I want to keep my consoles and an older gaming PC together on one shelf instead of maintaining several docks and repeatedly unplugging HDMI or composite cables. I currently have three HDMI sources and would like to add another PC for older games. The goal is to route any selected console to monitors in the living room and bedroom, while also sending the signal to a capture card and possibly another office monitor. The rooms are separated by a brick wall, but Bluetooth controllers have worked from my room to the living room so far. I'm planning to test several 8BitDo and BlueRetro controllers for range and latency. Could this be built with an HDMI switch or matrix, HDMI-over-Ethernet extenders, and a suitable way to handle controller inputs?
3 Answers
Yes, this is practical, but you’ll want an HDMI matrix switch rather than a basic network switch. A matrix can accept several console and PC inputs and route whichever one you choose to different displays independently. From the matrix outputs, you could connect HDMI-over-Cat6 extenders to the living room and bedroom, with another output going to the capture card or office monitor. Use active or powered HDMI equipment and make sure the matrix supports the resolutions, refresh rates, HDR, and copy-protection features your consoles require.
For the controllers, video distribution and input distribution are separate problems. Bluetooth may work through the wall, but range and latency can vary depending on the console, controller, and interference. You may get more consistent results with a dedicated Bluetooth adapter or a wired USB extension running to each play area. Test each controller while the video is active, since a setup that works for pairing may still have noticeable input delay during gameplay.
An HDMI matrix with one output feeding a capture card should let you record without constantly reconnecting cables. If you want the office monitor to show the captured feed, remember that passing video through capture software can add delay. A direct HDMI output from the matrix is better for playing, while the captured preview is mainly useful for recording or monitoring. For older composite systems, consider a quality scaler or converter before the matrix instead of repeatedly adapting and unplugging the original cables.
That sounds close to what I had in mind. I’d prefer the capture card to stay in the office while the consoles remain on the shelf, so I’ll need to check how far the signals can be extended reliably.