[schlar01]

I'm looking to save the fees on the extra 2 receivers I have (3 total, 1 DVR). Is there an easy way to set things up so that every room is running off a single receiver?

I've got a HR24-500 and two H23-600s. I can't remember exactly how its hooked up in the back room at the moment.

Just curious, as I only need to use 1 room at a time.

 

[ThomasM]

Sure! They make HDMI switcher boxes and cables up to 50' long. To control the one receiver you keep you can use IR extender devices or RF remote controls so you can change channels from other rooms.

For sending an SD signal, you can get a modulator for about $20 and send the signal via coax cable.

The problem you might run into is HDCP. (copy protection scheme)

If your HD DVR has an HDMI cable/TV connected to it but the TV is turned off or does not communicate with the DVR the other outputs will display a message on certain (crabby) channels that don't want their content recorded.

To check this out, tune to channel 100, the barker channel for PPV. It is set up to check this feature.

 

[xmguy]

Sure! They make HDMI switcher boxes and cables up to 50' long. To control the one receiver you keep you can use IR extender devices or RF remote controls so you can change channels from other rooms.

For sending an SD signal, you can get a modulator for about $20 and send the signal via coax cable.

The problem you might run into is HDCP. (copy protection scheme)

If your HD DVR has an HDMI cable/TV connected to it but the TV is turned off or does not communicate with the DVR the other outputs will display a message on certain (crabby) channels that don't want their content recorded.

To check this out, tune to channel 100, the barker channel for PPV. It is set up to check this feature.

I have 2 TVs in one room. Facing different parts of my room. I have an HDTV and SDTV. HD runs off HDMI and the SD runs to a RF Modulator via composite off the HR24. Here is what you will see if your TV can't show protected content.

http://m.flickr.com/photo.gne?id=7560057096&

 

[xmguy]

Delete this post

 

[TomCat]

Sure! They make HDMI switcher boxes...

A HDMI switcher is commonly multi-in/single out. A few will do 4 in and 2 out. But what you really need is just the opposite, something that takes one input and creates multiple outputs, all of which mirror each other.

This is technically referred to as an HDMI video distribution amplifier, or VDA. It has a single HDMI receive chip, which connects to an electronic network that buffers and amplifies the signal, which then connects to multiple HDMI transmit chips. There is no switching; it just presents the input signal multiple times on multiple outputs all the time, sort of like how an amplified RF splitter can present the input signal to multiple outputs. One port in, multiple ports out.

I am not sure how this is referred to for consumer products, but I would go to monoprice.com. They certainly have this, and they also have low prices and fast shipping.

Note that if you turn one of your TVs off or on, or select a different input on one of your TVs, that this will invoke an HDMI handshake, which means all screens mute (go to black) for a second or two. That is normal.

 

[bengalfreak]

A HDMI switcher is commonly multi-in/single out. A few will do 4 in and 2 out. But what you really need is just the opposite, something that takes one input and creates multiple outputs, all of which mirror each other.

This is technically referred to as an HDMI video distribution amplifier, or VDA. It has a single HDMI receive chip, which connects to an electronic network that buffers and amplifies the signal, which then connects to multiple HDMI transmit chips. There is no switching; it just presents the input signal multiple times on multiple outputs all the time, sort of like how an amplified RF splitter can present the input signal to multiple outputs. One port in, multiple ports out.

I am not sure how this is referred to for consumer products, but I would go to monoprice.com. They certainly have this, and they also have low prices and fast shipping.

Note that if you turn one of your TVs off or on, or select a different input on one of your TVs, that this will invoke an HDMI handshake, which means all screens mute (go to black) for a second or two. That is normal.

The product you are referring to is an HDMI splitter, one in multiple out, as opposed to a switcher which is multiple in, one out.

 

[RACJ2]

There have been many threads on using one DVR to run multiple TV's. Below is what I use to have HD on 2 flat screens:

I hope I understand your questions, since it was difficult to read a long paragraph of info. It you want to watch HD programming on your PC, here is the cheapest way. You can load DIRECTV2PC to your pc and watch. Here is a [link] to a thread about it. The only downfall to this, you have to record the program you want to watch to use it. Although you can record a program that is live and watch it about 1 minute behind the live feed.

There are a couple reasonably priced ways to get HD to your remote TV's. I did it for about $100 or so with a wired solution. It runs over cat 6 with HDMI wall plates that I bought from Monoprice. Here is a [link] to the HDMI wall plate selection starting at $17. I recommend that you buy cat 6 cable and at least 24 AWG HDMI cables that they recommend. Depending on how far you go and if you are already using the DVR's HDMI output to the local TV, you may need an HDMI powered splitter, which start at about $24 [link].

Others have used a wireless HDMI setup that they said works well. I have no experience with them. Here is an example of one that Best Buy sells for $230 [link].

 

[joed32]

There is one bi-directional switch that works with one in and two out. This is the only one I found and it does work.

http://www.amazon.com/Sewell-HDMI-B...&sr=1-1&keywords=sewell+bi-directional+switch