PC HDMI Distribution system

[godd0810]

I am looking for a way to be able to enable and disable ports on the device or find a way to direct a specific source into a specific port for example i have 16 tv and 1 dvd player and 1 cable box i want to be able to assign whatever port and change it from the computer to a specific TV.

[edDV]

What hardware?

I've only seen HDMI supported on display cards and a very few capture cards.

HDMI is supported at the device not OS level as far as I know.

[godd0810]

i have seen some rack mounted equipment like VM-4HDMI there is also a 8 port but this is just to duplicate the feed. i need something different that is managerable with either switches or PC configurable. i dont know if it excist.

[greymalkin]

Boy: Wow, you must be rich!
Mother: Oh honey, he's teasing you...nobody has 16 television sets.

[edDV]

i have seen some rack mounted equipment like VM-4HDMI there is also a 8 port but this is just to duplicate the feed. i need something different that is managerable with either switches or PC configurable. i dont know if it excist.

HDMI is intended as a short uncompressed one way* audio/video connection to a display (similar in role to a VGA or DVI-D connection). It is not intended for medium range a/v distribution. For that pros use serial SDI (SMPTE-259M/292M) which can be switched and distributed within a building (hundreds of feet vs. under 15-30 ft. for HDMI). The equivalent for consumers seems to be transitioning from analog component to compressed Wireless-N.

It is possible to multiply HDMI feeds with a distribution amp and switch sources with a switch. Cable lengths need to be short and HDCP encryption is a complication.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_Digital_Interface
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_N

*HDMI is provisioned for two way device control communication but one way data flow. Audio can be uncompressed or compressed (usually AC-3).

[edDV]

Boy: Wow, you must be rich!
Mother: Oh honey, he's teasing you...nobody has 16 television sets.

Must be a store or multi-room business application. Most stores distribute analog component for > ~15 ft.

[greymalkin]

it was a play on a line from back to the future where marty's uncle was marvelling at having 2 tv sets in the house.

sorry...continue mature conversation

[godd0810]

its a night club/sports bar and grill. i think buying several 4 or 8 port distributors can accomplish what i want just wanted something i can manage from my office or a central computer.

[edDV]

its a night club/sports bar and grill. i think buying several 4 or 8 port distributors can accomplish what i want just wanted something i can manage from my office or a central computer.

HDMI cable length is the issue. At the limit the TV fails to lock or loses sync. Analog component works much better. Equalization isn't a problem inside 150 ft. Use good Belden 7787A or 7710A. Blue Jeans cable is a good economical source.
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/component/index.htm

Good long HDMI cables get very expensive. Think 15 to 25 feet per run. Longer runs are possible with "Category 1" cable but the cost is high and risk of failure is higher. Prices have been dropping in the past few months.
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/hdmi-cables/index.htm