CAT6 vs HDMI optic fiber

lauraparis

lauraparis

Enthusiast
Hello,

On France forums, nobody was able to help me, that’s why I’m trying to find some help here. Even the "professionnals" were not able to give a definitive answer! And I work on this from months… :)

So, I’ll open soon in Cannes a fitness room.

From the HDMI output of my PC (GeForce RTX 2060 WINDFORCE graphic card), I must send the music videos to four 75’’ 4K TVs:
- two TVs located 15 meters (50 feet) away from the PC.
- two TVs located 30 meters (100 feet) away from the PC.

On the TVs, I only play music videos. On my playlist, I have hundred of music videos in mp4 format (3 to 4 minutes each): some in 4K and stereo, some in bad VHS quality and mono. The 4 TVs will always play the same videos at same moment. But without sound, only images. For musics, I’ll install many passive speakers, but I still didn’t choose the sound solution.



1) SEPARATE SOUND AND IMAGE FROM THE PC:

If I understand, I must connect a HDMI cable from my PC HDMI output to the HDMI input of a sound and image extractor. It seems that this extactor must support HDMI 2.0b standard 4K 60HZ 18Gbps signal with 4:4:4 colours and HDCP 2.2 (copy protection). From this extractor, a HDMI output will go to an image splitter or matrix, and an output will go to an amplifier. As I still don’t know which amplifier I’ll use, I still don’t know what kind of sound output this sound extractor must have. I have to find a solution which makes me able to manage the audio signal. For example, if the extractor extracts the audio in stereo signal, if I connect it to the amplifier, what happens? If the extractor extracts in mono, it’s a disaster. So, here are the sound extractor peoples suggested:

Sound: toslink/optical output or 3.5mm analogue output (120 euro):

Sound: analogue RCA output L+R or digital coax output (120 euro):

Sound: ???output??? (72 euro):

Sound: ???output??? (67 euro):

Sound: ???output??? (35 euro):



2a) SPLIT AND SEND IMAGE TO THE 4 TVs IN CAT6:

Some people told that I had to choose a RJ45 solution. With this solution, some told that I need a splitter, some told that a matrix was necessary. Here are the solutions suggested:

https://www.keene.co.uk/hdanywhere-xtnd-4k-1x4-1-splitter.html (720 euro)
+ 2 x RJ45 CAT6 cables (15 meters)
+ 2 x RJ45 CAT6 cables (30 meters)

https://www.altimium.com/mat-hdmp44-4k-matrice-hdmi-hdbaset-4x4.html (3420 euros)






2b) SPLIT AND SEND IMAGE TO THE 4 TVs IN HDMI:

Some people told that HDMI optical cables were the best solution.

They suggested these splitters:

https://www.amazon.com/OREI-UltraHD-HDMI-Splitter-Port/dp/B07HR1WD4S/ (35 euro)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PWYLWLN (45 euro)

http://www.electronicgrup.com/en/products/splitter---switch/hdmi/hdmi-1×4-splitter-with-edid-control-support-4ka60hz.aspx (55 euro) with EDID

http://www.electronicgrup.com/en/products/splitter---switch/hdmi/hdmi-2-0-splitter1x4-3d-4ka60hz.aspx (66 euro)

https://www.conferenceroomav.com/p/wyrestorm-sp-0104-h2 (150 euro)

With these splitters, these optic HDMI cables are available:

For 15 meters:
https://www.lbm-distribution.com/fr/cables-optiques-actifs-hdmi-20-soudes/423-uht-15xb.html (280 meters)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B078KB993Z/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1&tag=av0c-21 (127 euro)
(105 euro)
http://www.electronicgrup.com/en/products/audio-video-cables/hdmi-optical-fiber/optical-fiber-hdmi-4ka60hz-with-amplifier-15m.aspx 15m (70 euro)


For 30 meters:
https://www.lbm-distribution.com/fr/cables-optiques-actifs-hdmi-20-soudes/425-uht-30xb.html (350 euro)
https://www.amazon.com/-/es/dp/B07N7MX73D/ref=twister_B07PCM9WSS?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 (100 euro)
http://www.electronicgrup.com/en/products/audio-video-cables/hdmi-optical-fiber/optical-fiber-hdmi-4ka60hz-with-amplifier-30m.aspx (90 euro)





SPLITTER ALL-IN-ONE SEPARATING SOUND AND SPLITTING THE IMAGE:

If the optic HDMI is the best solution, some people told me that this machine does all: separating sound and image (so, the extractor A1 is no longer necessary) and splitting the image:

https://www.ortonsaudiovisual.com/blustream-sp14ab-4-way-hdmi-4k-splitter-with-audio-breakout.html (270 euro)

It seems that if the CAT6 solution is the best one, it seems that this device also separate the sound and the image:
https://www.avacab-online.com/Blustream-HSP14CS-Distributor-emitter-HDBaseT-CSC-70m/en (920 euro)




Some also told that the devices I choose have to manage EDID information and that cables require 1-AMP. That’s why some told me to use this matrix :
https://www.markertek.com/product/zig-hxl-44/zigen-hxl-44-hdmi-2-0-4x4-matrix-4-in-4-out-4k-18g-ip-diagnostics-4-coaxial-audio-out (1100 euro)
With 4 recepters:
https://www.markertek.com/product/zig-poc-70/zigen-zig-poc-70-4k60hz-18g-hdbaset-hdmi-extender-set-12-v-poc-with-bi-directional-ir-rs232-supports-hdr-10 (450 euro)

Also, I don’t know what to do so there is no delay between the sound and the image. Can the audio extractor I choose and/or the splitter I choose insure that they are no delays between the sound and the image? Or is it the job of the sound amplifier? Also, might I use only 30 meters cables instead of two 15 meters cables and two 30 meters cables, so we are totally sure that the 4 TVs are managed exactly in the same manner? One thing is sure: the sound amplifier will have to manage the delay between the two TVs located 30 meters away and the two TVs located 15 meters away.

Last thing: the videos of my playlist are all very different. The whole system must manage automatically the downscaling, upscaling, etc. If I have small 360p videos, for example, I want that they are in fullscreen on the TVs.


Someone told that I have to AVOID that:
- a fiber cable that requires 1-Amp current with a HDMI splitter only outputs 300-ma.
- a splitter not managing EDID globally and only addressing EDID on output 1.
- extracting audio of the HDMI with an external extractor that adds additional delay of the video.

Some help please?

Thank you so much :)

Laura
 
Verdinut

Verdinut

Audioholic Spartan
Hello,

On France forums, nobody was able to help me, that’s why I’m trying to find some help here. Even the "professionnals" were not able to give a definitive answer! And I work on this from months… :)

So, I’ll open soon in Cannes a fitness room.

From the HDMI output of my PC (GeForce RTX 2060 WINDFORCE graphic card), I must send the music videos to four 75’’ 4K TVs:
- two TVs located 15 meters (50 feet) away from the PC.
- two TVs located 30 meters (100 feet) away from the PC.

On the TVs, I only play music videos. On my playlist, I have hundred of music videos in mp4 format (3 to 4 minutes each): some in 4K and stereo, some in bad VHS quality and mono. The 4 TVs will always play the same videos at same moment. But without sound, only images. For musics, I’ll install many passive speakers, but I still didn’t choose the sound solution.



1) SEPARATE SOUND AND IMAGE FROM THE PC:

If I understand, I must connect a HDMI cable from my PC HDMI output to the HDMI input of a sound and image extractor. It seems that this extactor must support HDMI 2.0b standard 4K 60HZ 18Gbps signal with 4:4:4 colours and HDCP 2.2 (copy protection). From this extractor, a HDMI output will go to an image splitter or matrix, and an output will go to an amplifier. As I still don’t know which amplifier I’ll use, I still don’t know what kind of sound output this sound extractor must have. I have to find a solution which makes me able to manage the audio signal. For example, if the extractor extracts the audio in stereo signal, if I connect it to the amplifier, what happens? If the extractor extracts in mono, it’s a disaster. So, here are the sound extractor peoples suggested:

Sound: toslink/optical output or 3.5mm analogue output (120 euro):

Sound: analogue RCA output L+R or digital coax output (120 euro):

Sound: ???output??? (72 euro):

Sound: ???output??? (67 euro):

Sound: ???output??? (35 euro):



2a) SPLIT AND SEND IMAGE TO THE 4 TVs IN CAT6:

Some people told that I had to choose a RJ45 solution. With this solution, some told that I need a splitter, some told that a matrix was necessary. Here are the solutions suggested:

https://www.keene.co.uk/hdanywhere-xtnd-4k-1x4-1-splitter.html (720 euro)
+ 2 x RJ45 CAT6 cables (15 meters)
+ 2 x RJ45 CAT6 cables (30 meters)

https://www.altimium.com/mat-hdmp44-4k-matrice-hdmi-hdbaset-4x4.html (3420 euros)






2b) SPLIT AND SEND IMAGE TO THE 4 TVs IN HDMI:

Some people told that HDMI optical cables were the best solution.

They suggested these splitters:

https://www.amazon.com/OREI-UltraHD-HDMI-Splitter-Port/dp/B07HR1WD4S/ (35 euro)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PWYLWLN (45 euro)

http://www.electronicgrup.com/en/products/splitter---switch/hdmi/hdmi-1×4-splitter-with-edid-control-support-4ka60hz.aspx (55 euro) with EDID

http://www.electronicgrup.com/en/products/splitter---switch/hdmi/hdmi-2-0-splitter1x4-3d-4ka60hz.aspx (66 euro)

https://www.conferenceroomav.com/p/wyrestorm-sp-0104-h2 (150 euro)

With these splitters, these optic HDMI cables are available:

For 15 meters:
https://www.lbm-distribution.com/fr/cables-optiques-actifs-hdmi-20-soudes/423-uht-15xb.html (280 meters)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B078KB993Z/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1&tag=av0c-21 (127 euro)
(105 euro)
http://www.electronicgrup.com/en/products/audio-video-cables/hdmi-optical-fiber/optical-fiber-hdmi-4ka60hz-with-amplifier-15m.aspx 15m (70 euro)


For 30 meters:
https://www.lbm-distribution.com/fr/cables-optiques-actifs-hdmi-20-soudes/425-uht-30xb.html (350 euro)
https://www.amazon.com/-/es/dp/B07N7MX73D/ref=twister_B07PCM9WSS?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 (100 euro)
http://www.electronicgrup.com/en/products/audio-video-cables/hdmi-optical-fiber/optical-fiber-hdmi-4ka60hz-with-amplifier-30m.aspx (90 euro)





SPLITTER ALL-IN-ONE SEPARATING SOUND AND SPLITTING THE IMAGE:

If the optic HDMI is the best solution, some people told me that this machine does all: separating sound and image (so, the extractor A1 is no longer necessary) and splitting the image:

https://www.ortonsaudiovisual.com/blustream-sp14ab-4-way-hdmi-4k-splitter-with-audio-breakout.html (270 euro)

It seems that if the CAT6 solution is the best one, it seems that this device also separate the sound and the image:
https://www.avacab-online.com/Blustream-HSP14CS-Distributor-emitter-HDBaseT-CSC-70m/en (920 euro)




Some also told that the devices I choose have to manage EDID information and that cables require 1-AMP. That’s why some told me to use this matrix :
https://www.markertek.com/product/zig-hxl-44/zigen-hxl-44-hdmi-2-0-4x4-matrix-4-in-4-out-4k-18g-ip-diagnostics-4-coaxial-audio-out (1100 euro)
With 4 recepters:
https://www.markertek.com/product/zig-poc-70/zigen-zig-poc-70-4k60hz-18g-hdbaset-hdmi-extender-set-12-v-poc-with-bi-directional-ir-rs232-supports-hdr-10 (450 euro)

Also, I don’t know what to do so there is no delay between the sound and the image. Can the audio extractor I choose and/or the splitter I choose insure that they are no delays between the sound and the image? Or is it the job of the sound amplifier? Also, might I use only 30 meters cables instead of two 15 meters cables and two 30 meters cables, so we are totally sure that the 4 TVs are managed exactly in the same manner? One thing is sure: the sound amplifier will have to manage the delay between the two TVs located 30 meters away and the two TVs located 15 meters away.

Last thing: the videos of my playlist are all very different. The whole system must manage automatically the downscaling, upscaling, etc. If I have small 360p videos, for example, I want that they are in fullscreen on the TVs.


Someone told that I have to AVOID that:
- a fiber cable that requires 1-Amp current with a HDMI splitter only outputs 300-ma.
- a splitter not managing EDID globally and only addressing EDID on output 1.
- extracting audio of the HDMI with an external extractor that adds additional delay of the video.

Some help please?

Thank you so much :)

Laura
Welcome to AH,

Please peruse the following thread, mainly posts by TLS Guy who is a reliable source for guiding you:

 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Seriously, I have no life.
Your biggest problem is going to be EDID conflicts between the screens.

Basically I think you need an AV preamp. Connect your computer to the preamp. Send the HDMI out to a splitter designed to sort out the the EDID conflicts. This is going to be your biggest hurdle so choosing a device that does this and has EDID repair features will likely get you there. I would use a hybrid optical cables as in the thread Verdinut linked you to.

Then with all those speakers you have to use a pro PA amp and a 70 volt system. With that many speakers don't even think of using stereo. Use Mono. This PA amp can be connected to an audio out from the pre/pro.

This approach will be the simplest and least complicated and be reliable.

The 70 volt system is very easy. You have a transformer at every speaker and you select a tap for each one. The taps are labelled in watts. The sum of all the tappings must equal the wattage of the power amp. If you want speakers to have different volumes which is easy, you select a lower wattage tap on that transformer. So a speaker on a 10 watt tap takes twice the power of one on a 5 watt tap and so on. Since this is a high impedance system you can use bell wire for the speaker runs.

KEEP IT SIMPLE
 
JerryLove

JerryLove

Audioholic Ninja
You have 5 connectors (USB-C, DVI, DP, and HDMI x2).

If you aren't after audio on the screens, the last 4 can all be converted to HDMI, and the first can be used for a monitor.

Set monitors 2-4 as mirrored (https://www.displaylink.com/downloads/multi-monitor-tools)
Then play your video there.
Use monitor 1 as your interface. (Or don't. You can just use four monitors all in mirror and just put your video to top).

No new hardware, and only one bit of software required.
 
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