HD TV Cabling and Distribution Advice

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ferg_nz

175 posts

Master Geek

# 105513 5-Jul-2012 16:13

Hi All

I am looking at options for a mate to get his TV's setup in his house he has just moved in to

He is after 5 rooms all with HD TV's and is after having myskyhdi and maybe adding a blueray/dvd player and a media player as well

The Freeview is easy as each TV has built in tuner but the question is getting the HD via HDMI to each TV some far to run HDMI cables direct so would need to look at HDMI over Cat5e/6. He would like to have IR at each location to control the channels etc from each room

What i need suggestions on is the type of HDMI Switch and HDMI Distribution device and the IR setup.

I have looked at the Atlona Devices from wirednz.co.nz and they have good looking products but not everything i need in one device.

See attached image for basic layout and info.

https://cdn.geekzone.co.nz/imagessubs/7a07ec50f04aba96a7ede3c0095e3686.jpg

minimoke

717 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 651423 5-Jul-2012 16:44

You could run HDMI from a drum and terminate at both ends. There might be an App that does the remote. Panasonic have apps for their 2011 and 2012 TV's and Blu Ray players. They work - but haven't tried over any distance.

ferg_nz

175 posts

Master Geek

# 651428 5-Jul-2012 16:48

Only thing is the distance could be up to 50m of cable run (id say less but to be safe) and my understanding is HDMI starts to degrade after 15-20m.

The app for the remote is good for the TV but does not help with the changing of the Sky Channel and controlling the BlueRay and media Player remotely.

tangerz

536 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 651616 6-Jul-2012 00:47

Distributing from your main av source (say lounge) to one other location (say bedroom) is not too difficult. But when you want not 1 or 2 or even 3 but 4 other locations, all in HD, with IR remote capabilities, with some a fair distance away.... things get VERY PRICEY!

Something like this:

http://www.avenview.com/8x8-hdmi-matrix-switcher-with-3d-over-cat5-8-receivers-included-p-1526.html

Seems all inclusive of the functions you require but with a hefty pricetag!

There are probably other cheaper ways to get what you want but probably not in such a neat package.

If you could go with just four locations instead of five, then a 4x4 HDMI matrix switch with ouputs to these for remote locations:

http://www.rapalloav.co.nz/hdmi-over-cat5e-cat6-extender-wall-plate-417.html

Setup for the IR may get messy though...

tangerz

536 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 651622 6-Jul-2012 01:54

Here's another option:

http://www.rapalloav.co.nz/hdmi-processing/hdmi-matrix-switcher/high-end-hdmi-true-matrix-4-in-4-out-over-cat5e-6.html

Bit of a neater package and cheaper than many I've seen. Still only 4x4 though.

And this may be the best of all, at a resonable price!

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10113&cs_id=1011310&p_id=8151&seq=1&format=2

Jaxson

6952 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

# 651654 6-Jul-2012 08:23

Things need to go active at that sort of range. Even creating custom cables and terminating in the field won't skip around the sheer distances you're requiring. You've stumbled into that big hole that is HD distribution and there is currently no easy way of doing it, as there was back in the RF days/even AV etc.

I'd say you'd be looking at Cat cable routes with hdmi baluns, and probably off a central splitter. There used to be issues with this where hdmi does an initial handshake and this determines resolutions etc. This bit got a bit messy when you had different displays downstream, as only one of them can do this initial handshake. Maybe that's not an issue with 'modern' splitters these days?

A potentially viable alternative is some form of central media server unit that the other TV's themselves (hopefully) or media players attached to TV's can refer back to. Something like a Vu+Duo for instance, where you insert your SKY card into this and then the other clients 'dial' into it. Skips around the whole HDMI issue and allows for the TV's to play music/videos from a central source as well. Just an idea, but potentially in the same ballpark figure as some of the hdmi solutions.

JimmyH

2627 posts

Uber Geek

# 652653 8-Jul-2012 21:47

I have seen something similar done a few years ago (before HDMI kit was that common), using a component video distribution amplifier. You might want to look at that.

Component cables can carry 1080p high definition video, and good component cabling is more tolerant of long runs than HDMI is. A quick search shows that you can get a 1x8 component distribution amplifier from www.wirednz.co.nz for around $400. Pair it with an HD Fury (to convert HDMI to component), and it should do the job.

Add an HDMI stitch (sub-$100 from somewhere like jaycar.co.nz) if you want to connect multiple inputs.

Get some remote extenders from jaycar (CAT. NO. AR1817) for $59 a pop if remote controls are important.

Edit: Typing

balunman

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

# 657332 18-Jul-2012 03:38

MuxLab has an HDMI 4x4 Cat5 Matrix switch with IR for source and matrix control
www.muxlab.com/products/ve_HDMI%204x4%20Matrix%20Switch

Gamefisher

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

# 657846 18-Jul-2012 17:19

If you have network connectivity at each location you can use something like this. Running an HDMI signal around the place is old school ;)

http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/tvs/satellite-receivers/auction-494193265.htm

nickrout

216 posts

Master Geek

# 661271 24-Jul-2012 20:29

Why? what do you want to distribute around the house? Put a source (bluray player etc) next to each TV.

Better still put a HTPC next to each computer. Store all video om a central server and use your network to distribute your video and any other media.