DVI switch box with VGA Audio support?

[Edrick]

Ok, so been having fun with my HDMI to DVI cable with my new HD-DVD player watching videos in yummy 1080i on my TV for the first time... But now, I have a dilemma... I have two devices I want to hook up to said TV which has only one DVI port... I was thinking "Well, hey, I can get an HDMI switch box and be all set, right?" Nope... DVI has that little thing called "it only transports the video, not the audio" as far as I know... So, my audio is carried to the TV Via VGA connections.

So, then I think "Well, I'll just go find a DVI switch that has VGA audio inputs as well." So far, I have only been able to find straight DVI switches (no audio) or KVM switches...

Am I stuck with getting a straight DVI or HDMI switch and having a second switch just for audio? Has anyone seen a DVI/AudioVGA switch out there?

Inquiring minds (or just me) want to know. :bagel:

[Isiolia]

VGA and DVI are both video connections only.

HDMI is the digital portion of DVI + digital audio.

There are KVM switches out there with audio, but the basic problem you're gonna run into is that DVI and VGA are PC video connections, not so much home theater connections.

This might work if you can find where to buy one http://www.green-box.com.tw/products/view/id/104

It seems as though HDMI to DVI plus audio connection adapters are scarce if simply not available. The only one I've come across on a quick search is for converting -to- HDMI and runs over $200.

What might be an alternative solution would be to use an A/V receiver that does HDMI switching. Use the HDMI to DVI cable on the output from that and, if nothing else, just use the reciever for audio rather than go to the TV.

[SephYuyX]

I would suggest listing what input/outputs you have on your TV and other devices you want to connect, to make this a bit more detailed and easier. There are usually other alternatives that can be found.

[Edrick]

I would suggest listing what input/outputs you have on your TV and other devices you want to connect, to make this a bit more detailed and easier. There are usually other alternatives that can be found.

My TV has the following inputs:
1 - DVI in with one set of white and red audio connectors
3 - S-Video/Composite connections
2 - Component connections
2 - (lol)Coaxial connections

For outputs it has one set of white and red external speaker system connections (Currently hooked up to my external (archaic) surround sound system).

Now, my TV is a Mitsubishi 55" rear projection TV with 480i, 480p and 1080i capabilities (Yes, it does not have 720p... ><). Without DVI, the highest resolution I've been able to get with component video is 480p, which I hear is normal.

The two things I wish to hook up via DVI is my HD-DVD player and my HD-DVR from my cable company. The DVD player is currently plugged into the DVI slot via an HDMI to DVI cable which doesn't have attached audio cables. I need to run the white and red audio cables from the DVD player separately to the TV to get audio. The DVR is currently hooked up via component video, and I wish it to be DVI as well. I also have a PS2 hooked up to the TV via component video, and I don't really care much about even attempting to put that on DVI. But, I'd probably like the option, later, to put a PS3 onto DVI.

So, I'd probably be looking for a 4-port HDMI switch (those are really easy to find) and an HDMI to DVI+audio cable or a home theater DVI switch (with both DVI and white/red audio connections in/out) and extra HDMI to DVI cables and extra audio cables. (If that makes sense)

I think that's all the info that I can come up with on it. Thanks much for the help.

[Isiolia]

Without DVI, the highest resolution I've been able to get with component video is 480p, which I hear is normal.

Nah, you can do 720p, actually (well, if your TV supported it), component can do 1080i at least depending on the device. I think the problem is more that HD DVD and Blu Ray have those modes disabled unless running across HDMI due to content protection or something. I know I've gotten 1080 out of a 360 over component.

So, I'd probably be looking for a 4-port HDMI switch (those are really easy to find) and an HDMI to DVI+audio cable or a home theater DVI switch (with both DVI and white/red audio connections in/out) and extra HDMI to DVI cables and extra audio cables. (If that makes sense)

The one catch you may find with splitting HDMI out is that the audio will be digital, not the analog stereo that would plug into the red and white RCA jacks. Might be one reason it's kind of a hard thing to find. That's why I was thinking you might have more success with an AV receiver.

[Edrick]

For those interested... I found... this.

Took some major digging... >< Any thoughts?

[Isiolia]

Does look like it'd do the trick, but you'd need to convert everything to DVI going in I think.

This unit does not perform HDMI to DVI or DVI to HDMI conversion. It is a passive unit.

So what it sounds like is that it can either swap between HDMI inputs or DVI/audio inputs going to those outputs only. Not take like, 2 HDMI cables and output to DVI/audio. At least, that's how I read it. Still, that should work for you, right? Just...no room for a PS3 or whatnot down the road.

[Edrick]

Does look like it'd do the trick, but you'd need to convert everything to DVI going in I think.

This unit does not perform HDMI to DVI or DVI to HDMI conversion. It is a passive unit.

So what it sounds like is that it can either swap between HDMI inputs or DVI/audio inputs going to those outputs only. Not take like, 2 HDMI cables and output to DVI/audio. At least, that's how I read it. Still, that should work for you, right? Just...no room for a PS3 or whatnot down the road.

Yeah, finding a 3+ port DVI + audio switch is just not happening. At least, I don't have a PS3 just yet, so I think this will work out just as well. Though, I might have to daisy chain switches later on... Hmmm.

Thanks for the input.