TV with only one HDMI input

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TV with only one HDMI input

Hi -
My TV has only one HDMI input, but I want to run both my ATV and HD Cable. All the HDMI splitters that I have seen do their switching automatically. Maybe this is a naive question, but isn't ATV always sending out a signal (i.e. screensaver or the like)? So, how will the switcher know when to accept the ATV signal versus the cable signal? Or, do I need a switch that is controlled manually? Any problems that anyone has seen using this setup?

Thanks for any help

Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Jan 4, 2010 10:03 AM

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Answer 1

Alley_Cat

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Jan 4, 2010 10:19 AM in response to dougawells

AppleTV always outputs a video signal even in standby (black screen).

You could consider a component connection though that would clearly need separate leads for audio.

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Answer 2

dougawells Author

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Jan 4, 2010 11:15 AM in response to dougawells

So - it sounds like I need either to use a manual switch, or switch to component cable. That's too bad - the folks in the Apple store were sure that a HDMI switch would work. I didn't think about it in detail at the time...

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Answer 3

Jan 4, 2010 3:42 PM in response to dougawells

If you have a switcher that has a remote and have a remote like a Harmony, you'd be set, but I'm curious... Why is it too bad that you'd have to use Component?

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Answer 4

capaho

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Jan 4, 2010 4:25 PM in response to dougawells

I used a four-port Hori HDMI switch previously and now I'm using a six-port Onkyo A/V amp and both have remotes for selecting the input source. It doesn't matter that the ATV HDMI port is always active. I am also using a Harmony One remote with "activities" programmed for each device, so all I do is push one button and the remote sets all the devices correctly.

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Answer 5

Alley_Cat

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Jan 4, 2010 4:41 PM in response to dougawells

If you go for an HDMI switch take some advice from people who use them with AppleTV as some don't work well.

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Answer 6

capaho

Level 4

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Jan 4, 2010 4:56 PM in response to Alley_Cat

If you go for an HDMI switch take some advice from people who use them with AppleTV as some don't work well.

He doesn't have much choice if his TV has only one HDMI input. It's also true that numerous people have reported HDMI problems with an ATV connected directly to their TV, so I don't think it makes any difference. I've always had HDMI glitches with mine, when it was connected directly to the TV, through the Hori switch, and now through the Onkyo A/V amp.

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Answer 7

Alley_Cat

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Jan 4, 2010 4:59 PM in response to capaho

It may not make much difference but I'd be more inclined to avoid a switch that someone else had problems with.

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Answer 8

dougawells Author

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Jan 4, 2010 7:58 PM in response to dougawells

Thank you all for your input. As usual - there is no silver bullet, but I'll tread carefully.

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