An HDMI switcher lets you plug multiple video sources into a single HDMI port on your TV or monitor, then switch between them, which can be handy if you have more game consoles, streaming devices, and computers than HDMI ports. If you’re having this problem, you might also consider buying an AV receiver, which can provide more HDMI ports and can improve audio fidelity if you have a surround sound system. Final thoughts on the best HDMI splitters for dual monitors

Knowing if your monitors support MST tells you if the monitor supports daisy chain using DisplayPort cables or if you must use two different kinds of video cables. In a multiple display setup, one display or monitor must be set as the primary display. The primary display shows the taskbar and other main desktop components such as time, system tray icons, and more. To set the primary and secondary displays, follow these steps: Undoubtedly, there are plenty of advantages to using HDMI ports. We have listed some of them below: Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.Certain TVs may require you to set the TV as the primary display. Change the video settings in Windows and restart the computer. That said, there is also a category of HDMI adapters that can plug into a laptop via USB Type-A, USB-C, or Mini DisplayPort, and output to two monitors. These adapters will give you a more robust set of display options, including an extended desktop across multiple displays. (They can also mirror your laptop across multiple displays.) Usually, these accessories will be called adapters, because they take one connection type and convert it into another. In some cases, they will also be called HDMI splitters, either because that’s what people expect them to be called, or because they want to make our lives harder. Since HDMI cables support a 120 Hz refresh rate, it’s pretty clear we perceive a smooth image and video while displaying our content to an external monitor. Latest TVs and computers provide a wide variety of video connectivity options. Ensure that the video port on your computer matches an available video port on your TV, like VGA, DVI or HDMI. So, if you have a laptop with Thunderbolt 3 and a Thunderbolt-capable monitor, this is by far the best solution. You can just hook up each monitor to one Thunderbolt/USB-C port.

The only thing you need to do is connect your first monitor directly to the HDMI port. Then, use another cable that supports both your second monitor and PC. Then, connect an HDMI cable to the monitor’s HDMI-IN. Insert the second end to the HDMI-OUT of the adapter. After connecting your external monitors, you can change settings such as resolution, screen layout, and more. Interestingly, HDMI is also integrated into home theater systems. Hence, we can use them for playing music and watching movies of superior quality.Once you've found it, plug the end of the HDMI splitter into this port. Then, plug the two HDMI cables into the splitter. Use the drop-down menu below "Display resolution" to change your monitor's screen resolution. Normally, Windows will detect what resolution your monitor supports and automatically set the resolution to the recommended resolution. The higher the resolution, the more detailed the monitor's image will be. In such cases, you can use the Windows 11 feature that helps in extending your display to multiple devices. This way, you can create a bigger workspace and enjoy quality time playing games or watching videos. Use HDMI Splitter You will see this option when Windows detects more than one display. Each display is numbered to help you identify them more easily. HDMI splitters are fairly simple devices, but they don’t all have the same capabilities. First and foremost, figure out how many video-out ports you need. Personally, I’d suggest mapping out your exact setup, including the positions of each monitor or TV and the video source, as well as a cable management plan for your HDMI cables.