HDMI over Fiber Optic

[troymt]

After trying over half a dozen different HDMI over CAT5 or CAT6 solutions with unacceptable results I was able to purchase and install this cable.

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dcable.jsp?prod_id=5740

I can report it works flawlessly (as one would expect for a $1k plus cable). Also a side note is supports 3D as well, although it is not mentioned on the website.

 

[gatchel]

OUCH! But good to know...

 

[tadr]

Out of curiosity, did you try any of the HDBaseT options?

 

[Frunple]

WOW! Wouldn't MM fiber and a media converter have been a lot less?

 

[troymt]

@tadr - I have not even heard of it. Looks promising thanks for the heads up. You have any experience with any products/information you would recommend?

@Frunple - The home owner wanted something quick and fiber termination is quite spendy here in NW Montana it seemed the be the better option.

 

[thadsaab]

After trying over half a dozen different HDMI over CAT5 or CAT6 solutions with unacceptable results I was able to purchase and install this cable.

Can you comment on any of the ones that didn't work so we know what to avoid?

Thanks

 

[troymt]

What I have found out through this adventure is that the HDMI extenders are very random as to which device they will work with.....meaning it would work for a Samsung Blue-ray player but not with the AVR or HTPC. A different model would work with the AVR but not the other devices. Finding a unit that works well with most devices is what drove me to the HDMI over fiber route. After a lot of digging around it seems most lower to mid range extenders are hit and miss if your device will work. The higher end ones (like the ones from Gefen) are close to $500 so I was why not just go all in and be done with it. Most of the issues seemed to be HDCP related as you would get sound but no picture or even a downgrade of the quality of the image... or even worst was nothing at all.

I could dig up model numbers but it seems completely random if it will work. In fact if you read the reviews from Amazon, people will list what model numbers does or doesn't work with that extender. I just bought them from Amazon or Monoprice so I could return them if they didn't work. Which I did without issue.

Troy

 

[tadr]

@tadr - I have not even heard of it. Looks promising thanks for the heads up. You have any experience with any products/information you would recommend?

@Frunple - The home owner wanted something quick and fiber termination is quite spendy here in NW Montana it seemed the be the better option.

I have not yet tried any of the HDBaseT options, although I plan to soon. Monoprice even has a few available now:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/search.asp?keyword=hdbase&x=0&y=0