octava 4x4 matrix with cat5/6 - Page 2

Anyone running at least one of there HDMI outputs through a receiver and then on to a display. I have two TVs that both accept HDMI but on one I run evertyhing through receiver for lossless audio.

Does this support all the lossless audio formats found on blu-ray? How fast is the switching? How well does it work if you have a 7.1 setup and then in another room evertyhing is run through TV?

Ah shoot. In all but the fixed dolby digital, DTS and PCM modes, the Yamaha receiver won't pump out any audio or video. So, I'm back with the same problem. Octava is currently working on a solution... I didn't even think to try this out, as the Yamaha is the highest end component, so i figured that it would be cool with any signal...

Can you clarify that problem 3space? I have the same AVR as you, but don't really encounter any issues when viewing a source through that output.

I am new at this forum, but hope someone out there has had a similar issue with the Octava product. I posted this earlier, in another area, and got no response, should have put it here to begin with.


I purchased the Octava 4x4 cat5/6 matrix and it is only partially working. By that I mean it works fine when the cat6 cables are only 8ft, which was my initial checkout condition. When I installed and hooked up a 70ft cat6 run, the only source that worked was my DirecTV receiver. My Sony PS-3 and Panasonic S53 CD/DVD player do not work at all through the 70ft run.

Configuration:

Octava Inc:
o 4 X 4 HDMI / Ethernet Matrix switch (HDMI to Cat6 cables)
Item #: HDHC44MX-2
o Cat6 to HDMI receiver
Sony Play station 3
DirecTV DVR: Model HR21-700
Mitsubishi 65 DLP: WD-65833
2 meter HDMI V1.3 cables as appropriate
Cat 6 UTP cables - approximately 70 feet

Note: Cabling:

RJ45 connector at 4x4 HDMI matrix end >> 70 ft UTP Cat6 cable >> Female RJ-45 socket (keystone jack) in a wall plate at TV end >> 8 ft RJ45 cable to the Cat6 to HDMI Receiver >> HDMI V1.3 cable (6 ft) to TV

Testing:
Tested 4x4 matrix with short cat 6 (UTP) cables (about 8 ft) and the PS-3.
o Worked fine with a 720i game disc.
Put 70 foot Cat6 cables in place with PS-3 as a source and did not work at all, with a standard DVD, a 720i game (Vegas), or a Blue Ray disc.
I had installed 4 Cat 6 cables in the run, in the event that I may some day need the additional 2 cables. No combination of the 4 cables would work.
I then hooked up the DirecTV DVR. It worked at all resolutions, 480p to 1080i, with any two pair of the cables in the 70ft run. (Thus my Cat6 cables seem to be OK).
I swapped out 2 meter for 1 meter HDMI cables where possible, and the PS3 still did not work, and DirecTV remained solid.
I installed the second Cat6 to HDMI receiver at the TV end and no change, ie DirecTV OK, PS-3 did not work at all.

Any ideas where to go from here?


Monoprice Part numbers for cables
Item# 1026 Cat6 Plug Solid W/Insert
Item# 313 Cat5E RJ-45 Tooless Keystone Jack
Item# 6947 Cat 6 UTP Solid, In-Wall Rated (CMG), 550MHz 24AWG 1000FT Bulk Cable - Red

I am using the Octava, but do not own a PS3 or any game console for that matter, however I have two Directv DVR's (HR20-100, HR21-700) and an HTPC using an ATI (4850 I think) card w/HDMI out.

All three sources work at distance w/the only issue being the HR21-700 is very sensitive to the IR signal (using xantech for IR) and I believe it's over-driving the HR21, as I can use the remote if I point it about 90° away from the receiver.

I did have a *lot* of problems with the two part connectors, but after I figured them out they work fine... But if your getting a solid signal with the Directv DVR it sounds like that's not your issue.

Sorry I can't really offer any advice though, and based on your nickname, I'm guessing your too far away to stop by and hook your PS3 up to my system to see if it work. I'm not sure if I know anyone with a PS3 here locally that I could test with either, but I can ask around.

Hi all
I hope this is the appropriate forum. I have an Octava 4x4 HDMI matrix that I just got yesterday. I got my dvd running to it with no problem outputting to a 20inch display, and a second output going through a Pioneer VSX-94txh to a 50" panny pro plasma.

However, when I hook up my apple tv to the matrix, I keep getting an 'unsupported mode' error.

Any thoughts?

Thanks jmark71 - for the great reviews.

We have similar setup with the AV receiver in the media closet. Although mine still in the planning phase.

Wondering, if you did use the IR control built into the Octava units - how would you control the AV Receiver and your HDMI input components? Would you need to go:

Matrix Router > CAT 6 > HDMI Receiver > HDMI > Audio Receiver > HDMI > HDMI Transmitter > CAT 6 > HDMI Receiver > HDMI > TV (as per the attached diagram)

Or am I over complicating it?

Many thanks in advance

 

HDMI and IR Distribution - Tequila Cottage - Wiring Diagram.pdf 234.7548828125k . file

Sorry - just saw this... don't spend as much time in here as I used to.

In theory it looks like what you have setup *may* work, but it seems a complicated way to use the IR passthrough ability of the switch and I would worry about degradation of the IR signal since you're converting from IR to electrical back to IR and back to electrical once more.

I went with an IR Xantech distribution system which is rock-solid and, in my mind, offers a bit more flexibility long term if I ditch the switch, or want to control other devices not connected to the switch. For the price of the extra transmitter, you could probably get a reasonable IR kit and then connect the switch directly to the receiver via HDMI and then use the Tx/Rc pair to the living room as normal. I've heard pretty good things about Channel Vision IR as well as Buffalo, both of which are cheaper than Xantech.

Thanks for the comments. Currently I have a Russound IR system in place; which looks like a simplified version of the Xantech. However with the Russound you cannot separate out the zones IR signals.

Are you using a Xantech Four Zone Ten Source Amplified Connecting Block (79520) to separate out the IR signals of your two DirecTV HD DVRs?

Actually, I'm using a single zone 10-output connecting block (i forget the model number)... the DirecTV DVRS support multiple remote codes, so I don't care about routing IR, each box gets all the signals, but only recognizes one set. I originally thought about the routing aspect (and actually bought a Xantech RT8 that supports routing), but in the end, that was overkill since all my equipment could actually be set up with unique IR sets.

Thanks for the help - highly appreciated!

Thanks to the great Octava support - I have managed use to the built in IR in the switch and simplify the system.

The key is both the HDMI and CAT6 outputs on the new stock switches are live. I am also will be using multiple head blaster cables to control the receiver.

I've attached an updated diagram for anyone who is interested.

Again - thanks for the advice.

 

HDMI and IR Distribution - Tequila Cottage - Wiring Diagram Version 2.pdf 220.3056640625k . file

I'm looking at this switch for my new house - a few components in the basement with 3 displays via Cat6. One thing I'm not clear on that I was hoping someone could clear up for me: do the built-in IR receivers handle control of the switch itself in addition to the external blasters for source components? And, if so, are they limited to controlling just the output to which they're hooked up, or can any output be controlled via any IR receiver?

Jones... 2 Questions:
1) How'd you a single channel to output both HDMI and Ethernet? I'm unfortunately using to output ports for one signal right now.
2) How'd you split the IR signal from a channel? I tried using a IR emitter that came with my logitech RF and has two "emitters" and it didn't send the signal.


I'm not completely set up yet Mort, but I can confirm that the IR receiver will repeat other IR signals (I've tested a TiVo and reciever so far). It will control the switch itself too. You can probably infer from my question to WKWJones that I want to control more than one device via IR too.

I have not "pulled the trigger" on this switch yet:

1. However, according to Octava the newer units HDMX48 are "revised Spec" and both Ethernet and HDMI are live.

2. Octava supposedly sells multiple head blaster cables that allows you to control multiple devices.

Sorry I cannot be much more help - only repeat what the Octava rep stated.

Hmm, thanks for the quick reply. I just bought it in December and I can say that both things are not true ... yet.

I've got a support request (email) into them. Here's the question, long explanation but necessary:

My configuration is this:
Tivo Series 3 HD -> Input 1 via 6ft HDMI cable
PS3 -> Input 2 via 6 ft HDMI cable

Output A -> 10ft Cat6 Cables -> HDMI Receiver -> 4ft HDMI Cable -> Panasonic 50" Plasma
Output B ->
Output C -> 6 ft HDMI Cable -> Pioneer SC25 Receiver
Output D -> 50 ft Cat6 Cables -> HDMI Receiver -> 6ft HDMI Cable -> Panasonic PT-4000u Projector

I've created a diagram which may be easier to understand, if the image comes through. Here it is below:
Attachment 197449

Question 1) Is there any way to have a single port put out both HDMI and CAT6 signals? This would be very useful because I have to carry the video signal 35ft but the audio only needs to go about 3 ft (within the A/V closet). Another option would be to have a toslink out of the switch rather than out of the HDMI receiver. Right now I have to use 2 output ports for one source.

Question 2) I can't get the PS3 signal reliably out of the switch. The display flickers at both the Plasma and the Projector. I've got the following notes:

• I have no problem with the TiVo. Signal is strong, audio and video at both destinations.
• I swapped HDMI cables between the Ps3 and the Switch, from the 6ft HDMI to a 20ft one. I don't have ability to go to a shorter cable. This test was to validate the cable was ok, and I saw no change in image.
• I swapped HDMI ports for Input 1 and Input 2 and saw no affect. TiVo works solid in either port.
• I tried a couple of different EDID settings, I have the SmartScan option disabled.
• Both displays are affected, though the projector is affected much worse, can only establish a signal for a fraction of a second, but ...
• When I uncoiled about 15 ft of the the 50ft Cat6 cable I got steady signal at the projector, with only a bit of flicker.
• The total run to the plasma is only 20ft, (6 ft HDMI + 10ft Cat6 + 6ft HDMI), which is significantly under the 100ft range.
• PS3 directly connected works fine. It was used this way for a long time until the switch was introduced.

I am concerned about this though. Obviously, I'd like to watch blue ray movies from the PS3 in the projector with no flicker. Based on the notes above it appears that the problem is the way the Switch is processing the PS3 signal. For all the same Displays the TiVo works absolutely fine so I would think that the infrastructure from the switch out to the displays is solid. The uncoiling of the wire belies that comment, however.

Do you have any recommendations? Anything I can do to improve the signal performance from the PS3 in? Does you expect any different performance from any of the ports?

Here's what I've learned from all this...

The HDMI protocol (and connectors) SUCKS!!!

If there is ever a new interconnect spec. it must be a lot better than this mess!