An HDMI splitter is a device that allows one to relay data from one HDMI source to two HDMI receivers. A coax Splitter is an electronics hardware component that is connected to a coaxial cable for the sole purpose of splitting the signal. All these two devices have one thing in common, splitting signals from a single source to several outputs. In this article, we will explain the difference between Coax splitter and HDMI splitter, but then, which is better, HDMI splitter or Coax splitter?
An HDMI Splitter is better than a coax Splitter, it has proven to provide the best signal quality regardless of the number of outputs when an active HDMI is used, unlike in coax Splitters which lose their value mostly as time goes by. An HDMI Splitter and Coax Splitter have one thing in common, splitting signals from one source into multiple outputs. These have proven to help many people in many households, but one has to know how they work to avoid the common problem of loss in signal quality and integrity.
Another thing is HDMI splitters do not lose quality as time goes by, unlike coax Splitters. Here’s a wider panorama on which is better between these two splitters.
What is HDMI Splitter?
The HDMI Splitter device allows one to transmit audio-visual data, usually from one HDMI source and two HDMI receivers. As the name suggests, the HDMI Splitter receives the signal from one source and the signal is split into two identical sources.
You will see the importance of having an HDMI Splitter when caught up in a situation where there’s an external source that needs to be fed signals from both the TV and sound system, in case the devices lack an HDMI ARC or eARC. It can also be used where multiple TVs are required to display content from one source.
HDMI splitters can function in two ways, namely: Passive, which is by just splitting the signal, Active, which works by compensating the loss of the signal being cut into half by adding some additional power. Clearly, if you know your cable runs, the passive splitters might be ideal.
What is HDMI splitter used for?
Their main purpose is to receive a single HDMI signal and split it into multiple HDMI outputs, all this occurs at once and at the same time. Although there are two types of HDMI splitters, the goal is the same, which is to split the signal into two.
An HDMI cable consists of 19 wire pairs that usually work by terminating in the same number of pins on the HDMI plug, each of the wires transmits unique information and each of them is duplicated resulting in 19 wire pairs sets.
An HDMI Splitter can be used when you have found yourself in a situation wanting to display output from separate video and audio devices to multiple devices. This is when you can decide on which of the two types of HDMI you should use, the Active HDMI or Passive HDMI.
Passive HDMI Splitters
This is the most common HDMI Splitter, it is easily noticeable as all HDMI connections are connected to a TV console. The signal is received with no noticeable difference unless there has been interference.
Active HDMI Splitters
This splitter is needed when the output is done to more than two devices and if the cable runs are long. Due to interference that might occur when an electrical signal is being split, a signal that comes out is usually weaker than the original signal. An active splitter’s advantage is that the signal can be split as many times without being weakened or losing its integrity.
Pros and cons of HDMI Splitters
Pros
- Reduction in signal loss using an active HDMI Splitter
Cons
- Degradation of picture or audio quality
- This usually occurs in a passive HDMI Splitter as a result of interference of the signal.
What is Coax Splitter?
This is an electronics hardware component that is connected to a coaxial cable for the sole purpose of splitting signals. It comes in handy when you want to connect multiple devices to the same coaxial line especially when you have a TV and computer, and still want to connect the TV and computer to an incoming coaxial line.
A coax splitter can be bought on Amazon.com and any other electronic stores and are most used during TV installation. A connector interfaces with the line being split and a number of ports that connect several devices like phones, TV and cable modems. You can also use the coax splitter on most RV antenna and digital TV because you can also use them to connect multiple devices.
On one side of the splitter, there are 2 to 16 ports put on one side for convenience, coaxial cables are easily plugged into them because the connectors are designed for coaxial splitters.
Coaxial splitters are sometimes referred to as cable splitters, you can easily know the number of ports on the packaging as it is clearly indicated on the packaging, for example, three connecting sports signify a three-way cable splitter.
This is why you must know what you want to use your coaxial splitter for and get yourself a coaxial splitter with enough ports for that matter. You should refrain from using multiple splitters in a daisy chain.
You can also get amplified splitters in addition to standard coaxial splitters, amplified splitters carry signals by amplified cable, and the signal is intensified, which comes in handy when there’s interference being caused by a long connection.
An amplified coaxial splitter can also be used when the signal seems weak, this is why it is imperative to use coaxial splitters made from high-quality components that can not degrade with time so as to not affect the signal.
The number of ports on a coaxial splitter is directly proportional to the signal interference and lost signals, while long connecting cables can also negatively affect the signal.
How Does A Coax Splitter Work?
A coax Splitter is an electronic device that is used to split signals to multiple outlets (output) from one signal (input). There are many types of splitters, starting from a 2-way splitter to a 16-way splitter. Most splitters today are built to receive and split a signal without any modulation loss. A strong signal is of paramount importance for the best TV quality.
A coax Splitter receives a signal from one input and the signal is sent to the output ports. Increasing the number of ports will decrease the signal coming into the splitter. That is why most splitter manufacturers indicate the amount of signal expected to be let out from the output port, this is very important as the strongest signal is the goal.
Troubleshooting can be difficult if you do not know how your coax Splitter works, and an owner has to know what factors can cause the loss of signal. Having many splitters will reduce the signal hence in the case that your HD picture is not clear and is blotchy, you can check if each fitting is clean and make sure your coaxial cable is in the strongest output signal.
Be aware that using a coax Splitter in a satellite setup can also cut the signal to your receiver in a bad way, make sure to have a splitter suited to your needs.
Pros and cons Coax Splitter
Pros
- Cost-effective
- You can hook up multiple devices in the same location by just having an existing cable split instead of buying and placing a new cable line in the same room.
Cons
Loss of signal: When the coaxial cable splits too much, it diminishes the signal and might lead to a connection failure. You might notice your signal being reduced when you connect three TVs to one cable line, this might signify that the loss is really a result of too much splitting.
Poor signal quality after connecting a cable TV to an internet modem: Some households usually split their coax cable line to support both TV and internet, which proves to be a bad idea as the internet needs a strong signal. Sadly, the signal being split may not be strong enough to enable a good connection, leading to a loss of service and a decrease in signal quality.
The solution is purchasing a coax Splitter that can support this large amount of data for maximum efficiency and handle the connection problems.
Poor choice of coax Splitter: The number of output lines determines the signal strength output, splitters tend to do an even distribution of the signal between the connection ports, it will do this regardless of the number of lines being used at the time. Therefore, it is important to choose a splitter with the number of output lines you know you will need and use.
Conclusion
As we have seen in the above descriptions that an HDMI Splitter is better than a coax Splitter in a way that signal loss and quality reduction can be easily tackled in an HDMI Splitter than a coax Splitter, this is usually the case when an active HDMI Splitter is used, and it makes sure the number of outputs does not affect the signal integrity, picture, and sound quality.
