spectrum48k

Does anyone know what limitations there are regards running HDMI cables from a SkyHD box around the house?

Whats the max length you can get away with, before you run into signal degradation ?

Presumably some of you have done it, basically cloning the signal from the SkyHD box for use in your other telly's around the house ?

Question 2 - does it output HDMI and component simultaneously, or do you have to manually switch between each one in the SETUP screen ?

corradoboy

Don't know the limitations but THIS PLACE sell 15m HDMI cables.

HDMI :: Resources :: FAQ

spectrum48k

15m ? Ooh, that's perfick.

So you don't need a repeater or anything at those distances ?

Jer

No, I have 15m HDMI cables and they are fine.

spectrum48k

cool - sorted

hux309

What tends to be more important is the quality of the cabling, the longer the run the more signal loss you will encounter.

jsh

You are right about the quality of cable, on the longer runs it can make a big difference, but if only it were that simple.

I have done a lot of installations using HDMI and longer runs to screens and also projectors and the quality of the equipment makes a difference as well.

I have used projectors that will work with 10mtr HDMI cables but not with 15mtr ones, regardless of quality.

However, you should be ok with 15mtrs in most applications

Jason

spectrum48k

interesting

so how do component cables compare to HDMI in terms of picture quality and interference ?

jsh

Flame Suit On !

My personal opinion is that good component is at least as good as HDMI if not better in most applications.

Dont forget that HDMI was purely brought in to give the studios very good copy protection and nothing really to do with picture quality.

Jason

PeteBrant

(i)Many sets won't cope with 1080p over analog
(ii)A digital to analog back to digital conversion (which is what you are doing over component) is going to have an effect on signal resolution.
(iii)Component doesn't carry sound at all, let alone multi channel sound

HDMI is a advance on DVI, which was brought in to have a direct digital to digital connection betweem digital outputs and inputs.

spectrum48k

Is component cable generally less prone to interference ? Can it be used ok for 15m runs or is it again all dependant on the quality of the cable ?

SkyHD has component out I think, so this isn't a problem - just need to find 3 way splitter that will do a good job.

spectrum48k

agree totally Pete, I'd prefer to keep every digital to digital - but jsh reckons its at least as good with component.

Yes, I realise I'd need to carry audio as well

It doesn't need to carry 1080p, just 720p that SkyHD outputs.

messiah

Got to say that the PQ from my elite is better over HDMI than over component, Digital > Digital is better than...
Digital > Conversion > Analogue > Conversion > Digital.

Cable runs using HDMI only matter over long differences (15m is where it start getting interesting IIRC) - its only carrying 1's & 0's - it would take a hell of a lot for a signal to degrade a 1 down to a 0.

hux309

With short runs it doesn't matter, you can buy a cheap one and still get the same pq as an uber expensive one, only on longer runs do you risk signal loss.

Techlink, fisual and profigold are the most regarded without going too silly.

HDMI to HDMI Cables 4m - 30m Lengths - Video and Audio Cables and Accessories at Discounted Prices - Audiovisual Online

spectrum48k

messiah, definitely agree - will keep it all digital.

thanks hux309 - will check them out.