I am in the early stages of doing all of the LV wiring on my media room project, and the one I am concerned most about is the HDMI runs. I don't yet own an AVR or an HDTV, as the budget calls for those purchases toward the end of the project. So I don't think I can test this all - I need to do it right the first time. But now is the time I need to run my cables prior to installing sheetrock.

I'm looking to purchase 75' HDMI cable from either of the two main vendors. My question is this: From what I am reading on the web, this is heavy-duty cable and best left in wall. How should this be terminated? Should I simply have the HDMI cables via a one-gang box and plate such as Monoprice Part# 3996, and then use port savers? Or should I just terminate in wall via a standard HDMI wall port, and then use a lesser gauge to the video component?

Or should I just scrap the idea of using such a long HDMI run and instead run it all over Cat6 using ports such as Monoprice HDMI over CAT5E / CAT6 Extender Wall Plate Part#5403?

Thank you in advance

For such a long run I would avoid any extra conenctions if possible and come right out of the wall with the cable directly into the devices. Second, I would absolutely pull additional runs of Cat6, a minimum of 2 runs. Third, I would pull large conduit as well. Conduit is the ONLY foolproof HDMI solution.

"For such a long run I would avoid any extra conenctions if possible and come right out of the wall with the cable directly into the devices."

That's what I am confused about. I understand that its best to keep the # of connections to a minimum, expecially on a 75' run, but from what I read, HDMI cable of that length is really tough - does not flex well at all and if attached directly to components it can put stress on the HDMI terminals on equipment.

Hence my thinking of using port savers. But if I'm going to introduce another connection via Port Savers, perhaps skip all of this and just go Cat6?

That's what I am confused about. I understand that its best to keep the # of connections to a minimum, expecially on a 75' run, but from what I read, HDMI cable of that length is really tough - does not flex well at all and if attached directly to components it can put stress on the HDMI terminals on equipment.

That is true. If you're looking at the Belden bonded-pair cable sold by bluejeans, that stuff is quite large and very stiff. You do have to be purposeful about how you manage the wire in so it isn't putting a whole lot of stress on connectors. I would by all means get some port savers and try them out. If everything works you're good to go. What you shouldn't do is plan on using say HDMI wallplate couplers and only leave enough wire to get to the wallplate. If it doesn't work, you don't then have the length to connect directly to the device. So plan on having length enough to use the one cable directly, but use the port savers if you can. If you're right on the cusp and the additional connections are just enough to push you over the edge and it doesn't work you can just ditch them and plug in directly, using care about connector stress as you're already aware. But even with a very stiff cable like the bluejeans HDMI, as long as stuff is being unplugged/plugged in all the time, or being moved around a bunch, I wouldn't be too concerned. It's mainly at a flat-panel TV say on a flush wall mount where if the HDMI jack points straight out the back there really isn't going to be a way to get that blujeans cable to bend enough without definitely risking damage, thus going with those little pigtail portsaver things, etc. Just use common sense and you'll be fine.

But if I'm going to introduce another connection via Port Savers, perhaps skip all of this and just go Cat6?

Absolutely have cat6 in place, but media adapters aren't super cheap, so I'd try with the long cable first. Media adapters fail too, you might run costs up trying different adapters till one works well. The more options you have at your disposal, the better, which is why large conduit is the absolute best thing to have there as well.