Directly from the specialist – high-quality technology so that you get the best solution.

German family business – Personal service for your complete satisfaction

Fast shipping - Germany-wide within 1-3 days

How does a downscaler work in an HDMI splitter and what are the advantages?

Wie arbeitet ein Downscaler in einem HDMI-Splitter und welche Vorteile hat dies? - FeinTech

Henrik Ailland |

How does a downscaler work in an HDMI splitter and what are the advantages?

In the world of home theater technology and professional audio-video applications, HDMI splitters are widely used to distribute an HDMI signal to multiple screens or projectors. However, an often overlooked but crucial component in many modern HDMI splitters is the downscaler. But what exactly does this downscaler do and why is it so important? In this blog post, we will clarify how a downscaler in an HDMI splitter works and the benefits it offers.

What is a downscaler?

A downscaler is a device or technology that reduces the resolution of an input signal. This is usually done by reducing the number of pixels in the image, which reduces the amount of data. A typical example is when a 4K signal (3840 x 2160 pixels) is downscaled to a 1080p signal (1920 x 1080 pixels). The downscaler's job is to adjust the image so that it can be displayed correctly on devices with a lower resolution, without unnecessarily degrading the image quality.

 

How does the downscaler work in an HDMI splitter?

An HDMI splitter typically has multiple outputs that distribute the same input signal to different displays. If those displays have different resolutions, that's where the downscaler comes in. The splitter automatically detects the maximum supported resolution of each connected display and adjusts the input signal accordingly. For example, if one monitor only supports 1080p and another supports 4K, the 4K signal for the 1080p monitor will be downscaled to 1080p without affecting the signal for the 4K monitor.

The main job of the downscaler is to analyze the image information and display the image at a lower resolution using a technique of interpolation or reducing the number of pixels. This efficiently ensures that the image content is still clearly recognizable even if the total number of pixels is reduced.

It should be noted that downscalers in devices such as an HDMI splitter or HDMI matrix switch only process a single video resolution, namely scaling from 4K to Full HD. The size ratio here is exactly 4:1 and the aspect ratio is identical (16:9).


If the HDMI source delivers a different resolution, the downscaler remains inactive. This is because non-16:9 formats would be output stretched or compressed. And the computing effort required to recalculate a video signal of 18 Gbit/s in real time would be far too high for a small processor

Advantages of a downscaler in HDMI splitters

1. Flexibility with different resolutions

An HDMI splitter with downscaler functionality makes it possible to operate different displays with different resolutions at the same time. Without a downscaler, you would have to ensure that all displays support the same resolution, which would be impractical or expensive in many cases. The downscaler ensures that each display receives the signal resolution that is appropriate for it, as far as possible.

2. Avoid signal loss or incompatibility

Without a downscaler, problems could arise when using an HDMI splitter, such as an error message on displays that do not support the signal at their maximum resolution. The downscaler prevents this incompatibility by automatically adjusting the signal so that older displays in particular are also supplied with a signal.

3. Better use of resources

For applications where multiple displays are needed but not all of them can operate in 4K or higher resolution (e.g. at large events or in conference rooms), the downscaler helps to use resources efficiently. This means that a single 4K signal can be split between multiple screens without having to supply each display individually with a high-resolution signal.

4. Easy installation and operation

Without the need to install multiple signal sources or specialized devices for different resolutions, the HDMI splitter with downscaler simplifies cabling and configuration. The user does not have to worry about whether the signal is suitable for each display - the downscaler does this automatically. This is at least true for the home cinema sector, where only 16:9 resolutions 4K and Full HD are common.

5. Ideal for home cinema, less often for PC applications

For PC applications in the office, it is generally not sensible to use downscalers. Smaller fonts are difficult to read when the video resolution is reduced. If displays need to be controlled in different video resolutions, a graphics card should be used in the computer that can output different resolutions at the same time.

Conclusion

The downscaler in an HDMI splitter is an extremely practical tool to ensure that different displays with different resolutions can be operated without any problems. By automatically adjusting the input signal to the specific requirements of each display, signal loss and incompatibilities are avoided, while at the same time simplifying installation and handling. The downscaler offers a particularly valuable solution for professional applications, home theaters and conference rooms where different devices and screen sizes are used. This ensures that the audiovisual experience is presented in the best quality on all displays.

FeinTech

Technology meets passion