What’s the Difference Between a Splitter and an HDMI Switch?

What’s the Difference Between a Splitterand an HDMI Switch?



A splitter directs the HDMI signal tomultiple devices simultaneously. You will use this if you want to cast a singledevice to two televisions, as an example.

But an HDMI switch swaps between severalHDMI devices. You will use a switch if you want to select which device you wantto send to your television.



As explained previously, a 1-in/4-outsplitter is often called a 1×4. And a 1×2 splitter will have one input and twooutputs

Likewise, a 3-in/1-out switch is oftenreferred to as 3×1.

In addition to splitters and switches,there are combination HDMI matrix switches/splitters. These tend to be moreexpensive but an invaluable addition to an A/V equipment package.

With an HDMI switch/splitter, you canchoose to duplicate the same signal to multiple devices or swap the inputsignal between different devices.

To use either an HDMI switcher or asplitter, you’re going to need compatible HDMI cables running from the splitteror switch to the input and output devices.