Sky HD - 2 HDMI Outputs?

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Soldato
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20 Jul 2008
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I've just graduated and plan on staying at home for a while. I've got an LG350PK50 job in my room and have decided I want Sky. I thought about adding another Sky HD box onto our Sky subscription and paying the rents the difference in costs but this seems ridiculous given we already have two and the one directly below my room is rarely used.

The one directly below is already hooked up to another TV via HDMI. I've noticed that the HD box only has one HDMI output. Is there anyway of getting two HDMI outputs or any other way of getting a full HD signal? I could use component but I'd have to wire 5 cables through the wall which might be tricky.

Secondly is there any way of controlling the Sky box from upstairs. I've used the Magiceye things in the past but for some bizarre reason they (I tried to replace it) stopped working and the picture quality was awful, bearing in mind this was over the old fashioned RF cable. I'm not too fussed about this, I don't really channel flick much so can always leave it on Sky Sports or use the auto thingy to queue various programmes/films.

Many thanks!
 
1) hdmi splitter
2) hd/hdmi content requires much greater signal strength and bandwidth so much more than an rf connection and i believe magiceye only caters for the later.
 
As iamtheoneneo suggests, use a HDMI splitter to get the signal. Then for control, run an RF cable for a Sky eye. You don't have to watch over RF for the Sky Eye to control the box. You can watch over HDMI but still use the eye to switch channels and do all the normal remote control stuff.
 
I thought that would be the best strategy.

Do HDMI splitters definitely work? I'm sure someone said there has to be a direct connection between the device and the TV.

Cheers
 
Yeah. I use them all the time. The only things to watch are that cheap splitters plus long cheap cables can be a bit iffy. Just do a bit of research.
 
lucid said:
Yeah. I use them all the time. The only things to watch are that cheap splitters plus long cheap cables can be a bit iffy. Just do a bit of research.
Click to expand...

I'd need roughly a 10 meter HDMI cable, should I expect to encounter any problems?
 
scott212 said:
I'd need roughly a 10 meter HDMI cable, should I expect to encounter any problems?
Click to expand...
Yes/No/Maybe :p Honestly, there's no one single answer to that. The problem with HDMI is the losses and errors once you plug in several devices. I've found stuff I can rely on for my installs, but it's maybe £10 - £20 more than the cheapest stuff. In my view it's worth the little extra. I don't have to waste time and money returning gear that doesn't handshake or work reliably, and my customers aren't inconvenienced.

I used to make recommendations here and elsewhere but got fed up with being shouted down for the sake of a few quid. So now I'll give a bit of general advice and supply if requested, but leave others to make their own choices.
 
Cheers for the advice.

I'd rather shell out a bit more and get a decent splitter/cable. Funnily enough the electrician was here today and reckons it'll be an easy job getting the cables to and fro but I said I'll supply the cables etc.

How much would I be looking at for a 10 metre HDMI cable then?
 
£17.00 plus whatever it costs to post & post. £3.50 for 1st class, or about £4.20 for 1st class recorded delivery
 
I'll be in touch shortly about this. Rents have gone away and as it's not my house I can't really get anything sorted until they're back :D


Cheers.
 
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With regards to the HDMI splitter. I've had a look but I'm not confident in what I'm doing. A lot of them look dodgy and have poor reviews. Can anyone point me towards a product that definitely works and meets all the latest HDMI standards etc?

Many thanks
 
This is the HDMI splitter I use on my HD box, although I did not buy it from that particular seller.
It has been running flawlessly for the last 12 months. :)
 
Sky boxes still have component?

Use component for one of the sets, doubt you would notice a difference in picture quality.
 
I believe only the 1st generation Thompson boxes had the component out, and Sky are actively replacing those as we speak.
 
Begbie said:
Sky boxes still have component?

Use component for one of the sets, doubt you would notice a difference in picture quality.
Click to expand...

BloodyL said:
I believe only the 1st generation Thompson boxes had the component out, and Sky are actively replacing those as we speak.
Click to expand...

We have two Sky HD boxes. The 1TB one has component out (I think) but the other one that was installed the other week definitely doesn't. I might be mistaken with the 1TB one as that too is only a few months old, the one before definitely did though. I'd go and check but it's a mission to get behind the TV etc.

This aside though, HDMI carries a full 5.1 AAC/DTS signal which will be useful as I plan to upgrade to an AV receiver in the future. Even if I'm mistaken it still carries audio and video in one lead which makes things easier. In fact can anyone confirm HDMI carries a full 5.1 signal?
 
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