we installed a 8 x 16 Snap HDBaseT matrix a few years ago. In 3 of the zones we used SNAP single coax HDMI extenders using existing RG6 wiring, which we also extended about 15-20' at each end using good quality F81's and compression connectors.

Needless to say this has been problematic, and works very inconsistently. Picture often goes pink/purple, no signal, blinking, snowflakes, gumbled audio....

Obviously hindsight is 20/20 and should have had Cat6 pulled to this locations when the renovations were being completed.

Looking to find a reliable solution to get this zones working properly.

Should I be looking at SDI? Modulators? burning the house down?

Thanks

Nope. Get hold of Brent McCall.

Can you post if you find a reliable solution? We have an installation with the same extender kit and the same issues.

Thanks

Only way I got a coax extender to work was by replacing all the connectors and not using a barrel. Had to remove the plates and use rubber grommets instead of the f-connect wall plates.

Use the Metra CS-HDM3B system.
[Link: metrahometheater.com]


It uses compression, so you will loose a little picture quality. But it works and will work across many splices and mismatched connectors.
Need TX & RX for each direct link. Still cheaper than the SDI extenders.

Thanks for the suggestion Brad, does anyone have these in the wild? whats the difference between Pro/non-Pro models?

The Pro models are quicker to change sources and are WAY better thermally controlled.
However, please call me to talk about you installation prior to purchase.

What are the advantages to using a product like this that requires an TX and RX unit versus other modulator options that I've seen like PVI minimod that take advantage of the TV's internal turner?

The PVI cost 2-3x as much for a point to point use. If you had a situation where you had 1 or 2 sources going to 12+ TVs, then the PVI would make more sense.

thanks Brad and Brent, this looks like a promising solution. anyone know which distributor to find metra in Cananda? direct?

One advantage of using something other than PVI is that you won't have to deal with their execrable (yes, that means able to be shat) system of ignoring communications by phone or email.

At this point, sort of as an experiment, I'm waiting to see how many months it will take them to get back to me "right away" regarding a return authorization I was forced to abandon the unit I bought because it was not possible, despite actual telephone call appointments, to get anyone on the phone to talk me through setup of the MiniMod 2 for ATSC. One guy told me he would call in a half hour. Then, when I called him back forty five minutes later and miraculously got him on the line again, he said, "oh, he didn't call you?" This guy, who I understand is in charge of sales, wanted to pass me to a technical guy, but he never followed up to see if it happened.

I had to abandon the idea of using PVI simply because it had, at that point, already cost me more in labor trying to get it set up than I had spent on it to begin with. I call that "it doesn't work" because there's no support to work through the difficulties.

As Brent McCall said, give him a call. He helped us out in a situation a few years ago where the previous installer only ran Mini coax to a TV so had to find a solution that would allow HDMI.

Metra!!! Work like a champ.

I gave up on them when under no circumstances would they allow for any kind of a demo unit-


I asked what happens if its not as good as they claimed it is, the answer was i could sell the demo system on eBay.



funny you couldnt get any after sales support when they hounded me for weeks after our last conversation asking me when i was going to purchase a system so i could test it out.


No Thanks,