4 HDMI Adapters You Need To Know About
| Reuben Howe
The joy of finding just the right size Tupperware, or a screw you kept in a drawer for 10 years now fitting something, or hearing the satisfying beep of a PC booting correctly after being built...
These are moments of true contentment.
Similarly, finding a gadget that you had never considered, which does exactly what you need it to, evokes the same feeling.
With our new range of HDMI adapters, we want to highlight how and why you should be using HDMI converters, extractors, switchers and splitters! We'll explain each of the 4 types of HDMI adapter and, hopefully, you'll have a "Eureka!" moment when you realise how much effort one would save you...
HDMI Adapter Types
HDMI Converter
An HDMI converter converts HDMI signal into something else. So far so good.
The key use for this is something called "backwards compatibility". Backwards compatibility is the idea that new technology which uses a new type of port should still be able to integrate and play with the old technology and its old ports.
Many older devices such as our beloved VHS tapes, retro games consoles and home video recorders all connect via RCA (Those are your red, white, yellow cables). At the time, RCA could connect directly to every screen imaginable, or use a SCART adapter to do so. Nowadays, not so much...
Rather than lose all that media, an HDMI converter can convert that RCA signal into modern HDMI. This means you can watch VHS tapes right from the source, in your original player, directly on a fancy new HDMI TV.
HDMI Splitter
An HDMI splitter splits a single HDMI input across multiple outputs.
The main benefit is that one single HDMI source (think a games console, PC, DVD player etc) can be shown on multiple screens all at once without needing any wireless sync technology or 5 different outputs on your HDMI source.
Most devices comes with 1, maybe 2 HDMI ports for output. With a splitter, you transform that into 4+.
If you want synchronised content to two separate sofas, or even in two separate rooms, you can have lossless playback on multiple screens all in real time.
A splitter can also be used to record one piece of footage in multiple ways, or "copy" the footage across multiple devices if needed.
HDMI Switcher
An HDMI switcher takes multiple HDMI inputs and displays them to one single output.
Unlike a splitter, which show the same content on lots of screens, a switcher shows lots of content on the same screen!
The best thing about HDMI switchers is you can seamlessly change from one HDMI source to another without needing enough ports to normally have them all connected. Plus, switching is remote, which means no changing cables around or even getting off the sofa.
Accessing your DVD, gaming, Set Top and more has never been easier.
By having all these inputs go through one adapter you can also get fancy added effects like PiP (Picture in picture) which allows you to see every single source connected at the same time! The small previews of each HDMI are great for always choosing the right one, or clicking off during ads but being able to know exactly when to click back.
HDMI Extractor
An HDMI extractor extracts the audio component from the video component of the signal.
It might sound counter-intuitive since HDMI carries both audio and video, so they both arrive the other end perfectly fine! However, there are times when extracting the audio is incredibly handy.
For one, if the HDMI is going into a TV, TV internal speakers can often be poor audio quality compared to external speakers or, even better, a soundbar.
Rather than have the audio travel all the way to the TV, be processed through the TV and passed out whatever audio outputs the TV has to finally arrive at the speakers or soundbar, an HDMI extractor skips the middle-man and goes direct to the speakers / soundbar.
Many TV's won't have the right audio outputs in the first place, whereas an HDMI extractor comes with 3.5mm R/L, Optical and Coaxial so you're pretty much covered for every device possible.
An HDMI audio extractor also means you can manually connect sound devices differently for different devices. Instead of having to unplug them or use TV menus, you can permanently have the PlayStation connected to the soundbar and the Set Top Box connected to some standard stereo speakers, for example.
Make Your Home Click
A plan coming together is a beautiful feeling, and I hope you've discovered a gadget here which makes the penny drop!
If you've got an old VHS player and just discovered RCA to HDMI converters then why not binge-watch them all! (I still have a Tom and Jerry Two and Half Hour Bumper Collection VHS TWIN PACK!)
If you have been having issues with connecting a better stereo system or soundbar to your TV, try an HDMI extractor and skip the middle-man.
If you want all these devices connected at once, make sure to put them through an HDMI Switch so you can remotely change source.
And, finally, if you just want to fill every screen you have with...well whatever you like, then snatch up an HDMI splitter today.
Make sure your home is all spruced up with power, wireless connectivity and wonderfully easy HDMI set-up so that every bit of your audio and TV experience is seamless. Explore all our home management tech in our mega list here for cheap and cheerful gadgets that actualise your home's potential.
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published.