Short on HDMI inputs...
#1
Wed, 07/16/2014 - 12:50
Short on HDMI inputs...
Looking for suggestions....
Got an X1 yesterday... Our LG brand flatscreen has 3 HDMI inputs. Currently have a blue-ray player, DirecTV DVR, XB360 and now X1.
I was able to connect the DVR to the X1, and could then watch TV, but only while the X1 was on... Turn the X1 off, and you can't watch TV. I don't want to have the X1 on all the time... So, I have 4 HDMI devices and the TV has just 3 HDMI inputs. Is there a solution? Thx.
There are loads of hdmi switches out there.
I purchased the switch shown by biznass, and it works well...with some devices. Don't use with a PS4 or XboxOne because they output some power during standby and it interferes with the switch functioning. I put my TV tuner, xbox360, and bluray player on it and it works great. Just use devices that are all the way off when they are off.
Thanks BiZ....Just What I was looking for!
Thanks, found a 5-input HDMI switcher that reviews well on Amazon:
Kinivo 501BN Premium 5 port High speed HDMI switch with IR wireless remote and AC Power adapter - supports 3D, 1080p
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0049SCB2Y/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?i...
It's about $40
If it was just me, I'd let the X1 do it all, but there are less tech savvy people using the AV equipment. The linked switcher will automatically select a single live input, or the "just powered up" input, or a manually selected input using the remote.
MIN
Make sure you're running with some newer cables when you use a switch. I have mine through my surround receiver, which does video pass through like a switch, but with some of the older cables, I found that there was some lag. It was really evident when I was watching TV, because there was a lip synch issue.
If you have some older HDMI cables (pre 1.3 or 1.4), get a decent set from Monoprice or Amazon. I recommend the Mediabridge Flex cables off of Amazon, personally.
Thanks for the tips. I'll keep the cable suggestions in mind.
Yes, first world problems... Can't help thinking about the night-time world map seen in Halo matchmaking that shows where the MM action is with points of light... I see it as a metaphor....
One thing to add to this string that may help.
i have less tech savvy people in my home and the Logitech harmony remote series saves lives at my house.
hdmi switchers are great I have one for when I got on vacation and lug my sons systems around.
one other option is convince the misses it's time for a home stereo and get a nice receiver and let it fill up :)
The switcher I bought appears to be doing a good job. The automatic features are nice. I haven't seen any delay or lip-sync problems, but I sometimes think there may be a very slight degradation in video quality - it's tiny. Better cables all around might help, but the ones I have were pretty good when we originally bought the flatscreen and other stuff. Right now, I'm letting the switcher switch between the DirecTV DVR and Xbox 360. Our Blueray player and Xbox One each have their own individual input.
Out of curiousity - why not play Blu-Ray movies on the Xbox One, and not plug in the old Blu-Ray player?
Good question. Answer: BR players are less expensive than an Xbox One. Does using an electronic device consume some of its projected life?
We did use the X1 to play a couple BR movies the other day. I was actually a little surprised and impressed by the noticeable quality improvement over our 3 year old LG BR player.
So... maybe we'll eventually dump the player... I dunno...
fyi digital is digital. there is no degradation of video quality. it's just ones and zeros - either the picture is there or it's not.
That's what she said.