Looking for some advise here. I have an HD PVR satellite receiver. I have 2 tv's I am running off it. One is a 55" Sony Grand Wega rear projection LCD and the other is a 40" 1080P Sony Bravia. Now the Bravia is going to be a far distance from the receiver. I have measured the distance and I have purchased a 75 ft (22m) HDMI cable to connect it. So I will have a short cable going from the receiver to an HDMI distribution amp then one cable to my 55" Wega (6 ft) and the 75 ft cable to my Bravia. Also going with the HDMI cable is a 75 ft optical audio for my surround receiver as it will not accept HDMI. I am kind of an amateur with this stuff so I hope this isn't too confusing. My questions are will I have video quality loss over 75 ft? If so what will happen and is there anything I can do other than using smaller cables with amps along the way? will I have a problem with my audio (optical) and video (HDMI) working together over that distance? One last thing. I have been researching Distribution amps a little and found a couple of intrest. one that costs $59 and the other is $249. The only difference I can see in the specs are the $59 one says 1.45Mhz and the $249 says 1.64 Ghz. Is this difference worth the money and will it actually be better or is it another gimmic so to speak? Please someone help me!!!!!!
All is possible, given enough effort, monies & some 'luck.'
BUT - you are well beyond any practical HDMI cable lengths usually suggested ! Periodic amps along the route aren't the "ideal solution," either.
Herein, there have been 'posts' of some peoples attending demonstrations of HDMI actually functioning properly @ these sorts of distances - but, with very carefully constructed, 22 gauge cables &, in particular, specific care taken in the quality / integrity of those terminations ! See, in-point-of-fact, Richard's fine reference directly above ... bluejeanscables.
One alternative is always to use very heavy gauge (3) Component (RCA terminals) Cables for the Video instead. Fiber optic cables now transmit essentially all our current video, telephone, computer, etc., "digital bits" from coast-to-coast, so, that's "doable" for your audio stream.
But, practically, how are the "channels" every going to be selected for the set at that 75' distance?
Sounds like a lot of 'running back & forth' between the Receiver & display ?
Is this JUST to avoid the obvious solution to having a separate, new satellite service installed at that remote set ?
I want to thank all who responded. The links provided were very informative. If anyone does come up with any other info I would still be very happy to hear it. Thanks again.
Rather than risking your picture quality and signal, I would go for another Receiver. Don't bother with another PVR, if you don't need it for the second TV, just get a regular HD Receiver. If your dish has a duel LNB, you should be able to run two signals in for two TVs. I know here in Canada, all you have to do is call your satellite provider and tell them you want to upgrade. Most times, they will sell you another receiver for the same price they sell them to new customers, which is almost half the price. I just got a Sony 40" Bravia and upgraded to a Bell 6100 HD Receiver. I called them and said I wanted to buy a new receiver, but it was too expensive at $299, so to keep my business they said they would sell it to me for the new customer price of $149. Also, they sent out an installer to replace my dish free of charge, to upgrade it for HD programming, as it needed two eyes with duel LNB. Anyway, long story short, depending on what you are spending on the HDMI cable, your provider may set you up with another receiver considerable cheaper, by asking, or threatening to leave and subscribe with another TV provider. This way you would have equal signals to both TVs. Just a thought, worth a try to call or email your satellite company.
Well I finally got around to testing the 75' HDMI cable. I hooked it up from a sony BDP-300 blu-ray player to my 40" Sony Bravia. I had no signal at all. It went straight from the player to the T.V. I am moving to a new house and finishing the basement and I was going to run the 2 t.v.'s off the one receiver (HD PVR). Will a booster solve this problem. I know I could just buy another receiver but I already have 2 one being the dual tunner pvr. I was hoping to take advantage of that. Let me know.
Nope - although "done" in expo shows, etc., as demonstrations - not for you & I or with any "booster (?)" --- amplifier.
By two services, do you mean two 5 LNB dishes on the roof, specifically ? That's what it's going to require - whether or not you have a "PVR" inside on each one is up to you & the rules of your satellite company.
eli
After "searching" , it has all been explained very extensively, including your Blue Jeans reference, {to this very poster!} with no success at all --- apparently, none of the previous data amounted to "beans?"
I appreciate everyone's help. I did look at the bluejeans link and it was helpful. However ... when it refered to cable trouble it refered to an unclear or distorted image. It never mentioned not receiving a picture at all. It never indicated if an HDMI repeater would assist this. I am also trying to get as much info from multiple sources prior to spending any more money. Blujeans refered to using HDMI lengths of longer than 75' with little or no loss. Now I am trying to figure out if I need something else like a booster or if it is a faulty cable? I realize I can go to component cables that is not the issue. I know that component will do 1080 I and the HDMI cord will do that at least and I am probably not going to acheive 1080p at a length like that. So if it is going to cast much more money I may switch to component. See I bought this 75' HDMI cable on ebay a while ago because it was a "best offer" and I got a good price. I didn't do much reasearch before buying. Anyway I am very greatful for everone's help here and if anyone has more to add please do. However Eli...I don't appreciate the tone in your post about me. I am new to this and am learning. Your info was good and did mean more than an amount of beans. Thank you all.
I offer you apologies if you took offense - but - from the vantage point of us, you did simply ignore every single bit of all of it --- and, did it anyway. And, even at Ebay prices, those were monies that could have been not spent.
No one should ever buy electronic gear from Ebay & expect outstanding quality! The technical attributes & criteria are never assured or guaranteed.
Bluejeans also mentioned the engineering facts about a much heavier gauge of conductor having been absolutely needed.... Ebay materials seldom have any such criteria available.
By offering suggestions, it is hoped that others might avoid the "school-of-hard-knocks" learning experiences that some of us have gone through already.
HDMI/DVI either works or it does not work. When the limitations of cable performance are on the edge it creates artifacts unrelated to image quality (it is digital - not analog) such as colored noise, discoloration, half screens, pixel blocking.
Blujeans refered to using HDMI lengths of longer than 75' with little or no loss.
It is certified under HDMI 1.3a (CTS 1.3b and b1) at the longest distances of any cable we know of--45 feet for Category 1, 25 feet for Category 2. In actual usage, it ordinarily will work at distances exceeding these--we have run 1080p video through a 125 foot cable without any information loss, but results will vary depending on the capabilities of the sending and receiving circuits of the devices in use.
Go to Google, input: HDMI repeater
You will see:
Shopping results for HDMI repeater
Belkin PureAV Silver Series HDMI ... $100 to $180 - 39 stores
Gefen ex-tend-it HDMI Repeater $172 to $250 - 22 stores
StarTech.com HDMI Extender/Repeater $125 to $199 - 20 stores
I think Richards on the correct track. The da/repeater could certainly be the entire cause of the problem. A lot of early da's only supported HDCP on one port. In any case I don't remember mention of the HDMI distribution amp model or brand. Some brands have trade in programs or at least support for problems. Of course they will complain about a 75 foot length cable, unless it's "their" cable.
What is your distribution amp?
