Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Let me start saying that this 2 channel HDMI splitter from ViewHD has being working over six months 24-7. But as others, I observed day one the unit gets hot, well over the components specs, and depending on your setup the unit may die quick, as reported. This uses a little metal enclosure with not openings, and so there is not air flow convention. Indeed I measured the internal temp going over 85C. So, to start I removed the cover to allow some air flow, but this was not enough for 24H working, so I had to add a small computer fan (see pictures above) I am operating this in a nice open home environment around 24C (75F), no an equipment closet where things may get quite warmer. I use this with HD video up to 1080p (that creates and aggregate RGB clock rate under 4Gbps). With the cover opened I noticed first that the splitter chip has a small sink very hot (around 70C), then I saw a small chip that is a voltage regulator even hotter (around 75C), this measured with the cover open, I can imagine will be at least 10C worst when closed. Even worst if the unit is operated at higher rates, in a closet, or in a summer day with no AC on in the house (over 35C or 40C). Any of that is quite common, and may raise the splitter chip easily over 95C to a point where performance and product life is reduced, or just will die. The main problem is a cheap voltage regulator (next to the HDMI input) that gets very hot and transfer heat all over the board, more importantly heats the splitter chip that is just next to it. This is known as an LDO (Low Drop Regulator) that must eat (convert to heat) 1.7V (5V-3.3V) times 0.5A (when using the 1080p rate) that is near 1W resulting in an increase of over 20C for this little Circuit board and no airflow. A serious designer would have used a chopper regulator that cost extra couple bucks but only has to eat a tenth of that power resulting in minimal temperature increase. And also it would have allowed using wider input voltage range if needed. The other mayor design mistake is the absolute lack of heat transfer planning. The heat is hold in the PCB and then in an enclosure with no openings? I can not think of a worst choice. To finalize, and to make the splitter working with my computer and a couple monitors is very tricky in the sequence that must be followed to get things going. I couldn't make it work until I reconnected the input with power applied, that goes against the rules of the manual that say "not to plug or unplug ports with power in the box". BTW, these rules go against the HDMI standard, which defines the interface, and handshake to be hot pluggable. Even the HDMI connectors are designed with this in mind to avoid any physical damage. I am suspecting that this behavior is probably because of a poor HDMI handshaking software design too, that can not behave as real plug and play, just like Windows would do, no matter of the types and number of monitors connected. So, if you are a cheap as I am, and do not want to expend extra bucks, It may work and I'll be generous giving two stars, but only if you do the extra homework to keep it cool.