Component or HDMI Splitting

[ken0042]

So, I'm sitting with a bit of a dilemma that I want to see what others would do. I just replaced the TV in the kitchen; it was an old 20" CRT with a 32" LCD. I was thinking of running the HD feed from the living room to take advantage of the TV's capabilities. Here's what we have:

50" LG Plasma in the living room
32" Sony LCD in the kitchen
Bell 9242 receiver in the living room.

My options are as follows:

(1) Buy an HDMI Spliiter, run a 40 foot HDMI Cable and have HDMI on both TVs

(2) Just buy the above cable for the kitchen TV, and then use the component out of the receiver for the 50" LG in the living room.

I already own the component cable that is needed, so option 2 would be the cheapest. I know that HDMI is better than component, but am I really going to notice a difference? Or will I lose any of that benefit with splitting the HDMI? Another consideration, will a split HDMI signal actually travel 40-45 feet without any loss?

Thoughts?

[SebC]

Your plan is to watch the same thing in the living room and the kitchen, correct?

[ken0042]

Yes, that is the plan. 95% of the time when we have both TVs on; they are showing the same thing.

The only exception in my fiance has an IPTV box from the Phillipines, so in this case if she is watching that in the living room, it would allow me to watch HD in the kitchen.

[DownhillGoat]

Component will only do 480i. HDMI will do 1080p. Yes, you will notice the difference. Do you have an amp/reciever? Or just the sattellite box?

[DownhillGoat]

That should read "component will only do 480p". My browser is acting buggy and I can't edit my post.

[Nage Waza]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Component will only do 480i. HDMI will do 1080p. Yes, you will notice the difference. Do you have an amp/reciever? Or just the sattellite box?

Is that a limitation of the cable box they are using? Component typically handles a great res than 480 interlaced.

OP, why not get another cable box?

[Rathji]

Component will do more than 480i in most cases and in ideal conditions is often as good as HDMI. Since it is analog, there will be restrictions in the type and length of the cable.

From this post on digitalhome.ca

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=71112

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=17873

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=17716

and

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=30452

[psicodude]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Component will only do 480i. HDMI will do 1080p. Yes, you will notice the difference. Do you have an amp/reciever? Or just the sattellite box?

Component can do all the way up to 1080i. I have actually read it can do 1080p as well, but haven't seen it in action.

As for the OP - If money is a problem, I would just go component. With all of the compression and crap going on, I doubt you would see the difference on a satellite signal anyway. Be aware that you will have to run 2 more cables for audio as well, bringing it to a total of 5 cables.

If the extra money for the HDMI cable and splitter isn't a problem, then do that as it will be way easier.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by psicodude

Be aware that you will have to run 2 more cables for audio as well, bringing it to a total of 5 cables.

Yeah, the component would just be running 6 feet from the living room receiver to the living room TV.

Originally Posted by Nage Waza

OP, why not get another cable box?

Thought about that; but even going the cheap way out and getting a receiver and an external hard drive I am looking at $300. Then I would only be a single tuner so anytime it would want to record I would have to be watching that tuner. Plus there is something to be said for having a kind of "PVR Anywhere" feature; so the fiancee can "just hit record" and then watch her HD movies on either TV.

Of course the other consideration is where to put the extra box in the kitchen. I already got a stern "absolutely not!" when I suggested we could get a small PC with a wireless keyboard and mouse and use the 32" TV as a huge computer monitor in the kitchen.

[Vulcan]

I tried an unpowered HDMI splitter just to see how it would work. In my case one TV would work fine by itself but the other TV would only use the signal when the other TV was on. Your MMV and another option may be to get an HDMI switch. The switches though may only be able to be used one way, like two inputs and one output instead of one in and two out as you need, and probably would only work with one input or output at a time. The other thing I've heard is that a splitter may cause you to lose HDCP compliancy which may or may not be a problem.

Ah, forget the switch, your best bet is to get a powered splitter like this.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...mat=4#feedback

and now I see that is the kind you were looking at. It should work but
mine is cheaper unless you need a third TV in your bathroom.

As for using component cables, this is what I do for a second HDTV from my 9242 and I don't notice any degradation (it's only 30" though). I even have my 9242 in single mode, connected to a third HDTV in the bedroom by co-ax, of course that won't be HD but I sometimes use it to finish watching a show that's been on pause or a PVR recording. Anyways I have three HD boxes so i don't miss much if I want.

Component can do at least 1080i and the only limitation that I know of is that some older and cheaper HDTVs may have cheap parts and won't accept an HD signal over component. Your LG should be fine.