HDMI extender

[mouettus]

is that the solution to HDMI headaches and a way of saving a lot of money over long runs?


what do you guys think of that gadget?


http://www.rixlabs.com/7200/

 

[highfigh]

is that the solution to HDMI headaches and a way of saving a lot of money over long runs?


what do you guys think of that gadget?


http://www.rixlabs.com/7200/

That's one way but I would look for something that doesn't come in such a pretty box. Kind of depends on how far you need to go, etc. Use STP cable for better results.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I've used the one from Monoprice, and this model appears to be nearly identical. Forget the pretty box, this is about as cheap as HDMI over CAT5 extenders could possibly cost while including 1080p video. The one I got from Monoprice does not list 1080p support as an option.

This really is a good price on a product which I have not had dealings with specifically, but if it matches up to its own specifications, it should be excellent.

You can always just use a regular HDMI cable if you run is short, but for retro-wiring where space is tight, and for longer than 50 foot runs, the CAT-5 solutions really seem to be the future. I would really love to see an HDMI specified standard for CAT-5 extenders that would allow displays to simply have CAT-5 inputs right on them.

 

[highfigh]

I would really love to see an HDMI specified standard for CAT-5 extenders that would allow displays to simply have CAT-5 inputs right on them.

As fast as standards change in this industry, unless it was a removable module, I can't see that happening. TVs with various input modules exist, but a lot of them are commercial models. To be honest, I wouldn't mind if all of this stuff was modular and completely interchangeable. That way, if a better screen comes along, the rest can be swapped without problems. I don't care if the TV can do anything with audio or tune stations by itself. I'd rather do all of the processing at one location, speakers where they're needed and video on whatever displays are needed. One video cable plus power and maybe one for control- that's all I think needs to go to the TV. A stand-alone TV is obviously a different story but for a full-blown system, I like simple and modular.

 

[Phil Taylor]

This one claims 1080p at 120ft and 1080i at 180ft and is about half the price of the aforementioned ---

http://www.amazon.com/Extender-CAT5E-120Ft-1080p-180Ft/dp/B001RZ64GQ

 

[bandphan]

or this one

http://www.cepro.com/article/liberty_wire_cable_extends_hdmi_over_coax/

 

[BMXTRIX]

or this one

http://www.cepro.com/article/liberty_wire_cable_extends_hdmi_over_coax/

As strange as that one sounds, it's actually awesome for installations in which component video & analog audio were run to displays. I ran mini-HR cable (as shown in the photograph) to all my displays in my home, and while I have pretty good retro access, I could just drop one of those at each of my displays and get HDMI. Since I would need to run HDMI about 50+ feet from my head end and distributing it everywhere, it might make a lot of sense to just go with the HDMI->RGB extender like that.

I think Gefen has one as well...
http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=5303
$800 just ain't cheap.

EDIT: Holy Cow! That looks like it does work over just one or two pieces of coax!!!

This is their HDMI->RGB extender..
http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=5304
$600 ain't cheap either.

 

[Phil Taylor]

As strange as that one sounds, it's actually awesome for installations in which component video & analog audio were run to displays. I ran mini-HR cable (as shown in the photograph) to all my displays in my home, and while I have pretty good retro access, I could just drop one of those at each of my displays and get HDMI. Since I would need to run HDMI about 50+ feet from my head end and distributing it everywhere, it might make a lot of sense to just go with the HDMI->RGB extender like that.

I think Gefen has one as well...
http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=5303
$800 just ain't cheap.

EDIT: Holy Cow! That looks like it does work over just one or two pieces of coax!!!

This is their HDMI->RGB extender..
http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=5304
$600 ain't cheap either.

They've got a wireless one coming out sometime too - been in the works for about a couple of years and is due out Q1 '09 (at least now they are taking advance orders for it) MSRP ~ $999.

Edit - apparently it's been released as a few vendors on Amazon say they have them in stock now for as low as $799.

 

[mouettus]

actually i was more talking about the whole idea...

I didn't even look at other products... juste a good idea to save quality and costs to long runs.


... or just wondering if it was hype/snake oil!

 

[unpredictableAX]

Just get on Monorprice.com and buy long runs....unless they arew over 30'

 

[BMXTRIX]

As I said, I have used the one from Monoprice, but I had no luck with sending 1080p, which the one you linked claims to do.

The big downside is whether or not the product works as advertised. As is the case with HDMI, not is always as cut and dry as it seems, and this isn't like analog cabling which has been so reliable forever and a day.

Yet, in my situation, I had a legacy setup which had two cat-5 cables run to a display and they needed to go digital. I threw the Monoprice piece in line and the final result was a great looking image free of the RF noise they were picking up on the analog input.