Like my subject line states....why can't everything digital just use CAT5e w/ RJ45 jacks? Why DVI?

Is there an industry wide conspiracy or what? Gig over copper is here so what's the problem?

How about HDMI? Does it ever end? The dvd player I just sold someone outputs HDMI and I prewired DVI. So now I have to get an adapter if I want to use it.

Same protocol but different connectors. HDMI is better than DVI in my opinion because the connector is smaller...but still...why not just use RJ45's!!!???

Cat5e is good for 125MHz clocking, Cat6 goes up to 250MHz, and DVI needs up to 1.5GHz clocking. However with better cable and short runs, you can probably get away with using an RJ45 that everyone can crimp themselves.
The real reason why DVI and HDMI exists is to generate income for the creators of those specs. It costs in the area of $10K-$15K to put the DVI and HDMI logos on the front of your settop box, plus some small change per unit shipped.
There are literally hundreds of pointless specs out there with licensing schemes just to generate revenue for the creators. Digital Design Working Group, the authors of the DVI spec, got lucky and were able to persuade equipment manufacturers to design it in. It had some momentum from the PC w/ LCD display market as well. I wonder if they had to give away a couple key accounts like to Sony to ensure it's sucess.
Overall, it's not very robust, nor applicable for home theater. I think the industry would have been better off if they scraped DVI/HDCP/HDMI and created a fiber solution.

They use DVI because it can't be recorded, so they won't get sued. I'd prefer SDI myself.

Doug @ HomeWorks

cat 6 is gigabit...that's not enough?

I too have heard the whole DVI thing is about copyrights... I personally think any cable we cannot easily fish and terminate in the field sucks and will never really catch on.

I agree totally!!! - And I'll tell you all and anyone from the CE manufacturing industry that might be listening...Every installer feels the same way, equipment is not only choosen by features, quality, durability and useability...we also look at installability and how well it will integrate with other equipment/systems. Time saving is critical when running an installation business. With the automation and electronic industry shifting to IT...networking equipment and electronics that can be used, controlled and distributed through a network will be the equipment that us high end installers will choose.

The industry dosen't give a crap about us. It dosen't matter how easy a cable is or is not to terminate, it how it catches on with customers, and DVI has been marketed fairly well. All customers hear is "Digital" and they think its the best thing ever, so when they read stuff about the "all digital connection" it sells. Furthermore, manufactors are also pushing it because it is harder to copy and easy to encrypt. If manufactors really was worried about the customer side, the would stop using recessed connections on VCRs, always have discretes available, and stop bunching connections on the back of A/V receivers (while at the same time having a bunch of space available) and switching labels from easy to read white to grey on the back of receivers.

Good points MitchellEnt...but as I said earlier...we are the people making the recommendations to the end users. Companies that promote ease of installation will always be superior to the installer and do it your selfer.

MicthelEnt, for the high volume CE manufacturers, they designed those products with Walmart, Circuit City, and other retialers in mind. However don't forget about the smaller boutique manufacturers that are making products specifically for Home Theater, and listen to installers. Look at Runco. See how far you can go selling other peoples products just by listening to installers.
So don't get you hopes up that there will be a big name VCR with rack mount kit and RS-232.

DVI and HDMI are for the mass market. All HDMI is is dual link DVI with digital audio. Now someone explain why I need audio delivered to my display! It only makes sense to Joe Sixpack that doesn't own an amp or speakers, and can only figure out how to connect one cable from his DirecTV box to his big screen.
The trouble is that the big/early spenders on new technology are not Joe Sixpack, and they really have no use for HDMI. In a nutshell, it's a waste of time and money.
Also I don't think most manufacturers give a dam about our ability to pirate videos, and are consciesly (sp?) trying to prevent us from recording, save one: Sony. Sony owns a movie studio and one ot the top name brands. They don't want one business to erode the other, so they heavily push DVI and now HDMI. They Sony sales force at CEDIA kept droning on and on about how much better HDMI is with it's all digital path, blah blah blah. Meanwhile over at thhe Mitsubishi booth, HDTV looked just as good over Firewire.
-LNB

I think they are using HDMI (and firewire) with digital audio is for one wire solutions. I'm not sure if you can do this with HDMI, but with firewire you can daisy chain all you components together with firewire interlinks. This is a big thing for alot of customers when most shops are pushing ultra-expensive cables.

Late night Bill. Heres is your wish for a VCR with RS-232 and a rack mount kit. Is the inventor of VHS a big enough name for you? :)

JVC SR-S365U

OK, got me there. My mind was limiting the choices to consumer equip, although I didn't specify. Many manufacturers do have Pro lines such as JVC, even Sony, but $1000 for a VCR is a tough sell for a residential system.