Is there a safe way to use 2 devices with HDMI out into a TV with only 1 HDMI in?

blu ray player 2 hdmi inputs image

Stanley K

I have an older LCD television with only 1 HDMI input and I am looking for a way to add a blu-ray player to the set-up that I have. I currently use the HDMI to support my digital cable box.

Answer
HDMI switchbox, or AV receiver with multiple HDMI inputs.

What blu ray players will be compatible with my old tv?

HRS

Hi everyone. I'm a college student with an old Samsung TV that has inputs for red, white yellow cables as well as green blue and red. I'd like a blu ray player that can hook up to the internet (so I don't have to get cable, I can just watch netflix). My pipedream hope is for one around $50, but I'm more realistically looking around $80. Does anyone know any models that will work with my tv and play from the internet? Will these players also play my DVDs? Thanks!

Answer
The yellow connector is analog composite video, which can not carry HD (it's not even the best for SD).

The red, blue and green set of connectors carry component video, which IS capable of carrying HD even though it is not digital. Component HDTV is generally limited to 1080i (there are exceptions).

The red and white pair is of course right and left (respectively) analog audio.

Is your "old Samsung TV" an "HD Ready" TV? If it is an "HD Ready" TV that accepts 1080i over its component inputs, that would be great.
It could just be a standard definition TV that has component video inputs for progessive-scan DVD playback, but not capable of HD through those inputs. It would still be better over component than composite (at least you'd have progressive scan); composite would be your last resort.

Older Blu-Ray players did have component video outputs for HD video, but they quickly switched over to HDMI for several reasons -- see below.

Used/refurbished Blu-Ray players with component video outputs can be found for sale on the web if you search for "Blu-Ray player with component video output." I found some in your price range when I searched.

At "brick and mortar" stores... you might find one at a pawn shop or a resale shop.

Edit: One more thought -- This might all be for naught if your main reason is to hook up your TV to the internet, because older Blu-Ray players are not as likely to have that feature.
Do you have a laptop computer? You could just watch Netflix etc. on that.

-----------------------------------
Sidebar: Why did HD device makers drop component video and adopt HDMI?
1. Convenience for consumer: One cable for video and audio.
2. Digital transmission of the signals: immunity to RFI/EMI and cable-length issues (up to a point).
3. (IMHO the most important reason of all for manufacturers and distributors): DIGITAL RIGHTS MANAGEMENT (aka copy protection).
Component video is not encrypted, so a tech-savvy person could copy HD content carried by it. To prevent copying HD content, HDCP ("Highband Digital Content Protection") is used. HDCP encrypts HD content and checks every link in the chain from source to screen for full compliance (to prevent a "rogue" device in the chain from making copying possible). They even put an updated list of rogue devices on new Blu-Ray discs as they release them. At the content maker/distributor's choice, one of two things can happen if any link in the chain is not HDCP compliant: either it will display the content non-HD, or it will pop up a box on the screen saying that it can't play the content unless the non-compliant device is replaced.

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