1 input 2 output HDMI switch - does such a thing exist?

strumpusplunket · 21 Jan 2013 at 21:04

Not 100% sure this is the right section, but not sure where it fits really.

Anyway...

I currently have the following set up:

...................|(DVI port)-------------- 22" monitor (1050p)
GTX480-----|
...................|(HDMI port)------------ 32" LCD TV (768p)

(Ignore the DimGray dots - only way I know to preserve the formatting...)

22" monitor is the main display, with 32" LCD TV as secondary. When I'm just using the PC I set it to Computer Only output. When we want to watch films or TV series in bed, I set it to Extended Desktop with Media Portal set to start up on the secondary display.

All is well.

I'm thinking of upgrading my 22" monitor to one of the 120Hz 24" BenQ models, but keeping the 22" as a secondary PC display, and I still want to be able to switch to the TV for Media Portal when my wife and I want to watch something.

So... I need (I think) a 1-input, 2-output HDMI switch to set up thusly:

...................|(DVI port)-------------- 24" monitor (1080p)
GTX480-----|
...................|
...................|............................ --------- 22" monitor (1050p)
...................|(HDMI port)----<(switch)
................................................. -------- 32" LCD TV (768p)

Does anyone know if a device exists that I can get hold of in the UK easily for this?

I've found plenty of 2-input HDMI switches, but almost no 2-output ones. And the 2-output ones I've found are splitters rather than switches. I want to switch between the two displays ideally, and also there's the issue that they'll have different resolutions, so I don't know if that complicates things?

Any ideas?

Tealc · 21 Jan 2013 at 21:10

Isn't that what a HDMI matrix does?

Reedy · 21 Jan 2013 at 21:11

Googling hdmi splitter or hdmi duplicator seems to find stuff

Splits HDMI input to two displays (identical display on each)

strumpusplunket · 21 Jan 2013 at 21:21

Tealc said:
Isn't that what a HDMI matrix does?

Actually, I've no idea. Never heard of one. I was Googling combinations of 1 input, 2 output, hdmi, switch, box, etc. Didn't see a matrix come up.

Having had a quick Google, though, they seem to be pretty damn expensive. I was hoping for a nice small, simple and cheap little switch.

Reedy said:
Googling hdmi splitter or hdmi duplicator seems to find stuff

I've seen a few splitters, but what I was hoping to find was a switch rather than a splitter. Since the displays will have different resolutions, would I actually be able to split and still get 1050p on my monitor and 768p on my TV when I turn that on?

Tealc · 21 Jan 2013 at 22:17

If you are sending 1050p to your TV then it would try and display that wouldn't it? I've never tried to send too high definition a signal to a device to see what happens.

strumpusplunket · 21 Jan 2013 at 22:41

Tealc said:
If you are sending 1050p to your TV then it would try and display that wouldn't it? I've never tried to send too high definition a signal to a device to see what happens.

I don't know, tbh. I know that there are issues trying to output BR content at 1080p to a 720p TV sometimes, and you need to select 720p output (not sure if this happens all the time or with all TVs, though). I'm pretty sure not all TVs accept 1080p or similar outputs. It's quite an old "HD-ready" TV and not likely to do any automatic downscaling after accepting a higher res signal (I don't think...)

Also, if the signal is split, I'm not sure whether or not the PC would pick up the 768p res from the TV and set the secondary display output to that (which would mean the monitor displaying lower than native res).

To be honest, I don't really know either way, but it seems like there are a few potential problems with a signal that's simply split, which is why I wanted a switch.

Tealc · 22 Jan 2013 at 07:18

If you are looking to use one or the other at a time then maybe a Ultramon script might be a way forward. With Ultramon you van create shortcuts to scripts that change resolution and set refresh rate on whichever monitor you wish to use. So if you want to use the TV then you'd simply activate the TV script and the resolution would drop to 768p50, and 1050p60 if you wanted to use the monitor.

strumpusplunket · 22 Jan 2013 at 11:08

Tealc said:
If you are looking to use one or the other at a time then maybe a Ultramon script might be a way forward. With Ultramon you van create shortcuts to scripts that change resolution and set refresh rate on whichever monitor you wish to use. So if you want to use the TV then you'd simply activate the TV script and the resolution would drop to 768p50, and 1050p60 if you wanted to use the monitor.

Hmm. It does look like Ultramon might do the trick, yeah. Shame it's not free, or particularly cheap even, but looks like the best/only option I've found so far. Cheers.

Leprechaun312 · 22 Jan 2013 at 11:16

you can get hdmi switches if you go to google and google hdmi matrix you can find them i can't post competitor links but there is one for 52 pounds that has 4 inputs and 2 outputs with a remote, it is a switch for hdmi its called Leicke KanaaN HDMI Matrix 4 Input 2 Output (4x2) Splitter Switch it even does 3D

OliverDavis · 22 Jan 2013 at 12:06

What about just buying a cheap second GPU? A BGrade GT430 was up for £10.99 Earlier!

It can be used for PhysX and to support a third monitor!

strumpusplunket · 22 Jan 2013 at 15:33

Leprechaun312 said:
you can get hdmi switches if you go to google and google hdmi matrix you can find them i can't post competitor links but there is one for 52 pounds that has 4 inputs and 2 outputs with a remote, it is a switch for hdmi its called Leicke KanaaN HDMI Matrix 4 Input 2 Output (4x2) Splitter Switch it even does 3D

Well, that is cheaper than most that I've seen previously. Still a little steep, though.

OliverDavis said:
What about just buying a cheap second GPU? A BGrade GT430 was up for £10.99 Earlier!

It can be used for PhysX and to support a third monitor!

This is probably the cheapest option yet.

I also noticed in the B-Grade listing for the KFA GTX670 that it allows for up to three gaming monitors and one "accessory" monitor. I'm wondering if it would be possible to connect two "gaming" monitors (my main monitor and TV) and select extended desktop for those displays and also have my secondary monitor as an accessory display. That would give me a reason/excuse to upgrade my graphics card as well...

Leprechaun312 · 22 Jan 2013 at 15:36

strumpusplunket said:
Well, that is cheaper than most that I've seen previously. Still a little steep, though.

This is probably the cheapest option yet.

I also noticed in the B-Grade listing for the KFA GTX670 that it allows for up to three gaming monitors and one "accessory" monitor. I'm wondering if it would be possible to connect two "gaming" monitors (my main monitor and TV) and select extended desktop for those displays and also have my secondary monitor as an accessory display. That would give me a reason/excuse to upgrade my graphics card as well...

+1 i'd go with tht

strumpusplunket · 22 Jan 2013 at 15:45

Leprechaun312 said:
+1 i'd go with tht

So, would it actually work, do you know? As in, I could enable or disable the TV (2nd "gaming" monitor) using Win+P as normal, and have the "accessory" display on all the time?

Well, this could turn out to be the most expensive option of all, but at least the expense will be offset by the excitement of getting a new gfx card..

Leprechaun312 · 22 Jan 2013 at 15:46

strumpusplunket said:
So, would it actually work, do you know? As in, I could enable or disable the TV (2nd "gaming" monitor) using Win+P as normal, and have the "accessory" display on all the time?

Well, this could turn out to be the most expensive option of all, but at least the expense will be offset by the excitement of getting a new gfx card..

yeah should be able to and that will be a nice new upgrade to your pc aswell