Regarding HDMI Over Cat5/6 and HDCP Issues

[MCHF]

Hi Everybody,

I want to buy a HDMI switch with Cat5/6 extender capability. I have to extend my HDMI cable to around 50 to 60 feet. I am worry about that HDCP compatibility.

I've read over the HDCP stuffs from the Receiver forum, and still have a little bit of questions unclear about HDCP pass-through.

I have my HDCP compliant BD player in the same room with a HDCP compliant TV, now I want to extend the signal to another HDCP compliant TV which is about 50 - 60 feet away. So the BD player can be outputted to both TVs.

So I would want a switch that would get a HDMI connection from the BD player, and a HDMI output to the first TV, and use cat 5/6 to extend the output to the second TV.

If the switch is just a HDCP pass-through device. Then would the video and audio be transmitted to both of the TVs?

I am assuming that HDCP pass-through means all the data is not touched. Therefore if I can have the video and audio to the TVs when connected directly, I should be able to have the same result with HDCP pass-through.

However, I've also heard that there needs to be constant handshakes from the BD player to any device that output HDMI.... (which is the switch in this case) That seems I need a HDCP compliant switch in order to do what I desired...

My question would be, which scenario can I expect if I do the connection mentioned above?

Thanks in advance,

MCHF

 

[bandphan]

You only need the one BLP source to the second display? I think you would be better off in buying a cheap bluray for the other display. A switch, 2 receivers (and the time time wire) are gonna cost you at the least few hundred dollars.

 

[MCHF]

Thanks,

I forgot to mention that since I am renovating my house, that's why I would like to wire my cables from one room to another. I haven't purchased my equipments yet, may be I will add a STB as well... so I am just thinking if this
will work... and curiously want to know it as well.

 

[bandphan]

Thanks,

I forgot to mention that since I am renovating my house, that's why I would like to wire my cables from one room to another. I haven't purchased my equipments yet, may be I will add a STB as well... so I am just thinking if this
will work... and curiously want to know it as well.

If you are redoing your home, think about how much distribution you want, audio and video. Setting up HD distribution will cost a little bit, the audio IMO less. If you want to look at products that are used go to Gefen and Key Digital. For audio distribution look into Niles Audio and Control4 to get some ideas. Also consider what type of control you want, ie remotes, touchpads, inwall ect.

 

[BMXTRIX]

HDCP is only one issue. There are also things within HDCP called sessions and hops. Hops are the easy one... Most devices, like BD players, allow for 4-5 hops on a HDCP session, so an originating device (0), the receiver (1), the TV (2) is just two hops. But, add another HDMI switcher, or split things for audio/video and you may have three or four hops. Usually, this is not an issue.

Sessions are FAR more restrictive! The originating device, or with Blu-ray Disc, the movies themselves, dictate how many displays that can view the movie at once. The HDMI splitter is typically HDCP compliant so when you put in the movie, it will see TWO displays, but only allow video to go to the first display, not the second one.

This is movie-to-movie specific, the do NOT publish session information on discs, and you have no way to know in advance.

HDCP is a cluster 'f' to the consumer. HDMI is gorgeous when you keep it as simple as possible, but nothing as simple as a TV/projector setup is that easy anymore.

 

[MCHF]

I usually just watch movies with my wife. So most of the time, I do not need the output to 2 TVs simultaneously. Is there any way to solve the cluster problem?

Then if I get an HDMI extender over Cat5/6 cable, will a HDCP pass-through extender work?

 

[MCHF]

If you are redoing your home, think about how much distribution you want, audio and video. Setting up HD distribution will cost a little bit, the audio IMO less. If you want to look at products that are used go to Gefen and Key Digital. For audio distribution look into Niles Audio and Control4 to get some ideas. Also consider what type of control you want, ie remotes, touchpads, inwall ect.

Thanks, I am looking into it. I am looking at the Gefen's extenders, but then some of them are HDCP pass-through. I am afraid that it will not work with HDCP compliant devices.

 

[bandphan]

Thanks, I am looking into it. I am looking at the Gefen's extenders, but then some of them are HDCP pass-through. I am afraid that it will not work with HDCP compliant devices.

You shouldn't worry about any of their products.