HDMI versions...

Smerph · 15-04-2011, 20:11

I've never paid much attention to the different versions of HDMI...until now.

I recently bought a HDMI splitter so that the SamsungTV in my bedroom which has 1 HDMI port could house my Apple TV, my Xbox 360 and a BD player.

Unfortunately, it's not playing ball. Only the Xbox is able to be be connected to the TV (via the switch) and show a nice, uninterrupted picture. Everything else either results in constant flickering (the BD player) or an incredibly flakey picture that is barely there (the Apple TV).

The Apple TV is actually also pretty flakey when connected directly to the TV. It's fine when connected to my Panasonic in the lounge, but in the bedroom, getting a picture relies waggling around the cable like the aeriel for an analogue TV.

I did a bit of investigating and noticed that both the Xbox and my TV are HDMI 1.2, while the BD player is 1.3 and the Apple TV is presumably the same (possibly 1.4...I can't find this info online). Presumably the splitter is older.

Is this the reason why I'm having the connection problems with the Apple TV and the TV, and also between the Apple TV and the BD player when they go via the HDMI splitter? Does this make sense to how this technology behaves when you mix versions of HDMI?

Will new cables make any difference?

bobcar · 15-04-2011, 20:19

You don't need a splitter you need a switch. Presumably that is what you actually have so what model?

It's very unlikely to be the cables.

alan_m · 15-04-2011, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smerph

I've never paid much attention to the different versions of HDMI...until now.

I did a bit of investigating and noticed that both the Xbox and my TV are HDMI 1.2, while the BD player is 1.3 and the Apple TV is presumably the same (possibly 1.4...I can't find this info online). Presumably the splitter is older.

HDMI 1/1.2 has a maximum clock rate of 165Mhz whilst HDMI 1.3/1.4 is 340MHz. A splitter that is only designed for HDMI 1.2 is unlikely to support the faster clock rates. An older splitter box may not support some of the functionality on the newer specification.

However, it may also be lead length if you are running HDMI to other rooms. If your leads are relatively short then they may handle the faster clock speeds without problems but anything long and you will have to get leads specified for the higher rates, probably costing up to £1/metre.

You may have two problems, one with the splitter box and one with the quality of the lead. Price is not necessarily an indication of quality so don't go mad when purchasing better quality leads.

Chris Frost · 15-04-2011, 23:15

I wouldn't worry about 165MHz vs 340MHz. There isn't enough data coming from a 1080p/60Hz signal to saturate a 165MHz link anyway, so even the earliest HDMI 1.0 with still handle a full 1080p HD video signal.

I'd agree that a splitter is the wrong thing.A switch is what's needed. It never ceases to amaze me how people confuse inputs and outputs, and splitters and switches.

15-04-2011, 20:11	#1
Smerph Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,849	HDMI versions... I've never paid much attention to the different versions of HDMI...until now. I recently bought a HDMI splitter so that the SamsungTV in my bedroom which has 1 HDMI port could house my Apple TV, my Xbox 360 and a BD player. Unfortunately, it's not playing ball. Only the Xbox is able to be be connected to the TV (via the switch) and show a nice, uninterrupted picture. Everything else either results in constant flickering (the BD player) or an incredibly flakey picture that is barely there (the Apple TV). The Apple TV is actually also pretty flakey when connected directly to the TV. It's fine when connected to my Panasonic in the lounge, but in the bedroom, getting a picture relies waggling around the cable like the aeriel for an analogue TV. I did a bit of investigating and noticed that both the Xbox and my TV are HDMI 1.2, while the BD player is 1.3 and the Apple TV is presumably the same (possibly 1.4...I can't find this info online). Presumably the splitter is older. Is this the reason why I'm having the connection problems with the Apple TV and the TV, and also between the Apple TV and the BD player when they go via the HDMI splitter? Does this make sense to how this technology behaves when you mix versions of HDMI? Will new cables make any difference?

15-04-2011, 20:19	#2
bobcar Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 14,718	You don't need a splitter you need a switch. Presumably that is what you actually have so what model? It's very unlikely to be the cables.

15-04-2011, 20:36	#3
alan_m Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,586	Quote: Originally Posted by Smerph I've never paid much attention to the different versions of HDMI...until now. I did a bit of investigating and noticed that both the Xbox and my TV are HDMI 1.2, while the BD player is 1.3 and the Apple TV is presumably the same (possibly 1.4...I can't find this info online). Presumably the splitter is older. HDMI 1/1.2 has a maximum clock rate of 165Mhz whilst HDMI 1.3/1.4 is 340MHz. A splitter that is only designed for HDMI 1.2 is unlikely to support the faster clock rates. An older splitter box may not support some of the functionality on the newer specification. However, it may also be lead length if you are running HDMI to other rooms. If your leads are relatively short then they may handle the faster clock speeds without problems but anything long and you will have to get leads specified for the higher rates, probably costing up to £1/metre. You may have two problems, one with the splitter box and one with the quality of the lead. Price is not necessarily an indication of quality so don't go mad when purchasing better quality leads.

15-04-2011, 23:15	#4
Chris Frost Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Cheshire Posts: 6,462	I wouldn't worry about 165MHz vs 340MHz. There isn't enough data coming from a 1080p/60Hz signal to saturate a 165MHz link anyway, so even the earliest HDMI 1.0 with still handle a full 1080p HD video signal. I'd agree that a splitter is the wrong thing.A switch is what's needed. It never ceases to amaze me how people confuse inputs and outputs, and splitters and switches.

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HDMI versions...