Problem is that I have a Panasonic flat screen downstairs and a Vizeo flat screen upstairs with HDMI cables that run from both of my TVs to the computer. I'm able to use a long range wireless mouse from the upstairs TV, along with Windows on screen keyboard to surf the web and watch videos. Problem is, that I can not hook up both TVs at the same time, although either TV will work directly from the computers HDMI by switching cables manually, meaning if I want to use the TV upstairs as a monitor, I have to run downstairs and switch cables. I bought an HDMI split-er (pictured), which only gives me goofy half or messed up images or nothing at all on the TVs. I also have an VGA on the back of the video card which runs to my regular computer monitor.
Any ideas guys, how I could hook up both TVs at once to the computer, without having to switch plugs. I only have one slot in the computer for a video card.

Does your video card also have a DVI port (the white one that is like VGA but bigger and can't plug VGA into it)? If so I believe there are DVI to HDMI adapters that might allow you to dump that lousy spliter.

Can't help beyond that since I don't own a TV new enough to accept HDMI.

Amazon saves the day.

http://www.amazon.com/EnjoyGadgets-EGHSP1X2-Splitter-Amplifier-Display/dp/B00997MYR2

Amazon saves the day.

http://www.amazon.com/EnjoyGadgets-EGHSP1X2-Splitter-Amplifier-Display/dp/B00997MYR2

Isn't that pretty much what the one he bought is supposed to do?

http://www.amazon.com/ViewHD-Splitter-Identical-VHD-0102M-HDMI-1X2-SPLIT/dp/B002673EW6/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1440857155&sr=1-1&keywords=VHD-0102M

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The one on Amazon, is just another version of the same thing that I have. I could order it and try it, but I kind of doubt if it would do anything different. Maybe it would work, maybe not. Another thought I had was getting a splitter cable for the VGA and running one side to my computer monitor, and the other side to a VGA to HDMI adapter, if there is such an animal.

Big issue to consider. HDCP (High Definition Content Protection) and it's handshakes. Normal PC use other than Blu-Ray playback is likely good. Blu-Ray through such a system might well be problematic. Another thing to consider, HDMI is not a long distance protocol and you might need some way to extend it that far assuming you can do so. HDMI usually runs not much above 15-20 feet normally. I also notice HDMI out on laptops is problematic on Linux distributions at present.

HDMI is picky. When I worked at the repair shop, I had several different types of splitters. They would work good if the TVs were similar, but if they were different makes, sometimes the TVs would just constantly knock each other off the signal. Since your TVs are different makes you might be experiencing that.

What I would do If I were you, just run your HDMI to one TV, and get a VGA-over-Cat5 and run the VGA to the other TV. I bet at least one of your TVs has a VGA, right? If you need to split the VGA for your local monitor, VGA splitters/switches are pretty cheap, and they work well since they are analog.

Perhaps a range extender on the longer run? I've seen these used in churches to extend a 40-foot run:

http://matelectronics.com/hdmi-signal-extender-cp01se/

Cheers,

I believe I have found an answer, one, which I had never even thought about. A friend of mine on this site (jstout66) suggested getting a Roku HDMI stick to stream movies, TV shows, and videos, which was my original intention, mainly from Netflix and Hulu. Such a simple solution vs. running cables and wires from my PC. I have never used one of these or seen one in action, but I have no problem streaming video to my laptop upstairs, so I assume it should work out well for me. Next time I go to Walmart, I'll have to pick one up and give it a try.

The Roku is a nifty little device and works well most of the time, but is well short of a computer. I like the HDMI to dvi idea though. With newer video cards from both AMD and Nvidia the adapter is detected and they will allow audio to pass as well. That basically gives you 2 HDMI monitors, plus your regular monitor (I usually keep that on the onboard graphics) to play with