4k UHD with an HDMI 1.4 amplifier

fezster · 6 Jul 2018 at 10:28

There must be others who have an older hdmi 1.4 amp but want to watch UHD content. Anyone used an splitter to have Sky Q / media centre output direct to the TV and audio to the amp - does it work?

Alternative is to use an optical cable for audio, but then you lose HD audio from your media centre.

VincentHanna · 6 Jul 2018 at 13:21

How good is your sound system? Unless it's amazing, I think you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between Lossy optical 5.1 surround and lossless HD 5.1 surround...

fezster · 6 Jul 2018 at 17:08

The added complication is I have a single hdmi cable, buried in the wall, going to my TV. So the amp is used to switch my various inputs. I agree with your point about the audio.

stoofa · 6 Jul 2018 at 18:43

fezster said:
The added complication is I have a single hdmi cable, buried in the wall, going to my TV. So the amp is used to switch my various inputs. I agree with your point about the audio.

This buried HDMI cable, is it "Premium Certified" or equivalent? Is it good for UHD?

fezster · 7 Jul 2018 at 13:29

It's a good quality cable though about 4-5m in length. I've tried uhd at 24fps and it worked. I've yet to try 50 or 60 fps over it, as I don't have the equipment yet.

Richeh · 7 Jul 2018 at 18:03

I think it will depend on what the actual output device is, if it is a media centre ie an HTPC then just equip it with a low cost graphics card with a few HDMI/DP outs that is HDMI 2.0. I have a 1.4 Receiver and 4K OLED all powered by my PC. I have an HDMI from PC to TV and then HDMI from PC to receiver. Thats not a problem. If you can only have 1x HDMI but a couple of DP ports then a HDMI to DP adapter will work fine. I don't 'think' Sky Q uses HD audio so you won't lose anything by just doing Sky Q HDMI to TV and then optical to receiver.

fezster · 7 Jul 2018 at 21:20

Thanks. I think I'd need to get a 4k compatible hdmi switch too to allow both the sky Q and media centre to be connected directly to the TV.

An added complication is that I have a 1080p projector which is occasionally used. My understanding is if its connected up (even in standby) , the whole hdmi chain will work at 1080p max.

There are devices like the hdfury to overcome this, but I'd probably be better off just buying a 4k amp, given the cost.

Richeh · 7 Jul 2018 at 22:49

fezster said:
Thanks. I think I'd need to get a 4k compatible hdmi switch too to allow both the sky Q and media centre to be connected directly to the TV.

An added complication is that I have a 1080p projector which is occasionally used. My understanding is if its connected up (even in standby) , the whole hdmi chain will work at 1080p max.

There are devices like the hdfury to overcome this, but I'd probably be better off just buying a 4k amp, given the cost.

Why though? Media centre > TV with 4k HDMI cable for video, as long as the media centre can output 4k. Then a separate HDMI from media centre to receiver for HD audio. Sky, HDMI to TV for video and optical to receiver for audio as it doesn't do HD audio you lose no quality. And then separate HDMI to the PJ from media centre for that video, and it makes no difference if your PJ is 1080p only as the output device will just output the max Res the display device can take. Unless I'm missing something and you just want an excuse to buy a new receiver

stoofa · 8 Jul 2018 at 11:05

To be honest I was in a similar situation last year. My Onkyo receiver was HDMI 1.4 and I was getting ready for the move to UHD. In the end I just bit the bullet, waiting for a good deal at Richer Sounds and bought a new Yamaha receiver instead of faffing about.
More expensive, sure - but it just means everything works as it should.

fezster · 8 Jul 2018 at 11:30

Richeh said:
Why though? Media centre > TV with 4k HDMI cable for video, as long as the media centre can output 4k. Then a separate HDMI from media centre to receiver for HD audio. Sky, HDMI to TV for video and optical to receiver for audio as it doesn't do HD audio you lose no quality.

There's only one HDMI cable going to the TV unfortunately (buried in the wall). I could run a second outside, but that's what I want to avoid.

And then separate HDMI to the PJ from media centre for that video, and it makes no difference if your PJ is 1080p only as the output device will just output the max Res the display device can take.

If the Media Centre has 2 HDMI outputs going to the TV and Receiver respectively, already, how does it then connect to the PJ? Or did I misunderstand you?

This is why I currently use a splitter from AV Receiver -> TV/PJ. This works up to 1080p only, unless I pull the power on the PJ, in which case it allows up to 4k.

Unless I'm missing something and you just want an excuse to buy a new receiver

Quite possibly!

Richeh · 8 Jul 2018 at 18:37

Well if you only want to use the buried HDMI cable and not run another then new receiver is the only option unless you use a 4k certified splitter. You didn't say what this 'media centre' actually is, I assumed it was a PC which is why you just need a card with 1/2 more outputs.

No idea why the PJ would limit you to 1080p even in standby. I would imagine it's a splitter max Res issue.

Just buy the new receiver if you don't want extra visible cables as any cheaper method will require more cables.