Can You Use A Hdmi Splitter On A Tv

hdmi-switch-versus-hdmi-splitter-cnet-2021-001 — Sarah Tew/CNET

Here's an inexpensive trick to go on all your gear relevant and useful. It can open up up space to plug in yournew gaming console, run the same betoken tomultiple TVs and aid minimize the number of times you bandyHDMI cables. If that sounds handy, you may demand a HDMI switch or HDMI splitter, but which one?

HDMI connections are plant on every modern Telly and pretty much everything you connect to a TV: fromPlayStations tostreaming devices,AV receivers to cable boxes and soundbars. Near people own TVs that have enough HDMI inputs to handle all of their continued devices. Just what if you buy another sweetness slice of gear and find that your TV doesn't take enough slots anymore? And some people have the contrary issue: 1 source device they want to appear on multiple TVs. In both cases yous'll need either an HDMI switch or an HDMI splitter.

The words "switch" and "splitter" are often used interchangeably, but the devices themselves actually serve opposite purposes. Nosotros'll get into more than detail, but the brusk version is that an HDMI switch takes multiple sources and lets you choose (switch) between them, sending one cable to your TV. Every bit you've probably figured out already, a splitter takes 1 signal and splits it across multipleHDMI cables.

Read more: vii tips for a better home theater: Mountain your TV, hide wires and more

Main divergence betwixt an HDMI splitter and an HDMI switch

HDMI switch takes multiple sources (Xbox, Roku, cable box, etc.) and sends 1 cablevision to your TV or other device
HDMI splitter takes one source and sends it to multiple TVs

For most of you reading, you lot'll probably want a switch. While there are many situations that require a splitter, they're not as common for the average consumer.

HDMI switches: When you don't have enough inputs

The prime number reason to get an HDMI switch is if your TV, AV receiver or soundbar has also few inputs for the number of sources y'all have.

For instance, your Television has ii HDMI inputs and y'all accept a cable box, a Roku, and an Xbox. I'm sure many of you have both an Xbox and a PlayStation and have to bandy HDMI cables to play a game on the other. A switch would help in that location, too. Fortunately, they aren't that expensive.

A few things to keep in mind when you lot're shopping for switches. Kickoff: Get more inputs than you need. Sure information technology's possible yous'll swap out a streamer or game console for a new model, just equally probable you'll get something new and demand yet another HDMI input. Also, some switches have remotes. Not a huge deal past any stretch, just certainly a convenience.

univivi-hdmi-switch — A switch takes multiple sources, in this case ii game consoles and a laptop, and sends them to a display.
Principal image: Univivi, TV: LG, Screen image: Geoffrey Morrison/CNET

It's crucial to make certain whatever switch y'all're considering at least matches the resolution and HDMI version of your latest gear. Many inexpensive switches are HDMI one.4, which is fine for 1080p resolution but not for nearly 4K. A switch that's HDMI 2.0 is definitely worth spending a bit more to go. Even if none of your current sources are 4K, your adjacent sources certainly volition be. HDMI ii.0 is backward-compatible, but you can't "upgrade" an HDMI ane.4 switch to ii.0.

HDMI Switch versus HDMI splitter — A 5x1 switch. Five inputs, one output to the TV. The remote lets you choose each input directly.
Sarah Tew/CNET

If you're on the argue nigh needing a switch, consider this: HDMI ports on TVs and other gear were not congenital for repeated connection and disconnection. Yanking that HDMI cable out every fourth dimension y'all want to switch sources is putting article of clothing and tear on your cables and gear. A switch volition decrease that wear and tear, extending the life of your gear as well every bit easing the hassle of using your AV system.

Nosotros don't currently have recommendations for specific HDMI switches, just you lot can notice plenty of options for every bit little as $x or less at Amazon.

Notation that CNET may get a share of the acquirement if you buy anything featured on our site.

HDMI splitters: One source, multiple TVs

If yous have ane source, and want to transport that source's signal to multiple TVs, you demand an HDMI splitter. Maybe that Television receiver is in a different room, or perhaps in the same room you have a TV to watch during the twenty-four hours and a projector to watch at night. A splitter will indistinguishable a signal and ship information technology out through multiple HDMI cables. Some splitters are as well switches, with multiple "ins" and multiple "outs." We'll talk near those in the next department.

monoprice-blackbird-4k-1x8 — A 1x8 splitter: 1 source to eight TVs or projectors.
Monoprice

If you want two displays going at the same time, keep in mind the maximum resolution for all is any the everyman resolution display is. So if you have a 4K source, a 4K Telly and a 1080p TV, the 4K source will only send 1080p. The splitter won't catechumen the signal to 1080p just for that Boob tube.

In theory yous shouldn't have copy protection issues… in theory. Yous should exist able to ship any content you desire through a splitter to multiple TVs. That'due south not a guarantee y'all'll be without problems, though. HDCP "handshakes" are blackness magic that sometimes tin can merely exist resolved by dancing around an HDMI logo painted on your floor in unicorn tears. This is especially truthful of older displays and sources. Make certain earlier you purchase it that information technology passes HDCP. They'll usually say in the product description.

Though there are some unpowered splitters on the marketplace, you're probably better off getting a powered one. They're but slightly more money, and there's a better chance your setup volition piece of work without dropouts or connectivity issues.

As with switches, we don't currently have recommendations for specific HDMI splitters, but y'all can discover plenty of options for as piddling as $10 or less at Amazon.

Here's where I mention that some products at Amazon (and elsewhere) are mislabeled. In the link for splitters above, for example, a few switches showed up, and 1 (I'yard looking at you, Techole) is a switch, non a splitter, even though the words "HDMI splitter" appear in its clarification. Just now that yous've read this far, you know the difference and can shop with confidence, right?

What does 1x3 hateful? Is it the aforementioned every bit 3x1?

Splitters, and many switches, will exist labeled in their proper noun with the number of inputs and outputs, respectively, separated by an "ten". So a "1x3" splitter will accept 1 input sent to three outputs.

Meanwhile, unlike the mislabeled devices mentioned above, there are devices that combine a switch and a splitter in the aforementioned box. A "4x2" switch is besides a splitter, with four inputs and 2 outputs. It can send any of four sources to ii TVs.

Here'south a quick summary:

Unlike with multiplication, 1x3 is not the same as 3x1
The first number isinputs
The 2d number isoutputs
An HDMI switch would exist labeled, for example, 3x1 (3 source inputs, 1 output)
An HDMI splitter would be labeled, for example, 1x3 (one source input, iii outputs)

The number of inputs and outputs scale up considerably on the commercial side, where y'all could have 16x16 splitters/switches or more. These are usually called matrix switches. CNET's Goggle box lab uses an 8x8 matrix switch for sending multiple 4K HDR signals to multiple TVs for side-by-side comparison testing.

You won't need to worry about those, of class. For most of you, a 3x1 or 4x1 switch is all yous'll likely need.

Tips for buying and setting up an HDMI switch or HDMI splitter

Call up that when setting upwards your new switch or splitter you'll likely demand to buy HDMI cables too. Near people continue their switches, sources and Telly near one another, so shorter lengths are both less expensive and more than user-friendly (less slack to deal with). And equally nosotros mentioned above, make sure your switch and cables tin can handle the resolution from your gear.

Read more:Best HDMI cables for 2021

I final matter to go along in listen. Calculation any device into the HDMI chain has the potential to cause bug. HDMI is a cranky brute and it's possible you'll stumble upon some combination of source, switch/splitter, cables, and brandish that only don't work. Or even more frustrating, don't piece of work reliably, randomly cut out like the world'south lamest electrical demon. There's no way to prevent this from happening, and it'south not common, it'southward just something to keep in mind. You might need to do some troubleshooting. You might be able to resolve the upshot past turning the gear on in a specific order, just that might not work either. There'due south no simple workaround for this, just trial and mistake.

In the majority of situations, a switch will make your life a little easier, and a splitter tin permit sure gear setups that wouldn't be possible otherwise. Handy niggling devices, no?

Got a question for Geoff? First, check out all the other articles he's written on topics like why you shouldn't buy expensive HDMI cables,Television resolutions explained, how HDR works, and more.

Notwithstanding take a question? Tweet at him @TechWriterGeoff, so check out his travel photography on Instagram. He too thinks y'all should cheque out his acknowledged sci-fi novel and its sequel.