I am helping a friend out with setting up several tvs/monitors to display the same video source. Due to the configuration and building, he does not want to run a hard cable from a splitter.

This would be the first time I have ever messed with sending a wireless signal so I'm looking for some guidance.

The setup is a 1 to 6 split. I would take any opinions on hardware in consideration. Line of sight is possible up to approx 200', and all displays are within that LOS.

I am not finding transmitters that are expandable to six so I am wondering if it would make just as good sense to use a quality splitter with multiple 1 to 2 wireless transmitter/receiver setups.

If the above sounds like I don't know what I am talking about, then you would be correct.

Shorter version - How do I send one video signal to 6 tvs?

Little bit of a hacky solution but run 5 of the tvs as pcs using raspberry pis or similar, have them stream from a local ip a video feed. That way on wifi is needed.

On the main one you want creating the content, you will need to set it up to broadcast it as a feed to a local ip on the subnet. Using a capture software to broadcast the feed for the others to show as duplicates.

Just an idea.

I think a plug and play type situation might be more hi speed. If anything were to mess up, I'm not sure he would get it back to running.

That's why I was researching hdmi trans/receiv setups. Plus, if those items work like I think they do, then running multiple transmitter to receiver setups from an hdmi splitter might be beneficial to be flexible moving forward. The system I had in mind is as follows


HDMI source (likely a laptop) > Splitter > Multiple transmitters ( I can find 1-4 transmitters) > various receivers connected to the transmitters

Is there coax or anything at the locations he plans to put the tvs or just power?

Currently no coax cable just power.

It really think it's a simple task but I've never run wireless setups before. Maybe I'm overthinking it?

I mean wireless HDMI does exist, but its not cheap and its not great in all situations. Its prime to interference by walls and even minor objects or even people sometimes, especially at range (I dont trust the kits they say they go 200', my old one barely went 20 through interior 1 wall). It really would depend on the use case and where the would be hidden from view and such.

Even ethernet which is much easier to run than HDMI cables would work (which can carry HDMI signal with adapters. Each run up to 300' max, 250' is safe). Example kit but they make longer range adapters. https://www.amazon.com/Extender-Splitter-Multiple-Single-Management/dp/B07NQMYQ92

What about something like a Teradek system for laptop to tv display.

https://teradek.com/products/bolt-6-lt-hdmi-set?variant=42317634076850

While it seems pricey and it seems these are more employed in a live filming set but an hdmi signal is an hdmi signal.

Those should work for distance, but not sure if multiple will interfere with each other in close proximity. Seen similar commercial grade units like it before tested on tech channels and they do work.
At that price point though, each tv could be its own full mini pc that your buddy just remotes into on the network from the laptop to change as needed for each tv. Laptop can be set up with software to automate the login and control of each for remote login for ease of use.

Oh now that sounds interesting.

Any specific software I can research?

Sadly not off the top of my head but there has to be plenty of remote management/admin software for pcs out there on google.

Spoony Love said:

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Oh now that sounds interesting.

Any specific software I can research?

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What is being broadcast to the TVs? I think VLC can transmit video sources to multiple devices using network sharing. It should work with video files, and knowing VLC's capabilities, i would imagine you could get a stream working.

OBS software (free) can capture video from an internal or external source. Internal example = logging into a website, and going full screen, YouTube TV, Netflix, etc. Or an external source, get an HDMI to USB capture dongle ($20 ish for an Amazon special) and plug an HDMI video source in (example = cable\satellite box).
Here are the broad strokes:
(The official term is setting up an RTMP Server Google the terms "RTMP stream to local network with OBS and VLC" or similar)
It may be easier to use a mini-PC versus a raspberry pi to create the RTMP server and it wont really matter for receiving receiving. The pi and mini pc will have the same VLC interface.

Setup OBS to live stream; except to a local network versus YouTube, Facebook, etc.
Receive the stream with VLC media player (popular + easy and free ) and plug the device's (mini-pc or pi) HDMI video out right into the TV.

You can also receive the stream on your computer, laptop, tablet etc. as long as it's on the same network.


https://obsproject.com/

start here for an overview: https://www.obsbot.com/blog/live-streaming/rtmp-streaming

It mainly would be any thing from a laptop.

We just did a lottery with it and the last number drawn won. We kept record on a spreadsheet. Also, Spotify music and any video that is played with a song they would like to have on the screens.

And a simple PowerPoint slideshow.

It isn't complicated stuff, just want to have what's on the laptop displayed on all 6 screens.

Spoony Love said:

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It mainly would be any thing from a laptop.

We just did a lottery with it and the last number drawn won. We kept record on a spreadsheet. Also, Spotify music and any video that is played with a song they would like to have on the screens.

And a simple PowerPoint slideshow.

It isn't complicated stuff, just want to have what's on the laptop displayed on all 6 screens.

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So screen mirroring the laptop more or less? Yeah, forget my VLC recommendation then..

Yes, mirroring the laptop display.

Back to mini pc driving each TV display, use teams to share your desktop in a meeting on each PC. There's a way to make that full screen.