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quick cat5/6 question before i buy

post #1 of 36
3/14/10 at 6:35pm
Thread Starter 
hi, i'll be getting HDMI extenders for my projector soon and i was wondering what type of cable i should run, cat5e or cat6 utp.
i have a ton of cat5e already but i have a local guy selling 250' of cat6 utp for $50.
i only need about 100' but i don't mind keeping the extra.

which would be the best choice?
thank you for your help.
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post #2 of 36
3/15/10 at 5:57am
If you want 1080p at over 40ft, you need cat6. Else, cat5 is fine for 1080i and lower.
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post #3 of 36
3/15/10 at 8:14am
FWIW, 250' of CAT6 for $50 isn't a very good price. I bought 1000' for $115 several years ago when copper was more expensive.
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post #4 of 36
3/15/10 at 8:23am
If you're going to be in the house for awhile and not have easy access to re-wire I would go ahead and spend the little bit extra and get Cat6. I'd rather spend a little bit more to have extra capacity and not use it than save a few dollars and be faced with re-doing the wiring if I need it for an upgrade.

I guess you could run a conduit in case you need to re-wire but if you pay for the supplies to do that then you might as well run the Cat6
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post #5 of 36
3/15/10 at 8:25am
How far are we talking? Why not use a low gauge HDMI?
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post #6 of 36
3/15/10 at 8:27am
That's not that great. You can buy 500' for $77 here, although you do have to pay shipping:

Parts Express

If you look around, there are probably cheaper prices.
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post #7 of 36
3/15/10 at 8:49am
I bought a 1000ft box of Cat6 from lowes or home depot for i think around $100. Off the shelf and easy to just go pick up.
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post #8 of 36
3/15/10 at 2:38pm
At minimum run two runs of cat5e, two (or more) runs of cat6 would obviously be better - cable is cheap compared to tearing out sheetrock/paint/fabric wall treatments etc.
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post #9 of 36
3/15/10 at 5:51pm
Thread Starter 
thanks for the replies. i don't plan on spending that much for that cable, i'll probably see if he can do @20. i was just wondering if i should buy cat6 since i already have so much cat5.
BTW, i need at least 2 runs of 25-30' but will probably do 4.
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post #10 of 36
3/16/10 at 1:53pm
So how much are you paying for extenders?

Why not use HDMI cable? They can be had cheap, like $15, if you know not to shop at a box store.
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post #11 of 36
3/16/10 at 1:59pm
I have a similar question so thought I would post here instead of starting a new thread... Hope you don't my OP.

I am currently remodeling my master bed and bath which on the second story. I currently have the walls and floor gutted. It's a great time to run any cable for future use. Directly below the master is the family/game/theatre room. That room is already wired with surround, hmdi to FP and Plasma. However, I will eventually want to put in a Whole House Audio system and I may want to run wired internet to the rest of the house.

So my question is... What type of wire should I run (Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6) and how many runs per room? I basically want to "future proof" this since I can run all my cable to where my equipment is downstairs and then just leave it in my attic until I do the final install.

Thanks,

Alex
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post #12 of 36
3/16/10 at 8:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by anonymouscuban View Post

I have a similar question so thought I would post here instead of starting a new thread... Hope you don't my OP.

I am currently remodeling my master bed and bath which on the second story. I currently have the walls and floor gutted. It's a great time to run any cable for future use. Directly below the master is the family/game/theatre room. That room is already wired with surround, hmdi to FP and Plasma. However, I will eventually want to put in a Whole House Audio system and I may want to run wired internet to the rest of the house.

So my question is... What type of wire should I run (Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6) and how many runs per room? I basically want to "future proof" this since I can run all my cable to where my equipment is downstairs and then just leave it in my attic until I do the final install.

Thanks,

Alex

Is your budget so tight that the difference b/t cat5 and 6 will make a difference? Not criticizing, just honestly asking.

Also the BEST future proof thing to do would be run conduit.
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post #13 of 36
3/16/10 at 9:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bonedoc2be View Post

Is your budget so tight that the difference b/t cat5 and 6 will make a difference? Not criticizing, just honestly asking.

Also the BEST future proof thing to do would be run conduit.

Not an issue of cost. I'm not sure which is the better cable to run. I plan to run conduit as well BTW.
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post #14 of 36
3/16/10 at 11:05pm
Thread Starter 
NP, questions help us all. i would run cat6 tho.

anyway, i don't know what extender i'm going to run but i'm still doing research. any opinions on a good one?

i would run a hdmi but the house is already done and it would be a pita to do that now.
the guy said he would do $35 for the cable but thats still a little high so i guess i'll keep looking.
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post #15 of 36
3/17/10 at 3:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by anonymouscuban View Post

Not an issue of cost. I'm not sure which is the better cable to run. I plan to run conduit as well BTW.

Then run cat6. Run two to each room, even if you don't know why. (Color code them.)

Don't run "plenum" grade. It isn't required, is more expensive, and the jacket is stiff and prone to kink (not a good thing).
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post #16 of 36
3/17/10 at 3:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMF View Post

Then run cat6. Run two to each room, even if you don't know why. (Color code them.)

Don't run "plenum" grade. It isn't required, is more expensive, and the jacket is stiff and prone to kink (not a good thing).

Thanks... that helps. I was reading about the plenum grade and it didn't sound like I need it so you've affirmed that.

Running two to each room is not a problem. Would rather run the extra cable and never use it than to wish I had.
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post #17 of 36
3/17/10 at 3:30pm
You might also consider running RG6 coax, though perhaps the time for that is past.
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post #18 of 36
3/17/10 at 3:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMF View Post

You might also consider running RG6 coax, though perhaps the time for that is past.

For cable?
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post #19 of 36
3/18/10 at 9:16am
Or whatever. UTP (e.g. cat6) must operate in a balanced circuit for good noise rejection. Coax is much better in an unbalanced configuration. Current use would be video or cable/satellite. Not sure what to expect in the future.

I'm using RG-6 for video distribution, and I ran two lines - one white one black - to some rooms that might also be video sources. It's come in very handy.
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post #20 of 36
3/18/10 at 9:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMF View Post

Or whatever. UTP (e.g. cat6) must operate in a balanced circuit for good noise rejection. Coax is much better in an unbalanced configuration. Current use would be video or cable/satellite. Not sure what to expect in the future.

I'm using RG-6 for video distribution, and I ran two lines - one white one black - to some rooms that might also be video sources. It's come in very handy.

Excuse me if this is a basic question but what do you mean by "balanced circuit"?
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post #21 of 36
3/18/10 at 9:26am
It's kinda hard to explain. Ethernet uses balanced circuitry. Common video applications don't.

Suffice it to say that UTP is okay for some applications but not for others. Likewise coax. Thus my suggestion of pulling both.
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post #22 of 36
3/18/10 at 2:49pm
Thread Starter 
so the monoprice extender is the best? any other options?
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post #23 of 36
3/18/10 at 3:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMF View Post

You might also consider running RG6 coax, though perhaps the time for that is past.

Quote:
Originally Posted by anonymouscuban View Post

For cable?

Is there anything on the pipeline that is going to replace RG6?

Are satellite dishes going to be going wireless now ?
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post #24 of 36
3/21/10 at 7:11pm
Thread Starter 
hey what do you guys think of this brand:
http://www.frys.com/product/4451066?...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG
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post #25 of 36
3/23/10 at 6:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Raymond42262 View Post

Is there anything on the pipeline that is going to replace RG6?

Are satellite dishes going to be going wireless now ?

It's not so much that the primary source comes in over a certain medium. It's more how you choose to distribute the signal. You can put e.g. the cable box in the distribution room and control it via IR extender, then distribute the output via HDMI (assuming there's an HMDI output on the box). So you wouldn't need coax anywhere else.

But most people won't do it that way. IMO there's still a place for RG-6 and its cousins as a distribution medium.
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post #26 of 36
3/23/10 at 6:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by supratreo View Post

hey what do you guys think of this brand:
http://www.frys.com/product/4451066?...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

There is a difference between cables. But there's no way to tell from an ad (or otherwise unless you know what you're looking at).

FWIW, I've had very good luck with twist-on connectors. In the whole house not one leaker. (For contrast, of two store-bought "built" coax cables I've had one leaker - Monster brand, at that.) But you need a good stripper (the right one) and you need to be anal about installing them.
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post #27 of 36
3/23/10 at 2:47pm
Thread Starter 
thanks for the reply. i'm not getting it for the connectors or crimper, i already have that stuff. i just need the wire. how do i tell if its good quality? i will go to the store and get it but what do i look for?
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post #28 of 36
3/25/10 at 6:31pm
Thread Starter 
anyone?
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post #29 of 36
3/25/10 at 9:50pm
Look for quad protected cable.

Rated for in wall or exterior use, double check and make sure that it is safe for the intended purpose.

Home Depot has it for 29 cents a foot if I remember correctly.

But that is about twice the price that you can buy it online.

Just get some from BJC or Monoprice online.

It will be cheaper and they'll sell you exactly what you need.
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post #30 of 36
3/25/10 at 9:57pm
Thread Starter 
thank you for the reply. i didn't know they made quad shield cat6, i'll look into that. i checked mono price and they sell the 1000' pull box. what is BJC?

also, i only need about 150' at most, what do you think about getting pre made wires and cutting the ends off? i would get the 500-1000' box but that is about 10x more that what i need, haha. thats why i was asking about this one. thanks again for the reply.
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