'Unsolvable' HDMI problem

Associate
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
2,333
Location
London, WC1
Hi all,

I'm having to turn to the forums because I really cannot solve this one.

I have a desktop replacement laptop with an HDMI out and a DisplayPort out. I've been using both to drive two 24inch flat panels on my desk for a year now. Works great.

I've recently decided to try connecting my (rather dated) HDMI TV to the laptop for occasions where I want to watch a movie. My current solution is to unplug my secondary monitor (driven by the HDMI port) and plug in my TV instead.

I want to have a device that does this for me. But I cannot find one.

I've tried TWO HDMI 'duplicators' (splitters) that are meant to duplicate a source to two outputs. The first one was about 30 quid, and didn't work. The second one was about 25 quid, and seriously distorted out output signal to the extent that it was unusable.

I have no actual need to drive to screens with the HDMI port - I just couldn't find any other solution.

All I've seen is multiple-input to single output HDMI switches. I need the opposite - I need a single-input to multiple output HDMI switch - and I don't think these exist.

My only last alternative is to buy a mechanical 3in to 1out HDMI switch, and try using it in 'reverse' - by plugging the input into the output slot, and my TV and monitor into 2 of the input slots. Could this potentially work?

Thoughts appreciated -thanks guys :)
 
Running a switch backwards won't work.

Were the splitters you bought powered/active?
I think the splitter needs to communicate properly with both displays, rather than just dumbly passing the signal from the graphics card.
If they were powered, i have no idea why they didn't work.
 
Last edited:
Running a switch backwards won't work.

Were the splitters you bought powered/active?
I think the splitter needs to communicate properly with both displays, rather than just dumbly passing the signal from the graphics card.
If they were powered, i have no idea why they didn't work.

Yes both were powered. The cheaper one deteriorated the image too much to make it usable and the more expensive one simply didn't deliver anything to either screen.

I might try to make my own switch then :s

Thanks for the reply btw
 
I bought a splitter to split my sky box to my TV and my Projector. Company was something like UK HDMI if I remember correctly.
 
What you need is not a switch, it is a splitter or a matrix.

I would advise on the matrix as they are generally powered, so more likely to work.

Google "HDMI Matrix 4 x 2", but beware most are about £70. There is one on Google shopping that is £40, but it is Chinese so may be rubbish.
 
Last edited:
Hi all,

I'm having to turn to the forums because I really cannot solve this one.

I have a desktop replacement laptop with an HDMI out and a DisplayPort out. I've been using both to drive two 24inch flat panels on my desk for a year now. Works great.

I've recently decided to try connecting my (rather dated) HDMI TV to the laptop for occasions where I want to watch a movie. My current solution is to unplug my secondary monitor (driven by the HDMI port) and plug in my TV instead.

I want to have a device that does this for me. But I cannot find one.

I've tried TWO HDMI 'duplicators' (splitters) that are meant to duplicate a source to two outputs. The first one was about 30 quid, and didn't work. The second one was about 25 quid, and seriously distorted out output signal to the extent that it was unusable.

I have no actual need to drive to screens with the HDMI port - I just couldn't find any other solution.

All I've seen is multiple-input to single output HDMI switches. I need the opposite - I need a single-input to multiple output HDMI switch - and I don't think these exist.

My only last alternative is to buy a mechanical 3in to 1out HDMI switch, and try using it in 'reverse' - by plugging the input into the output slot, and my TV and monitor into 2 of the input slots. Could this potentially work?

Thoughts appreciated -thanks guys :)

Are the screens different resolutions? If so, a lot of the 1>2 splitters won't work properly. They have to be both the same resolution.
 
Back
Top Bottom