Video distribution and switching - how to

[spidey07]

I'm wanting to have multiple TVs in the theater and one or two in the bar. The sources are the normal stuff - dvds, HDTV via cable and game machines.

So imagine 5 displays and I'd like any of those sources to appear on one, any or all of the displays. The tuning aspect may come in but I haven't really thought about that yet - say 2 or 3 ball games playing at the same time I'd obviously need 3 tuners.

I'm looking for a really nice device to do all of this where quality is what is most important. If it had 3-4 built in QAM tuners that would be even better.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

This is where I'd start looking
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=36

 

[Quasmo]

I would suggest putting together an HTPC and get a video matrix.
They're not cheap but once you have them setup they work nicely.

You can install 2 HD Homeruns (2 tuners per box) on the HTPC and hookup media center extenders on each of the televisions. For the video games and such you'll have to get the matrix. I have a 4x2 Matrix that I just bought. What I can do is find out if it works in reverse. I'll let you know.

PM me for specifics and we can talk extensively.

 

[Quasmo]

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=3331
4x4 HDMI Matrix only $2000

My 4x2 Matix was only $90 so there is hope.

 

[spidey07]

Ideally it would handle all kinds of video inputs, quality scaling would be nice as well. Adding quality scaling would drive up the price I would think. That 4x4 device looks pretty slick.

 

[Quasmo]

Gefen also makes an all inclusive HDMI scaler that will scale all input over HDMI.

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=4298