Sharing Tivo HD between rooms, HDMI splitter or switch?

[atomarchio]

I currently have a Tivo HD in my basement.

Thinking of purchasing a new TV for the bedroom but I want HD channels and don't want to buy another Tivo HD box. I don't use both of these at the same time so it would helpful to share this single Tivo.

Do I need an HDMI switch or splitter to accomplish this? I believe it's a HDMI switch but wanted to ask.

Please let me know. Thanks.

[ah30k]

Component should be in contention too. I had a much easier time with component.

[A J Ricaud]

I currently have a Tivo HD in my basement.

Thinking of purchasing a new TV for the bedroom but I want HD channels and don't want to buy another Tivo HD box. I don't use both of these at the same time so it would helpful to share this single Tivo.

Do I need an HDMI switch or splitter to accomplish this? I believe it's a HDMI switch but wanted to ask.

Please let me know. Thanks.

An HDMI switch selects between 2 or more inputs, i.e. 2 different sources, like Tivos to a single TV. What you want is an HDMI splitter, which allows you to use 1 source (i.e. Tivo) to feed 2 separate TVs simultaneously. Also HDMI only requires 1 cable for video and audio.

That said, you have to contend with the length of the HDMI cable. depending on the length you may need to amplify the HDMI signal for satisfactory results.

The other option, component, is also viable and less finicky about cable length. The downside is having to run 3 cables for video and 2 more for stereo audio.

Take a look at monoprice.com for ideas and pricing of the 2 options.

[atomarchio]

Yes, I want a single TV to feed 2 separate TV's. But I don't want them both on at the same time. I am going to use one or the other. Is there a remote control for the splitter?

And how would I setup the remote control for the 2 separate TV's so they can change channels on the Tivo? I want a remote in each room. Does it matter which room the Tivo is located in?

Please let me know. Thanks.

[cjw2001]

A Slingbox connected to the TiVo via the component outputs and a Sling Catcher on the remote TV would be an option.

[A J Ricaud]

Yes, I want a single TV to feed 2 separate TV's. But I don't want them both on at the same time. I am going to use one or the other. Is there a remote control for the splitter?

And how would I setup the remote control for the 2 separate TV's so they can change channels on the Tivo? I want a remote in each room. Does it matter which room the Tivo is located in?

Please let me know. Thanks.
The splitter does not use a remote. The outputs, 2 in your case, are always on at the same time. It doesn't matter where the Tivo is located.

You will need to buy a second remote for the Tivo if you don't want to take the remote back and forth.

A remote extender like this would "probably" work for you at the second location. I say "probably" because one of your TV locations is in the basement and the other on another floor, I presume:
http://www.amazon.com/Next-Generation-Remote-Control-Extender/dp/B000C1Z0HA

The other option is a wired, i.e. another cable, remote extender like those from Xantech, which are a lot more expensive but highly reliable.

[A J Ricaud]

Here's another option depending on how much you are willing to spend:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WTO2BW/sr=8-2/qid=1195084210/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1195084210&sr=8-2&seller=

I am using 1 of these systems to send Tivo outputs from the ft. rm. to my bedroom. It has a built-in remote extender system. It works perfectly for me.

You would put the transmitter box by the Tivo, using 1 of the splitter outputs. The other splitter output would go to the TV by the Tivo.

The receiver would go to your 2nd. TV. It gives you HDMI out and the remote extender input. A single, very thin optical cable about the diameter of heavy fishing line, goes between the transmitter and receiver.

Here are some better prices for the Owlink, just scroll down to view: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000WTO2BW/ref=sr_1_olp_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1251067921&sr=8-1

Here's info on a reasonably priced splitter with good reviews: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10113&cs_id=1011301&p_id=4921&seq=1&format=2

[atomarchio]

Thank you for the suggestions. However, I just realized that's not my biggest problem at the moment. I am looking to do an HDMI over Cat5 wallplate in my first floor master.

The basement below is finished and I just realized the area where I want to mount the TV has a coax jack but there is no Cat5 run there. That is disappointing.

However, there is Cat5 in the same room near the Security Pad. Now I have a call into our builder to find out if they can run Cat5 somehow without cutting drywall so I can install the HDMI over Cat5 wallplate.

I'm starting to get worried. If I can't run Cat5 I doubt I would have any options.

[dlfl]

Here's another option depending on how much you are willing to spend:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WTO2BW/sr=8-2/qid=1195084210/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1195084210&sr=8-2&seller=................. A single, very thin optical cable about the diameter of heavy fishing line, goes between the transmitter and receiver..
The product info says the "transparent" cable can be mounted on a wall, i.e., in plain sight. Is that really true, I mean without it looking tacky?

If you mount it on the walls can it take the sharp bends at the corners if you are running it between rooms (usually a problem for fiber optics).

Also, how long is the cable furnished with it?

[aaronwt]

The product info says the "transparent" cable can be mounted on a wall, i.e., in plain sight. Is that really true, I mean without it looking tacky?

If you mount it on the walls can it take the sharp bends at the corners if you are running it between rooms (usually a problem for fiber optics).

Also, how long is the cable furnished with it?

For that price it makes mroe sense to just get another TiVoHD unit with a wireless adapter to enable the transfer of shows.

[A J Ricaud]

The product info says the "transparent" cable can be mounted on a wall, i.e., in plain sight. Is that really true, I mean without it looking tacky?

If you mount it on the walls can it take the sharp bends at the corners if you are running it between rooms (usually a problem for fiber optics).

Also, how long is the cable furnished with it?
I have read that the cable can be run through doorway openings but I have no experience like this. The cable is very small in diameter and virtually transparent. The standard cable length is 100 ft.

[A J Ricaud]

For that price it makes mroe sense to just get another TiVoHD unit with a wireless adapter to enable the transfer of shows.
That's true, but you have to factor in the cost of a lifetime or multi-year Tivo
subscription.

[atomarchio]

Thank you for the suggestion.

However, that would be out of my price range at $599. I alread have the HDMI splitter so my cost to switch from the basement I would think will be much less.

[aaronwt]

That's true, but you have to factor in the cost of a lifetime or multi-year Tivo
subscription.

The last two TiVoHDs I bought were only $500 each and they included a Lifetime subscription. That was only $100 off the normal price of $600.(assuming you are getting the muti service Lifetime discount price of $299)

[A J Ricaud]

Thank you for the suggestion.

However, that would be out of my price range at $599.
Maybe you didn't see my other post- prices from $219-249.95: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000WTO2BW/ref=sr_1_olp_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1251067921&sr=8-1

[atomarchio]

That price is much better. However, I still have the same issue of getting this wire from my basement to my bedroom. It could help that the wire could be easier to manuever but it's still wire that I have to get behind walls somehow.