Summary
UsingHDMI portsmay sometimes be not very straightforward.
But are they the same?
The answer is simple: they’re very different devices.
Corbin Davenport / How-To Geek
Whats an HDMI Switch?
It helps whenyou have more devices than screensto display them.
Thebest TVsand evengood budget monitorsthese days offer multiple HDMI inputs.
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Whats an HDMI Splitter?
It’s the exact opposite of a switch, allowing you to use multiple screens with just one output.
Each time the image is divided the signal gets weaker.
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Can I Use an HDMI Splitter to Extend My Desktop?
HDMI splitters only transmit the same image to all the connected screens.
They can’t display different images on each display they’re connected to.
Many laptops have Thunderbolt ports with DisplayPort Alt Mode, or even dedicated DisplayPort outputs in addition to HDMI.
If no other video port is available,USB to HDMIadapters are a good alternative.
For applications wherelow latencyisn’t necessary, you may also use one of thebest wireless display apps.
Are HDMI Switches and KVM Switches the Same?
That’s where the name comes from:Keyboard,Video, andMouse.
Therefore, one can indeed use a KVM switch as an HDMI switch.
These devices work just fine without connecting a keyboard or a mouse.
But they might not be the best option.
Since KVM switches are more advanced, they also tend to be more expensive.
If you’re shopping for an HDMI switch, they usually cost less than a KVM one.
