Home Theater : Anyone done a 4-panel Matrix TV? (1 Viewer)

[[icon]]

Four TV “Matrix” Setup : Need opinions & guidance please!

Hey all!

Looking at building a 4 television “matrix” television wall in the living room of our new home.

- Anyone done one? Glad? Regret? Lessons learned?

- ISO suggestions on how to send live TV feeds to the Matrix controller. I was thinking four FireTV 4K Sticks streaming from YouTubeTV ($19.99 for unlimited feeds @ home).

- Would love guidance on best remote setups to control the system.

Current Gear List (nothing purchased yet).

TVs :
- Four TCL Class W6 TV’s.
Not sure on 55” or 65” yet. Need to measure. Tiny bezel and VESA mount compatible. May need to mount top 2 inverted?

Matrix Controller (choosing):
- Monoprice Blackbird 4K 4x4
- Avico 4x4 4K Matrix Switch

Thoughts? Suggestions? I’m new to this.

Mounts:
These are cheap = https://a.co/d/6Qn0jPZ) but anyone run them? Other suggestions here?

Video Inputs / Feeds:
- Am I insane for thinking Amazon FireTV 4K Sticks sending YouTube TV? Better options? Good ways to run the sticks / remotes?

Anything else I’m probably not thinking of?

Will likely use local installers to hang the TVs and run cable.

Thank you In Advance!

 

[WVU Alum]

I have not, because I have a wife that thinks other things are more important. I'm not saying that she is wrong. Because I'm a moron, but I'm not stupid.

 

[Gatorman]

Four TV “Matrix” Setup : Need opinions & guidance please!

Hey all!

Looking at building a 4 television “matrix” television wall in the living room of our new home.

- Anyone done one? Glad? Regret? Lessons learned?

- ISO suggestions on how to send live TV feeds to the Matrix controller. I was thinking four FireTV 4K Sticks streaming from YouTubeTV ($19.99 for unlimited feeds @ home).

- Would love guidance on best remote setups to control the system.

Current Gear List (nothing purchased yet).

TVs :
- Four TCL Class W6 TV’s.
Not sure on 55” or 65” yet. Need to measure. Tiny bezel and VESA mount compatible. May need to mount top 2 inverted?

Matrix Controller (choosing):
- Monoprice Blackbird 4K 4x4
- Avico 4x4 4K Matrix Switch

Thoughts? Suggestions? I’m new to this.

Mounts:
These are cheap = https://a.co/d/6Qn0jPZ) but anyone run them? Other suggestions here?

Video Inputs / Feeds:
- Am I insane for thinking Amazon FireTV 4K Sticks sending YouTube TV? Better options? Good ways to run the sticks / remotes?

Anything else I’m probably not thinking of?

Will likely use local installers to hang the TVs and run cable.

Thank you In Advance!

No, sadly, but as you go through this if no one has any insight here I'd love to hear how it went. I'd love you do this on a smaller scale in my "game room" so "BLACK DOT"

 

[matttyl]

I assume (given the site we’re on) you’ll be doing this for sports?

I don’t have a 4x matrix, but I do have a 3 tv setup. Large 65” in the middle, flanked by smaller TVs on the sides that can be easily moved (really only used during football season). More than that and you don’t really have a “main” screen for watching a movie.

On football Sundays I have redzone on main tv, and the fox and cbs local feeds on the others.

 

[massraider]

Someone else had a detailed thread in here recently.

 

[NutterButter]

I haven't but if anyone wants to know how to set up a single 50" tv, I'm your guy.

 

[belljr]

Do you want to be able to have all four TVs show one giant picture?

 

[snellman]

I have not, because I have a wife that thinks other things are more important. I'm not saying that she is wrong. Because I'm a moron, but I'm not stupid.

Mine freaked out enough when I put a 70" in the basement

 

[Instinctive]

I have not, because I have a wife that thinks other things are more important. I'm not saying that she is wrong. Because I'm a moron, but I'm not stupid.

Mine freaked out enough when I put a 70" in the basement

Mine asked for a 55" in in the nursery when the baby was born because breastfeeding takes forever.

 

[[icon]]

Do you want to be able to have all four TVs show one giant picture?

Yessir!

Either all 4 combine to show one very large image (via the matrix controller), or can run 4 different feeds.

 

[[icon]]

Someone else had a detailed thread in here recently.

****… anyone happen to recall the title to assist with search?

 

[massraider]

Someone else had a detailed thread in here recently.

****… anyone happen to recall the title to assist with search?

Let's check in with the AV nerds over at Reddit

 

[Gally]

Do you want to be able to have all four TVs show one giant picture?

Yessir!

Either all 4 combine to show one very large image (via the matrix controller), or can run 4 different feeds.

We just bought a lot and plan to build on it in about 4-5 years upon retirement. One if the things I am planning is a sports room with this exact type set up.

Have you thought about one large screen that can divide into 4 through the controller instead of 4 different monitors?

I am not sure if that is possible but it would eliminate the bezel gaps when showing one game.

Interested in what people have to say.

 

[El Floppo]

Dot.
Had a project with this, but didn't get to finish.

 

[[icon]]

Do you want to be able to have all four TVs show one giant picture?

Yessir!

Either all 4 combine to show one very large image (via the matrix controller), or can run 4 different feeds.

We just bought a lot and plan to build on it in about 4-5 years upon retirement. One if the things I am planning is a sports room with this exact type set up.

Have you thought about one large screen that can divide into 4 through the controller instead of 4 different monitors?

I am not sure if that is possible but it would eliminate the bezel gaps when showing one game.

Interested in what people have to say.

The one large screen idea is in okay but with 85” being the largest practical format, it’s a bit small for the space I have in mind and the ceilings aren’t conducive to projector setups (plus I’ve never seen a projector image that was compatible or QLED/OLED).

I THINK four 55s will work but now I’m wondering if the matrix controllers I linked above will do what I want.

1) Show 4 different feeds
2) Merge all into 1 giant feed.

A response above has me questioning if these will do that. The Reddit post linked above by @massraider makes it seem much more complicated than that.

 

[Hawks64]

Do you want to be able to have all four TVs show one giant picture?

Yessir!

Either all 4 combine to show one very large image (via the matrix controller), or can run 4 different feeds.

We just bought a lot and plan to build on it in about 4-5 years upon retirement. One if the things I am planning is a sports room with this exact type set up.

Have you thought about one large screen that can divide into 4 through the controller instead of 4 different monitors?

I am not sure if that is possible but it would eliminate the bezel gaps when showing one game.

Interested in what people have to say.

The one large screen idea is in okay but with 85” being the largest practical format, it’s a bit small for the space I have in mind and the ceilings aren’t conducive to projector setups (plus I’ve never seen a projector image that was compatible or QLED/OLED).

I THINK four 55s will work but now I’m wondering if the matrix controllers I linked above will do what I want.

1) Show 4 different feeds
2) Merge all into 1 giant feed.

A response above has me questioning if these will do that. The Reddit post linked above by @massraider makes it seem much more complicated than that.

What about one of the newer ultra-short throw laser projectors? You can get those in a 120".

 

[[icon]]

Do you want to be able to have all four TVs show one giant picture?

Yessir!

Either all 4 combine to show one very large image (via the matrix controller), or can run 4 different feeds.

We just bought a lot and plan to build on it in about 4-5 years upon retirement. One if the things I am planning is a sports room with this exact type set up.

Have you thought about one large screen that can divide into 4 through the controller instead of 4 different monitors?

I am not sure if that is possible but it would eliminate the bezel gaps when showing one game.

Interested in what people have to say.

The one large screen idea is in okay but with 85” being the largest practical format, it’s a bit small for the space I have in mind and the ceilings aren’t conducive to projector setups (plus I’ve never seen a projector image that was compatible or QLED/OLED).

I THINK four 55s will work but now I’m wondering if the matrix controllers I linked above will do what I want.

1) Show 4 different feeds
2) Merge all into 1 giant feed.

A response above has me questioning if these will do that. The Reddit post linked above by @massraider makes it seem much more complicated than that.

What about one of the newer ultra-short throw laser projectors? You can get those in a 120".

The room has a lot of natural light in it. I’m nervous any projector is going to be insufficient. Am I misguided there?

 

[Nick Vermeil]

but didn't get to finish.

That’s what she said.

 

[Hawks64]

Do you want to be able to have all four TVs show one giant picture?

Yessir!

Either all 4 combine to show one very large image (via the matrix controller), or can run 4 different feeds.

We just bought a lot and plan to build on it in about 4-5 years upon retirement. One if the things I am planning is a sports room with this exact type set up.

Have you thought about one large screen that can divide into 4 through the controller instead of 4 different monitors?

I am not sure if that is possible but it would eliminate the bezel gaps when showing one game.

Interested in what people have to say.

The one large screen idea is in okay but with 85” being the largest practical format, it’s a bit small for the space I have in mind and the ceilings aren’t conducive to projector setups (plus I’ve never seen a projector image that was compatible or QLED/OLED).

I THINK four 55s will work but now I’m wondering if the matrix controllers I linked above will do what I want.

1) Show 4 different feeds
2) Merge all into 1 giant feed.

A response above has me questioning if these will do that. The Reddit post linked above by @massraider makes it seem much more complicated than that.

What about one of the newer ultra-short throw laser projectors? You can get those in a 120".

The room has a lot of natural light in it. I’m nervous any projector is going to be insufficient. Am I misguided there?

Have to see if you can find one to look at in person, but the laser projectors are much better in light these days.

 

[Gally]

The one large screen idea is in okay but with 85” being the largest practical format, it’s a bit small for the space

Is 85" the biggest practical due to quality of picture? I am thinking I am going to want 100" (4-50" individual screens)

I am looking to the exact same thing as you have described (ability to show 4 different games or 1 game using all 4 screens) so I will be following this intently.

 

[[icon]]

After peeling back the layers and not feeling 100% comfortable with what I was seeing on the matrix front I said **** it… single screen.

But having seen my pop’s 85” set this past week, I just didn’t think it would be what I was looking for. Then I stumbled into the world of 100” LEDs and frankly I was surprised with what was out there at “reasonable” price points.

TCL 98" Class XL Collection 4K UHD QLED Dolby Vision HDR Smart Google TV – 98R754

TCL's 85" 4K QLED XL Collection TV combines a powerful, immersive screen with QLED wide color and Dolby Vision HDR to satisfy movie lovers.

www.tcl.com

Also grabbed these staples:

https://www.costco.com/denon-avr-s760h-75w-7.2ch-8k-av-receiver.product.100774339.html?COSTID=iosapp_deeplink_24.4.2&TRACKING=NO&sh=true&nf=true

Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-8000F (Ebony)

Floor-standing speaker

www.crutchfield.com

$4800 all in with mount and mounting included. Will pair with an existing Klipsch 10” Sub.

Going to explore multiscreen options now…

 

[Gally]

$4800 all in with mount and mounting included.

The price on the 98" TV on the link was showing $10K. You must be getting a great deal.

 

[belljr]

$4800 all in with mount and mounting included.

The price on the 98" TV on the link was showing $10K. You must be getting a great deal.

Lol if you click on the where to buy they are all ~3500

 

[Gally]

Then I stumbled into the world of 100” LEDs and frankly I was surprised with what was out there at “reasonable” price points.

As far as formatting to get the four separate feeds to quarter up the screen for four games, what do you need for that aspect? Looking at the specs on the TV it didn't really address that (or maybe it did but I am not smart enough to understand it).

 

[Peggy]

Somewhat related, I'm a little disappointed the Samsung (~2022) brains aren't better for picture in picture. They'll do TV and mirror from your tablet, but, not from two different HDMI ports?

 

[belljr]

How will you split a TV into 4 pictures?

 

[Peggy]

How will you split a TV into 4 pictures?

I'd be interested if any TVs on the market do this natively. Like I mentioned above the relatively new Samsung tvs I've got don't even do picture in picture as well as I'd like. Maybe the newest top of the line according to the googles?

But one way for sure to do it is to just use a HTPC. Then your TV just becomes a giant monitor and in Windows 10/11 you can just drag 4 different windows to the four corners, or set it up in display settings that way.

 

[belljr]

How will you split a TV into 4 pictures?

I'd be interested if any TVs on the market do this natively. Like I mentioned above the relatively new Samsung tvs I've got don't even do picture in picture as well as I'd like. Maybe the newest top of the line according to the googles?

But one way for sure to do it is to just use a HTPC. Then your TV just becomes a giant monitor and in Windows 10/11 you can just drag 4 different windows to the four corners, or set it up in display settings that way.

My projector does 2 50s or like a 60/40. Using 2 hdmi

 

[Peggy]

How will you split a TV into 4 pictures?

I'd be interested if any TVs on the market do this natively. Like I mentioned above the relatively new Samsung tvs I've got don't even do picture in picture as well as I'd like. Maybe the newest top of the line according to the googles?

But one way for sure to do it is to just use a HTPC. Then your TV just becomes a giant monitor and in Windows 10/11 you can just drag 4 different windows to the four corners, or set it up in display settings that way.

My projector does 2 50s or like a 60/40. Using 2 hdmi

From some more googling:

4 TVs: They use programable HDMI switches that basically have one cable running to the TV for four "matrix" pictures, a game on each tv. And a second cable for one game as a "picture wall".

1TV: There are different software's to divide the TV up and distribute different video feeds to different quadrants. Some sell a controller devise that converts different feeds and makes them available to the network. NetPlay seems interesting because it used Android devices (firestick) to receive the feeds. But I still think you ought to be able to do this all on a HTPC.

I'd go the 1TV route for sure though unless the wall is just too big for the largest TVs out there.

 

[Peggy]

Search for multiveiwer switch on Amazon.

Of course then I'd need a digital TV converter box to covert coax over the air channels to hdmi first.

Pretty simple, but we really like the Samsung TV setup so it's a shame this functionality doest just come native with screens larger than 60"

 

[Peggy]

Got to buy top of the line i guess.

Only certain 2023 Samsung TVs support the Multi View feature. The total number of screens displayed simultaneously will also depend on the model. You can check the list below for details:

• QN900C/QN800C: up to 4 screens (4K at 60 fps - frames per second)

 

[Captain Cranks]

The room has a lot of natural light in it. I’m nervous any projector is going to be insufficient. Am I misguided there?

Correct. Don't get a projector if picture quality is a concern and you'll be watching during the day with limited light control.

ETA - When I say picture quality is a concern, I'm talking about noticing black levels and when dark scenes look washed out. If that's something you don't ever notice and are drawn to bright pictures, then perhaps a short throw projector is an option.