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Thread ID: 75186 2006-12-19 09:15:00 HDMI and component switchers and splitters Tukapa (62) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
507994 2006-12-19 09:15:00 Hi

Just setting up my home theatre and after some advice on setup and source for some switchers or splitters.

Components:

Panasonic 250GB hard drive DVD recorder with 1 x HDMI out and 1 x component out.
Onkyo home theatre receiver with 2 x HDMI in and 1 x HDMI out and 3 x component in and 1 x component out.
Panasonic high def 42" plasma with 2 x HDMI in and 3 x component in.
Panasonic AE900 home theatre projector with 1 x HDMI in and 1 x component in.

Now these are all in the same room and what I am wanting to do is to be able to choose whether to watch via the plasma or the projector - depending on what I want to watch.

I am looking at running the DVD recorder into the receiver via 1 x HDMI input which leaves 1 x HDMI input free for upgrading my system. Then I would look at running a single HDMI cable from the rear of the receiver into a splitter/switcher which has two outputs, enabling me to send the signal to both the projector and the plasma. I could then choose which display to send the signal to.

Hopefully this is not too many connections. I would plan on doing the same with component if (more likely when) I need to hook more stuff up.

Does anybody here know of any good, reliable sources for HDMI and component splitters or switchers that I could install into my system to achieve this purpose?

I have pre-wired both HDMI and component cabling through the walls and ceilings of my new house for connection to the plasma and projector.

Just waiting on the 100" motorised screen and I don't think I will ever leave the lounge again!! Will have to hook a PC up so that I can still surf the PC World forum of course!!!

Thanks in advance if you managed to understand my long winded question.
Tukapa (62)
507995 2006-12-20 07:00:00 Hmmmm, maybe I should have titled this a bit catchier.

Bump.
Tukapa (62)
507996 2006-12-20 08:38:00 I'm presuming that the HDMI out is a monitor out.

Here's what I'd do:

Connect your DVD Recorder to an HDMI input on your amp (I install Onkyo amps, there great eh!) and then try component and HDMI on both your plasma and your projector and see if you can tell the difference.

I have a feeling you will be hard pressed to see the difference between component and HDMI on your plasma. Do some blind tests, I bet you won't be able to tell :p.

I suggest this because HDMI cables are *friggn* expensive (as you probably well know) so an HDMI splitter, I'm thinking will be hideously expensive. I haven't actually ever seen an HDMI splitter, but I'm guessing someone must produce one.
pine-o-cleen (2955)
507997 2006-12-20 08:41:00 Here's a 4 way HDMI splitter for $326 NZD. So you can get them!

www.globalmediapro.com
pine-o-cleen (2955)
507998 2006-12-20 09:56:00 Must be on special ATM, it's down to $325 ;) R2x1 (4628)
507999 2006-12-21 08:21:00 Wow, what a great saving.

edit: There up to $328 now haha!
pine-o-cleen (2955)
508000 2006-12-21 08:40:00 Talk about a moving target :D R2x1 (4628)
508001 2006-12-22 00:31:00 Thanks, I had seen globalmediapros site earlier and was wondering if there were any others. It seems that they are a rare commodity still.

Oh well - looks like I'm gonna have to save for one of them!
Tukapa (62)
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