How to Use an HDMI Splitter

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Display your DVDs on multiple devices using an HDMI splitter.

Most inexpensive high-definition televisions only have one HDMI input. An HDMI splitter allows you to plug two devices into one HDMI input and switch between them without the hassle of unplugging cables. You can also use an HDMI splitter to show what is playing on one source, such as a Blu-ray player, on multiple televisions.

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Split Connections Into TV

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Step 1

Turn off your television and any HDMI devices that you plan on connecting to your HDMI splitter.

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Step 2

Plug your HDMI splitter into an available HDMI port on the back or side of your television. This will be the destination device.

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Step 3

Plug any HDMI devices into the available HDMI ports on your HDMI splitter. These will be the source devices. You can only plug two sources into an HDMI splitter.

Step 4

Turn your television on and then turn on any sources you have connected to the HDMI splitter. Scroll through your television inputs until you arrive at the HDMI input that corresponds with where you connected the HDMI splitter.

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Step 5

Press the button on either the HDMI splitter box or the remote control that came with the HDMI splitter that switches between the sources connected to the HDMI splitter. You should notice the display on your screen alternating between your sources. It may take a few seconds after switching the devices for the desired source to be displayed.

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Split Device Feed

Step 1

Turn off the device you are plugging the HDMI splitter into. This will be the source device.

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Step 2

Plug the HDMI splitter into an available HDMI input on the device that you would like to use as the source device.

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Step 3

Plug one HDMI cable into an available input on your HDMI splitter for each destination device--the devices you want the source device to be displayed and heard on. Plug those HDMI cables into an available HDMI input on the devices you would like to display the audio and video feed from the source on. For example, if you want to display the audio and video feed from one Blu-ray player on two screens, you would plug the HDMI splitter into the Blu-ray player. Plug two HDMI cables into the HDMI splitter and then plug the other end of those cables into available HDMI inputs on the destination televisions.

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Step 4

Turn on your source device and your destination devices.

Step 5

Scroll through the inputs on your destination devices until you arrive at the HDMI input that corresponds with where you plugged the HDMI cable into each destination device.

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