Home Theater:recreate the multiplex theater experience in your home theater. Simultaneously display the latest box office smash hits on a massive 120-inch projector screen in your home theater and your large TV in the lounge.

Power the splitter (if applicable): If your HDMI splitter is powered, connect it to a power source and turn it on. Gaming:extend your gaming setup into two screens or multiple rooms by displaying your console gameplay on TVs in the living room, bedroom, and basement. With a splitter, the whole family can enjoy multiplayer games without being cramped together. Play a gaming session on two screens with a splitterHowever, with multiple screens comes the problem of using your media devices – such as streaming devices, gaming consoles, DVD players, etc. – with those multiple tellies. Without buying multiple devices, that is… Understanding the difference between an HDMI splitter and an HDMI switch is essential to ensure you buy the correct device. When I look for these online, what strikes me is how confusing it can be.

Therefore, the design may have a small impact when you wire your hardware – because running the cables into one side and out the other may be more accessible. So this is something you may want to consider before you buy. To start off, thanks to 5 ports included in this little appliance, the switcher is capable of transmitting the digital signal to multiple devices at the same time without any lag or losses in display quality. Next comes its excellent performance, automatically switching the unit to the last boot, reducing LED brightness, improving viewing effect, and making sure the power consumption remains low. Finally, it's very safe and reliable, coming in a durable aluminium alloy shell that effectively dissipates heat. Powered or passive: Passive splitters don’t require a power source, while powered ones need a separate connection. Although passive splitters may seem attractive, they may perform less well than powered models and could introduce latency. Many of us have more than one TV screen in our house these days. It could be one TV in the living room and another one in the bedroom, or maybe you have a small one in the kitchen, or a 4K projector somewhere along with a regular TV… you get the point.The splitter then “duplicates” the signal coming from your media device – and sends it to your two outputs. So you can watch the same stream on two TVs, a TV and a projector, and every other example you can think of. A typical HDMI splitter has one input and multiple outputs, such as 1×2, 1×3, etc. Connect the HDMI cable from your source device (like a gaming console, Blu-ray player, or streaming device) to the splitter’s input. Then, connect the HDMI cables from the output ports of the splitter to your display devices (like TVs, monitors, or projectors). Keep in mind splitters and switches are different. While an HDMI splitter distributes a single source to multiple devices, an HDMI switch allows you to connect various sources to a single display device and switch between them.

EDID handshaking/HDCP: An HDMI splitter with EDID handshaking and HDCP compliance allows faster and more seamless operation. Ensure all devices in your setup, including the splitter, are HDCP compliant if you use copy-protected video content. A splitter with an EDID switch tells the screen which formats it supports, avoiding issues when playing specific video signals. Right off the bat, the device can handle 3 version 1.4 HDMI connections at the same time, thanks to 3 input ports. Conversely, the appliance features only 1 HDMI output, which enables connecting it to a big screen, TV, or monitor. Similarly to other products on our list, the switch kit comes with a remote control that you can use to switch between different sources that are connected via the splitter to your screen of choice. All that is available in 4K Ultra HD format (3840 x 2160, 30Hz) enabling a true, cinematic experience on your TV. As we covered the video, it is important not to miss the audio. The available sound interfaces will surely leave you satisfied, since the switch support Dolby-TrueHD, DTS, Dolby-AC3, DSD, and an LPCM 7.1 for full surround sound, among others.

FAQ

HDMI splitter: A splitter takes the signal from one source device and simultaneously sends the HDMI signal to multiple devices. For instance, you might use a splitter when you want to watch a movie on two televisions, like one in the living room and another in the kitchen. Alternatively, this OREI HDMI splitter is also capable of sending an 8K@60Hz signal, but it doesn’t support downscaling. This means all of your output displays need to support 8K@60Hz if you want to utilize this high resolution and refresh rate combo. If one of your output displays (or your input device) only supports 4K@60Hz, the signal sent to both displays will be the lower 4K@60Hz option.

When selecting an HDMI splitter, it’s essential to consider specific factors to ensure it meets your needs. Here are some key aspects to take into account: support: Ensure that your splitter supports the desired resolution and that you have the appropriate cables to match. For example, to achieve a 4K signal, your splitter and cords must support 4K video signals. A few newer models support 8K video, ideal for gamers with the latest consoles, but most people won’t need this. That being said, the model doesn't support the 2-way transmission from two TVs simultaneously, that's not what it is made for. What it is made for is easy switching between the devices (either TV sets or sources) without you having to untangle the wires and reconnect. You will only have to push the button on the splitter, and it will switch to another of the two connected devices. The currently operational port is indicated by a tiny LED light that will turn itself off in case any issues with the connection occur.

How we picked the best HDMI splitters

As for naming, a 1-in/4-out splitter is often called a 1×4, with one input and four outputs. Similarly, a 3-in/1-out switch is referred to as a 3×1, comprising three inputs and one output. HDMI Splitter vs. Switch Compatible with various audio formats, such as Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD, 7.1-channel LPCM, DTS, Dolby AC3, and DSD