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Connecting 2 TVs to HDMI port on FIOS HD cable box

I want to connect two HD TVs to a single FIOS HD Set Top Box (STB) that has one HDMI output. The two TVs will be back to back across a wall between our family room and kitchen so cable distances for the **bleep**hest TV will be ~15'. I realize both TVs wouldl have to "watch" the same channel selected on the STB. Can I just use a passive HDMI "splitter" like this one: http://www.cablesunlimited.com/products/Prod_Individual3.aspx?groupcode=I3587 ? Would an active splitter like this: http://www.cablesunlimited.com/products/Prod_Individual3.aspx?groupcode=I3605 offer any advantage for my situation? Any help will be appreciated.

Comments

Podunk

Wouldn't recommend HDMI, I would go with componont cabling.

oldbird

Thanks for the response. I thought HDMI gave the best HD picture to the TV. Why go with component video instead?

Keyboards

I would be wary of the passive splitter as it doesn't list HDCP compliance. This may cause the handshake between the STB and TV to fail if 2 sets try to respond to the handshake request. The active splitter lists compliance but is quite expensive at $159.

As for the use of component cables (red / blue / green RCA jacks), that will still give full HD resolution but require a separate audio connection. All the outputs on the HD STBs are active simultaneously so no additional hardware besides the cables would be required. Many people feel there is little or no difference between HDMI and component. It would be cheaper to at least try component cables first as they can be had fairly inexpensively from monoprice.com (have used their HDMI and component cables with excellent results).

The ultimate choice depends on what you, the viewer, feel is best.

oldbird

Thanks for the advice about the passive splitter and the need for HDCP compliance.

I am leaning on going the HDMI w/ active splitter route. I think running the single HDMI cable will be a bit easier and cleaner than the set of component video and audio cables for my installation. and it looks like there are active splitters out there in the $50 - $80 range.

Any final advice on critical specs on the active splitter needed to work with my FIOS HD STB and new HD TVs?

kels

I'm with you about wanting to go with all HDMI but I've heard mixed resonses as to whether it's even noticeable. But I wonder if you are wanting 1080p resolution (like I do since I paid for it on my new TV) if THEN you see the degradation?

Any thoughts on that tech support?

Reaper

Monoprice has good, inexpensive equipment. I don't use an HDMI splitter but I do use one of their HDMI switches. Here's their HDMI splitters: http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10113

Keyboards

@kels wrote:
... But I wonder if you are wanting 1080p resolution (like I do since I paid for it on my new TV) if THEN you see the degradation?
Any thoughts on that tech support?

The maximum current resolution out of the Verizon STB is 1080i so the question posed by the OP doesn't concern 1080p.

rayman

the new QIP7216 HD DVR and QIP7100 HD boxes will support both 1080i/p if the program is being broadcast in 1080p.

kels

Will Verizon give an upgrade to the new 1080p boxes?

CapnTrips

It doesn't matter, since nobody provides content in 1080p unless it's on a disc.

oldbird

I am the original poster. Just thought I'd let everyone know I bought a one in / two out HDMI active splitter from monoprice.com for <$60. It works great. I can run the HDMI from the STB to the splitter and then to the two TVs. I can also run the HDMI from the STB to a yamaha receiver and them put the splitter on the output HDMI port of the receiver and then to the two TVs. I think this way, when I get a blue ray player I can then run it's HDMI to the 2nd HDMI port of the receiver let the receiver switch between the FIOS source or the Blur Ray source.

Keyboards

Glad to hear it worked out for you.

Keyboards

@rayman wrote:
the new QIP7216 HD DVR and QIP7100 HD boxes will support both 1080i/p if the program is being broadcast in 1080p.

According to the user manual for the QIP-7100 (link to Motoroal site) the maximum resolution is still 1080i and I would assume the QIP-7216 DVR is the same. It will support MPEG-4 (which is not currently used for broadcast or by Verizon).

spacedebris

Verizon doesnt broadcast in 1080p at this time. Even if the show is in p. If this ever changes then I would assume that they would start offering upgrades to the boxes. I mean they would really have to in order to support their own service. But until they do move to 1080p, its a moot point.

Now "technically" HDMI and Component cables both can handle 1080i signals and should "theoretically" see the same picture quality. But this has a lot to do with your TV and also with your own preferences. I've seen TV's that I cant tell the difference between component and HDMI. And I have seen TV's that the HDMI is better. On my 46" Samsung LED tv, the component cables are actually better. I get a more vibrant pic. But a lot of this is subjective

I would think however, that whatever benefit HDMI has over component cables would be lost once you start splitting the signal. Component cables should take a split easier and you would have less headaches with the HDMI handshake issues that seem prevalent now-a-days. IMHO

please just disregard this. I didnt see the second page of posts and thought I was still going to help. LOL. I'll leave my post here as I think its still valid but the topic seems well handled without it.

Message Edited by spacedebris on 08-14-2009 01:10 PM

kels

Spacecadet, Just kidding! thanks for your thoughts. I've also been reading up and a lot of people feel the same way that component cabling is = to HDMI. Not sure if that will remain true if we start getting 1080p signals. One thing I've learned twice now is that when colors aren't good you need to really push hard on the component plugs and that resolved it for me. I don't think you'd have to do that with HDMI but then again it might just be my particular A/V component receptacles fault.

I have a Samsung LCD also which I've heard is having compatibility issues with HDMI connections from DSTB's but I haven't yet checked to see if my problem is simply to assign my A/V reciever TV connection to HDMI.

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