HDMI splitters are fairly simple devices, but they don’t all have the same capabilities. First and foremost, figure out how many video-out ports you need. Personally, I’d suggest mapping out your exact setup, including the positions of each monitor or TV and the video source, as well as a cable management plan for your HDMI cables.

Like we said, a lot of people, including manufacturers and retailers, play it fast and loose with A/V terms like “HDMI splitters.” Technically, HDMI splitters turn one HDMI signal into many identical HDMI signals. It’s HDMI end-to-end, and all they can do is mirror the screen.

Cord Length - The length of your cable is an essential feature and as such must not be taken for granted. Your cable counts towards a lot of other things; thus, it is vital that you know how long or short the cord of your preferred model is. If you have a short cable, the distance between your splitter and the connecting devices will be limited, and this can be very frustrating for many people. A customer tip says' the longer your cord, the better,' thus we advise that you look out for splitter devices with cables that complement your room size and also make work easier for you. Why it made the cut: While there are plenty of simple USB-C-to-HDMI adapters out there, Targus’ USB-C delivers the best possible HDMI splitter performance and throws in plenty of ports to match. Why it made the cut: This plug-and-play splitter can send a single HDMI source to 16 different monitors, making it a cost-effective option for personal and commercial applications alike.

Many of us have more than one TV screen in our house these days. It could be one TV in the living room and another one in the bedroom, or maybe you have a small one in the kitchen, or a 4K projector somewhere along with a regular TV… you get the point. Hard drive retention: Hard drive retention is not available on models with a soldered hard drive, including XPS 9315 2in1, Chromebooks or Venue tablets, except the Venue 11 Pro. HDMI splitters are designed to enable you to share signals between devices at different resolutions without the content losing its quality. It allows to connect multiple devices and make use of them simultaneously, via the provision of ports in its enclosure. With the vast array of brands and models around today, selecting from the lot is extremely difficult as it becomes hard to decipher which models have more quality or offer a better bargain. In the following section, we discuss considerations that have to be made before selecting any HDMI splitter. That said, there is also a category of HDMI adapters that can plug into a laptop via USB Type-A, USB-C, or Mini DisplayPort, and output to two monitors. These adapters will give you a more robust set of display options, including an extended desktop across multiple displays. (They can also mirror your laptop across multiple displays.) Usually, these accessories will be called adapters, because they take one connection type and convert it into another. In some cases, they will also be called HDMI splitters, either because that’s what people expect them to be called, or because they want to make our lives harder. An HDMI switcher lets you plug multiple video sources into a single HDMI port on your TV or monitor, then switch between them, which can be handy if you have more game consoles, streaming devices, and computers than HDMI ports. If you’re having this problem, you might also consider buying an AV receiver, which can provide more HDMI ports and can improve audio fidelity if you have a surround sound system. Final thoughts on the best HDMI splitters for dual monitorsPopular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Key specs – Upstream connection: 1x USB-C; USB ports: 3x Thunderbolt 4 USB-C 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2; Other ports: Gigabit Ethernet, SD Card, 3.5mm audio; Power:135W power adapter; Maximum power load: 90W per port; Dimensions: 190 x 75 x 27mm; Weight: 338g; Warranty: 12 monthsA: The simplest way to describe how an HDMI splitter works is that it takes an HDMI signal and outputs it multiple times. HDMI splitters work by boosting an HDMI signal and allow you to surpass the usual limitations of any given form. These splitters can also handle the EDID handshaking and HDCP displays from sources that are needed for the signal to function properly. HDMI splitters take the signal from an origin device and send the signal out to multiple displays. HDMI on its own is capable of digital handshaking and the splitter is able to read and match the signal that each device is able to receive. This minimizes any issues with video or audio so the result is a little more seamless. Q: Does an HDMI splitter reduce quality? Considering how complicated it gets just talking about whether or not you need an HDMI splitter, we’re going to walk through some basic information we think everyone should know before buying one. HDMI adapters and HDMI splitters Unlike cheaper hubs, it supports a full 60Hz refresh rate over HDMI, while there’s a Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 port for when you need a physical network connection. The Type-C and Type-A connections could be faster, with our SSD speeds limited to around 458MB/sec, but this is a great, fully featured hub that’s still affordable and – most importantly – it just works.

It costs a little more than a basic HDMI splitter, but the OREI UHD-PRO102 HDMI Splitter is still fairly inexpensive and offers just about all of the capabilities you’ll need if you’re simply looking for a splitter with two HDMI outs. It supports resolutions up to 4K at 60Hz and automatically scales your video source to match the resolution of each screen. It requires independent power via Micro USB, and OREI does include a wall adapter, which isn’t a given with some of the cheapest splitters. That’s where an HDMI splitter comes in – it’s a small box that lets you plug in one “Input” device – that’s your streamer/ DVD Player/etc.’– and connect TWO (or more) screens to the “Output” side, all via HDMI cables. Manufacturers of the Avedio Mini HMDI Splitter love how customers underestimate the unit once they come across the ‘mini’ in its name, only to be wowed by how incredible its performance is, as well as how close that performance is to regular sized splitters. If you ever need a compact unit to have in your luggage for your travels and other movement purposes, this will be the ideal unit for you.Ethernet is easier, as it’s hard to find a hub that doesn’t support Gigabit Ethernet speeds. That said, a small number now support the faster 2.5 Gigabit (2.5GbE) standard, which isn’t a priority for most home networks, but a plus for advanced users or just for future proofing. If you are looking for a device that allows you to plug multiple devices into a single HDMI port, you’re actually looking for an HDMI switcher, rather than a splitter. There’s also a wide range of HDMI adapters that convert signals to different kinds of ports. We totally understand if you got mixed up: Terms like splitter, switch, or adapter are sometimes used interchangeably, but they refer to completely different things. It certainly doesn’t help that HDMI switchers often come up in search results for HDMI splitters, and vice versa.