Splitting a set top box HDMI output

<-- Building a PVR for a HDMI output

I settled on an EZCOO 1 x In, 2 x Out 4k 60Hz HDMI splitter.

The Amazon reviews confirmed that this splitter was capable of splitting a Sky Q output. Therefore, it should also be capable of splitting the output from my Sky Stream box.

This is what some of us do in the UK: split and extend instead of paying for so-called “multi-room subscriptions”. For the pleasure of watching two different channels at the same time in two different rooms, consumers must pay for a second set top box at a slightly discounted rate. Pah!

This splitter does not allow watching two channels at the same time. Instead, it mirrors the single input out to two separate monitors. In practical use, if one prefers to watch the rest of the movie from the comfort of the bedroom, this is the type of splitter which allows this, provided the living room set top box remains powered on and is broadcasting the desired channel. All very basic, yet fancy at the same time.

And that is exactly what I needed. I intend to connect my PVR to the second output and record from that.

My only concern at this stage was whether the splitter was going to be able to decrypt the input stream and pass that to HDMI OUT2.

Let’s find out.