Hdmi over ethernet question

Keep in mind HDMI over Twisted Pair (CAT5, CAT6 or CAT7) and HDMI over Ethernet are quite different beasts – the latter can potentially run over the same cable infrastructure as your Ethernet data!

We have a 1x1 + 3 HDMI over Twisted Pair (2xCAT6 being the preferred cabling) solution for HDMI plus an IR return path which may be of interest to you - http://www.octavainc.com/1x4%20HDMI%20distribution%20amp%20over%20%20CAT6.html

Joe

It might work. The problem with those adapters is they take their power from the HDMI cable. So depending upon your source, you may find they don't work. Usually you'll see adapters that have an AC wall wart recommended over the ones that get their power from the HDMI cable.

If you are under 25' a High Speed HDMI cable will work. For longer distances than that try a Redmere technology cable. Once you hit that max distance then you would either need to convert to cat 5e/6 or take a chance that your signal will make it with a standard speed HDMI cable. Fibre optic is also an expensive option.

You'll find many of us have used 50' of thick gauge standard speed HDMI cable and it works with 1080p/60 which is actually more bandwidth than 1080p/24 3D (BD 3D) at 50'. Just make sure you disable Deep Color.

Also keep in mind that if any of your TVs have different capabilities then all of the TVs will only be able to get the least common denominator signal. In other words the signal that is sent from a source must be compatible with the capabilities of all three TVs. Also if one TV is shutdown, the other two will likely briefly lose their pictures as well as handshaking reoccurs. It is annoying to shutdown a TV and then have the others go blank, even if it is only for a couple of seconds.

Finally if any of the above is a problem, look at using the component video outputs of your devices instead for distribution.

You will never know until you try it. I suspect you will be disappointed. Devices that take their power from the 5V line of the HDMI cable have a dismal record. IIWY I would use something that comes with its own power supply. If you are in the USA, it is probably against code to run cables through a duct, except at right angles in some cases. A duct is not a plenum. An attic is not a plenum, either. The space above a dropped ceiling is a plenum if it is used to return air to an AC system. Unless you are running your cables through a plenum, you don't need plenum cables. No, you don't need HDMI with ethernet cables. Your solution does not involve ethernet, just the same kind of cable used with some flavors of ethernet.

Remember on the 25' cable, having a certified High Speed cable is more important than the gauge since passive high speed cables exist at that distance. Certified High Speed cable says the cable was tested to the maximum speeds at that distance. At 35' you can't get a passive High Speed cable so you either have to roll the dice with a thick standard speed cable or go for an active HDMI cable or use cat5e/6 for High Speed.

Only potential headache I see is the lowest common denominator requirement.