HDMI Splitters and Direct Video

Discussion about displays and related hardware including MiSTer filters and video settings.
AmintaMister
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HDMI Splitters and Direct Video

Unread post by AmintaMister »

Hi all!

I've own this AV PRO Board (https://ultimatemister.com/product/mister-av-pro/), I use it with dual RAM and it works perfectly.

Currently I use 4 video outputs with my MiSTer: 1) Trinitron CRT with Direct Video 2) same Trinitron CRT with composite (via Mike’s Adapter) 3) HDMI 4) Lg Studioworks 700S Svga CRT 31khz with 4 different .ini.

All 4 video output work if I use a cable at once or a daisy chaining of HDMI switchers like that in the picture below.

But, of course, it would be much more comfortable to use only one HDMI splitter for all the 4 video outputs.

HDMI switchers with 1 in and 4 out don't exist, so I've tried several HDMI splitters with 1 in and 4 out, this is the last one I've tried:

https://www.amazon.it/dp/B074C9XHL7/

The problem is that none of these HDMI splitters work, only the HDMI "pure" signal seems to come out on the screen.

I think the problem is that HDMI splitters await for a “pure” HDMI signal but they get in this case a “direct video HDMI” signal.

Any advice?

IMG_6366.jpeg
IMG_6366.jpeg (3.62 MiB) Viewed 2089 times
Djiem
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Re: HDMI Splitters and Direct Video

Unread post by Djiem »

I've done something similar in the past, with little HDMI switches similar to the one in your picture, but of a different brand. I don't have an answer for you but I can provide my experience:

I had 2 such switches daisy-chained for 3 different outputs: composite and component on a Sony Trinitron, and HDMI on my LG C1. Essentially, the first switch outputs were C1 and switch2, and the second switch's outputs were the composite and component.

When I did that, composite did not work. I changed it so the composite was the first switch's output and the second switch outputted to component and HDMI, and this worked.

It leads me to think that these switches, especially daisy-chained, are finnicky. Maybe the fact that they're passive switches that are powered by the HDMI damages the signal's reach? I dunno, I'm not an expert, but I made a similar setup work for a while... very precariously.

AmintaMister
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Re: HDMI Splitters and Direct Video

Unread post by AmintaMister »

Djiem wrote: Mon Jan 13, 2025 11:48 am

I've done something similar in the past, with little HDMI switches similar to the one in your picture, but of a different brand. I don't have an answer for you but I can provide my experience:

I had 2 such switches daisy-chained for 3 different outputs: composite and component on a Sony Trinitron, and HDMI on my LG C1. Essentially, the first switch outputs were C1 and switch2, and the second switch's outputs were the composite and component.

When I did that, composite did not work. I changed it so the composite was the first switch's output and the second switch outputted to component and HDMI, and this worked.

It leads me to think that these switches, especially daisy-chained, are finnicky. Maybe the fact that they're passive switches that are powered by the HDMI damages the signal's reach? I dunno, I'm not an expert, but I made a similar setup work for a while... very precariously.

Thanks for your answer! The 2 port switches daisy chained and active always work for me. The problem is that if I use an unique HDMI splitter with multiple ports it doesn't work.

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