4 way hdmi splitter with openbox

[jchderry]

hi, wondering if anyone can help I've been asked by a bar ower to install an openbox which will feed 4 tv's. i have used a 2 way hdmi splitter before but i found these to have some issues. Would a 4 way be the best option or is there something else.
thanks in advance
jchderry

[nibblitz]

Ive use a 1x2 splitter myself before, had no problems with mine.. I think its important to use good quality hdmi cable, and of same make/type on input aswell as output, I think this keeps all the timing in sync better, eliminating hdcp handshake hiccups..

Your going to need a 1X4 splitter, be sure it specifies it has an active amplifier, but most do anyway. I think you're looking at around 60 to 70 quid for a good one.

How big is this bar, are your cable runs of HDMI cable going to be very long (like too long for HDMI cable).. If so have you considered maybe using HDMI over Cat5 baluns.. Mine work well, I use these myself because chasing long HDMI cables through my walls was unworkable, where as chasing long lengths of Cat5 cables is easy..

Instead of fitting the bar with a 1x4 splitter, you might want to consider fitting them a 2x4 matrix.. They can then have 2 seperate inputs feeding the screens, they could switch input from Openbox to say a DVD player, and indepndently choose which screen displays which input source.. Its just such a more versatile option..

[jchderry]

sorry haven't been able to reply quicker. have been talking to the guy and discussed exactly what he needs, turns out he wants the box to run just 2 TV's which are pretty close together in the bar and lounge. so will go with the 2way and see how i get on. thanks for the quick reply

[nibblitz]

If its just to feed two TV's you could maybe run one of the TV's from the scart output, the other TV via the HDMI output, no need for HDMI splitter then.. Just an idea..

[jchderry]

Have been chatting to the guy today again, turns out he has 2 HD tv's that he definitely wants fed, and if possible connect the other 2. What i am thinking of doing i connecting a RF modulator to the openbox to feed the other 2 through a splitter. Would this work or is there another easier way.
any suggestions would be appreciated
thanks jchderry

[nibblitz]

Are they big screens, cause RF modulated video will look awful on big screens... Im sure if you used an Openbox S9 that has 2x scart sockets you could use a 1x2 HDMI splitter to feed 2 TV's with HD, then run TV scart output to 3rd TV, that will be RGB video which is much better than RF modulated, then use the openbox VCR scart output to the 4th TV, that output will only be Composite video, but still be better than RF modulated..

With all the faff though, surely a 1x4 HDMI splitter to feed HD to all four TV's is the neater option.. Like I said though, if it was me I'd be selling them on to a 2x4 remote control matrix, they could then choose to have music or news channel on some TV's and footy on the others, just in case the whole pub dont actually want to watch footy.