[XrayEyes]

I am confused about which HDMI cable to get. I have a 25' run from the receiver to the projector (Panasonic PT-AE3000). I would like to get Category 2, but Monoprice cable is 22AWG and I have read comments about the limited flexibility and I concerned since I will be making several turns with it. Monoprice tech recommended flat cable as the most flexible but is not Cat 2 over 15'. Somehow, Projector People have a 28g Category 2 cable at 25' and longer, the Comprehensive HD HR Pro Series- I haven't seen Cat 2 in this length and gauge anywhere else. This would probably provide the flexibility I need.


Is it recommended to use Category 2 certified cable? I read in the Clarifications that for shorter legnths, it may not make a difference.


Any suggestions please?

 

[crutschow]

Category 2 cable certifies that it will carry the highest frequency HDMI signals (1080p, Deep Color, etc.). For short distances just about any cable will work for this, even if it's not certified.


Even though the Comprehensive HD HR Pro Series is supposedly rated at Category 2 for a 25', 28AWG cable, I would be skeptical of that, especially when they also offer a supposed 28AWG, Category 2 cable in a 50' length. I believe the Beldon Bonded Pair cable sold by Blue Jeans Cable is some of the best you can get and it only goes to 15' for 28AWG, category 2.


An example of the bogus advertising for the Comprehensive cable is that it refers to "120Hz Refresh Rate". That is a function of the TV set and has nothing to do with the cable. There is no "120Hz" signal source and it is unlikely there ever will be due to the high data rates required.

 

[KurtBJC]

The only way it would be possible to get a Category 2 rating on a 28 AWG cable at 25 feet and longer would be with some sort of active circuitry, such as a built-in EQ/booster unit. Without that, it's just not going to happen--there is too much attenuation. Our Series-F2 would pass Cat2 up around 18 feet, judging from the traces on the eye pattern, but since we don't make an 18-footer we've only had it certified to 15.


I would suggest asking the vendor for a copy of the compliance certificate. If he has one, it should be easy for him to produce it.


Kurt
Blue Jeans Cable

 

[XrayEyes]



Quote:
Originally Posted by KurtBJC /forum/post/16868768


The only way it would be possible to get a Category 2 rating on a 28 AWG cable at 25 feet and longer would be with some sort of active circuitry, such as a built-in EQ/booster unit. Without that, it's just not going to happen--there is too much attenuation. Our Series-F2 would pass Cat2 up around 18 feet, judging from the traces on the eye pattern, but since we don't make an 18-footer we've only had it certified to 15.


I would suggest asking the vendor for a copy of the compliance certificate. If he has one, it should be easy for him to produce it.


Kurt
Blue Jeans Cable

So what is recommended I use for a 25' run from a Blu-Ray player to the Panasonic PT-AE3000? The problem is still flexibility.

 

[KurtBJC]

Well, there are a couple of ways you could go. Bear in mind that it's very likely that you will be able to use a cable that isn't actually Category 2 certified, and it'll still work. Most people don't sell 28 AWG cable in lengths up to 25 feet; we sell our Series-F2 28 AWG cable at that length, and it will pass Cat1 testing but fail Cat2 at that distance. I would just go ahead and try something in small gage (I'd use ours; but then, I have some at work...) and see if it works; if it doesn't, then you'll need to see what you can put up with in the way of larger gage. I wouldn't think you'd need to go beyond 24 at that distance.


Incidentally, in my experience it's quite common for vendors to claim Cat2 certification they don't actually have. In some cases this is just the vendor's oversight or misunderstanding--they don't realize that the certification is only good up to the tested length, or they've entered a general description in a product database which the site serves up regardless of whether the certifications are applicable to the particular length being viewed.


Kurt
Blue Jeans Cable