Well I just got off the phone with sales and they said...
"Is it a problem to run component video 250ft from the sat box?"

I said I am pretty sure we will need some amps for that.

Any ideas?

Any of these VGA line drivers will also drive component just as well.

[Link: altinex.com]

[Link: extron.com]

Convert to Cat5 and use balans.
GP

Convert to Cat5 and run the Audio Control piece....

Have had good luck with CE Labs Distribution amps up to 150' and they can be cascaded to get lengths needed. Fairly low cost too. Can be found through AVAD.

I think I'd rather make the run RF, and place the box at the display device.

Second to the Audio Control cat5 balanced driver. Used it for a lot further than 250 feet.

Larry,
my first instinct was what you said. But sales says... (probably a lie to cover there butts) client wants sat boxes centrialized. But then again... how can I trust you Larry you backed out on buying my processor without so much as an email :)

Others,
Thanks for the ideas will look into all of them.

Yep!!

If you need a pair let me know.

My very bad. (Money became a very scarce commodity, and we almost lost our house, but we're back on the upswing.) I didn't even realize that was you when I responded. Do you still have it, by chance?

Larry,

Sorry to hear of your hard times. Good to here it was not health related or worse. But better to hear that all is well now.

Swapped the T1 for a T1+. If you are interested in that unit... send me an email, uhh huh. :)

I think you may be okay running component video without any amps or cat 5 drivers. I have ran composite video over 1000ft on RG-59 copper-braid. Instead of running three aluminum-braid w/foil RG-6 orthree copper 59, try three RG-6 copper-braid. You could also use three RG-11 copper-braid I suppose. I have successfully ran component video for about 200ft., but I must admit I didn't try running an HD signal through it. The bandwidth of the wire should allow adequate transfer of the signal. It is important that all three cables be laid out on the floor and pulled tightly next to each other, then cut to exact length before pulling them through the walls to insure that they are exactly the same length. What the hell, give it a try. Try passing the signal before pulling the wire through the walls.

I just want to make one thing clear here. When I recommended the Audio Control solution, I did so knowing full well that a RG6 cable (not just any one though) run might work too. But in all seriousness, who the hell wants to run 3, 4 or 5 RG6 cables (even bundled) 250 feet when one cat5 will do the same thing? If its a retro project, just shoot me if I try to skip the Cat5 solution.

I would expect the Cat 5 balums to lose some quality for HD video. Although I have never tried running HD component that far, I have tried running SVGA through Cat 5 balums. The VGA signal wasn't good beyond 800X600. The Cat 5 run is easier, but may not be that much harder, depending on the pathway. Also, it is not necessary to run 4 or 5 coaxial cables, unless you want digital audio. I use line-level cable for analog audio, not RG-6. RG-6 is not well suited for line-level audio-- it's the wrong impedence and I believe more likely to pick up hum since it's not a twisted pair like line level wire. Actually, for line-level audio to be run that far, I would probably use Cat 5 balums, or possibly convert to balanced line like professional audio equipment. I haven't tried running digital audio 250ft. through coax, but it my work better through Cat 5 balums.

I think that before I ran any wire, I would see what the results were running through the wire before it was installed in the walls.

Nowhere have I recommended baluns. I have recommended this: [Link: wholehouseaudiocontrol.com] although I dont think there is anything wrong with traditional baluns.

As I said before I (and many others) have used the Audio Control stuff for a long time without any problems - including a lot longer than 250 feet.