Anyone use HDMI over CAT5?
Sami
Posts: 4,634
I came across HDMI over CAT5 wall adapters at Monoprice when I was shopping for CAT5 cable. That started me thinking more about using it in my house. What I read it might also solve the problem for long runs of cable.
This is a costly solution but something that most likely is the future of home AV:
http://www.prlog.org/10213201-atlona-technologies-introduces-new-8x8-hdmi-over-cat5-matrix-with-ir-passthrough-athd88msr.html
This is a costly solution but something that most likely is the future of home AV:
http://www.prlog.org/10213201-atlona-technologies-introduces-new-8x8-hdmi-over-cat5-matrix-with-ir-passthrough-athd88msr.html
Post edited by Sami on
Comments
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I use them all the time (I design professional AV systems). I use Extron HDMI201 as they are reliable and HDCP compliant. They require 2 runs of CAT5e to get HDMI from A-B. I have tried many others such as Gefen and Kramer, but the Extron are more reliable.
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I haven't used it yet, but I bought one of those thingies to do it. I'm thinking of getting rid of one of our cable dvrs, and just running the hdmi signal upstairs. Another project I haven't got around to.RT55i mains, CS400i center, FX300i surrounds, RTi15 rears, Energy S10.3 Sub, Onkyo 607 / PS3
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Well, I got my toy box today from Monoprice. One of the items was HDMI over CAT cable. Works extremely well, the only negative was it wasn't a decora plate.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10425&cs_id=1042501&p_id=5403&seq=1&format=2
Installed the first pair, will do second at later date. -
I have used it with several baluns, but it is kinda expensive.
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I would ask at the AVS board and I would think you might get more replies though. Or maybe do a search there.
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So, what are you here to sell?Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
I have used it with several baluns, but it is kinda expensive.
Well, I think the overall price was cheaper than getting a long run of HDMI cable. $18 for the wall adapters, two runs of CAT5 cable and 4 CAT5 connectors. $20-25 total. So far no problems but my run is only about 30-35ft. Now I just need to set a TCP service for the AVR tool so I can control my AVR from any PC in the house. -
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I might go to a similar solution / configuration. My new home (townhouse) had component prewired from the AV closet to where the TV mounts over the fireplace. Cool stuff, and very easy to install my gear and TV, but I guess when built 4 years ago HDMI wasn't that popular.
I think fishing HDMI would be damned near impossible, and costly for that long of a cable. I think I have Cat5 runs throughout the house and need to see if I have two going from the AV closet to behind the TV area. It would be AWESOME to install these HDMI wallmounts in the closet and TV area for looks and use.
I'm going to make this my next project. Will probably get a couple of those plates just to motivate me to actually do it. My receiver only does component so the current setup works great, but I'm not getting the full functionality like HD audio formats as is.Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850 -
Let me know if you need any help getting it wired. I have plenty of CAT5 cable and connectors so you don't have to buy them. I also have one extra adapter package that I have not used yet.
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Thanks, Sami. My big bro is somewhat handy with Cat 5. We crawled around the attic for days wiring up our parents' house when growing up.
I may hit you up when it comes to troubleshooting, though. While our effort is excellent, sometimes our combined work quality is often poor. Probably due to drinking on the job.Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850 -
What, the cool installation idea doesn't seem so hot the next day? Yeah I know how that is.Probably due to drinking on the job. -
I've used a variety of baluns (KVM, HDMI, component, analog and digital audio) and with one exception they've always worked quite well. The exception was a component/analog audio one that I set up at a friend's house- 5 things over a single cat5 (4 twisted pairs) didn't seem quite right to me and it didn't sound right either. Picked up hum from his plasma, too. I'd still keep your critical components in the same room that they'll be used, but for general AV distribution, they're a great alternative.Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
Backburner:Krell KAV-300i -
So, what are you here to sell?
I'm sorry, was this directed at me? If so, don't understand what you mean. -
A 35ft HDMI cable from monoprice is about $30 plus shipping, So i guess it does equal about the same. I'm sure CAT5 is easier to run than HDMI with the size of the heads on the HDMI wires. For that reason alone I would agree that CAT5 is easier.
