Home network hub choices

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SpookyAwol

626 posts

Ultimate Geek

#105422 4-Jul-2012 09:52

Just trying to nail down the final choice for the distribution hub.

Requirements:

Distributed mysky/tv/sat to 6 rooms
network to 6 rooms
phone to 2 rooms

Ive read this:
http://www.tcf.org.nz/content/95569cab-9c46-4d2b-b644-41540a148468.cmr

Another topic on cabling / network:
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=141&topicid=103114

sbiddles FAQ's
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/sbiddle/4511 (pt1)
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/sbiddle/4573 (pt2)
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/sbiddle/4867 (pt3)

Various distribution options Ive come across:

LYNXNET
http://www.lynxnet.co.nz/products/ln-3200dh/

Tidy system, plenty of connections

LEXCOM(PDL)
http://www.pdl.co.nz/product-details.aspx?rcat=products&catid=1081&id=1849

RJ45 to all rooms instead of RG6

HILLS
http://www.hillshomehub.com.au/en-au/Products/smart-homes/key-smart-home-products/hhh600-hub-with-phdatatv-distribution

STARSERVE (CLIPSAL)
http://www.clipsal.co.nz/products/starserve

Any comments or suggestions on choices of systems?
Id prefer not to spend too much but havent priced it up yet :)
It appears all require modulator or return HDMI via cat

IR operation is not a big deal as I will probably use something like:
http://www.nexgensmarthome.co.nz/products/xray-remote-extender/

Reading other cabling threads, there will be 4-6 RG6 to the main lounge and 1 to other TV feeds.
Network would be CAT5/6 with 4 to lounge / office and at least 2 to other outlets

nickb800

2719 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#650506 4-Jul-2012 10:31

Firstly, welcome to the structured home cabling journey, its a lot of fun!

Another option for distribution hubs comes from sigtech e.g. http://www.sigtech.co.nz/webapps/p/72000/105425/440756

For general info I would start with Sbiddle's three part guide http://www.geekzone.co.nz/sbiddle/4511

I also found a good one from hazza http://www.geekzone.co.nz/hazza87

Are you able to get trade prices from your local electrical wholesaler? If not, these guys are awesome, they can order in pretty much anything, so email them and get prices on the different distribution hubs that you're looking at. They also offer near to wholesale prices to the public, even on small orders http://www.electricaldirectltd.co.nz/

As per my thread, I went with a gutted PDL DBF60 (normal mains power distribution board) which was not a recommended option from geekzoners. That was about $200, it will be interesting to see what the more specialist home distribution hubs that you are looking at cost

SpookyAwol

626 posts

Ultimate Geek

#650511 4-Jul-2012 10:37

Thanks for that - yeah Ive got some ringing around to start doing once Im clear on what I want.

As a guide the lynxnet costs $1200. Ive got to find someone who can do wholesale :)

BTW - Curious on what people think of using RJ45 (as opposed to RG6) as the main TV source to rooms as per the LEXCOM system.

Its the first time Ive read of doing it that way - using a RJ45 --> 75ohm conversion (or I guess an f connector)
Any thoughts on that? It would mean just running lots of cat cable

nickb800

2719 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#650540 4-Jul-2012 11:15

Wow, thats a bit steep! It'd stack up pretty quickly too if you have to buy their modules on top of it.

Ive never heard to that Lexcom RF over RJ45 before, if it works well, that would be awesome, RJ45 can do literally anything then, and so you have much more flexibility, and upgrading to IPTV in the future would be easy. Probably a bit more expensive though, as you would have to run shielded cat6 by the looks of it, and use their connectors, modules, etc.

When i looked at those types of systems, they weren't really updated for HD video. Most still had RF modulators, and no HDMI, which isnt good enough for large HD TVs, so you will want to look into HDMI distribution over Cat6 if you have a few larger TVs around the house. Personally I wouldnt bother with video distribution over RF, but thats just me. Its probably okay for smaller bedroom TVs

Jaxson

8042 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#650563 4-Jul-2012 12:02

nickb800:

When i looked at those types of systems, they weren't really updated for HD video. Most still had RF modulators, and no HDMI, which isnt good enough for large HD TVs, so you will want to look into HDMI distribution over Cat6 if you have a few larger TVs around the house. Personally I wouldnt bother with video distribution over RF, but thats just me. Its probably okay for smaller bedroom TVs

This!

+1 I'd have a good look at exactly how they distribute their signals.

chevrolux

4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#650735 4-Jul-2012 16:13

We started doing Lexcom about 3 years ago. It is a really good system and makes it easy for the end user. But it is just way too expensive for something that can be done just as good with normal Cat 6 and RG6. There are also problems using MySky on this, something about the power pass capabilities of the TV splitters they use.

Just go crazy with Cat 6 and you will be sweet as.

Pock

156 posts

Master Geek

#650799 4-Jul-2012 18:10

Do NOT go LEXCOM.

When they launched the system they were still having problems of RF 'leaking' onto the data and causing all sorts of speed / connection issues. As far as I know that problem has not been fixed.

Basically, It was poorly designed and has never worked properly, but they went ahead and sold it to people 'as is'. Mind boggling isn't it?

Pock

156 posts

Master Geek

#650800 4-Jul-2012 18:11

Just had a look. It seems they have a way of 'fixing' this by terminating all of the unused A/V outlets.

http://updates.clipsal.com/clipsalonline/Files/Brochures/W0000745.pdf:

Termination Plug
The termination plug provides a 100 ohm termination of the conducting
twisted pair wires for radio/TV/audio-visual applications. It is a requirement
that termination plugs are inserted into unused output ports of the TV
amplifier module, to provide better response stability of the amplifier and
minimise RF emissions. Any unused input of AV combiner and AV input of
TV amplifier module should also be terminated by this plug to prevent noise
from being introduced into the system.

Still seems dodgy to me.

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Pock

156 posts

Master Geek

#650815 4-Jul-2012 18:20

SpookyAwol:...

IR operation is not a big deal as I will probably use something like:
http://www.nexgensmarthome.co.nz/products/xray-remote-extender/
...

Eww! Those things are so ugly! Don't you think?

Much better to use a wired solution as it will be much smaller and better looking.

SpookyAwol

626 posts

Ultimate Geek

#650844 4-Jul-2012 19:09

Ive heard there are a few issues with mySky and ir receivers - that xray is one that was recommended by a fairly reputable installer with a lot of experience. Im quite happy to find an integrated solution, I can always fall back to the xray

Aiyaz

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#651008 4-Jul-2012 23:41

Hey mate looks impressive. is your house going to be fully automated with home entertainment and etc. please let me

SpookyAwol

626 posts

Ultimate Geek

#651063 5-Jul-2012 08:18

Aiyaz: Hey mate looks impressive. is your house going to be fully automated with home entertainment and etc. please let me

This.

chevrolux

4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#651450 5-Jul-2012 18:15

SpookyAwol: Ive heard there are a few issues with mySky and ir receivers - that xray is one that was recommended by a fairly reputable installer with a lot of experience. Im quite happy to find an integrated solution, I can always fall back to the xray

I have just moved all my AV stuff to a cupboard and went for a hard wired kit. Looks so so much better than the xray remote and is about the same price. You can hard;y see the little receiver on the tv and it makes it easy with an RJ45 on the end so you just plug it in to an outlet and then cut the end off a patch cord at the patch panel and wire it in to the receiver unit. Means you can shift your tv around with ease =)

Edit: And this is for MySky