AV Distribution Questions
17 questions · Updated regularly by our specialist team
These devices allow one or multiple HDMI sources to feed multiple displays. A splitter duplicates the signal, while a matrix switch lets you send different inputs to different screens.
For distances over 10m, use active HDMI, HDBaseT extenders, or fibre HDMI cables. These maintain 4K/8K signal quality without loss.
HDBaseT sends HDMI, Ethernet, control, and power over a single CAT cable up to 100m, ideal for distributed systems and home cinema installations.
Passive devices simply split signals, while active ones boost and equalise them to prevent degradation. Active systems are essential for long runs or multiple outputs.
Use an EDID manager or compatible distribution amplifier. This ensures all connected devices communicate correctly and avoid handshake issues.
There are two routes. If the television has an optical or coaxial digital output, or analogue outputs, connect straight to a DAC or amplifier. If it does not, an HDMI audio de-embedder takes audio out of the HDMI path and gives you optical, coaxial or analogue outputs while the picture carries on to the screen.
Both send audio back from the television to an amplifier along the HDMI cable. ARC is limited to compressed formats and basic surround. eARC has far more bandwidth and carries uncompressed and object based formats. Both the television and the amplifier have to support eARC for it to work.
Usually a format mismatch. If the source sends a multichannel bitstream and the unit only outputs stereo, the result is silence rather than a stereo fold down. Set the source to output PCM stereo, or choose a unit that down mixes.
EDID is the information a display sends back to the source describing what it can handle. When several displays share one output, or a signal passes through a matrix, the source can receive the wrong information and default to a lower resolution or no picture at all. An EDID management tool lets you read, store and force the correct one.
Yes, with an active converter rather than a passive adaptor. The output resolution is limited by the source, so conversion makes an old signal compatible rather than better. DVI carries no audio, so a separate audio input is needed if you want sound.
A converter changes the connector and the signal format. A scaler deliberately changes resolution, which is useful for putting a legacy source onto a modern display, or for locking every matrix output to the same resolution so all displays receive a signal they can handle.
An adaptor only changes the shape of the connector, so both ends have to be carrying compatible signals already. A converter is an active device that changes the signal itself, for example turning VGA into HDMI. Where the formats differ, an adaptor will not work however well it fits.
Every adaptor adds two more connections to the signal path, and connections are where quality is lost. For occasional use that is not worth worrying about. For a permanent connection in a hi-fi system, a single cable with the right plugs at each end is the better answer, and we can usually make one.
A 3.5mm to twin RCA lead covers most headphone outputs. Phones and laptops without a headphone socket need a USB-C connection, either into a small DAC or through a USB-C to 3.5mm adaptor with a converter built in.
They add two connections to the signal path, so the quality of the terminals matters. Use binding posts rather than spring clips on speaker plates and make the connections off properly. A poorly made connection behind a plate does far more damage than the plate itself.
Deeper than most people expect, particularly for HDMI. The connector and the bend radius of the cable both need room, and a shallow box forces a tight bend that can damage the cable or push the plate proud of the wall. 47mm is a sensible minimum for anything carrying HDMI.
No. Mains cable has to be kept separate from signal cable for safety and to avoid induced noise, and combining them on one plate is not permitted. Use separate positions with a sensible gap between them.