Wiring rig for HDMI

[D_E_Bishop]

I hope this makes sense to you techies because I'm not sure it makes sense to me.

There was a lot written about changing from analog to digital television signals but I haven’t read anything(that I can recognize anyway) about wiring a MoHo for HDMI. As my signature shows, my rig is a little older and was wired with RG-59 with a switchbox at the front TV. It has all RF inputs and outputs. Sometimes we have two different things being viewed and sometimes we have the same thing being viewed on both sets.

When I got rid of the CRT boat anchors, one overhead in front and one in the bedroom, I solved the analog to digital thing. The replacement TV in front had a built in DVD player the one in the bedroom didn’t, so in the back it was either cable or OTA signals to use that TV. I had an unused DVD player from the S&B so I put that back there. Then we did some time at the beach with the DGKs and they wanted to watch a movie in the evening. DW got the disc out and slipped it in the DVD player in the back and nothing. I forgot I told her now that we have a Blu-Ray player (in the S&B)so just buy Blu-Ray discs.

So now I have a flat screen TV w/DVD player built in that can’t play Blu-Ray, in front and one in the back w/a separate Blu-Ray player. Output from Blu-Ray player is HDMI only, no output from built in DVD player in the front. If I want to play a Blu-Ray for the front TV, I have to move the player from the back up front. This is not a big thing, just an extra bit to accomplish.

Do you see where I’m going? Can I replace (or even continue to use) the front TV w/the built in DVD player, put one Blu-Ray player up front and wire a switchable HDMI output to the rear which would require about a 20 or 25 foot HDMI cable or is it better to just buy another Blu-Ray player for the front?

What do the new rigs have? Have the manufacturers done anything nifty or just using duplication for playing the same disc on two different sets?

[bukzin]

docj wrote:

D.E.Bishop wrote:
My big "?" really had to do with, are runs like I need to make reasonable. Seems they are. I remember when data runs and parallel cable runs had to be kept short.

I believe that HDMI can support runs of ~50 feet before you start to need repeaters. Remember this is a digital signal so many of the concerns about cable length are no longer as important. Ethernet (CAT5/6) can go >300 feet (the standard calls for 100 meters).

And BTW, with DirecTV's new wireless miniGenie (C41) you can now watch HD TV anywhere in your MH with absolutely no cables needed. All you need is a Genie DV (HR44). The mini's are still in short supply, but you can easily be ready for next summer's RV season. That plus a second DVD player would be a lot less effort than running all that cable.

He,y I just got the newer HDDVR (#HR44) and the wired version
on the mini (#C41-700)
Like others, I got the upgrade (hardware and install) for 'free'
by agreeing to a 2 year extension in my contract.

The installer said, for our part of California, all they are putting
in now the the HR44 and the C41. The wireless version of the mine
(C41W) is not available and he had no idea when it might be.

Gotta say, my new Genie HR44 is nice. No more scheduling conflicts
(records 5 programs at once) and the menu and channel surfing
is MUCH faster.

[luvlabs]

Wire the coach with CAT6 and then use a HDMI to CAT6 encoder/decoder set. These are available from Amazon and other suppliers. CAT6 can be purchased almost anywhere, including Home Depot, and is far less fussy about being pulled through places.

HDMI to CAT5/6

[docj]

D.E.Bishop wrote:
My big "?" really had to do with, are runs like I need to make reasonable. Seems they are. I remember when data runs and parallel cable runs had to be kept short.

I believe that HDMI can support runs of ~50 feet before you start to need repeaters. Remember this is a digital signal so many of the concerns about cable length are no longer as important. Ethernet (CAT5/6) can go >300 feet (the standard calls for 100 meters).

And BTW, with DirecTV's new wireless miniGenie (C41) you can now watch HD TV anywhere in your MH with absolutely no cables needed. All you need is a Genie DV (HR44). The mini's are still in short supply, but you can easily be ready for next summer's RV season. That plus a second DVD player would be a lot less effort than running all that cable.

[AllegroD]

Do the math. Unless you are sharing a sat connection, it may be cheaper to buy another dvd player.

[D_E_Bishop]

Okay, first, Thanks For the rapid response and very informative answers. I have a really great electronics store very close to the house and their prices are fantastic. My big "?" really had to do with, are runs like I need to make reasonable. Seems they are. I remember when data runs and parallel cable runs had to be kept short.

Secondly, and I think I answered it myself:S. If I use a splitter I can send to both sets and I don't need an "A" - "B" switch. The TVs have input selectors. If some one want to watch the news up front and the little someone's want to watch a movie, they tune in HDMI1 and I tune in cable or antenna, problem solved.

Goodness gracious but this RV stuff is fun:).

Thanks Again, Dave

[bukzin]

Here is more detail on cables, splitter, extenders, etc.


http://www.monoprice.com/Category?c_id=101&cp_id=10113

and

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/hdmi-accessories/index.htm



So what did you end up doing to resolve your issues?

[deandec]

Monoprice for cables and other TV stuff.

[shakyjay]

I just finished some HDMI runs in my house and cables up to 50' are readily available and reasonably priced through Amazon. After some research though I found that depending on the cable there can be some lag in anything over about 25'. Longer runs may work and are doable they may work fine however they also can require other equipment. Fortunately for me I was able to keep my runs at 25'. I had previously used several different brands of HDMI cable for connecting equipment. For the most part they all worked fine. What I finally settled on was Blue Rigger cables through Amazon. The shorter cables I had tested from them were well made and worked well. They were not the cheapest cables however they were very reasonably priced. They were also CL3 rated for in wall installation and had category 2 certification. I bought one to begin with and did a test run and found that it worked well. Went back and bought more. I actually ran a couple of extra cables to the main television just in case.

These are the cables I used Blue Rigger 25' HDMI

Now personally I am not sure I would go to all the trouble to do the same in my RV. I think (know) I would just opt to buy a small blu ray player while they are on sale fairly cheaply during Christmas. That way you can have the option of different movies playing at the same time.

Technically there is a way to run HDMI over coax however it will require an HDMI over coax receiver. Probably not the most cost effective method but is doable.

[Bill_Satellite]

The simple answer is yes you can buy and HDMI splitter and 25-30 foot HDMI cable and do exactly as you describe. The cables are not expensive, I just ran a 25' cable from where my Genie is located to the TV in the front overhead. The routing of the cable can be tricky but if you have the time and a bit of patience it's really not a big deal. I picked up the HDMI cable at Wal-Mart and there is no need for the over-priced under performing "Monster" cables.
As mentioned above, it still might be cheaper and easier to simply buy and install a second player but it's certainly not required.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

I would just by another $60-70 Blue-Ray player from Wally World for the front TV.

Redoing wiring is a PITA.

[WyoTraveler]

I think if I were going to run the cable I would use cat 5/6 and wire up my connectors after the cable is installed. You can get the cable without connectors cheap. Maybe run it through the basement. I didn't worry about blue ray I just bought a dvd player from Walmart. Pretty cheap.

[OpenRangePullen]

donn0128 wrote:
HdMI cables can be very expensive. And they just dont make them longer than about 6 feet normally. So quick answer is NO! To do it ri

They sell a 3 pack of 6ft HDMI cords for $6 at Frys, and a 12ft for $5 also at Frys.

[Acampingwewillg]

Yep, a number of On Line retailers have cables (HDMI) at lower prices. I can't speak to the quality of them but even so, seems like it would be a lot of work to get that cable from one end to the other, keeping it concealed. I think I'd opt for a "sale" item Blu-Ray player. Your point is well taken though, seems newer RV's might be wired with Cat 5/6 or whatever to allow future up grades(at least at TV locations).

[WyoTraveler]

donn0128 wrote:
HdMI cables can be very expensive. And they just dont make them longer than about 6 feet normally. So quick answer is NO! To do it ri

Depends on where you get your supplies
Amazon sells a 25 ft HDMI to HDMI for $6.25 and they also sell a 50 ft HDMI to HDMI premium gold for $14.63
Wouldn't call that expensive. However if you buy a 6 ft locally you are looking at $35 because they can.. Lots of profit in some of those made up cables if you need them immediately.