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Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

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Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

Postby Andyp » 11 Aug 2018, 17:44

Our 10 yr old Philips LCD is suffering and needs to be replaced. Looking at Sony Bravias but som many of them come with just two HDMI ports. We currently have Sat Box, DVD recorder, Apple TV and Wii using the 4 HDMI ports on the Philips.

I know I can get USB switches or HDMI to USB adapters but more expense and possible more problems.

Frustrated.
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Re: Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

Postby Woodster » 11 Aug 2018, 20:14

Have you looked at Panasonic? I think our current TV has three or four sockets. Personally I’m not keen on adapters.
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Re: Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

Postby Andyp » 11 Aug 2018, 20:54

Woodster wrote:Have you looked at Panasonic? I think our current TV has three or four sockets. Personally I’m not keen on adapters.


Thanks, Just checked their website . All there 32” and 40” tvs have 2 hdmi and 2 usb :(

Might have found a samsung with 3. But nothing with 4.
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Re: Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

Postby Woodster » 11 Aug 2018, 21:23

Maybe it’s size dependent, my 50” Panasonic has three or four HDMI and four USB sockets.

Edit: just done a quick search and found this.

https://www.richersounds.com/panasonic- ... 00b-1.html
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Re: Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

Postby Andyp » 12 Aug 2018, 07:18

Thanks for looking. It is a shame that their current models do not seem to offer any more than 3 HDMI ports. 50" is way to large for our living room. Current TV is only 32 and have realised that going to 40" gives me more options but 50 is too much.
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Re: Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

Postby Robert » 12 Aug 2018, 08:51

Old TV's had huge frames around them. New ones usually have very thin frames so you can't compare size for size.

Look up the overall sizes of a new TV then cut some cardboard to the size and try it in your room.
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Re: Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

Postby Woodster » 12 Aug 2018, 09:40

The one in my link Andy has four HDMI ports and is only 40”.
I’m sure there are others I just did a search for tv’s with four HDMI ports.
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Re: Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

Postby RogerS » 12 Aug 2018, 10:02

Is the relative lack of HDMI's on the Sony because they provide (thankfully) SCART connections which will take up real-estate ?
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Re: Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

Postby Andyp » 12 Aug 2018, 10:27

Woodster wrote:The one in my link Andy has four HDMI ports and is only 40”.
I’m sure there are others I just did a search for tv’s with four HDMI ports.


Thanks I spotted that but it is refurbished and no linger available new, I would prefer a current model will full guarantee. I have spent hours searching manufacturers and retailers website both in the UK and here. Of the big name brands, Samsung, LG, Sony, Philips, Panasonic none of them do a 40” with 4 hdmi ports. Even most the bigger models only have 3.

I will probably go for a Samsung with 3 and find some way of conncting the Wii to a USB port, not bothered if it is not HD.
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Re: Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

Postby Andyp » 12 Aug 2018, 10:34

Robert wrote:Old TV's had huge frames around them. New ones usually have very thin frames so you can't compare size for size.

Look up the overall sizes of a new TV then cut some cardboard to the size and try it in your room.


50” is just too much Robert, size of room, placement in a corner and viewing distance do not lend themselves to such a large size.
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Re: Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

Postby Andyp » 12 Aug 2018, 10:35

RogerS wrote:Is the relative lack of HDMI's on the Sony because they provide (thankfully) SCART connections which will take up real-estate ?


Nope, no Scart sockets at all.
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Re: Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

Postby Rod » 12 Aug 2018, 11:26

Going for an Oled?

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Re: Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

Postby Andyp » 12 Aug 2018, 13:43

No Rod. Cost prohibitive. :)
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Re: Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

Postby Robert » 12 Aug 2018, 13:44

This site lets you tick the number of HDMI ports.

https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/st/4 ... ortOrder=1

Couple of 43" in the list with 4 - Toshiba and LG. As I said before check the overall sizes as they may not be as big as you think..
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Re: Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

Postby Andyp » 12 Aug 2018, 14:07

Thanks Robert. I had been to that site earlier. I have had my hands full persuading the missus to go from 32 to 40. Another 3 inches has her up in arms again.

If we stick with the 40" Samsung and 3 hdmi ports I think I could loose one of the HDMI cables used on the DVD recorder or satellite receiver and use component cable with RCA cable without loss of quality on sound or vision. Can anyone confirm this logic?
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Re: Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

Postby Robert » 12 Aug 2018, 14:25

Don't quote numbers at your wife - do the cardboard cut out thing. I held a 65" tv size cardboard on the wall when I really wanted a 55 just to get a reaction. My Mrs thought it didn't look too big! Still went with 55 though.
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Re: Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

Postby Andyp » 12 Aug 2018, 14:52

Tried that Robert still not happy.

Any thoughts on the component & RCA cable in lieu of HDMI?
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Re: Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

Postby RogerS » 12 Aug 2018, 15:05

Andyp wrote:Tried that Robert still not happy.

Any thoughts on the component & RCA cable in lieu of HDMI?


Careful. Are you talking analogue component or digital component ? And what about the audio ?
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Re: Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

Postby selectortone » 12 Aug 2018, 15:41

Andy, have you considered a multi-way HDMI switch? Lots of options available, from a simple manually operated switch to fully automatic 4k boxes complete with remote controls that detect which input is in use. Plug your devices into it and connect the output to your TV.

There are several on Amazon that won't break the bank and the reviews for most of them seem to indicate that they work well.
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Re: Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

Postby Andyp » 12 Aug 2018, 15:52

RogerS wrote:
Andyp wrote:Tried that Robert still not happy.

Any thoughts on the component & RCA cable in lieu of HDMI?


Careful. Are you talking analogue component or digital component ? And what about the audio ?


if I understand this correctly I can connect either the DVD-r or Satellite Box using Component cable (Y, Pb, Pr or Red Blue Green AND an RCA cable (Red and White). Which I think should still give me HD and Stereo

Both are digital.
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Re: Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

Postby Andyp » 12 Aug 2018, 15:55

selectortone wrote:Andy, have you considered a multi-way HDMI switch? Lots of options available, from a simple manually operated switch to fully automatic 4k boxes complete with remote controls that detect which input is in use. Plug your devices into it and connect the output to your TV.

There are several on Amazon that won't break the bank and the reviews for most of them seem to indicate that they work well.


Terry yes I have looked at them. Problems as I see it are:-
1) The best ones are powered
2) They only allow one output at a time. So if we are recording from the sat box and then want to watch Apple TV or use the Wii something is gonna get disconnected.

I think...
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Re: Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

Postby HappyHacker » 12 Aug 2018, 19:39

Does the TV have a network port or WiFI and can it then take output from the Apple? Sorry not to more helpful but I have gone for complete simplicity these days and already have to turn on/off the TV, Freeview recorder, sound bar and DVD player all with separate remote controls and a mains remote for the TV so it is not on standby. Isn't all this technology wonderful?
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Re: Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

Postby Andyp » 12 Aug 2018, 21:42

Kevin, afraid not. The Apple TV has to connect to tv via HDMI.
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Re: Why do new tvs come with so few HDMI ports?

Postby Andyp » 12 Aug 2018, 21:51

Right, thanks for all the help and suggestions. I have made up my mind.

Will go for a 40” Samsung with 3 Hdmi. This one, in french https://www.darty.com/nav/achat/hifi_vi ... k_uhd.html

The Wii u I will connect to TV with RCA cable rather than HDMI. This is the least important of the attached devices so any loss of image quality is not important.
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