Great for splitting the hdmi output from player to the tv and amplifier
Most blu-ray/DVD players and some 4k players such as the LG UBK80 only have one hdmi output.
One may want to use the player while watching the TV and/or amplfier. That is your player has only hdmi output, you want to watch your movie on your TV with or without the amplifier.
Even if you pass the player's hdmi output to the input of the amplifier, then the amplifier's hdmi output to the input of the TV while the amplifier is on passthrough/standby, you may be wasting between 5W to 28W on the amplifier's standby power.
So unless your blu-ray/dvd player has two hdmi outputs, then you're stuck with the amplifier's passthrough on standby which may use between 5W to 28W doing nothing depending on the brand of amplifier.
The solution, to purchase the CM412 by Simplecom.
Not every splitter on the market will pass through the multichannel variations of Dolby (5.1, 7.1, Atmos) or DTS (5.1, 7.1, DTS:X) as well as 3D. From my experience, some splitters labelled as passing multichannel variations of Dolby and DTS and 3D are limited and some won't even pass more than Dolby 5.1 or DTS 5.1. In addition there are two input or two output routers misleadingly labelled as splitters - they're the ones with a switch. Sadly they are not splitters, but they're routers. BUT they are good routers.
Another solution is to buy a more expensive 4 x 2 matrix splitter with EDID management which may cost over $60 and draws 2000mA of current at 5V.
But if it is a simple splitting of the signal for the TV and/or amplifier, the Simplecom CM412 is a solution.
Please follow the instructions on how to hook up the CM412.
Connect the hdmi output of your blu-ray/dvd player to the hdmi input of the CM412.
Connect the CM412's "hdmi output 2" to an hdmi input of your TV. IT MUST BE THE CM412's "hdmi output 2" NOT "hdmi output 1"
Connect the CM412's "hdmi output 1" to the one of the hdmi inputs of your amplifer. The amplifier's hdmi input could be hdmi (BD), hdmi (GAME), hdmi (SAT), hdmi (multimedia).
Connect the micro USB end of the supplied micro USB/USB type A (male) to the CM412. Then connect the larger USB type A (male) connector to either the TV's 1A/HDD usb drive OR your blu-ray player's USB port.
Personally I prefer using the TV's 1A/HDD USB connection because there is more current supplied to the CM412 compared to the blu-ray's player USB port which is 500mA.
If the CM412's supplied cord is too short to connect the power from the CM412 to the 1A/HDD USB connection, then I suggest you purchase a male USB "type A" to female USB "type A" cable of 2 metres.
Testing: You will want to see whether the audio signals arrive in the correct format to your amplifier. May I suggest you have a disk with a 5.1 Dolby and/or 5.1 DTS, another disk with a 7.1 Dolby or DTS and another disk with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X track. Also if your blu-ray/DVD and TV is equipped with 3D, find a disk.
Then your amplifier should display the type of audio being processed such as Dolby 5.1, 7.1, Atmos or DTS 5.1, 7.1 or DTS:X,
If your amplifier is not displaying the audio type as specified on the disk's cover, then (i) check that your amplifier is not set on 2.1ch or DTS:Neo or other kind of surround system such as music, cinema, action or game.
Set your amplifier to pure or pure direct. Go to your amplifier's manual. Also (ii) check the hdmi outputs from the CM412 are connected as described before. The CM412's "hdmi output 2" to the TV and the CM412's "hdmi output 1" to the amplifier. NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
Then there's (iii) check that your blu-ray/dvd player's hdmi audio output is set to "bitstream". Don't set your player's hdmi output to PCM or Stereo downmix or DTS Re-encode. The player's audio hdmi output must be set to "bitstream". Check with your blu-ray/dvd manual.
Will one's blu-ray/dvd player play the latest Dolby Atmos and/or DTS:X even though your player does not mention this. If your blu-ray/dvd player can play Dolby and/or DTS 5.1 and 7.1, then your blu-ray/dvd player should play Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. For example the LG BP420 and Pioneer bp140 will process 3D and high-resolution audio and these players are 10 years old.
In sum, provided that your player can process high-resolution audio such as Dolby 5.1 and 7.1 as well as DTS 5.1 and 7.1, your player will bitstream through the HDMI audio Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. The result is that provided you connect the CM412's hdmi outputs 1 and 2 as described earlier, provided that your amplifier can decode all Dolby and DTS variants, you are set to enjoy watching your movies with or without the need to turn on the amplifer.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
