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Two Blu-rays---one DVI input.

post #1 of 13
2/11/09 at 1:34pm
Thread Starter 
I have a HDCP compatible HDTV with a single DVI input. I have two Blu-ray players.....

least expensive way to hook them both up to the TV and get upscaling from both?
I currently have one hooked up with component cables with of course don't do upscaling...

ideas???


Thanks for any help.
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post #2 of 13
2/11/09 at 1:38pm

Re: Two Blu-rays---one DVI input.

You could always install an HDMI switch between the BluRay players and the TV. Here is one such product.
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post #3 of 13
2/11/09 at 1:40pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Two Blu-rays---one DVI input.

Thanks for that.

I suspected I'd have to spend $80-$100.

Any other solutions?
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post #4 of 13
2/11/09 at 1:45pm

Re: Two Blu-rays---one DVI input.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Camper
Thanks for that.

I suspected I'd have to spend $80-$100.

Any other solutions?

I didn't check that previous link, but aren't Monoprice switchers considerably less than $80-$100.
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post #5 of 13
2/11/09 at 2:16pm

Re: Two Blu-rays---one DVI input.

I've heard good things about the Monoprice switchers, though apparently there can be some compatibility issues, so do a little research. I don't know what their price is, but I'm pretty sure it's reasonable.

I know you said you wanted the least expensive solution, but it might be time to think about buying an HDMI-capable receiver. Not only will these give you mutliple HDMI inputs, but they'll also allow you to take advantage of the new lossless audio codecs. Obviously, this will not be a cheap solution, just suggesting that it's worth considering.

Edit: here's a link to one of the Monoprice switches. It's pretty darn affordable.

For only $26.91 each when QTY 50+ purchased - 4X1 Enhanced 1.3b Certified HDMI Switch with built-in Equalizer and Remote (REV.3.0) | Auto/Powered HDMI Switch
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post #6 of 13
2/11/09 at 3:21pm

Re: Two Blu-rays---one DVI input.

I recently had that problem with my old HD TV set. it was a rear projection with only one dvi port. I bought an HDMI receiver and that did help. but then I also got a switcher box and hooked it to the receiver and then the receiver to the tv. it worked fine. now I have a HDTV that has 4 HDMI ports.

Jacob
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post #7 of 13
2/11/09 at 3:48pm

Re: Two Blu-rays---one DVI input.

As mentioned you can use switch or receiver.

But which TV? If it's an old CRT model with a 480p native mode, I think you are better off running 480p for DVD anyway, upconversion isn't necessarily an improvement.
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post #8 of 13
2/11/09 at 6:36pm

Re: Two Blu-rays---one DVI input.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Camper
I have a HDCP compatible HDTV with a single DVI input. I have two Blu-ray players.....

least expensive way to hook them both up to the TV and get upscaling from both?
I currently have one hooked up with component cables with of course don't do upscaling...
Why would you need to upscale a Blu Ray; it's 1080 output? Or for DVD? In which case doesn't the Blu Ray player do upscaling? Or do you mean the TV doesn't support HD input through its component input?

If the TV supports HD via component, doesn't simply connecting a Blu Ray player that way do everything?
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post #9 of 13
2/11/09 at 6:54pm

Re: Two Blu-rays---one DVI input.

Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveF
Why would you need to upscale a Blu Ray; it's 1080 output? Or for DVD? In which case doesn't the Blu Ray player do upscaling? Or do you mean the TV doesn't support HD input through its component input?

If the TV supports HD via component, doesn't simply connecting a Blu Ray player that way do everything?

There are a couple limitations with connecting a BD player via component:

1. You cannot upscale SD-DVD's any higher than 480p -- any higher resolution requires HDMI, thanks to the copy protection in the BD players.
2. The maximum resolution possible via component is 1080i. If the TV is capable of receiving a 1080p signal, that can only be accomplished via HDMI. Since the TV has DVI, though, I'll assume it's an older set and in this case that is not 1080p.
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post #10 of 13
2/12/09 at 5:39am

Re: Two Blu-rays---one DVI input.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott Merryfield
1. You cannot upscale SD-DVD's any higher than 480p -- any higher resolution requires HDMI, thanks to the copy protection in the BD players.
Aha. That I didn't know

Having just gone through a similar cabling process (new TV, old receiver, Xbox, DVD, Tivo HD, analog cable, and antenna), I was amazed at how challenging it was to make everything work together in the right way. Having an all-HDMI system should dramatically simplify everything, but one expense at a time

The free solution is to only watch DVDs in the DVI / upscaling Blu Ray player. That would be my personal solution, and the price of a switcher towards a TV upgrade.
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post #11 of 13
2/12/09 at 9:30am
Thread Starter 

Re: Two Blu-rays---one DVI input.

Yes, i should have mentioned the player using component is prohibited from upscaling (and tells me so every time !!)

But, I was unaware that a switcher could be gotten for so reasonable a price.
too bad not one brick & mortar store in my area comes close to those prices!!

Thanks for the info guys!!
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post #12 of 13
2/12/09 at 11:38am

Re: Two Blu-rays---one DVI input.

If you go to:
For only $14.00 each when QTY 50+ purchased - 2X1 Manual HDMI Switch - Push Button Type | Manual HDMI Switch
they have 2 into one for 15.50. I'm getting 2 one for the bedroom and one for the living room. I like the one with the remote, but I got enough remotes and one more is one too many. It is on Backorder though, so depending on how long you want to wait it's certainly worth the wait. Reviews were very good as well.
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post #13 of 13
2/26/09 at 4:08pm

Re: Two Blu-rays---one DVI input.

for $40 shipped I got this today and it works great.

Amazon.com: Used and New: PTC 3-PORT HDMI 1.3 Certified Switch with Remote and Free 6ft GOLD Cable

comes with a nice fat HDMI cable too, cool thin remote that hides on units recessed pocket. 3 in 1 out, using 2 on a Sony Wega XBR800 with DVI input using HDMI cable box and a Blu-Ray player.
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