Whats the safest max distance for HDMI cables? I have noticed on some sites 50-100 foot HDMI cables.. will these suffer and signal drop outs or any sort of issues due to their length.

I wouldn't want to guess at anything further than about 30-35'. The longer the cable, the more likely you are to have issues with the signal. I use DVI and HDMI to about 25' with no discernible problems. Buy a cable (make sure you can return it) and try it out if distance is a question.

Whats the safest max distance for HDMI cables? I have noticed on some sites 50-100 foot HDMI cables.. will these suffer and signal drop outs or any sort of issues due to their length.


I use a 50ft run of a single HDMI cable with no signal loss..


Cable length

The HDMI specification does not define a maximum cable length. As with all cables, signal attenuation becomes too high at a certain length. Instead, HDMI specifies a minimum performance standard. Any cable meeting that specification is compliant. Different construction quality and materials will enable cables of different lengths. In addition, higher performance requirements must be met to support video formats with higher resolutions and/or frame rates than the standard HDTV formats.

The signal attenuation and intersymbol interference caused by the cables can be compensated by using Adaptive Equalization.

HDMI 1.3 defined two categories of cables: Category 1 (standard or HDTV) and Category 2 (high-speed or greater than HDTV) to reduce the confusion about which cables support which video formats. Using 28 AWG, a cable of about 5 meters (~16 feet) can be manufactured easily and inexpensively to Category 1 specifications. Higher-quality construction (24 AWG, tighter construction tolerances, etc.) can reach lengths of 12 to 15 meters. In addition, active cables (fiber optic or dual Cat-5 cables instead of standard copper) can be used to extend HDMI to 100 meters or more. Some companies also offer amplifiers, equalizers and repeaters that can string several standard (non-active) HDMI cables together.

I am also planning a long HDMI cable run at about 50 ft and would like to see some more responses from those who have long HDMI runs. GD

I've got dual 50' HDMI monoprice cables from my plasma to my wiring closet.

I notice some sparklies at 1080i but since my plasma is only 720p I just run it in that resolution. I'm not sure if its the cables, eletrical interference or my HR20 that is causing the problems. The HR20 directv receiver is much better on HDMI than the old Directivo HR10-250 -- I used to get a ton of dropouts with that thing.


Cable I purchased

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024001&p_id=2804&seq=1&format=2&style=

I wouldn't go over 50' and in fact keep it to more like 35' if you want to avoid any issues.

I imagine if i complained to monoprice they would give me another cable, but since its already in the walls I'm not going to go rip it out -- fishing it through was a B*TCH!

I've been using a 50 ft run. If I have connected to my HD-DVD player it works fine. However when I tried it with my standard DVD player, I noticed sparklies.

Since I wanted to extend the run a bit, I connected the 50 ft cable to a 10ft foot cable, using an "HDMI repeater ampilfier".

Using that combination, the DVD player worked fine, no "sparklies".

So I'm thinking your success may be somewhat dependent on how strong of a signal the source device is sending.

I've been using a 50 ft run. If I have connected to my HD-DVD player it works fine. However when I tried it with my standard DVD player, I noticed sparklies.

Since I wanted to extend the run a bit, I connected the 50 ft cable to a 10ft foot cable, using an "HDMI repeater ampilfier".

Using that combination, the DVD player worked fine, no "sparklies".

So I'm thinking your success may be somewhat dependent on how strong of a signal the source device is sending.

what brand repeater are you using

I'm using a 66' cable to bring the Comcast HD signal to my projector. No problems at all with the signal.

Ray

I am using monoprice 50ft hdmi cables and works great. You do want to make sure though that you stay clear of any lighting, electric cables etc (just to be safe)
to avoid any interference.

100 feet is ok if the connectors are gold plated

100 feet is ok if the connectors are gold plated

Now that is one of the dumbest things I have ever seen posted about HDMI...

OP, nobody can predict with certainty whether you will be successful at a particular distance. And other folks' success doesn't necessarily mean that you will be successful at the same distance. Performance depends on the characteristics of the equipment at both ends, the HDMI cable itself, anything else in the signal path, and the resolution, frame rate, and color depth you are running.

now that is one of the dumbest things i have ever seen posted about hdmi...



:d

not trying to start a bunch of crap about cables. BUT i have noticed differances in cables. "cheap" ones from monoprice etc. are not good for long runs. if you notice the cables from better cables etc. use an inline "amp" and they work fine, at long distances. im personally using a 45ft. or close to that from better cables with no problems..... jmho

Just goes to show...

Some people do 50' with a monoprice cable and some people need an active cable for the same distance. As I stated above, distance is only part of the equation.

I would be willing to bet a cup of coffee that a BJC Series 1 cable would have worked for you. It is arguable the best passive cable on the market.

But the point is that at this kind of distance, it is a crap shoot. You won't know if it will work until you try it.

This also varies hugely on the HDMI circuitry of the devices connected.

But yes there definitely are differences in cable quality, and at long distances it becomes very important particularly with finicky equipment.

Depends on who makes it. Solder, shielding, conductor size all matter. The manner in which the wires are terminated to the end connector is also critical. When ordering long lengths, make sure there is a liberal guarantee involved.

Sorry for the repeat question, newb here. Is it possible to string two high speed HDMI cables together? I need to get a 30ft length HDMI wire, but I can't find a high speed wire that long.

Two 15' high speed HDMI cables in series does not equal a 30' high speed HDMI cables. Longest certified high speed passive HDMI cable is about 25'. That said a 30' cable of the same construction should work just fine for most folks because most of use aren't pushing the limits of HDMI bandwidth. If you do need a 30' high speed cable, you can get an active cable.

I've been running 50' for a few years with no issues.

A 30 foot standard speed would prob work, but test it before installing it in a wall or ceiling.

BJC Belden Series-1 from Blue Jeans might be a consideration.

http://bluejeanscable.com/store/hdmi-cables/hdmi-cable.htm

100 feet is ok if the connectors are gold plated

I guess nobody noticed how this thread was resurrected from 3.5 yrs. ago by someone with 4 posts and this reply!

Guess you didn't read post #17...

The guy asked a valid, on-topic question and we replied. What is wrong with that?

Guess you didn't read post #17...

Nope...missed that:o sorry, bitty, glad you're getting some help!

I was stuck on the gold plating post coming 3.5 yrs. after the thread died that I didn't notice another date jump by bitty