I would like to distribute HDTV from a variety of sources throughout my new house. However, I only have one Cat5e cable and one Coax for each TV. The only single cable one I could find is THIS (http://www.hdtvsupply.com/hdmi-over-single-cat5.html) one and it is expensive, unless I need DCC/HDCP (If I am not mistaken). I don't know if I would need DCC/HDCP or not, just doing TiVo, TivX or media center, and Xbox 360. Monoprice has a relatively inexpensive unit, but it has one bad review.

I need an affordable solution or no HD for me... Perhaps I have too high hopes for this?

Disclaimer: I did search first, but I didn't find the information I needed. I read several threads in their entirety here first, then on other forums (though I am only a member here) and lots of google.

I really appreciate any help.

That unit may be about the cheapest way to go over one CAT5e cable. The significantly cheaper units I'm aware of all require two CAT5/6 cables (including, I believe the one from Monoprice). I did find this at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AIVMDU?smid=A2U3EU78LB64GD&tag=msnshop-ce-mp-20&linkCode=asn which looks to be the same unit for about 50 bucks less.

Other options such as HDTV over coax (still to be released) or over optical cable are significantly more expensive. Sorry about that.

Not sure I understand your concern about DCC/HDCP. The unit requires that either both the sender and receiver units be HDCP compliant or that both be non-compliant. But that's true of all HDMI connections.

That unit may be about the cheapest way to go over one CAT5e cable. The significantly cheaper units I'm aware of all require two CAT5/6 cables (including, I believe the one from Monoprice). I did find this at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AIVMDU?smid=A2U3EU78LB64GD&tag=msnshop-ce-mp-20&linkCode=asn which looks to be the same unit for about 50 bucks less.


Thanks for that! it is a bit less, still a lot though if you think about buying several of them. You are correct, the monoprice one requires two cat5 cables to be run.


Not sure I understand your concern about DCC/HDCP. The unit requires that either both the sender and receiver units be HDCP compliant or that both be non-compliant. But that's true of all HDMI connections.

These units that require two cables have on of the ports labeled DCC. In my research, it appears that it only requires a second cable if DCC/HDCP is required - so I was wondering if, for my applications, I needed that second cable for these two cable units. If not, then they would be significantly less expensive.

Thanks for your help!

These units that require two cables have on of the ports labeled DCC. In my research, it appears that it only requires a second cable if DCC/HDCP is required - so I was wondering if, for my applications, I needed that second cable for these two cable units. If not, then they would be significantly less expensiveOk, now I understand your question.

All newer systems require a DCC/HDCP handshake, thanks to the paranoia of the entertainment providers. Thus it's highly unlikely you can get by without it. That's apparently the reason the single CAT5 units are more expensive, they have to have extra circuitry to send both the video and the handshake over one cable.
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P.S. A Google search turned this up http://www.trianglecables.com/hdmi-cat5e-hd-extender-kit.html which is another 44 bucks cheaper.

Thanks for that! it is a bit less, still a lot though if you think about buying several of them. You are correct, the monoprice one requires two cat5 cables to be run.



These units that require two cables have on of the ports labeled DCC. In my research, it appears that it only requires a second cable if DCC/HDCP is required - so I was wondering if, for my applications, I needed that second cable for these two cable units. If not, then they would be significantly less expensive.

Thanks for your help!

AFAIk, all the ones that use two cat cables require both. At least all the ones I've used.

Gefen is supposed to provide HDMI over coax solution by first quarter of '09.

It is relatively expensive too....

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=5303

UPDATE - Has anyone seen any better options for this/has anything new come out to compete:o? Any experience with the Atlona single Cat 5 option described above?

I just posted a new thread yesterday about a single CAT5 implementation that uses ethernet switches to support multiple TV's. It even has an IR return function, allowing you to remotely control the HDMI source from anywhere in the house. The thread is at http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1157457 - the receivers cost $250.

Ed

Thanks, but this solution costs significantly more than that referenced above. I, like the original poster, am only in need of one line to one TV, video only via that line. I appreciate your response.

Anyone seen these (http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/229180851/HDMI_Mini_Dongle.html) yet? Supposed to be around $60 a pair!

UPDATE - Has anyone seen any better options for this/has anything new come out to compete:o? Any experience with the Atlona single Cat 5 option described above?


So I bought this Altona solution from amazon and have been using it for several weeks now. Works perfectly, no jitter, great image, no set-up hassles at all. This is all over a single cat 5 cable, which was all the builders put in in 2006 in our living room. The run is well over 50 ft. I recommend this product very enthusiastically.

Just noticed that this 1X8 HDMI to CAT-5/6 converter is available for about $400 including 8 receivers that uses one CAT cable for each output http://www.hdtvsupply.com/hdmi-splitter-over-cat5.html. They claim 50m for 1080p transmission over CAT-6.