System setup/connection using Cat5e

[heywoodtv]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum, and have done lots of searching here, and around the net, and am trying to figure things out in the best way possible to hook up my system.

My plan is to do some upgrading of components, and have a system that will be able to access my computer for additional digital media.

What I need to confirm is how to run everything to the tv. The set that I am using is a relatively new Sharp LCD 65inch. Of course, I want to run HDMI from the receiver where I will have it connected to blu ray player, digital cable box, and also to computer using Asus O!play network media player. The issue that i have is that the house is new, and is prewired, there are only component cables run, along with coax of course, and 2 cat5e cables behind the wall plate, which are ran to where the components will be on the other side of the room. I have been reading a lot about the cat5 to HDMI baluns - can anyone recommend a good unit or model to use? Any other suggestions at all? Note that I can not run an HDMI cable from the receiver through the wall to the TV, thus, my thought to using the baluns.

I appreciate any advice or comments.

Thanks!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Thou I never personally used cat5 to hdmi baluns , I have few thought which might steer you into right direction:

Read this first:
http://www.audioholics.com/education/cables/myth-vs-reality-2013-putting-cat5e-based-a-v-structured-wiring-in-its-place

Some realities:
Cat5e supports upto 1Gpbs speed on short cable runs, however HDMI 1080p video requires 3.96 Gbps.
Will balun work for you? I give it a slim chance, possibly limited to 720p video.

If you had cat6e in walls - it allows 10gbs for short runs - now it would enough to run full 1080p video [deep color] and full sound.

 

[bandphan]

Gefen makes products that do 1080p over cat5, be prepared to spend some money. 499 and up.

 

[bandphan]

Gefen makes products that do 1080p over cat5, be prepared to spend some money. 499 and up w/ all audio codecs. The cheaper units may not support all audio and can be finicky.

 

[highfigh]

Gefen makes products that do 1080p over cat5, be prepared to spend some money. 499 and up.

There are some that cost less, like Choice Select, which is sold through Skywalker- a wholesale distributor. They're rated as HDMI 1.3 compliant and their site shows

"Length over CAT5E/6 cables which can be supported at the following resolutions:
60m at 1080P
80m at 1080i
100m at 720P
120m at 480i"

I try to avoid HDMI when I can but sometimes,....