How do I add an extra HDMI port to my laptop?

[TheCraftingProz]

Hi, I recently bought an Oculus Rift DK2. My laptop only has 1 HDMI port. So, I have to keep unplugging my monitor to plug in the Oculus Rift when I want to play with it.That is really inconvenient. You know those USB hubs that gives you more USB ports? Is there that same thing with HDMI instead of USB? What can I do in this situation? Thanks.

 

[MarkW]

I learn something every day doing this... LOL

I had never heard of a HDMI hub, but it seems they not only exist, but there are lots of them. I found one you might like on amazon. There are lots more there, and if Amazon has this many, I am sure other places will too.

http://www.amazon.com/Fosmon-HD1831-3-Port-Switch-Pigtail/dp/B008GVOVK0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1433696568&sr=8-2&keywords=HDMI+hub

 

[TheCraftingProz]

I learn something every day doing this... LOL

I had never heard of a HDMI hub, but it seems they not only exist, but there are lots of them. I found one you might like on amazon. There are lots more there, and if Amazon has this many, I am sure other places will too.

http://www.amazon.com/Fosmon-HD1831-3-Port-Switch-Pigtail/dp/B008GVOVK0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1433696568&sr=8-2&keywords=HDMI+hub

I looked at that before. It looks like that is for adding more HDMI ports to a TV rather than a PC. As it is a switcher, it switches between each HDMI port. Is there like a cable, that would plug in to an HDMI in, and on the other side, has two HDMI in's? That's what I need need. The problem with the switcher is that you can't have both HDMI devices running at the same time. But, that's what I need to do with the Oculus Rift.

 

[getochkn]

Why do you need both on at once? If so, then you need an external video card adapter.

http://www.iogear.com/product/GUC3025HW6/

That gives you a second monitor. Granted, they aren't for gaming at all, just adding another monitor.

 

[MarkW]

And HDMI port is an HDMI port. As long as the HDMI signal is still an HDMI signal, it will work with a TV or PC. There is no difference. That is why you can just plug a cable between any of them, and they all work.

This HDMI hub also supports 3 HDMI devices going to 1 device, and it has an IR remote control.

http://www.amazon.com/PORTTA-PET0301S-Switcher-Supports-Wireless/dp/B00B46XUQU/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1433697800&sr=1-3&keywords=hdmi+hub

 

[TheCraftingProz]

And HDMI port is an HDMI port. As long as the HDMI signal is still an HDMI signal, it will work with a TV or PC. There is no difference. That is why you can just plug a cable between any of them, and they all work.

This HDMI hub also supports 3 HDMI devices going to 1 device, and it has an IR remote control.

http://www.amazon.com/PORTTA-PET0301S-Switcher-Supports-Wireless/dp/B00B46XUQU/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1433697800&sr=1-3&keywords=hdmi+hub

I would get that, but i'm not sure if it's going to work the way I would like it to. Can I have both devices running at the same time? When I play Oculus Rift, my little sister likes to watch. Well, she can't see the Rift's display, so that's why I want them to be displayed at the same time. I found this. I think this might work for me.
http://www.amazon.com/Valinks-Female-Splitter-Adapter-Support/dp/B00RPZ75Q0/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8
What do you think?

 

[MarkW]

What you linked should do that. For $4 its certainly worth trying.

I thought you were just trying to keep two different "displays" connected and switch between them.

 

[TheCraftingProz]

What you linked should do that. For $4 its certainly worth trying.

I thought you were just trying to keep two different "displays" connected and switch between them.

I could switch between them, but when I switch to the Rift, my monitor would shut off and my little sister can't watch me play. Hopefully that 2 HDMI spliter thing for 4 dollars will keep the monitor on while I play Oculus. So, my little sister would be able to watch. And If I let her play, I want to watch her to make sure she doesn't accidentally do something stupid. Thanks for your help. I'll keep this thread open until I get it, because it might not work.

 

[MarkW]

That one you linked does say only 1 device of the 2 on the end, should be on at any given time.

I also figured that since you said you want two devices on at once, that an amplifier would be needed to pull that off. And it turns out that I was right.

I went digging again. This one says it will do what you want, but it costs $21.20

Panlong HDMI Splitter 1 In 2 Out 1x2 2 Port Powered Amplifier for Dual Display with 1080P, 3D, HDCP Support

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CET4B2S?psc=1

Panlong HDMI 1x2 Splitter

View HD content on two displays
This HDMI splitter lets you use dual screens (HDTV, monitor or projector) with one HDMI source. It will take any HDMI A/V signal (from Blu-ray, PS3, cable receiver, PC etc.), duplicate it and send it to 2 displays simultaneously. Both displays will have the exactly same video and audio format.

HDMI 1.3b and HDCP Complaint
Supports up to full HD 1080p resolution and 480i/576i/480p/576p/720p/1080i. HDCP complaint – no need to worry about HDCP handshake issues. Supports 3D (To get 3D, source, displays and HDMI cables must all support 3D).

Reliable Performance
The splitter also has the ability of buffering and amplifying HDMI signal to support long HDMI cables at the input and output (up to 15m AWG26). The heavy-duty metal enclosure protects the insides and keeps the unit cool by aiding in quick heat dissipation.

Includes Ace Deal One-year Hassle-free Warranty.

 

[MarkW]

I changed the product above to what is there now. The previous product did not say anything about HDCP, which would mean if you run a DRM protected movie on your PC, it might have been blocked from going to the monitors. It also had a fairly low rating. This one is over 4 stars and has HDCP support.

 

[TheCraftingProz]

That one you linked does say only 1 device of the 2 on the end, should be on at any given time.

I also figured that since you said you want two devices on at once, that an amplifier would be needed to pull that off. And it turns out that I was right.

I went digging again. This one says it will do what you want, but it costs $21.20

Panlong HDMI Splitter 1 In 2 Out 1x2 2 Port Powered Amplifier for Dual Display with 1080P, 3D, HDCP Support

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CET4B2S?psc=1

Panlong HDMI 1x2 Splitter

View HD content on two displays
This HDMI splitter lets you use dual screens (HDTV, monitor or projector) with one HDMI source. It will take any HDMI A/V signal (from Blu-ray, PS3, cable receiver, PC etc.), duplicate it and send it to 2 displays simultaneously. Both displays will have the exactly same video and audio format.

HDMI 1.3b and HDCP Complaint
Supports up to full HD 1080p resolution and 480i/576i/480p/576p/720p/1080i. HDCP complaint – no need to worry about HDCP handshake issues. Supports 3D (To get 3D, source, displays and HDMI cables must all support 3D).

Reliable Performance
The splitter also has the ability of buffering and amplifying HDMI signal to support long HDMI cables at the input and output (up to 15m AWG26). The heavy-duty metal enclosure protects the insides and keeps the unit cool by aiding in quick heat dissipation.

Includes Ace Deal One-year Hassle-free Warranty.

Cool! That sounds great! I'll get it. Sadly, my order for that other thing has already shipped. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[MarkW]

Amazon is awesome when it comes to returns. Most of the time, they even pay the return shipping.