HDMI over Cat5/6 - UTP or STP?

Forums › Home Theatre (incl HTPC) › HDMI over Cat5/6 - UTP or STP?

tarlen

47 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 10

Topic # 29766 18-Jan-2009 19:48

I'm currently planning to run HDMI over Cat5 from my lounge to my bedroom, a distance of about 20m.

From the research I've done, it's unclear to me whether or I not I should be using Shielded Cat5e cable and RJ45 ports, or if Unshielded will work. Can anyone offer some advice on this?

At the source end, the cable will be running about a foot away from the nearest power lines, but in the bedroom it will be running right next to the power.

Thanks in advance for any help.

raftcomm

93 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 190542 19-Jan-2009 14:35

I didnt realize you could run HDMI over Cat5 cables. Do you have an adapter that converts it at one end?

I personally would go for the shielded twisted pair if you have quite a bit of wiring around the place. Assuming you have a wired network. I would go for UTP if there isnt much wiring around.

The fact that its next to a power line, i would go for shielded.

tarlen

47 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 10

Reply # 190544 19-Jan-2009 14:44

There are quite a few Baluns available that transfer HDMI over two Cat5e cables. This forum has a number of links to various retailers.

Most of the baluns I have seen specify that shielded Cat5e is required, however a number of people in this forum seem to have used unshielded with good results.

I was leaning towards shielded for a couple of reasons; 1) most baluns seem to require it, and b) as you pointed out, it's running down by a power line.

The next issue is where to get Cat5e STP from? I've seen a couple of online places with it (Ascent for one), but only in $190, 305m rolls, which is slightly more than I need, even if I decided to wire up the rest of the house at the same time.

bazzer

3290 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 209

Trusted

Reply # 190552 19-Jan-2009 15:31

http://www.cablesdirect.co.nz/catalog/entry?entry=282

ShaneT

62 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 190748 20-Jan-2009 11:35

Hi, what transmitter/reciever are you planning on using?
I'm running my HDMI over 2 solid-core cat6 cables (unsheilded)... using passive HDMI-'cat5' wallplates. These work great, makes the install very clean and not having to worry about powering them is a big plus! They're HDMI 1.3b compliant, 1080p, and can run up to 35m. I got them from Wired NZ.

My cat6 run is about 20m... gets pretty close (within 20mm) to power at both ends without any probs at all.... so I reakon you should be okay without sheilding.

tarlen

47 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 10

Reply # 190761 20-Jan-2009 12:08

Thanks for that, I hadn't decided what to use at each end and that looks fantastic. I was assuming I needed to use a powered option, and was a little worried about running out of plugs.

I had a look at the Wired NZ site but I couldn't figure out how to buy stuff from them. Seems odd since they have a "Shopping Cart" after you log in.

Am I missing something obvious somewhere?

rach3

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 190944 21-Jan-2009 05:58

You should go ahead and run CAT6. This will allow you to run 1080P HD video over HDMI.

We use a HDMI ethernet extender around the house over pairs of CAT6 to distribute HD video. Works remarkably well.

ShaneT

62 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 190988 21-Jan-2009 10:33

tarlen: Thanks for that, I hadn't decided what to use at each end and that looks fantastic. I was assuming I needed to use a powered option, and was a little worried about running out of plugs.

I had a look at the Wired NZ site but I couldn't figure out how to buy stuff from them. Seems odd since they have a "Shopping Cart" after you log in.

Am I missing something obvious somewhere?

Hmm.... I go past there every day, so made the transaction the old fashioned way. I'd suggest flicking them an email, perhaps even ask if there is a supplier/dealer in Aus?

tarlen

47 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 10

Reply # 190990 21-Jan-2009 10:40

Just ordered the HDMI wallplates from them. Yay email, though it does strike me as a little old fashioned. Thanks for pointing them out to me, it's exactly what I wanted.

Oh hey, look at that, I have an Australian flag. That shouldn't be, as I'm in Auckland.

I'll just go and change that now.

tarlen

47 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 10

Reply # 190992 21-Jan-2009 10:45

Okay, that's just odd. My profile is definately set to New Zealand, but I'm still seeing an Australian flag.

Edit: Ah, it's IP address based, and apparently the geo-ip database in use thinks Orcon is in Australia.

tarlen

47 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 10

Reply # 191859 24-Jan-2009 20:02

So today I wired-up the HDMI connection through to the bedroom, and I thought I would post a followup.

I got the HDMI Wallplates from Wired NZ and decided on Solid Core CAT6 UTP (thanks ShaneT for suggesting both!). After a remarkably smooth install process, I now have 1080p video into the bedroom, and about 220m of extra CAT6 for the rest of the house.

I do really like the fact that the wallplates are passive, so I'm not using another powerpoint. Also, using a balun would mean two extra patch cables behind the TV as well as the extra HDMI cables from the splitter. The end result is quite a bit tidier than I expected it to be.

Thanks everyone for your advice and input.

JimmyLizar

321 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 191920 25-Jan-2009 09:25

What did the set of HDMI wall plates cost you? (if you dont mind me asking)

.....c'mon sucker lick my battery........
binary solo...0000110000110000111...

tarlen

47 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 10

Reply # 191935 25-Jan-2009 11:09

$240 incl postage. Not the cheapest, but comparable to most baluns and with definate advantages.

Off topic: Oh hey, apparently Vodafone IPs also show as Australian... oh well.

ShaneT

62 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 192068 26-Jan-2009 09:08

tarlen: So today I wired-up the HDMI connection through to the bedroom, and I thought I would post a followup.

I got the HDMI Wallplates from Wired NZ and decided on Solid Core CAT6 UTP (thanks ShaneT for suggesting both!). After a remarkably smooth install process, I now have 1080p video into the bedroom, and about 220m of extra CAT6 for the rest of the house.

I do really like the fact that the wallplates are passive, so I'm not using another powerpoint. Also, using a balun would mean two extra patch cables behind the TV as well as the extra HDMI cables from the splitter. The end result is quite a bit tidier than I expected it to be.

Thanks everyone for your advice and input.

Great to hear it all went well!