HDMI switch for a restaurant

[Kyle Ren]

Hey guys. Don't know much about AV stuff but just trying to help my uncle with his restaurant. He has a few TVs around his place and wants to show movies / live sports on them. Friends have been telling us to use an hdmi switch https://bzbexpress.com/switchers/hdmi-switch/ . I've also seen a lot on Amazon that are really cheap. First, is a "switch" what we need? If so, does it matter if we get a name brand or OK to go with cheap brands?

Also, will there be a problem connecting to all the TVs reach-wise? Or the switch will handle that? Thanks.

 

[pendragon1]

you'll need a powered splitter not a switch. look on Amazon for one that has good reviews with the number of ports you need and is in your price range.

 

[Zepher]

You want a Matrix switcher if you want to route different things to any or all of the TV's.

Or a combo of splitters and switchers.

What sources will he be using? multiple satellite boxes? cable boxes?

something like this, not sure what the cost is though,
http://brightlinkav.com/?SID=cftutce590deln5otku72sar53

 

[Brian_B]

Switch - put one input to one of various numbers of outputs - not what you are looking for probably
Splitter - take one input to a number of various outputs simultaneously - what you are probably looking for.

One thing to watch out for - if your trying to split a cable box or bluray player - those things often require HDCP. It's not insurmountable and splitters exist that can deal with it, just something to keep in mind.

https://www.howtogeek.com/208917/htg-explains-how-hdcp-breaks-your-hdtv-and-how-to-fix-it/

 

[SamirD]

Depending on what your source is, you might be able to also use something lesser/cheaper if the source signal is only 480p/720p. Also if your source has vga or dvi out, those splitters may be cheaper. You might be able to drive two different displays from two different type of outputs--we recently did that on some older digital sign boxes.