Use an HDMI splitter: This is how you turn one HDMI connection into two
Two screens on one console or Blu-ray player: the HDMI splitter makes it possible. Find out here what you should pay attention to when buying and using it.
By Sven Wernicke
Sometimes it may be necessary to bring the image signal from a streaming or Blu-ray player to two television sets. In such cases, an HDMI splitter is used. Some models open up further possibilities for you, for example you can add a control center to your home cinema.
Our recommendation for getting started: Feintech’s VSP01204 HDMI splitter offers all important features at a low price.
What is an HDMI splitter?
An HDMI splitter enables you to display the output signal from a player, receiver, game console or computer on two screens. For example on a television and beamer at the same time. You save yourself the hassle of replugging if you want to switch spontaneously between the projector and the TV set. Or a film or a series should be shown in two rooms at the same time.
Important to know: The accessory transmits an HDMI signal (output) to several end devices. On these you see the same content in parallel. With an HDMI splitter, you don’t expand the screen area, but mirror what is displayed.
Difference between HDMI splitter, HDMI switch and HDMI matrix
An HDMI splitter fulfills a special purpose and makes sense if you don’t want to regularly switch HDMI cables between the projector, TV and monitor.
If your TV has too few HDMI ports for all your devices, an HDMI splitter cannot help you. That’s when an HDMI switch comes into play. It has an HDMI output for the television and several inputs for a console, Blu-ray player, etc. There is no need to switch plugs here either, an HDMI switch switches between the devices independently or via a switch and remote control.
An HDMI matrix has multiple HDMI inputs and outputs.
Image: © Feintech 2022
For home cinema enthusiasts, the combination of HDMI splitter and HDMI switch is the measure of all things. The so-called HDMI matrix offers several inputs and outputs for HDMI, often also optical and analog audio outputs. Such a matrix is a flexible control center for a large number of playback devices that you want to use without the hassle of changing cables.
Connect HDMI splitter
You really can’t go wrong with connecting an HDMI splitter. Connect your blur-ray player, console or set-top box to the input. TVs, projectors and monitors are connected to the HDMI ports marked “Out”.
Even if an HDMI matrix with an integrated HDMI splitter has many more connections, the usage is similar. Outputs (Out) go to screens, inputs (In) to your players. Connections marked “Toslink” or “Audio” are always audio outputs to hi-fi systems or receivers.
Tip: Whether splitter, switch or matrix – an HDMI input is always combined with an HDMI output. If you (accidentally) connect two TVs (outputs) or two consoles (inputs) via HDMI, that’s okay. You cannot damage the devices by doing this. It just doesn’t work as intended.
What you should consider when buying an HDMI splitter
Even an HDMI splitter can be frustrating if it doesn’t meet your needs. Before buying, it is recommended to pay attention to the following details:
- Maximum resolution: Most HDMI splitters, HDMI switches and matrix solutions nowadays allow the transmission of high 4K resolutions at 60 Hz. The HDMI 2.0b standard guarantees this and backwards compatibility to 1080p and 720p. But: If you want to connect an Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 or if you need 8K, you need an HDMI splitter with HDMI 2.1 for high resolutions and 120 Hz refresh rates. Such devices are so far a rarity.
- Image scaling: Good HDMI splitters are able to scale the output signal independently. 4K image material from the UHD Blu-ray player can thus be displayed on a 4K television and a 1080p projector at the same time.
- Important standards: A modern HDMI splitter should offer HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and also sound formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD. This is also defined by the HDMI standard (at least HDMI 2.0b). The higher the supported HDMI version, the better.
- HDMI extension cable: You can connect longer HDMI cables to HDMI splitters, for example to bring the signal to other rooms. Note: For 4K resolutions, the cable should not be longer than 5 meters. For Full HD it can be 8 to 10 meters.
- Power adapter: Splitters and switches usually require a power supply. Suitable power supplies are not included in cheap products. So reckon with small additional costs.
- Audio Extractor: If you want to output the audio signals explicitly via an amplifier, the HDMI splitter, HDMI switch or matrix should have separate audio outputs (Toslink, Chinch etc.). Manufacturers often call this an audio extractor, since the devices separate and output sound and images.
- HDCP 2.2: Make sure that the HDMI splitter supports the current copy protection. Otherwise you cannot use Xbox One Series X/S and the PS5, for example.
The best HDMI splitters
There is a large selection of splitters, switches and matrix systems. It does not necessarily have to be the most complex solution with countless features. But especially with HDMI splitters, it is advisable not to use the cheapest models. These usually offer neither HDMI 2.0b (or higher) nor HDCP 2.2, so they are impractical for modern televisions and playback devices.
Feintech VSP01204 HDMI 2.0: High-quality entry
For the HDMI splitter from Feintech you do not have to plan any additional socket space.
Image: © Feintech 2022
One input, two outputs, good workmanship, current standards – the Feintech Splitter offers everything you need. Atypical, but good: A separate power pack is not necessary. The device receives energy directly from the HDMI port.
If you want to use the HDMI splitter for two screens with different resolutions, you will appreciate the automatic scaling.
| Per | against |
| + Resolution scaling for both displays | – No Audio Return Channel (ARC) support |
| + HDMI 2.0b & HDCP 2.2 | |
| + Easy to use |
Roline 4K HDMI Video Splitter: For four screens
With the splitter from Roline you can split the HDMI signal over up to four screens.
Image: © Roline 2022
May it be a little bit more? Of the Roline 4K HDMI video splitter lets content shine on up to four displays and projectors. This is ideal for presentations and training purposes. For such applications, it is rather irrelevant that the device does without HDMI 2.0/2.1, i.e. only offers 4K resolutions up to a maximum of 30 Hz.
| Per | against |
| + Up to four displays can be connected | – No HDMI 2.0b & HDCP 2.2 |
| + Self-explanatory operation | |
| + Power adapter is included |
INF 40329903 HDMI matrix: Attractive HDMI control center
Splitting a signal across multiple screens or using multiple devices on one HDMI port – the HDMI Matrox from INF can do both.
Image: © INF 2022
It is suitable for the small home cinema or games room HDMI matrix INF 40329903. A maximum of two screens can be used as output devices. There are also four HDMI inputs for Blu-ray players, game consoles and PCs. Use the remote control to change the HDMI channels. Separate audio outputs are also available.
| Per | against |
| + Attractively priced HDMI matrix | – Maximum 4K resolution at 30 Hz (HDMI 1.4) |
| + 4 x HDMI input, 2 x HDMI output, Toslink and RCA output |
Feintech VMS04400 HDMI matrix: for all eventualities
Feintech’s VMS04400 HDMI Matrix has four HDMI inputs and four HDMI outputs.
Image: © Feintech 2022
This HDMI matrix leaves nothing to be desired: You control four HDMI inputs and four HDMI outputs conveniently using the remote control. If desired, the image appears from one source on four screens or from two players on two displays each. The matrix also supports all relevant standards.
| Per | against |
| + Numerous ports and configuration options | – No HDMI 2.1 for 4K/120Hz |
| + Support of all common standards | |
| + Switchable down-scaler to convert 4K to 1080p |
Reference-www.turn-on.de