at the Gefen EXT-HDMI-142 - see http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=2514

Joe

thaks for the reply Joe, i think between the 2 you have mentioned the Octova would be best suited for my needs as i only need 5.1 audio when viewing via my projector, the tv can use it's own speakers. thanks again