Can the screen be expanded with an HDMI splitter? | whatsabyte (2023)

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Sometimes computer users need multiple monitors to facilitate their work. Although users can easily expand the display, the number of video outputs on their computer can limit the number of external monitors that can be connected to the computer unless they use an HDMI splitter. We know you must be wondering if it's really possible to extend the screen with an HDMI splitter.

You can use an HDMI splitter to extend the display to multiple monitors at the same time, but each of the monitors connected to the HDMI splitter will share the same signal..

It is important to note that monitors connected to the HDMI splitter will only extend the main screen display if the HDMI splitter and main screen are not connected to the same video output port. Please read on for full information on extended display and to see how to extend display with an HDMI splitter.

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Can you use a splitter for two monitors?

If you have a computer with only one video output, you might want to know if you can usetwo monitorswhen buying a splitter. Yes you can. However, your computer's graphics card must support up to two monitors simultaneously, or you can add an additional graphics card to use two monitors simultaneously.

Note that both monitors show accurate signals when using a splitter; So if you don't want that, you should find another way to connect two monitors to your computer instead of using a splitter. If you want your monitors to display different signals, read on to see the different ways to expand your display.

Before we list the different ways to extend the display, let's make sure you understand what an extension is. When you extend your computer's screen, it sends different signals to the connected monitors.

This allows you to display different desktops on the connected monitors. Now that you fully understand what it means to extend a screen, let's show you the different ways to extend the screen.

Display span across the video output port

Almost all computers have video outputs to which users can connect an additional monitor. If your computer is modern, it should have at least one of the following video outputs:

• HDMI: This connector supports the transmission of high-quality audio between a computer and a monitor. Some other devices like DVD players and Blu-ray players also have an HDMI port to transmit signals to monitors or HDTV. HDMI supports 4k display.
• VGA: This connector used to be present on almost all computers, but HDMI now replaces VGA on most newer computers. If you have a computer with a VGA port, you can use it to expand the display. Please note that VGA does not support 4k display.
• DVI: You can also extend the display via the DVI connector, but it doesn't support 4K monitors.
• DisplayPort: Monitors can be expanded via DisplayPort. Like HDMI, DisplayPort supports high-quality video transmission. DisplayPort 2.0 in particular supports screens up to 16K.

Video expansion with a USB video adapter

If your computer has USB Type-C but doesn't have all of the other ports mentioned above, you'll need a USB display adapter to extend display to monitors. If you're lucky enough to get a monitor that supports USB Type-C directly, you don't necessarily need to buy an adapter, although these monitors are very rare to come across.

The input connector on your monitor determines the correct type of USB video adapter to use. In general, USB Type-C can extend the display to other monitors while maintaining a 4K display quality.

How do I extend the screen with an HDMI port?

As mentioned, an HDMI port can be used to extend the screen to an external monitor. Note, however, that the number of monitors you can expand the display to is limited to the number of HDMI ports on your computer. Let us show you how to extend the display if your computer only has one HDMI port.

First, connect one end of an HDMI cable to your computer's HDMI port and the other end of the same cable to the external monitor you want to use. After that, you need to enable an extended display on your computer. Follow the steps below to enable Enhanced Mode.

if you useWindows 7, 8 or 10, press the "Windows key" and "P" at the same time.When you press these two buttons, a mini window will appear. Select "Extend" from the options presented to enable the expanded display.

If you use oneMac computers, follow the steps below to enable extended display. Your computer should automatically detect the external monitor as soon as you connect it.

However, if your computer doesn't see anything, you should go to the Apple menu -> System Preferences -> select Displays and then Arrangement. Some instructions will appear on the screen. Please follow these instructions to enable Advanced View.

Can you extend the screen with HDMI splitter?

There are times when you need to monitor two or more tasks on different screens. At times like this, it's best to extend your computer's display to a second screen. If you only need two screens, you can probably set up both screens without using an HDMI splitter. However, if you need more than two monitors, chances are you will need an HDMI splitter.

Splitter HDMIIt can help you extend the display to more than one external monitor at the same time. Note, however, that each of these external monitors will display the same extended display. The best way to visualize the concept is as follows. The HDMI splitter receives an extended display from your computer and still shares the same signal with all external monitors connected to it.

We recommend that you use monitors with the same resolutions when using an HDMI splitter. You may be wondering why it is necessary to use monitors with the same resolutions, but here's why. The HDMI splitter cannot vary the resolution of the video it sends to each of the connected monitors, forcing it to use a resolution that the smallest monitor can display.

For example, if you connect a 1080p monitor and a 4k monitor to an HDMI splitter, both monitors will get 1080p video quality.

If you find that external monitors are blurry or stretched, you need to adjust the resolution. Please follow these steps to adjust the resolution.

If you are using a Windows computer, place the cursor on an empty spot on your computer's Start screen and right-click. Then select "Display Settings" from the options presented. Click on “Advanced Settings” here. Your computer will prompt you to select a monitor.

Select the appropriate display and open the Resolution drop-down menu. Increase or decrease the resolution until external monitors display normally. Save the changes and test the new resolution with different images and text.

If you are using a Mac computer, go to the Apple menu -> System Preferences -> and select Display. Press and hold the "Option" key while clicking on "Scale". You will see all available resolutions for your external monitors. Select these resolutions one by one until the external monitors display normally.

How to extend screen with HDMI splitter?

If you have a laptop or other computer with an integrated display, you can extend your computer's screen to external monitors if you have at least one additional HDMI port on your computer. Adding additional monitors to computers usually takes only a few minutes. Here are the things you need to do to extend your screen with an HDMI splitter:

configure the connection

The first thing to do while your computer and external monitor are powered off is to set up the connection. First, plug the HDMI splitter into your computer's HDMI port. After that, you need to connect your external monitors to the HDMI ports of your HDMI splitters.

Activate extended view

After configuring the connection, you need to enable an extended display on your computer. Please turn on your computer and follow the steps below to enable advanced mode.

If you use oneWindows calculatorFor Windows 7, 8 or 10 software, press the "Windows key" and "P" at the same time. Some options will appear. Select "Expand" from these options to enable expanded display. Your computer's main and external displays may flicker once you enable extended display mode.

The method to enable enhanced mode on a Mac computer is slightly different than on a Windows computer.

If you are using a Mac computer, follow these steps to enable Advanced View. Your computer should automatically detect the external monitor as soon as you connect it.

However, if your computer doesn't see anything, you should go to the Apple menu -> System Preferences -> select Displays and then Arrangement. Some instructions will appear on the screen. Please follow these instructions to enable Advanced View.

If necessary, adjust the resolution

If you find that external monitors are blurry or stretched, you need to adjust the resolution. Please follow these steps to adjust the resolution.

If you are using a Windows computer,Place the cursor on an empty space on the computer's start screen and right-click. Then select "Display Settings" from the options presented. Click on “Advanced Settings” here. Your computer will prompt you to select a monitor.

Select the appropriate display and open the Resolution drop-down menu. Increase or decrease the resolution until external monitors display normally. Save the changes and test the new resolution with different images and text.

If you are using a Mac computer,Go to the Apple menu -> System Preferences -> and select Display. Press and hold the "Option" key while clicking on "Scale". You will see all available resolutions for your external monitors. Select these resolutions one by one until the external monitors display normally.

Diploma

Without a doubt, an HDMI splitter is a must-have for people whose computers don't have enough video outputs to extend the display to all the monitors they want to use. You just need to make sure your computer's graphics card supports multiple monitors. Also, make sure the HDMI splitter and the main computer display are not connected to the same video output port if you want to extend the display.