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HDMI Splitter?

A

Artex

Weaksauce
Joined
Jul 11, 2005
Messages
118
I recently built a pretty powerful gaming machine which is currently connected to a 25" Asus LCD via DVI. For fun, I recently connected this machine to my 52" LCD TV and was blown away. I was initially thinking about building another PC to use as a HTPC/Gaming machine for my living room, but I am thinking I could save some money.

Here's my question-

Since my office/computer room is separated by one wall, could I simply just get a 1x2 powered HDMI splitter, some HDMI cables, an HDMI pass-through wall-plate, and a bluetooth keyboard/mouse and call it a day? I was on monoprice and found most of these items for fairly cheap.

Right now my Asus LCD is connected via DVI, but it does have an HDMI port as well. My thinking is to basically connect my HD5870 via HDMI to the input of the HDMI splitter box, and then run one HDMI cable from this splitter box to my Asus LCD, and one through the wall (and plate) to my 52" Sony LCD. I would purchase the bluetooth keyboard/mouse since IR isn't feasible, and because the rooms are less than 30' apart separated by one wall.

Any problems with this config? I am assuming my HD5870 can pass through my onboard Realtek audio through its HDMI port (I see the HDMI device within the device manager)? Do I need to do anything special to enable this passthrough? Any recommendations on a splitter and bluetooth mouse and keyboard?


Thanks!
 
Last edited:
jeremyshaw said:
splitter? no. switch? depends.
Click to expand...

Can you elaborate? It seems a switch would have multiple inputs to one output where as a splitter would have one input for multiple outputs. Since I have two outputs (LCD monitor and LCD TV), it would seem a splitter makes more sense.
 
HDMI is supposed to handshake between the transmitter (your PC) and the reciever (TV/display) to setup a 'secure' HD link. this is the purpose for the whole HDMI push from the anti-piracy groups, so that you couldnt just split the signal between the computer and display and put a recording device on it and then upload the HD recording to the internet.

you can use a HDMI switch, which just routes the signal between a few different outputs (one at a time), which just saves you the hassle of physically plugging in different cables. i dont know how a 'splitter' would function, as the transmitter is supposed to disable HD playback if the HDMI link was not authenticated correctly. a quick google search does show a lot of places selling HDMI "splitters", though i could not find any info on how they handle the signal. perhapse someone else knows more about splitting a HDMI signal...
 
Why use a splitter.

Just use the vid cards multi outputs and switch within windows.
 
I'd like to 'split' the HDMI signal between my 25" LCD and my 52" LCD in the adjacent room (through the wall).

This is the one I'm looking at, and the same one the monoprice tech support recommended. It's an active splitter, so it carries/splits the HDMI signal (audio/video) from one input (my PC's video card), to two outputs (both LCDs).

Splitter:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10113&cs_id=1011301&p_id=5418&seq=1&format=3#specification

"Supports 1080p resolution, digital audio formats, and is fully HDCP compliant. This powered splitter allows you to connect two displays to one source device for effective HDMI A/V distribution."

I will run the video/audio HDMI signal into the adjacent room through the wall using this Female-to-Female HDMI wall plate:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10425&cs_id=1042501&p_id=7330&seq=1&format=2
 
I have never worked with an HDMI splitter before, but at worst if that is really a switch you will be only able to view the signal on one device at a time. It still sounds like it will accomplish what you are trying to do.

To get your sound to output through HDMI on the 5870 you just have to install the ATI driver and select that as your sound output. You can switch back and forth between outputs easily as well.
 
I have a similar setup with my HTPC, except no splitter. I have a normal USB keyboard and mouse setup and a 1080p LCD hooked up with DVI to the computer in my bedroom. Then i have a 30 foot active USB extension and a 50 foot HDMI cable running to the living room. Displays are set to duplicate in Windows, so I can use the PC in either room without a problem.
 
Well, I did end up purchasing the splitter, so I will let you know how everything works. I appreciate everyone's input.
 
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