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1 cable box, 2 tvs?

R

rickyz

Limp Gawd
Joined
Sep 16, 2008
Messages
494
This might be a very general question but I don't know where to ask it.

Layout.jpg


That's an awesome drawing of my "layout" and I was wondering if it is possible to connect 2 TVs, which will be in different rooms, to 1 cable box.
I'm thinking an HDMI splitter would work but what about using the remote?
I also use a HT receiver in my living room. Would splitting cause a drop in quality?

Any help/insight/feedback/solutions would be greatly appreciated.
 
cable splitter? Split it closest to the cablebox, so before your cable box, know what I mean? That should work I believe, but if you split it after the box it might not work.

They are everywhere, home depot, walmart, etc... under $10.

Or are you talking about splitting the cable box (the same picture and same channel on both TV's?) -- Then you should still just probably use a cable splitter. It's a little metal thing with 2 coaxial ports for cable on one side, and one on the either. You know what to do, its simple.
 
What sort of output are we talking, you said HDMI? Your cable box goes HDMI out to your TV?

You could get a powered HDMI splitter, or an HDMI A/B switch. These are like $30-50 products (or more, if you want a switch with a remote).

As for using the remote, you could get an IR repeater/extender.

Splitting definitely causes a drop in quality, if you don't get a powered splitter, but normally you get decent to perfect results with a powered splitter.
 
Dylan80 said:
cable splitter? Split it closest to the cablebox, so before your cable box, know what I mean? That should work I believe, but if you split it after the box it might not work.

They are everywhere, home depot, walmart, etc... under $10.

Or are you talking about splitting the cable box (the same picture and same channel on both TV's?) -- Then you should still just probably use a cable splitter. It's a little metal thing with 2 coaxial ports for cable on one side, and one on the either. You know what to do, its simple.
Click to expand...

I'm talking about my set top box -> HDMI. I don't think my cable works without the set top box so I would need to order another one (Time Warner Cable) and that's $12/mo. So a cable splitter wouldn't work.
 
xrintrahx said:
What sort of output are we talking, you said HDMI? Your cable box goes HDMI out to your TV?

You could get a powered HDMI splitter, or an HDMI A/B switch. These are like $30-50 products (or more, if you want a switch with a remote).

As for using the remote, you could get an IR repeater/extender.

Splitting definitely causes a drop in quality, if you don't get a powered splitter, but normally you get decent to perfect results with a powered splitter.
Click to expand...

Yes the output is HDMI. That was what I was thinking also but the STB doesn't have a port for an IR receiver or anything. Is there a work around for that? Also, I got a regular HDMI splitter thinking it would suffice because the distance is so short. Do I definitely need a powered splitter?
 
Well if you already got it, try it out and see what you think. I can't say for certain either way what will happen in your particular situation. I just know generally that you need a powered splitter for this sort of application. But it won't hurt to try out something if you already bought it.

I think something like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880101004 would work. (disclaimer, I have no particular knowledge of that product) Just get an IR extender that has an "IR Blaster", or a little transmission device that you tape over the 'eye' of your cablebox. No need to plug into an IR port.
 
Don't see much point to this, considering you'll have the same channel on both TVs all the time... which kind of defeats the purpose of having two TVs as far as I'm concerned. I guess you have a different theory. Good luck.
 
Sometimes you want to watch TV in bed, and sometimes you want to watch TV in your living room. If you are single, or always spend time with others in your household, there may not be a need for having 2 TVs on at the same time (or watching 2 different channels), but if you like to watch TV in bed, and like to entertain guests NOT in your bed, then I can picture a situation such as the OPs where this would work, and you'd save money not renting a second cable box. Sure it limits your ability to watch 2 TVs at the same time on different channels, but that simply may not be a need of the OP, or not worth the cost of the second cable box.
 
I believe that TWC's boxes output via HDMI and component at the same time. Realistically, there'd be almost zero difference in the picture quality and you could get a set of component cables on the cheap.
 
xrintrahx said:
Sometimes you want to watch TV in bed, and sometimes you want to watch TV in your living room. If you are single, or always spend time with others in your household, there may not be a need for having 2 TVs on at the same time (or watching 2 different channels), but if you like to watch TV in bed, and like to entertain guests NOT in your bed, then I can picture a situation such as the OPs where this would work, and you'd save money not renting a second cable box. Sure it limits your ability to watch 2 TVs at the same time on different channels, but that simply may not be a need of the OP, or not worth the cost of the second cable box.
Click to expand...

this is exactly my reason for doing so.

GhostDog said:
I believe that TWC's boxes output via HDMI and component at the same time. Realistically, there'd be almost zero difference in the picture quality and you could get a set of component cables on the cheap.
Click to expand...

oooooooooh this would simplify things greatly. ill try this first. THANKS!
 
xrintrahx said:
Well if you already got it, try it out and see what you think. I can't say for certain either way what will happen in your particular situation. I just know generally that you need a powered splitter for this sort of application. But it won't hurt to try out something if you already bought it.

I think something like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880101004 would work. (disclaimer, I have no particular knowledge of that product) Just get an IR extender that has an "IR Blaster", or a little transmission device that you tape over the 'eye' of your cablebox. No need to plug into an IR port.
Click to expand...

thanks for the IR blaster tip. you guys are geniuses.
 
rickyz said:
this is exactly my reason for doing so.



oooooooooh this would simplify things greatly. ill try this first. THANKS!
Click to expand...

If TWC in your area has switched to the mystro platform you will not be able to run both HDMI and Component at the same time. TWC had disabled running multiple HD outputs, you will get hdcp error messages. I am not sure if a HDMI splitter will work either as HDMI signal will communicate between the STB and TV. Component splitting would work as the comp output on the stb just outputs and does not communicate with the tv.
 
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