Run CAT 6 or HDMI?

rocks911 · 10-26-2011, 10:42 AM

I have some older A/V equipment (2 Flat Screens and a non-networking A/V system comprised of an Emotiva UMC-1 pre/pro and a Sunfire amp) and a new W7 PC with lots of media.

As the TV's are older the only inputs they have are HDMI. I have an HDMI output on my new PC but the distances I have to run cable are in the neighborhood of 45 feet and 65 feet to get to the TV's.

Should I run CAT6 instead, or even CAT7? In the future I will probably want a DLNA capable TV so the CAT cable would be the thing to run but the HDMI direct without adapters would be simpler and less prone to problems with CAT-to-HDMI adapters.

I want desperately to run XBMC to both TV's, so theoretically if run an HDMI from my PC, split the signal and send one to each TV and connect through an HDMI port I should be in business....right? Or do I need a device at the TV to accept the cable and make it usable?

Trying to make new technology work with older displays is making my head hurt.

Could I take one of the HDMI cables into the pre/pro and work through it? How would I control the XBMC on screen?

So many questions, so much confusion, HELP!!!!PLEASE!!!!

rocks911 · 10-26-2011, 12:06 PM

So I just chatted with a rep from Monoprice about how I would run the content from my PC to my 2 flat screens. he said use this splitter:http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...=2#description

and run CAT6 cable to both of the TV's. I asked would it support Dolby Digital and DTS sound and he replied "why would it need to, you're connecting it to a TV" and I thought....what the !!!!? . Whats the point of HDMI if audio isnt integral?

I need to run both audio and video out of my W7 PC (with an HDMI and a Toslink output) to 2 TV's, one with an A/V receiver and one without. How on earth do I do that?

bingotem · 10-26-2011, 04:40 PM

If the PC is 45 and 65 feet away from each TV, I have to assume you have the PC in a different room, connected to its own monitor and such.
I also have to assume you want to use this as a PC in this seperate room and as a media server to the rest of the house.

If I'm right, you are probably best off putting a network switch behind the PC, running cat6 to each room, and getting a playback device for each TV.
There are a lot of playback devices out there, but all of them should essentially connect to your network/media server over cat6 and have an HDMI output to carry video/audio to the TV (or connect to the reciever for 5.1/7.1 formats).

DoctorCAD · 10-26-2011, 06:07 PM

The Monoprice rep was right, the TV's only have 2 speakers so 5.1 or 7.1 or any high quality sound would be wasted on them.

rocks911 · 10-26-2011, 07:01 PM

Thanks for the reply. Upstairs the cable would be run to an A/V system (an Emotiva pre/pro and an amp) and downstairs it would connect straight into my LCD there.

I'm thinking about running HDMI with a powered splitter:http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...mat=4#feedback

I'd rather too much technology than not enough.

I thought I'd run the HDMI from my PC's ATI Radeo HD 5570 video card into the splitter then run a line to my upstairs system and another to my downstairs LCD. I would access my media from my PC through XBMC with a PC remote.

Make sense?

videomot · 10-26-2011, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bingotem

There are a lot of playback devices out there, but all of them should essentially connect to your network/media server over cat6 and have an HDMI output to carry video/audio to the TV (or connect to the reciever for 5.1/7.1 formats).

I would be interested learning the make/model of such a device.

Is there a way to stream a program from my PC to a Roku type of device over my home network?

rocks911 · 10-27-2011, 07:20 AM

videomot,

The WD TV Live Plus will do just what bingotem referenced. I do own one of those units specifically because it nplays so many video types and handles Dolby Digital and DTS among many other formats. It is a hard wire sort of thing, I have a CAT 6 cable running to it from my router and I access my PC's media with it through a media server app called Serviio.

**rbinck** · 10-27-2011, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocks911

videomot,

The WD TV Live Plus will do just what bingotem referenced. I do own one of those units specifically because it nplays so many video types and handles Dolby Digital and DTS among many other formats. It is a hard wire sort of thing, I have a CAT 6 cable running to it from my router and I access my PC's media with it through a media server app called Serviio.

But you still want to attach the PC direct for XBMC? I guess the XBMC user interface is better than the WD, but getting control of it remotely could be an issue. I'd try getting that done first before running a HDMI cable. Find a RF keyboard and mouse/trackball that will work at that distance first would be my suggestion. Then if that is successful move onto the HDMI cable if you are set on XBMC vs the WD unit. Personally I have both and I prefer the ASUS and WD media players over the PC and XBMC, but maybe that's just me.

As far as being hardwired, I actually use an N wireless router and N wireless repeater for my hookup rather than running a wire. For me it was cheaper to buy the repeater than running a cable.

videomot: Check out this post: Actually there is a better solution in my opinion... for links to more info about bot the ASUS and WD players.

rocks911 · 10-27-2011, 11:11 AM

rbinck,

Thanks for the reply. You're right, the distance might be an issue with control so I think I'll follow your advice and find a good RF remote (the wife doesnt mind remotes but if I told her that she'd have to access content from a keyboard or mouse she'd probably not use it thus rendering the whole project fruitless).
I really really like the XBMC interface it's much more elegant than the clunky WD and again I have the wife in mind as navigating the WD seems to be laborious for her.
Know of any good PC remotes? I know they exist, but my post at remote central.com has seemed to cause confusion. Snapstream Firefly makes one thats probably as good as any, I suppose I'll take the plunge and see if this is even doable.

Again, thanks for the reply, it seems so difficult some times to get people to do that. I'm think though that I'm maybe on the cutting edge so I see a lot of lookers, but not so much advice...thanks again.

**rbinck** · 10-27-2011, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocks911

rbinck,

Thanks for the reply. You're right, the distance might be an issue with control so I think I'll follow your advice and find a good RF remote (the wife doesnt mind remotes but if I told her that she'd have to access content from a keyboard or mouse she'd probably not use it thus rendering the whole project fruitless).
I really really like the XBMC interface it's much more elegant than the clunky WD and again I have the wife in mind as navigating the WD seems to be laborious for her.
Know of any good PC remotes? I know they exist, but my post at remote central.com has seemed to cause confusion. Snapstream Firefly makes one thats probably as good as any, I suppose I'll take the plunge and see if this is even doable.

Again, thanks for the reply, it seems so difficult some times to get people to do that. I'm think though that I'm maybe on the cutting edge so I see a lot of lookers, but not so much advice...thanks again.

There are several remotes that will work with XBMC. The one I use is in this article: XBMC

Very cheap and with an extender either RF or wired will do everything you need to run XBMC.

bbuffett · 10-27-2011, 04:28 PM

rocks911: If you wish to use XBMC to deliver content the two TVs which have HDMI interfaces there is a very simple solution which is also very easy to control.

The easiest way to do it is to purchase and attach an Apple TV to the back of each old TV.

Install XBMC on the 2nd generation Apple TV devices. Hook up the HDMI out on the Apple TV to your TVs. One the one unit, you can connect the audio-out to your stereo unit.

For both units, use the Apple Remote to control your XBMC media library for the TV.

You can then run a hardwired CAT5 or CAT6 network or use a wireless network in order for the XBMC front-ends to communicate with your media server PC for all of your content.

**rbinck** · 10-27-2011, 06:12 PM

That seems like a great tip bbuffett. Great first post and welcome to the forum!

Since you can't post a link yet, I'll supply some for more information about XBMC on the Apple TV. I may give that a whirll myself.

XBMC for Mac on Apple TV 1 - XBMC also Apple 2 now.
You asked for it: XBMC for AppleTV2, iPad, iPhone4. | XBMC

10-26-2011, 10:42 AM	#1
rocks911 How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 15	Run CAT 6 or HDMI? I have some older A/V equipment (2 Flat Screens and a non-networking A/V system comprised of an Emotiva UMC-1 pre/pro and a Sunfire amp) and a new W7 PC with lots of media. As the TV's are older the only inputs they have are HDMI. I have an HDMI output on my new PC but the distances I have to run cable are in the neighborhood of 45 feet and 65 feet to get to the TV's. Should I run CAT6 instead, or even CAT7? In the future I will probably want a DLNA capable TV so the CAT cable would be the thing to run but the HDMI direct without adapters would be simpler and less prone to problems with CAT-to-HDMI adapters. I want desperately to run XBMC to both TV's, so theoretically if run an HDMI from my PC, split the signal and send one to each TV and connect through an HDMI port I should be in business....right? Or do I need a device at the TV to accept the cable and make it usable? Trying to make new technology work with older displays is making my head hurt. Could I take one of the HDMI cables into the pre/pro and work through it? How would I control the XBMC on screen? So many questions, so much confusion, HELP!!!!PLEASE!!!!

10-26-2011, 04:40 PM	#3
bingotem High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Warren, MI Age: 34 Posts: 259	If the PC is 45 and 65 feet away from each TV, I have to assume you have the PC in a different room, connected to its own monitor and such. I also have to assume you want to use this as a PC in this seperate room and as a media server to the rest of the house. If I'm right, you are probably best off putting a network switch behind the PC, running cat6 to each room, and getting a playback device for each TV. There are a lot of playback devices out there, but all of them should essentially connect to your network/media server over cat6 and have an HDMI output to carry video/audio to the TV (or connect to the reciever for 5.1/7.1 formats). __________________ Samsung PN59D8000 Onkyo TX-SR705 DVDO Edge Tosh HD A35, Panny DMP BD30K Xbox 360, Wii, HTPC Infinity IL40 fronts, matching center/surrounds 15" Titanic III sub

10-26-2011, 06:07 PM	#4
DoctorCAD Direct TV Fresh Meat Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 2,197	The Monoprice rep was right, the TV's only have 2 speakers so 5.1 or 7.1 or any high quality sound would be wasted on them. __________________ This post is not to be construed as a slam on plasma TV's nor an endorsement of any other TV technology.

10-27-2011, 04:28 PM	#11
bbuffett What is HD? Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 1	Different perspective rocks911: If you wish to use XBMC to deliver content the two TVs which have HDMI interfaces there is a very simple solution which is also very easy to control. The easiest way to do it is to purchase and attach an Apple TV to the back of each old TV. Install XBMC on the 2nd generation Apple TV devices. Hook up the HDMI out on the Apple TV to your TVs. One the one unit, you can connect the audio-out to your stereo unit. For both units, use the Apple Remote to control your XBMC media library for the TV. You can then run a hardwired CAT5 or CAT6 network or use a wireless network in order for the XBMC front-ends to communicate with your media server PC for all of your content.

10-27-2011, 06:12 PM	#12
rbinck Administrator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 15,601	That seems like a great tip bbuffett. Great first post and welcome to the forum! Since you can't post a link yet, I'll supply some for more information about XBMC on the Apple TV. I may give that a whirll myself. XBMC for Mac on Apple TV 1 - XBMC also Apple 2 now. You asked for it: XBMC for AppleTV2, iPad, iPhone4. \| XBMC __________________ www.highdefinitionblog.com www.BlogOfHawaii.com

10-26-2011, 12:06 PM	#2
rocks911 How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 15	So I just chatted with a rep from Monoprice about how I would run the content from my PC to my 2 flat screens. he said use this splitter:http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...=2#description and run CAT6 cable to both of the TV's. I asked would it support Dolby Digital and DTS sound and he replied "why would it need to, you're connecting it to a TV" and I thought....what the !!!!? . Whats the point of HDMI if audio isnt integral? I need to run both audio and video out of my W7 PC (with an HDMI and a Toslink output) to 2 TV's, one with an A/V receiver and one without. How on earth do I do that?

10-26-2011, 07:01 PM	#5
rocks911 How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 15	Thanks for the reply. Upstairs the cable would be run to an A/V system (an Emotiva pre/pro and an amp) and downstairs it would connect straight into my LCD there. I'm thinking about running HDMI with a powered splitter:http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...mat=4#feedback I'd rather too much technology than not enough. I thought I'd run the HDMI from my PC's ATI Radeo HD 5570 video card into the splitter then run a line to my upstairs system and another to my downstairs LCD. I would access my media from my PC through XBMC with a PC remote. Make sense?

10-27-2011, 07:20 AM	#7
rocks911 How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 15	videomot, The WD TV Live Plus will do just what bingotem referenced. I do own one of those units specifically because it nplays so many video types and handles Dolby Digital and DTS among many other formats. It is a hard wire sort of thing, I have a CAT 6 cable running to it from my router and I access my PC's media with it through a media server app called Serviio.

10-27-2011, 11:11 AM	#9
rocks911 How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 15	rbinck, Thanks for the reply. You're right, the distance might be an issue with control so I think I'll follow your advice and find a good RF remote (the wife doesnt mind remotes but if I told her that she'd have to access content from a keyboard or mouse she'd probably not use it thus rendering the whole project fruitless). I really really like the XBMC interface it's much more elegant than the clunky WD and again I have the wife in mind as navigating the WD seems to be laborious for her. Know of any good PC remotes? I know they exist, but my post at remote central.com has seemed to cause confusion. Snapstream Firefly makes one thats probably as good as any, I suppose I'll take the plunge and see if this is even doable. Again, thanks for the reply, it seems so difficult some times to get people to do that. I'm think though that I'm maybe on the cutting edge so I see a lot of lookers, but not so much advice...thanks again.

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