How many HDMI inputs can you really use? - Blu-ray Forum

hrow · 12-22-2008, 02:42 PM

It is time for a system upgrade as my 6 year old Yamaha receiver got partially toasted by a lightening hit (huge subwoofer hum). I will also be replacing a 36" Hitachi CRT with a 46" Samsung LCD. Considering the age of both the receiver and the TV I am entering a new world and have lots to learn. Starting with...

How many HDMI inputs do I really need on the receiver? 1 for Blu-ray, maybe one for digital cable someday, but what else would use HDMI?

supersix4 · 12-22-2008, 02:45 PM

for my bedroom now I have 1 for ps3, 1 for xbox, 1 for hd-dvr .... so three will be going into my 606 amp in 3 days

master_8ball · 12-22-2008, 02:45 PM

I am also looking into a new receiver, maybe boxing day....

I would say at least 3... just to future proof... 1 for your blu ray, 1 for your cable box.. and then the extra for later use or for an upconverting dvd player...

andyman1970 · 12-22-2008, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrow

It is time for a system upgrade as my 6 year old Yamaha receiver got partially toasted by a lightening hit (huge subwoofer hum). I will also be replacing a 36" Hitachi CRT with a 46" Samsung LCD. Considering the age of both the receiver and the TV I am entering a new world and have lots to learn. Starting with...

How many HDMI inputs do I really need on the receiver? 1 for Blu-ray, maybe one for digital cable someday, but what else would use HDMI?

It really depends on how many separate components you have or plan to have in the future to input into it for sound and video to the TV. I would say the bare minimum for inputs would be 2 and maybe a max of 4 (BD player, cable box, video game system and a spare for an extra device along the way) but that's just my thoughts.

brett_day · 12-22-2008, 02:48 PM

i would say 3....cable, blu ray player....games console. i cannot see using more than 3

hrow · 12-22-2008, 03:26 PM

Thanks for the feedback. At least three it will be.

Uniquely · 12-22-2008, 04:28 PM

Right now I use three on my main set up. 1 for Sat box, 1 for XBox, 1 for PS3. When I next upgrade my PC...... I'll be using all four HDMI in's on my 606.

meckel · 12-22-2008, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrow

It is time for a system upgrade as my 6 year old Yamaha receiver got partially toasted by a lightening hit (huge subwoofer hum). I will also be replacing a 36" Hitachi CRT with a 46" Samsung LCD. Considering the age of both the receiver and the TV I am entering a new world and have lots to learn. Starting with...

How many HDMI inputs do I really need on the receiver? 1 for Blu-ray, maybe one for digital cable someday, but what else would use HDMI?

You want at least 3, 4 would be better. You will find more and more products will use HDMI as time goes on and you want to make sure your new TV and receiver is as future proof as possible.

I currently have 8 HDMI inputs 3 on the TV and 6 on receiver (subtract one 'cause you have to plug the receive into 1 of the TV inputs). I'm currently using 5 (Blu-Ray Player, TivoHD, 2-400 Disc DVD Changers & HD Cable Box).

It's always better to have too many then not enough

Blu-Dog · 12-22-2008, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrow

It is time for a system upgrade as my 6 year old Yamaha receiver got partially toasted by a lightening hit (huge subwoofer hum). I will also be replacing a 36" Hitachi CRT with a 46" Samsung LCD. Considering the age of both the receiver and the TV I am entering a new world and have lots to learn. Starting with...

How many HDMI inputs do I really need on the receiver? 1 for Blu-ray, maybe one for digital cable someday, but what else would use HDMI?

On one setup, I use four - blu player, cable tv box, DVD jukebox, and home theater PC. But three is generally enough. The only receiver I know of off-hand that has four is the Pioneer 94thx Elite. I have the 84THX, same thing, almost.

kevinbr100 · 12-22-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrow

It is time for a system upgrade as my 6 year old Yamaha receiver got partially toasted by a lightening hit (huge subwoofer hum). I will also be replacing a 36" Hitachi CRT with a 46" Samsung LCD. Considering the age of both the receiver and the TV I am entering a new world and have lots to learn. Starting with...

How many HDMI inputs do I really need on the receiver? 1 for Blu-ray, maybe one for digital cable someday, but what else would use HDMI?

i say 5, 1 for ps3, 1 for cable/satellite/fios, 1 for other media center/pc, 1 for hd video camera, and an extra one for whatever u didnt think of

, ooh maybe 6, at somepoint a standalone bluray player in there too.

slaizer2000 · 12-22-2008, 06:17 PM

right now my receiver has 3 hdmi inputs and all 3 are being used which indicates i have one too few. I have my xbox 360, ps3 and cable box wired in. with the drop in blu-ray players i had considered a standalone blu-ray player, but that would mean i would need to upgrade my receiver to one of the 4 hdmi models or switch over to components for something.

I also have my DVI to HDMI on my Pc runing directly to the TV. not a big issue since dvi doesn't carry sound so i have co-axial digital running from the PC to the receiver. If i were to upgrade my PC to a hdmi video card, then i would probably want to run hdmi to the receiver directly.

SO i already see that i may be 1 or 2 HDMI ports short for future enhancement to my system.

I think 5-6 HDMI ports would be ideal. Although most people would not need that many.

b15nut · 12-23-2008, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slaizer2000

right now my receiver has 3 hdmi inputs and all 3 are being used which indicates i have one too few. I have my xbox 360, ps3 and cable box wired in. with the drop in blu-ray players i had considered a standalone blu-ray player, but that would mean i would need to upgrade my receiver to one of the 4 hdmi models or switch over to components for something.

I also have my DVI to HDMI on my Pc runing directly to the TV. not a big issue since dvi doesn't carry sound so i have co-axial digital running from the PC to the receiver. If i were to upgrade my PC to a hdmi video card, then i would probably want to run hdmi to the receiver directly.

SO i already see that i may be 1 or 2 HDMI ports short for future enhancement to my system.

I think 5-6 HDMI ports would be ideal. Although most people would not need that many.

If you run short you can just buy a switcher. I have 4 in on mine and am using 3. HD Cable box, BD player, and a up converting DVD player that has a USB hook up for me to connect my external hard drives.

HeManster03 · 12-24-2008, 12:12 AM

i have 4 hdmi inputs on mine. 1 for hd cable box, 1 for blu ray player, 1 for xbox 360, and one for my laptop if i want to run my mixing program from my djing days on it.i could use an extra one if i add an hd camcorder along the way though. so i would say, for the general population,3 would be fine, 4 would be better, 5 would be overkill

ozzman · 12-24-2008, 12:15 AM

For this new year coming iam guessing 10

zedd_117 · 12-24-2008, 12:49 AM

as many as you can get.

seriously at least 4 to future-proof. (PS3 or BR player, cable box, DVR, +future item)

12-22-2008, 02:42 PM	#1
hrow Junior Member Member since:Dec 2008	How many HDMI inputs can you really use? It is time for a system upgrade as my 6 year old Yamaha receiver got partially toasted by a lightening hit (huge subwoofer hum). I will also be replacing a 36" Hitachi CRT with a 46" Samsung LCD. Considering the age of both the receiver and the TV I am entering a new world and have lots to learn. Starting with... How many HDMI inputs do I really need on the receiver? 1 for Blu-ray, maybe one for digital cable someday, but what else would use HDMI?

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12-22-2008, 02:45 PM	#2
supersix4 Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Mar 2007 Blu-ray collection:572 Blu-ray reviews: 53 Trading Score:3	for my bedroom now I have 1 for ps3, 1 for xbox, 1 for hd-dvr .... so three will be going into my 606 amp in 3 days

12-22-2008, 02:45 PM	#3
master_8ball Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:675 Blu-ray reviews: 7 Trading Score:2	I am also looking into a new receiver, maybe boxing day.... I would say at least 3... just to future proof... 1 for your blu ray, 1 for your cable box.. and then the extra for later use or for an upconverting dvd player...

12-22-2008, 02:48 PM	#5
brett_day Blu-ray Guru Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Moore, Oklahoma Home Theater Gallery:18 Blu-ray collection:45 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	i would say 3....cable, blu ray player....games console. i cannot see using more than 3

12-22-2008, 03:26 PM	#6
hrow Junior Member Member since:Dec 2008	Thanks for the feedback. At least three it will be.

12-22-2008, 04:28 PM	#7
Uniquely Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Mobile, AL Home Theater Gallery:14 Blu-ray collection:171	Right now I use three on my main set up. 1 for Sat box, 1 for XBox, 1 for PS3. When I next upgrade my PC...... I'll be using all four HDMI in's on my 606.

12-22-2008, 06:17 PM	#11
slaizer2000 Expert Member Member since:Mar 2007 Location:Mooresville, NC 4K collection:67 Blu-ray collection:1117 Trading Score:21	right now my receiver has 3 hdmi inputs and all 3 are being used which indicates i have one too few. I have my xbox 360, ps3 and cable box wired in. with the drop in blu-ray players i had considered a standalone blu-ray player, but that would mean i would need to upgrade my receiver to one of the 4 hdmi models or switch over to components for something. I also have my DVI to HDMI on my Pc runing directly to the TV. not a big issue since dvi doesn't carry sound so i have co-axial digital running from the PC to the receiver. If i were to upgrade my PC to a hdmi video card, then i would probably want to run hdmi to the receiver directly. SO i already see that i may be 1 or 2 HDMI ports short for future enhancement to my system. I think 5-6 HDMI ports would be ideal. Although most people would not need that many.

12-24-2008, 12:12 AM	#13
HeManster03 Senior Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Northeast Ohio Home Theater Gallery:49 Blu-ray collection:4 Blu-ray reviews:1	i have 4 hdmi inputs on mine. 1 for hd cable box, 1 for blu ray player, 1 for xbox 360, and one for my laptop if i want to run my mixing program from my djing days on it.i could use an extra one if i add an hd camcorder along the way though. so i would say, for the general population,3 would be fine, 4 would be better, 5 would be overkill

12-24-2008, 12:15 AM	#14
ozzman Power Member Member since:May 2008 Location:St. Catharines ONT Home Theater Gallery:37	For this new year coming iam guessing 10

12-24-2008, 12:49 AM	#15
zedd_117 Expert Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Monessen, PA Blu-ray collection:353 Trading Score:3	as many as you can get. seriously at least 4 to future-proof. (PS3 or BR player, cable box, DVR, +future item)

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