How Many HDMI Ports Does Your HDTV Have?

harryk asks: "Ok, this is a serious question and one I don't think has been covered, at least not with a quick glance in Google's direction. With all of the media center components that we'll all have in our entertainment racks, the biggest question that I have (actually my wife prompted me on this) is how many HDMI ports does your TV have? With the PS3, my HD-DVD player or up-convert DVD player, and my fancy schmancy new cable box or satellite receiver, how on earth will I connect all of them?"

re:

[asparagus]

a) 2.
b) http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=hdmi%20switch er [google.com]

Not Enough

[TrailerTrash]

My "TV" is a projector with HDMI input. The receiver is an upsampling unit that has two HDMI inputs, a series of component inputs, and the obligatory s-video and RCA inputs. It upsamples whatever it gets from non-HDMI sources and shoots it up to the projector.

The two HDMI inputs I have are the HD-Tivo and the DVD player. I hooked a PC to the component input, but the upsampling process made the display fuzzy. I'd get a video card with HDMI output and try that, except both of my HDMI inputs on the receiver are used up. You can buy "hubs" to multiplex the HDMI, but they are very expensive.

Sigh. My next A/V system will have to have 3-4 HDMI inputs, one for the computer, and possibly one for (the as yet unpurchased) HD-DVD player.

Guess that's the cost of being an early adopter.

Re:You can get a DVI switch...

[Osty]

You act like that's something new. Audio Authority [audioauthority.com] has had 2x1 and 4x1 DVI switches supporting 1080p and HDCP for some time now. Nothing supporting HDMI directly (neither does the one you linked), but HDMI <-> DVI is trivial.

You'll still need an audio mux (I like the 1177 [audioauthority.com]), and it doesn't look like AA's cheaper DVI switches support auto-switching, which is disappointing. Still, the IR remote should be convenient enough.

The only benefit to the Gefen item you linked is that it ships with cables for $350, while the AA is cableless at $350. Not that it really matters, since you'll still have to buy an HDMI to DVI cable to use either of them with HDMI sources and outputs.

Or you could spend $3500 and get the AVX-661 [audioauthority.com] set and route 1080p video and digital audio through your entire house via Cat5e!

Re:My TV had 5 HDMI ports

[Anonymous Coward]

The specs on the webpage say different http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id =101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=2777&style=&se q=1&format=2#description [monoprice.com]

" - HDCP Compliant."

DVI==HDMI

[Nazmun]

HDMI is basically dvi (you can get cheap direct adapters since it's pin compatible as well) with digital audio combined.

So it's not an upgrade in video quality from dvi, it's the same thing. As for drm, thats a bit more complicated.

Re:My TV had 5 HDMI ports

[Jah-Wren Ryel]

Unfortunately, you bought one that isn't HDCP compliant.

Bullshit, and I hope you get modded for it. HDCP "works" just fine with the switch.

If you don't believe me,
and you don't believe the part on the web page that says: - Certified to perform at standards set by HDMI(TM)
then maybe you wll believe this other guy's extensive test results:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=64 0183 [avsforum.com]

Re:zero

[ydnar]

HDMI isn't bad anymore than the DVD player connected to your projector. It's a cable package that combines digital video and audio signals.

HDCP is a method of encrypting the DVI signal transmitted over an HDMI cable. DVI cables, as well as monitors and video cards that have DVI ports, can transmit an HDCP-encrypted signal just as well.

HDMI cables are handy if you have a reciever with multiple HDMI inputs--fewer cables to deal with.

Re:zero

[fyngyrz]

DVI cables, as well as monitors and video cards that have DVI ports, can transmit an HDCP-encrypted signal just as well.

That's why I suggest people support component. Digital channels are being misused. Analog is a great deal more difficult to screw up, and since component historically has not had encryption, it's almost impossible to mess with. I wasn't saying that only HDMI was bad; I was saying that HDMI was bad, since that was the topic, and then suggested a realistic, non-DRM infested replacement. I'm perfectly ready to stipulate that DVI is bad as well, if that'll make you happier. :-)

Re:None. Boycott HDCP

[Anonymous Coward]

Boycott HDCP. Demand a television without High Definition Digital Compatibility Prevention. Use DVI instead.

As has been said before many, many times, DVI also supports HDCP. HDMI is just DVI+Audio.

Seriously, why do I still see people who don't know this? I've seen it explained on slashdot a few dozen times at least.

I'll repeat it too:
DVI also supports HDCP. HDMI is just DVI+Audio.

Re:zero

[jonnythan]

They might "tend to be" expensive, but HDMI and DVI cables can easily be bought for the same price as component cables. Check out monoprice.com for high quality HDMI cables with prices like $10 for 25 feet.

Re:zero

[GWBasic]

Remember: HDMI is bad and supporting it is the last thing you would want to do. HDMI enables HDCP, and HDCP is a pond-scum mechanism for DRM / copy protection.

No. HDMI is a cable that combines DVI (video) with audio. It's designed to allow for a single cable connection between a device and a television.

HDCP can run over DVI. My TV has DVI and supports HDCP. Many LCD monitors have DVI and support HDCP.

Do not equate HDMI with HDCP. HDMI is a variation of DVI, and both support HDCP.