We're often asked which HDMI splitter is "the best" and what the differences are. As you can probably already guess, there is no "best", but there is a better fitting one. All HDMI splitters distribute the signal from a playback device to 2 or more end devices such as televisions and AVRs. In addition to the quite obvious differences such as connections, housing shape and controls, there are hidden properties:
HDMI EDID management
When HDMI was developed, it was assumed that it one HDMI source (media player or similar) and one HDMI sink (display or AVR) there. above HDMI EDID signals the sink which picture and sound formats are supported and the source delivers the optimal signal. Simply plug-and-play – that’s the theory.
If you now want to connect 2 displays to one source with a splitter, the two EDID information must be combined. The source can namely only a Process EDID record and only a deliver an output signal. If both displays are the same, there is no problem. However, if the devices differ in the possible image or sound format, the splitter must manage this.
And here there are different approaches:
VSP01201 HDMI Splitter
Of the VSP01201 and the 4-way version VSP01401 have a slide switch for EDID mode. You can use it to control which output or which display is prioritized. This is ideal if, for example, you have a 4K HDR source and a 4K HDR display and a second without HDR support. This is how you can regulate that a 4K HDR image can always be displayed, even if the second device does not display anything or the wrong colors. Therefore, if you want to watch a 4K movie in HDR, you should turn off a Full HD TV. The VSP01201 is therefore mainly used if you do not want to watch 2 displays at the same time or if the televisions have similar properties.
- Provides an optimal format for display 1 in copy mode, even if display 2 cannot reproduce it correctly
- Ideally suited for connecting auxiliary devices such as video grabbers, Ambilight converters and HDMI extenders
- Upscales an Ultra HD signal to 1080p for a Full HD display 2
VSP01202 with audio EDID management
Of the VSP01202 only passes on HDR if both connected end devices support HDR. This ensures that there is always an image. The VSP01202 is therefore well suited if you want to look at 2 displays at the same time. About the audio Min/Max switch also set the EDID information for the audio format.
minutes means: the best of both HDMI sinks supported format
Max means: the best format supported by one of the HDMI sinks (the second end device may then not be able to process the sound format)
Max is well suited if a sound system is connected to your main device. minutes when the devices are in 2 different rooms and both need sound.
- Ensures an optimal audio format regardless of the display
- Upscales an Ultra HD signal to 1080p for a Full HD display 2
VSP01203 with Audio Extractor
At the VSP01203 and VSP01403 there are 2 EDID modes: At copy the splitter behaves “invisibly” to the source. A display is thus prioritized, the output is only based on its capabilities. However, you can manually set whether the other displays should be scaled from 4K to 1080p (see below). In mode automobile the best commonly supported format is delivered - all active end devices thus receive a usable signal. In addition, with these splitters, the sound can be supplied independently to active speakers or a surround system via fiber optics or stereo audio cable.
- Provides an optimal format for display 1 in copy mode, even if display 2 cannot reproduce it correctly
- If desired, scales an Ultra HD signal to 1080p
- also delivers the sound via SPDIF and 3.5 mm jack to a sound system or headphones
VSP01204 with HDMI pigtail
Of the VSP01204 Splitter is ideal for connecting to 2 similar screens. The splitter has a short HDMI breakout cable (also known as a pigtail) at the input, so cabling is minimal. An external power supply is usually not required (but possible via USB). A format is always output that both screens can process equally. Typical application: Connection to 2 identical monitors, or an Ultra HD and a Full HD television. (Note: It is not possible to display 2 different screens from the PC with any splitter. This only works if the graphics card already has 2 outputs.)
- Ensures the best possible output format for both displays
- Upscales an Ultra HD signal to 1080p for a Full HD display 2
- Can be operated without a power adapter / power supply
VAX01201 for a surround system
We have the VAX01201 HDMI splitter specially designed for distribution to an Ultra HD TV and a surround system. A black screen is always sent on the second HDMI output, i.e. only the sound is transmitted. Advantage: Older sound systems can also cope with this if 4K video is transmitted at the same time. This splitter supports both HDMI-ARC and 7.1 sound such as Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. That's why we call it HD-Audio Extractor. (The sound system must have a full HDMI input for HD sound - an HDMI ARC output is not sufficient. Suitable sound systems always have more than one HDMI connection!)
- Delivers optimal picture for the display and optimal sound for the sound system via HDMI
- Ideal for connecting to a 4K projector / TV and a high-quality AV receiver (can also be older!)
Other differences
The VSP01202 largely supports HDMI-CEC. This allows you, for example, to control the basic functions of the media player with the TV remote control. Note, however, that when the CEC is active, there is only one TV in the HDMI chain. CEC does not allow more!
All of our HDMI splitters support scaling. When a 4k Ultra-HD signal arrives, the splitter downscales (scales) it down to 1080p for a connected Full-HD display - with no significant loss of quality and without any time delay. The prerequisite for most HDMI sources is that at least one of the connected displays also supports 4K.
Scaling is also the only intervention in the signal that the splitter can perform. Otherwise, the splitter can only manage the EDID information so that the source outputs the desired signal and then distribute it. It would be desirable if every display got the best possible signal. Unfortunately, this is not technically possible. For example, the HDMI source cannot output stereo sound and 5.1 sound at the same time. Also not 4k HDR and Full-HD SDR at the same time. Unfortunately, the topic is complicated due to the additional technical limitations of the respective interface generation (HDMI versions).
