pensfan
10-19-2009, 11:08 PM
I have had a snowy screen on blu ray start up and bonus features. I have figured out that the receiver is good and the player and in wall connections are good by process of elimination. I have blu ray 3' phillips to receiver, then a 4' monster 900 under house to wall jack, then a 35' monster 900 to wall jack behind tv, then a phillips 3' to tv. All of the cables works fine when used separately, but when all 4 are together I get snow, just not for the movie, would changing out the 2 phillips to monster be a good idea, or am I screwed do to the long run.
m_vanmeter
10-20-2009, 09:21 AM
since Mon$ter does not publish the actual wire gauge spec's for their cables, I could not tell what size the internal wiring in the 900 series cables are. My guess - no better than 26 ga.
I will make another guess that between all the wall plate connections and a small gauge HDMI cable on the 35' run, you have too much combined voltage drop from one end of the cable system to the other. The only way I can advise to check this and your over-all cable system is to invest in a Monoprice 50' premium HDMI cable http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024002&p_id=2804&seq=1&format=2 and run it from (1) blu-ray to TV input and as a second test - (2) try short cable blu-ray to receiver and Monoprice cable from receiver to TV. Just leave it laying on the floor for the test. This cable is large and fairly stiff due to the larger wires inside, and this little adapter makes the hook-up to equipment much easier http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024010&p_id=2891&seq=1&format=2
If it works, consider removing the HDMI wall plates and running the cable directly from the receiver to the TV, use the wall boxes, but just use a through-hole cover and run the HDMI cable continuously from receiver to TV. http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10425&cs_id=1042505&p_id=3997&seq=1&format=2
Another option is an HDMI "booster" box to raise the HDMI voltage in the lines just prior to your 35' cable run. http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041907&p_id=2849&seq=1&format=2
good luck ;)
HiDefRev
10-20-2009, 02:55 PM
Right. And stay away from Monster cables. Waaaaaayyyy overpriced. As m_vanmeter suggests, go with www.monoprice.com for your cables. Same quality, MUCH lower prices. :)
Do you guys recommend getting the clip on Ferrite Cores even with the premium monoprice cable?
m_vanmeter
10-23-2009, 04:03 PM
the ferrite cores help limit the amount of signal interference a long run of cable may pick up along it length. They help the cable shielding do its job, but they are generally not needed for shorter runs. It's a belt and suspenders thing - if the difference in price is not much, I would get the ferrite chokes - they can make running the cable harder for in-wall installations, but are usually worth a little extra.