HDMI splitter for dual monitors is an HDMI splitter that is used to split HDMI signal into multiple signals. HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is an HDMI standard for consumer electronics that combines uncompressed audio/video signal and digital data in one cable.
HDMI supports 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i or 1080p video resolution and up to 8 channels of uncompressed digital audio (7.1 surround sound). HDMI devices are available at any computer store like these popular HDMI Splitters on Amazon.
Wiring diagram of HDMI splitter for dual monitors
HDMI splitter for dual monitors allows you to connect two HDMI input sources to one HDMI display/ monitor/ projector /TV which can be very useful if you have multiple HDMI devices but only one display device. Both the HDMI devices are connected to HDMI splitter output. HDMI cable is used to connect HDMI transmitter with HDMI receiver and HDMI cable is also used to connect HDMI monitor with HDMI splitter, as shown in the diagram below.
Some HDMI splitters are powered by AC adapter which are called HDMI amplifiers whereas some HDMI splitters do not have any power source and they rely on other HDMI devices that are connected to them for power supply. These types of HDMI splitters are called unpowered HDMI splitters.
HDMI cables have 19 pins and look very similar to DVI cables although there are many differences between them even though both use TMDS technology for digital video signal transmissions.
The following pictures show how an HDMI cable looks like compared with a DVI cable. HDMI cables are small but very sturdy due to their high-density plastic which can be bent at sharp angles without damaging the internal wires inside.
Different connectors of HDMI cable and DVI cable
HDMI is a standard for connecting digital devices like DVD players, video game consoles or Blu-ray players with HDMI enabled HDTVs (high-definition televisions) or HDMI monitors using HDMI ports.
HDMI is often used instead of SCART connections on European TVs since HDMI supports both audio and video signal transmission whereas SCART only supports RGB video signals. HDMI devices are available at any computer store like Amazon.
As you can see, HDMI splitters allow multiple HDMI sources to display onto one monitor simultaneously with no degradation in quality regardless of whether they are HDMI-DVI connections or HDMI-HDMI connections.
HDMI cables are available at any computer store like Amazon. HDMI splitters are very useful when you need to connect multiple HDMI devices with one HDMI display/ monitor/ projector /TV.
HDMI splitter for dual monitors usually comes in two types:
- Powered HDMI splitter for dual monitors
- Unpowered HDMI splitter for dual monitors
Powered HDMI splitter for dual monitors
Powered HDMI splitters (HDMI amplifiers) have an AC power adapter which means they can provide more power than unpowered HDMI splitters, allowing the signal to be transmitted over longer distances without losing quality.
While powered HDMI splitters generally cost more, HDMI amplifier splitters generally provide better HDMI signal quality compared to unpowered HDMI splitters. However, this may not be the case depending on the HDMI splitter model and HDMI cable used.
Unpowered HDMI splitter for dual monitors
Unpowered HDMI splitters are cheaper than powered HDMI splitters but they are not as good as HDMI amplifiers at sending HDMI signals over long distances or through walls because even though both use TMDS technology, HDMI amplifiers have an AC power adapter which means they do not receive power from other connected devices whereas unpowered HDMI splitters rely on other connected devices for power.
Most of the time, you will not need a powered HDMI splitter unless your device does not produce enough power such as HDMI to HDMI-DVI connection or HDMI to HDMI micro cable.
HDMI cables are available at any computer store like Amazon. HDMI splitters are very useful when you need to connect multiple HDMI devices with one HDMI display/ monitor/ projector /TV.
Unpowered HDMI splitters do not require any power source since signals from all connected HDMI devices will feed the necessary amount of power to them.
Why Use HDMI splitter for dual monitors
There are plenty of good reasons why using HDMI splitter for dual monitors will benefit you. HDMI splitters can do more than just hook up your HDMI device to your HDTV for viewing HDMI content on it. HDMI splitters are also beneficial when connecting two HDMI devices together so that you can switch between the two HDMI sources using only one HDTV.
For example, HDMI cable can be used to stream data from computer to TV screen even though they use different video input connections like HDMI or VGA (D-Sub).
HDMI splitters allow users to instantly upgrade any analog computer monitor into an all-digital LCD display with sharp images and crisp text without lag by converting signals of older PCs running with DVI outputs into digital signals which work with newer HDMI enabled HDTVs or monitors.
Since NTSC is transitioning its signal from analog to HDMI, HDMI splitters can also be used to connect new HDMI devices such as media players and video game consoles with old NTSC (Video Graphics Array) TVs for display purposes.
HDMI cables are available at any computer store like Amazon. HDMI splitters are very useful when you need to connect multiple HDMI devices with one HDMI display/ monitor/ projector /TV.
Overall, HDMI splitter for dual monitors allow you to use your HDTV as a second monitor by splitting the HDMI signal from an HDMI source device like a computer or Blu-ray player and extending it across two or more HDTV displays without degradation of quality regardless of whether they are HDMI-DVI connections or HDMI-HDMI.
Powered HDMI splitters generally provide better HDMI signal quality compared to unpowered HDMI splitters. However, this may not be the case depending on the HDMI splitter model and HDMI cable used.
Although HDMI splitter for dual monitors are a great convenience buy, you will need to know how they work before using them to avoid any problems that might occur from incorrect usage which sometimes cause HDTV display to blink or computer monitor displays black screen because HDMI splitter output ports have different internal connections between them.
HDMI cables are available at any computer store like Amazon. HDMI splitters are very useful when you need to connect multiple HDMI devices with one HDMI display/ monitor/ projector /TV.
Display Settings For HDMI splitter Using dual monitors
When using HDMI splitter for dual monitors, the display settings chosen for your setup will determine whether HDMI port 1 and HDMI port 2 will be viewed on the same monitor or not.
HDMI splitters work by splitting HDMI signals received from HDMI source devices such as laptops, Blu-ray players and computers into two (or more HDMI signals) which are then passed onto the connected HDTVs or monitors.
Most of the time, HDMI splitter will split HDMI signal from a single HDMI source device to its connected screens but it is possible for both displays to show different content with some settings changed using your HDTV remote.
For example, you can set up HDMI splitter so that display settings on both HDTVs have separate viewing mode that each shows different content from a single HDMI source device without having to connect them individually to HDMI source.
HDMI cables are available at any computer store like Amazon. HDMI splitters are very useful when you need to connect multiple HDMI devices with one HDMI display/ monitor/ projector /TV.
Another way of doing this is by manually adjusting the HDMI splitter settings that can be found on your HDTV remote to change the HDMI Mode option from Split or Clone into Separate.
This will cause HDMI port 1 and 2 output ports of HDMI splitter to show different content if input ports are connected to different HDMI source devices, which can also be configured using your HDTV’s display settings menu for Ext. Settings.
HDMI Splitter Connection With Dual Monitors
When hooking up an HDMI splitter to two (or more) HDMI monitors, HDMI cables should be connected directly to HDMI ports 1 and 2 of the HDMI splitter input only. HDMI port 3 and HDMI port 4 should not be used when HDMI splitting because they will not work like HDMI ports 1 and 2 which split HDMI signals from one (or more) HDMI source devices.
HDMI cords should also be connected between other end of HDMI splitter output ports and attached HDTV displays for both HDMI port 1 and 2 in order to show different content on each display which can’t be done if all HDMI outputs are connected into a single device such as an AV receiver or sound bar.
HDMI splitters that have two inputs but four output ports can also cause problems with similar since monitor configuration using your HDTV remote. To avoid HDMI cable tangle, HDMI cables should be connected to HDMI ports 1 and 2 for both monitors instead of HDMI port 3 and HDMI port 4.
HDMI Splitter Setup For Monitors: HDMI Splitter Setup For Monitors 1) Power On Every Device Connected into HDMI Splitters HDMI splitter output 1 should always connect into a single HDMI source device such as a computer or Blu-ray player that is turned on first before turning on the second HDTV display connected into HDMI splitter’s output 2.
2) Check Your Remote Control’s Display Settings It is also recommended to check your HDTV remote control’s display settings menu in case someone made changes to input selection or picture without your knowledge which might cause HDMI splitter setup annoyance.
HDMI port 1 output should always connect to HDMI port 2 input on HDMI splitter to prevent this problem if encountered. HDMI cables are available at any computer store like Amazon
3) HDMI Splitter Input Ports Should Be On Same Device As An HDMI cable must be connected between HDMI splitter’s input ports 1 and 2 which is the same device before turning it on.
This will ensure that both monitors attached into HDMI splitters have the correct display settings needed for HDMI splitter setup with different modes showing different content from one single HDMI source device.
4) Press Power Button Connected To HDMI Splitter When everything is plugged in correctly, press your HDTV remote control’s power button to turn it on first before turning on the HDMI device you have HDMI port 1 HDMI cable connected it. HDMI cables are available at any computer store like Amazon. HDMI splitter for dual monitors
5) HDMI Splitter Display Settings Check HDMI splitter display settings on your HDTV remote control to ensure that each monitor is showing a different content from one HDMI source device without having to connect them individually to the HDMI source.
If this is not the case, then try using HDMI ports 3 and 4 (and not 1 and 2) after checking if the problem was caused by another HDMI cord plugged into the wrong ports on either end of an HDMI cord or both.
6) Use Different Modes For Different Monitors To avoid manual switching between input modes on HDMI splitters for separate viewing mode, do not connect HDMI cords plugged into HDMI ports 3 and 4.
HDMI ports 3 and 4 are best used with HDMI splitter output 1 into HDMI source device only since content displayed on HDMI splitters will automatically show up on different displays that are connected using HDMI port 1 or 2 – not both.
HDMI splitters should also be supported by HDTV’s remote control so no need to use the HDMI source devices’ remote control when making HDMI splitter setup changes.
To avoid HDMI cable tangle, always connect all cables directly between input ports of an HDMI splitter (1 and 2) instead of any other outputs except for HDMI port 3 which is usually dedicated for video playback only while HDMI port 4 is mainly designed for audio output which should never be used.
