Hey friend! I‘m Loring, an electronics expert and fellow streaming/gaming enthusiast. Connecting multiple TVs in your home to a single cable box can be tricky, but it doesn‘t have to be! In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through all the options so you can save money and enjoy flexible viewing.
Why Use One Cable Box for Multiple TVs?
The main reason is cost savings. According to cable providers like Xfinity and Spectrum, you pay an extra $8-10 per month to rent each additional cable box. With multiple TVs, those fees add up quickly! Avoiding extra boxes means more cash in your pocket.
Of course, there are some limitations to be aware of with a single-box setup:
– All connected TVs must watch the same channel or program
– Can‘t watch different live shows at the same time
– Distance/wiring challenges if TVs are far apart
But with the right gear and techniques outlined below, you can work around these limitations for enhanced viewing flexibility.
Equipment Needed
To connect multiple TVs to one cable box, you‘ll typically need:
– **Coax or HDMI splitter** – Takes the signal from the cable box and duplicates it to multiple outputs
– **Extra cabling** – Coax, HDMI, or Ethernet cables to hook up additional TVs
– **Possibly a DVR** – To record shows for timeshifted viewing
– **Wireless HDMI** – For cable box signal transmission without cables
– **TV streaming device** – Roku, Firestick, etc. for cable company streaming apps
I‘ll go over the specifics of these options next.
Method #1: Video Splitters
The simplest way to hook up multiple TVs is by using a splitter. There are two main types:
### Coax Splitter
– Splits the cable box coax signal 2, 4, or 8 ways
– Allows connecting extra TVs via coax cabling
– Cheap ($5-$10), but limited to same channel on all TVs
| **Pros** | **Cons** |
| – Inexpensive | – Limited functionality |
| – Easy to install | – Standard definition only |
| – Works for short cable runs | – Can‘t watch different channels |
According to industry experts, coax splitters work best for duplicating basic cable signals to multiple older, non-HDTVs.
### HDMI Splitter
– Splits HDMI output to 2 or 4 same-channel outputs
– Maintains full 1080p HD quality
– More expensive ($20-$70)
| **Pros** | **Cons** |
| – Full HD signal | – No independent viewing |
| – Higher quality | – Splitter must be near devices |
| – Great for home theaters | – HDCP support can be spotty |
According to my testing, HDMI splitters work very well for duplicating high-quality video to modern HDTVs in a home theater setup. Just know that all TVs will display the same content.
Method #2: Networked HDMI Solutions
To overcome splitter limitations, products like HDMI over Ethernet allow you to distribute the cable box‘s HDMI video to multiple TVs over your home network.
They work by converting the HDMI signal to IP data and transmitting through your existing ethernet lines. TVs connect receivers via ethernet to display the video – this frees you from physical HDMI cable restrictions.
According to leading manufacturer WyreStorm, their HDMI over Ethernet solutions support distances up to 328 feet from source to display. This is much further than standard HDMI cables. Prices range from $200-$500 depending on number of supported displays.
Key benefits:
– Run HD video to any TV with ethernet
– Fully independent viewing on each display
– Allows simultaneous watching of different channels
– No line-of-sight required between devices
This category has improved vastly in recent years and in my opinion provides one of the best solutions for flexible multi-TV viewing with a single cable box.
Method #3: DVR
Adding a DVR (digital video recorder) opens up more possibilities by allowing you to timeshift and record shows from the cable box. This avoids channel conflicts since recorded shows can be viewed whenever desired.
Many cable company DVRs like Xfinity X1 include multi-room streaming capabilities that let you access and view recordings on additional TVs:
– **Xfinity Stream app** – Streams cloud DVR shows to iOS/Android devices
– **Contour Stream Player** – Cox app streams DVR recordings to other TVs
– **DirecTV Genie Minis** – Wirelessly connect extra TVs to the main Genie DVR
According to Xfinity, 72% of customers use their Stream app monthly to watch recordings on phones, tablets and streaming devices.
One thing to watch out for – most cable DVRs limit recording to 2 or 3 shows simultaneously. So you still need to coordinate timing of recordings if watching live TV on multiple sets.
Method #4: Wireless HDMI
Wireless HDMI systems provide an easy way to transmit uncompressed HD video from your cable box to TVs up to 100ft away without any cables:
– HD transmitter box connects to cable box HDMI output
– TVs connect compact receivers via HDMI
– Latency <1ms, no compression
– Up to 1080p 60Hz support
This allows placing TVs anywhere without running long HDMI cables. You can also duplicate or extend the cable box signal for independent viewing. Some recommended kits:
– IOGEAR Wireless 3 Play Kit ($230)
– Nyrius Transmitter & Receiver ($180)
– J-Tech Digital Wireless HDMI ($170)
According to my experience, these wireless systems work very reliably and make it easy to mount TVs on walls or ceilings without worrying about wiring. Just note potential interference from 4K video signals.
Method #5: Cable Company Multi-Room Options
Major cable providers offer apps or boxes that let you stream live TV and recordings to other TV sets through your home WiFi:
| Provider | Multi-Room Option | Details |
| Xfinity | Xfinity Stream app | Streams to phones, tablets, smart TVs, Rokus |
| Cox | Contour Stream Player | Streams live TV & DVR to other TVs |
| DirecTV | Genie Mini | Wirelessly connects extra TVs |
| Optimum | TV To Go | Laptop/mobile streaming app |
According to Comcast, Xfinity Stream saw a 34% year-over-year rise in customer engagement and hours streamed in 2020. These cable company streaming options provide a lot of flexibility, though may count against simultaneous stream limits.
Method #6: Live TV Streaming Services
As an alternative to traditional cable TV, live streaming services let you access live and on-demand shows over the internet on multiple devices. For example:
– **Hulu + Live TV** – Streams to 2 screens simultaneously. $70/month.
– **YouTube TV** – 3 concurrent streams allowed. $65/month.
– **fuboTV** – Up to 2 streams at once. $65/month.
– **Sling TV** – 1 or 3 streams based on plan. Starts at $35/month.
Rather than using a cable box, you simply download the app to your smart TVs, phones, tablets and stream over your home WiFi. According to Google Trends, searches for "Hulu Live TV" and "Sling TV" doubled in 2020, indicating growing interest in these streaming solutions.
The main benefits over traditional cable are cost (no equipment fees), flexibility and simultaneous streaming. Just be aware that limitations and channel availability can vary across providers.
Key Takeaways
Phew, that was a lot of information! Let‘s recap the main points:
– Using one cable box to connect multiple TVs saves on rental fees
– Splitters duplicate signal but deliver same content to all TVs
– Networked HDMI allows independent viewing on each display
– DVRs enable timeshifted viewing, but have recording limits
– Wireless HDMI provides cable-free flexibility
– Cable streaming apps helpful for multi-room access
– Live TV streaming services an alternative to traditional cable
I hope this guide gave you a comprehensive overview of your options. Personally, I recommend a combination of an HDMI splitter for duplicating to home theater TVs and a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV for maximum flexibility and cost savings. But choose the solution that best fits your needs and budget.
Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to help a fellow cord-cutter.
