I'm not very tech-savvy and could use some help setting up my second monitor. I want to play Xbox on one screen while using the other for streaming and PC tasks. My computer only has one HDMI output, and I already have an Elgato capture device for streaming. I've seen HDMI splitters, but I don't want both monitors to show the same image—I need the Xbox and PC to appear on separate screens. What equipment or connection setup would work best?
3 Answers
For streaming Xbox gameplay, the Elgato should receive the Xbox’s HDMI signal and pass it through to a monitor, if your model supports HDMI passthrough. Your PC can then run the streaming software on the other display. In that arrangement, the capture card—not an HDMI splitter—is what handles bringing the Xbox video into the PC.
You probably don’t need an HDMI splitter. Connect the PC to both monitors using its available video outputs, such as HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C, or an adapter if supported. Then connect the Xbox to one monitor’s second input and switch that monitor between the PC and Xbox using its controls. This gives you separate displays instead of duplicating the same signal.
If the computer truly has only one usable display output, check whether it has DisplayPort, USB-C with video support, or another port besides HDMI. An appropriate adapter or dock may let you connect the second monitor. If the only output is HDMI, a basic splitter will mirror the image rather than extend the desktop.
A splitter would duplicate one output; it won’t create two independent desktop screens. The monitor needs a second input for the Xbox, or the Xbox can go through the capture card if that fits your setup.