I need to attach another HDMI to my Samsung TV?

[MikeMoss]

Hi

I just got this streaming box from Comcast, which now comes free with my internet connection.

The problem is that my Samsung Smart TV only has two HDMI ports on the back.

One is used by Dish, and the other is used by Comcast for my connection from my TV to my internet.
Can I use an HDMI Splitter, or should I use an HDMI to USB adapter to one of several USB connectors on the TV, to add the streaming box?

My old TV had 4 or 5 HDMI inputs, but this one only has two.

That's my question.

Mike

 

[4d3fect]

Can you ask Comcast for a splitter? That's something you think they'd anticipate if they're supplying the box?

-Also, thanks for reminding me--I'm shopping for a new TV and will need one with 3 or 4 inputs for sure.

 

[MikeMoss]

I don't mind buying the splitter, can I just spit it off from the USB that already has Comcast and not affect the performance of the two signals connected to it?
I can select HDMI 2 /DVI on the TV, the internet connection seems to just work without having to select that input.

Yeah, I wasn't even thinking about how many inputs it has, my old TV had all kinds of inputs on the back. I just assumed this one would too.

 

[llokey]

Hi

I just got this streaming box from Comcast, which now comes free with my internet connection.

The problem is that my Samsung Smart TV only has two HDMI ports on the back.

One is used by Dish, and the other is used by Comcast for my connection from my TV to my internet.
Can I use an HDMI Splitter, or should I use an HDMI to USB adapter to one of several USB connectors on the TV, to add the streaming box?

My old TV had 4 or 5 HDMI inputs, but this one only has two.

That's my question.

Mike

I don't see how a splitter would work. A splitter splits the output signal to multiple inputs. Seems like you need an HDMI switch unless Comcast has a solution.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Are you trying to add another HDMI port to the TV?

If yes you need one of these.

Amazon product

 

[dishdude]

One is used by Dish, and the other is used by Comcast for my connection from my TV to my internet.

How are you connecting your TV to the internet using an HDMI port?

 

[TheKrell]

Are you trying to add another HDMI port to the TV?

If yes you need one of these.

Amazon product

A manual switch? How quaint! I've purchased several from monoprice that switch automatically.

 

[klang]

How are you connecting your TV to the internet using an HDMI port?

I wondered about that too. There is a converter that does that but how would the TV know to use it as such?

 

[primestar31]

Hi

I just got this streaming box from Comcast, which now comes free with my internet connection.

The problem is that my Samsung Smart TV only has two HDMI ports on the back.

One is used by Dish, and the other is used by Comcast for my connection from my TV to my internet.
Can I use an HDMI Splitter, or should I use an HDMI to USB adapter to one of several USB connectors on the TV, to add the streaming box?

My old TV had 4 or 5 HDMI inputs, but this one only has two.

That's my question.

Mike

This switch works perfectly, and IF you use certified 4k cables, will go to 4k60 with no issues.
Amazon product

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

A manual switch? How quaint! I've purchased several from monoprice that switch automatically.

Not for $8.

 

[MikeMoss]

I think you may have found the solution.

I unplugged the cable that is marked as coming from Comcast, but I think maybe it's from my computer.
Everything still worked, including my internet connection with it unplugged. I don't use my monitor with my computer anymore, so I can just get rid of it and plug the streaming device in there.

I just figured out that a splitter sends one signal to two TVs, but not two different signals to one TV.

At least, I'll give it a try.

I'll let you know if that works.

That was it, the Comcast cable isn't needed, it was able to unplug in and plug the streaming box into that connector. It's on right now. The only problem is that the picture is bigger than my screen and I can't find any way to access the setting to get into it.

When it said that it had configured it to fit my screen when it wasn't showing anything and I said OK, not I need to get back to that point.

Well, I'll have to figure that out, buy at least it's working. Maybe I can configure that through the TV.

 

[TheKrell]

Not for $8.

Well, I thought it cost me less than $10, but I see the price has gone up. Either that or my memory is failing.

Monoprice Blackbird 4K - 3x1 HDMI 2.0 Switch, Pigtail, HDCP 2.2, 4K@60Hz - Monoprice.com

This 4K HDMI® 3x1 Switch allows you to connect up to three HDMI video sources to a single HDMI display. It supports video resolutions up to 4K@60Hz and up to 7.1‑channel high defin

www.monoprice.com

 

[Yespage]

Well, I thought it cost me less than $10, but I see the price has gone up. Either that or my memory is failing.

Monoprice Blackbird 4K - 3x1 HDMI 2.0 Switch, Pigtail, HDCP 2.2, 4K@60Hz - Monoprice.com

This 4K HDMI® 3x1 Switch allows you to connect up to three HDMI video sources to a single HDMI display. It supports video resolutions up to 4K@60Hz and up to 7.1‑channel high defin

www.monoprice.com

Amazon product

This is an automated switch.

 

[KAB]

Reading between the words, I'm thinking the OP might be momentarily be confusing HDMI ports with ethernets.

 

[arlo]

Hey. If it's getting more sources into the TV then the auto-switch works well.
But look out if you don't put the other sources, in the case of a the monoprice switch, to sleep first.
I would say first though. Skim right over the HDMI to USB adapter ploy. Unless perhaps they are USB-C or display ports. What model of TV? Always important to know these things?

I find that with the 2 different branded ones I have here. That pressing the selector button switches to the intended input. Then switches to another source by itself. A "dominant" source??
I don't know. TV, a good quality recent pc monitor. Same thing. Want to watch input 3, it will then switches to 1 or 2 all by itself. Of course when the other 2 sources. Lets say Fire TV, Roku (which don't have actual sleep or off functions) and sat receiver being the intended source is selected.
It's a crap shoot who actually gets put on the display. At least for me.

Quaint as it may be. A manual HDMI switch may actually work better.
If it's needing more Ethernet ports. Clarify that one. That's kinda' easy.
With 2023 coming you might want to leave the front door unlocked because Santa can't cram a new, modern TV with more than 2 inputs down the chimney or pellet stove vents.

 

[TheKrell]

Quaint as it may be. A manual HDMI switch may actually work better.

Well, my 3-input 1-output automatic switch works quite well except for 2 devices that are on all the time: a Joey and a FireTV Stick. So I just devoted one of them to my 2nd HDMI input. Problem solved.

 

[sam_gordon]

Reading between the words, I'm thinking the OP might be momentarily be confusing HDMI ports with ethernets.

To me, based on follow up posts, it sounds like his computer was connected to the TV via HDMI. He went to that input and browsed the internet.

 

[MikeMoss]

That was the answer!

 

[jerryez]

What brand and model of tv do you have that only has 2 HDMI inputs. I want to be sure not to buy one.

 

[dishdude]

What brand and model of tv do you have that only has 2 HDMI inputs. I want to be sure not to buy one.

The lower end Samsungs are really cheap on the jack packs, a few years ago they didn't even have an optical out!