HDMI switcher/splitter experts! I need your advice.

[sktrus]

Hello y'all; My question is not directly related to Dish equipment or its satellite service. However, I am pretty sure this is something those using hdmi splitter/switcher may have run into.

My setup: Vizio tv has 4 hdmi ports. 2 in the back. I use one for Joey, the other for Bluray player. (Terrible location if you hang your tv on the wall. imagine you want to replace the cable!!). The other two ports on the left side. I use the top port for Amazon stick. The bottom hdmi port is connected to hdmi Switcher. I connected an old laptop and a Roku stick to this switcher with hdmi cables. When I am in the mood to watch a movie file (mp4 or vob) saved in external hard drive thru laptop or use Roku, all I do is change the tv input to bottom left port (in my case it is hdmi 4. I renamed all to make it easy.) With laptop usage, I have no issues at all. With Roku, I occasionally see a warning popping on tv screen. (You will see it in attached picture.) I am assuming my cheap (powered) hdmi switcher is not capable. This happens once in a while with some apps downloaded and installed (free apps) from Roku store. I unplug the Roku hdmi cable from switch and plug it back. It always works. The message on tv disappears and Roku works fine.

I am getting annoyed with this and wondering what type or brand switcher will work without this HDCP crap. I have an account with Amazon and Monoprice.

Do you think a better (more expensive) hdmi switcher will take care of this or my 8-9 year old Vizio does not have the capability to a flawless Roku connection?

No 4K. Just HD. Cables are relatively new.

The current switch has 1/2/3 buttons. But I never need to change it. It does itself.

 

[primestar31]

That can come from a bad HDMI cable, bad connection (try reseat), etc. I've had several of those chinese switchers, they work well until 4k or higher speeds came out. Then they were trouble. I switched to this one, and I have NO more issues, even with 4k stuff. I recommend it:

Amazon product ASIN B0837K31GXView: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0837K31GX


If you can't see the Amazon link above, disable your add blocker and refresh.

 

[HipKat]

Hello y'all; My question is not directly related to Dish equipment or its satellite service. However, I am pretty sure this is something those using hdmi splitter/switcher may have run into.

My setup: Vizio tv has 4 hdmi ports. 2 in the back. I use one for Joey, the other for Bluray player. (Terrible location if you hang your tv on the wall. imagine you want to replace the cable!!).

Full motion FTW. I really don't like or ever install Tilt Mounts just for that reason

 

[sktrus]

Thanks for the suggestion Primestar31, I was checking some web sites for best switches. One brand, Kinivo 350BN is highly recommended. It is twice more expensive though. Only 3 inputs. 550BN has 5 inputs but $65. I will compare and see what is the best option for me.
Hipkat, 8-10 years ago tvs were heavier and bulkier. My old 70 inch Vizio required 2 people to hold and hang on the wall.
Some manufacturers leave the ports on the side just for this purpose, I reckon. When I eventually replace mine, that will be a priority.

 

[primestar31]

Thanks for the suggestion Primestar31, I was checking some web sites for best switches. One brand, Kinivo 350BN is highly recommended. It is twice more expensive though. Only 3 inputs. 550BN has 5 inputs but $65. I will compare and see what is the best option for me.
Hipkat, 8-10 years ago tvs were heavier and bulkier. My old 70 inch Vizio required 2 people to hold and hang on the wall.
Some manufacturers leave the ports on the side just for this purpose, I reckon. When I eventually replace mine, that will be a priority.

I've also had the older Kinivo 5 port, and it was trouble for me. It's been disconnected and back in the box ever since. The device I put a link to above, I've never had any issues with, and it's cheap. I'm amazed it works so well for so low a price. Then again, most manufactures jack their prices up much higher than they should be, IMO anyway.

Oh, this cheaper one I linked to? It for sure passes 4k60, Dolbyvision, and HDR. My tv set (TCL 50s535) has all of that.

 

[sam_gordon]

If it's me, I'd find an amplifier that would give me A) 5.1 (if not 7.1) surround sound and B) Five-six HDMI inputs.

 

[arlo]

Thumbs up for an HT receiver. For comparison and to keep you from cable hunting. And for comparison.
My Sony Bravia and Sony sound bar are connected through the HDMI ARC port. TV has HDMI inputs (obviously) and so does the soundbar subwoofer.
In any instance where Roku or my Fire cube is connected to the subwoofer HDMI ports and any HDCP content is played. I get your error. Hooking them to the tv directly, never.
If I were shopping for a switcher and since HDCP is here to stay. Certainly looking for one with the ability to at least record stripped videos, and for those poor dn subscribers. Be able to backup recorded DVR content.

 

[sktrus]

Thanks Arlo, I went ahead and ordered what primestar31 recommended. I will get it from Amazon tomorrow. I read Q&Ss regarding switchers at Amazon. Some reviewers are saying that Roku requires a hot connection. I guess that means a direct connection to tv's hdmi port. I thought of swapping Fire stick (which is connected to tv's hdmi3 port) and Roku (connected to cheap switch). I wasn't sure if fire stick would do the same with this hdcp warning.
I am hoping this new switch will eliminate the problem.

 

[Bobby]

Thanks Arlo, I went ahead and ordered what primestar31 recommended. I will get it from Amazon tomorrow. I read Q&Ss regarding switchers at Amazon. Some reviewers are saying that Roku requires a hot connection. I guess that means a direct connection to tv's hdmi port. I thought of swapping Fire stick (which is connected to tv's hdmi3 port) and Roku (connected to cheap switch). I wasn't sure if fire stick would do the same with this hdcp warning.
I am hoping this new switch will eliminate the problem.

I run my Roku through a Denon AVR and then on to my TV and never have seen a HDCP warning, ever.

 

[sktrus]

Cool, Bobby. You must have one of those receivers that offer usb and hdmi ports. When you use Roku, does your tv automatically change the input to receive the signal from Roku thru AVR?

 

[Bobby]

Cool, Bobby. You must have one of those receivers that offer usb and hdmi ports. When you use Roku, does your tv automatically change the input to receive the signal from Roku thru AVR?

My Denon has no USB at all but plenty of HDMI. I use a Harmony remote instead of CEC and it changes the inputs on the Denon to whatever I am using to watch TV.

 

[primestar31]

Thanks Arlo, I went ahead and ordered what primestar31 recommended. I will get it from Amazon tomorrow. I read Q&Ss regarding switchers at Amazon. Some reviewers are saying that Roku requires a hot connection. I guess that means a direct connection to tv's hdmi port. I thought of swapping Fire stick (which is connected to tv's hdmi3 port) and Roku (connected to cheap switch). I wasn't sure if fire stick would do the same with this hdcp warning.
I am hoping this new switch will eliminate the problem.

I've got a Firestick 4k MAX plugged into that switch among other things (Chromecast with Google Tv, Blu-ray player), and I've never had any issues with it. The MAX replaced a regular Firestick 4k

I'm using these specific cables when needed: Amazon product ASIN B07V5FHWWSView: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V5FHWWS

 

[sktrus]

Firestick 4k MAX?
I have never heard of it. What does MAX stand for? Too lazy to do internet search at the moment!

Hey Primestar31, First, thanks for your time to share.
Second, The brand you recommend. It seems pretty nice. The way Amazon works, 6.5' is cheaper than shorter cables!!

 

[Bobby]

Firestick 4k MAX?
I have never heard of it. What does MAX stand for? Too lazy to do internet search at the moment!

Hey Primestar31, First, thanks for your time to share.
Second, The brand you recommend. It seems pretty nice. The way Amazon works, 6.5' is cheaper than shorter cables!!

So, we should do your googling for you because you are too lazy to do it yourself!

Amazon product ASIN B08MQZXN1XView: https://www.amazon.com/fire-tv-stick-4k-max-with-alexa-voice-remote/dp/B08MQZXN1X

 

[sktrus]

No Bob, I was just being sarcastic. Actually, I am googling it now. The wife isn't around naggin'!
Cheers.

 

[primestar31]

Firestick 4k MAX?
I have never heard of it. What does MAX stand for? Too lazy to do internet search at the moment!

Hey Primestar31, First, thanks for your time to share.
Second, The brand you recommend. It seems pretty nice. The way Amazon works, 6.5' is cheaper than shorter cables!!

Check out the thread I started over on Avsforum for more info. : Introducing 2021 Fire TV Stick 4K Max streaming device...

 

[Bobby]

No Bob, I was just being sarcastic. Actually, I am googling it now. The wife isn't around naggin'!
Cheers.

If you look at the bottom of my post you will see that I added an Amazon button that will take you there...

 

[charlesrshell]

No Bob, I was just being sarcastic. Actually, I am googling it now. The wife isn't around naggin'!
Cheers.

Don't get caught!!

 

[sktrus]

If you look at the bottom of my post you will see that I added an Amazon button that will take you there...

Oh, I see it Bobby. Thanks. Such tiny letters. My aging eyes finally need glasses!!

 

[Bobby]

Oh, I see it Bobby. Thanks. Such tiny letters. My aging eyes finally need glasses!!

Tiny letters are something that is part of Scott's program. We used to see a much bigger slate.