Windows 10: Sky Q -- good but get HDMI splitter and HDMI-->SCART device

Hi there

I actually LIKE the SKY Q package -- also now 4K UHD available - and it's cheaper than the SKY HD + if you are selective in what you choose (apart from the up front cost).

BUT

1) only 1 HDMI output at back of box so get HDMI splitter -- works fine and bypasses any HDMI restriction on copying etc.

2) if you want to RECORD to DVD recorder -- then there's no SCART or A/V outputs - so just get HDMI-->SCART converter --works fine. !!!

Note most DVD recorders still record at 576p - no probs really for older stuff and you can connect the output from the HDMI splitter into the converter for your DVD recorder.

I still use DVD recording sometimes to make physical DVD recordings of stuff I can't get elsewhere -- and then on the computer use MAKEMKV to convert the DVD recording to an MKV file for playing via streaming services such as PLEX.

SKY says this can't be done - but the Chinese 2 way HDMI splitter (use cheap powered version --the expensive ones retain HDMI protection !!!) works fine -- Max output though is 1080p.

iSolem 1x2 3D HDMI Switch Box - Splits HDMI Signals: Amazon.co.uk: Camera Photo

HDMI to SCART Composite Video Converter Stereo Audio: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

Make sure though you use POWERED HDMI splitter --then no degradtion of signal.


I'm looking now at what to do for 4K UHD as well but AFAIK there's no way of recording yet a 4K UHD signal so I'll have to wait for somebody to come up with a way of ripping a live TV 4K stream !!!.

The SKY Q will recxord and allow you to play on external devices but it's riddled with DRM and gets deleted after something like 2 watches or 14 days -- however downgrading to 1080p via the scart splitter gets round that temporarily -- but again DVD recorder only does 575p --you can't record via HDMI in --only via A/V or SCART.

Cheers
jimbo

:)

 

3 monitors won't display in settings windows 10

Thanks for trying but this was not the problem. I have it solved. I had a hdmi splitter for the 2 external monitors, which was suggested by Staples. An hdmi splitter is stupid because whatever is on 1 monitor is on the 2nd monitor, DUH, it's a splitter.
And this is why in "Display Settings" only my laptop monitor & 1 monitor was shown. Solved by returning the hdmi splitter, plugging in 1 monitor directly to my laptop hdmi socket and getting a usb to hdmi adapter which plugs into my laptop usb socket & my
2nd monitor plugs into the hdmi side of the adapter. Instantly all 3 monitors were shown in "Display Settings".

 

HDMI Splitter

A splitter will not work it only shows the same image on two screens.

Your graphic card needs to have 2 HDMI ports.

 

Hi Jim, I purchased the splitter and converter you mentioned but can't get a signal on restart. I set the output to the lowest resolution 576, powered everything off on restart I get the splash screen (through the splitter) telling me it's setting up...will go blank...then no signal. Can you advise on a step I might be missing?

 

Thanks in advance
John