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Using a hub as a CAT5 / UTP video distribution amplifier?

5218 Views 7 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  nded
Hello,


Has anyone used a regular 100baseT hub (not a switch, I know a switch won't work!) as an amplified splitter for video-over-CAT5 baluns?


I've seen a plethora of component-over-cat5 and HDMI-over-cat5 baluns, as well as component- and hdmi-to-multiple-cat5 splitters. Unfortunately, none of these products really work for what I'd like to do.


I'm working with a multi-story house that has CAT5 "Home Run" wiring from every room down to a small wiring closet in the garage. Every room has 2 CAT5 drops. I'd like to preserve one CAT5 drop in each room for networking use.


So, the idea is to use a component-to-CAT5 (or HDMI-to-CAT5) balun at my video source in the living room, send the CAT5 signal down into the wiring closet, then, in the wiring closet, split it into 3 or 4 signals that get sent up to CAT5 drops in the bedrooms, etc.


The problem is, for the life of me, I can't find a video distribution amp that takes an already-converted CAT5 signal as an input - all the distribution amps take "native" component, VGA or HDMI, leaving me with 8 outputs in the living room, where they don't do me any good.



So, if anyone has used a hub to split a video signal, or can recommend either a generic UTP distribution amp, or a system with a component or HDMI sender, UTP splitter, and receivers, that would be fantastic.
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You may be able to use an CAT-5 video splitter like this http://www.buy.com/retail/product.as...70&dcaid=17902 . But I'm not sure if it works with component or HDMI or both (or neither).
Dont know what your budget is but check out www.amx.com Lots of Signal Management hardware there for you to choose from!

Quote:
Originally Posted by crutschow /forum/post/16839152


You may be able to use an CAT-5 video splitter like this http://www.buy.com/retail/product.as...70&dcaid=17902 . But I'm not sure if it works with component or HDMI or both (or neither).

Anything that works with VGA should, theoretically, work with component... If it just takes the simple route of simply amplifying every wire, then it should work with ANY component video balun.


It's an intriguing option, and I haven't seen it before. I'll have to give it a shot.

Quote:
Originally Posted by crutschow /forum/post/16839152


You may be able to use an CAT-5 video splitter like this http://www.buy.com/retail/product.as...70&dcaid=17902 . But I'm not sure if it works with component or HDMI or both (or neither).

You, sir, are a GENIUS.


I went to Minicom's website and found the brochure for the Video Display System ( http://www.minicomdigitalsignage.com/pdf/vds.pdf )


Turns out that they have a companion line of senders, receivers and LINE SPLITTERS that include audio capabilities - the Audio Video Display system ( http://www.minicomdigitalsignage.com/av_avds.htm )


So, all I really need is a transmitter unit (0VS22038A), the AVDS series line splitter (0VS22015A - 3 higher than the unit you pointed out originally) and the powered UTP-compatible remote unit (0VS22036A).


The transmitter unit seems a wee bit overpriced compared to other "consumer" level component-over-CAT5 baluns, but it would be worthwhile to experiment with third party baluns and the 0VS22015A splitter



So, thank you again
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The HDMI over IP transmitter/receivers at http://www.justaddpower.com/VBS-Suit...-products.html do exactly what you are looking for on a 100BT or better LAN Switch. The Minicom stuff you've listed only supports 1600x1200 (Not 1080p), and the supported resolution goes down from there as the cable gets longer. You might also be interested in the remote control IR support in the JAP stuff (can operate the Blu-Ray player from any room).

Quote:
Originally Posted by nded /forum/post/16841019


The HDMI over IP transmitter/receivers at http://www.justaddpower.com/VBS-Suit...-products.html do exactly what you are looking for on a 100BT or better LAN Switch. The Minicom stuff you've listed only supports 1600x1200 (Not 1080p), and the supported resolution goes down from there as the cable gets longer. You might also be interested in the remote control IR support in the JAP stuff (can operate the Blu-Ray player from any room).

According to http://www.minicomdigitalsignage.com/av_avds.htm , the AVDS units support 1080P..


The HDMI over IP solution, though, sounds really awesome. Do the senders and receivers actually receive IP addresses from a router? Can they coexist on the same switch as my regular data network, or do they require their own switch?


Off to do more research, I guess
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Odeen /forum/post/16844555


According to http://www.minicomdigitalsignage.com/av_avds.htm , the AVDS units support 1080P..


The HDMI over IP solution, though, sounds really awesome. Do the senders and receivers actually receive IP addresses from a router? Can they coexist on the same switch as my regular data network, or do they require their own switch?


Off to do more research, I guess

The IP addresses are "fixed" in the TX/RX units. They can coexist on the same LAN switch as as your regular data network, if the contant network traffic (typically 40MB on my home system) doesn't bother your users and applications. I know of one case where they tried plugging the HDMI over IP devices onto a corporate LAN with 150 PC's, and it brought the network to its knees. They decided it would be best to put the HDMI over IP TX/RX units on a dedicated switch in that building. In your case, a low cost small LAN switch would be easy to throw into the mix if needed.
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