I feel like a penny in a handful of dimes here. In all the years I've been doing AV, I've found my niche within entry level custom (ie. Yamaha MZ systems, Niles, PSB, MX-850's etc.)

That being said, I have a client that wants to distribute DVD and possibly an HD sat to all the HDTV's in their 9k sq foot spec home. He's asked me to do it because he knows that what I don't know I'll find out and do a great job at it. The home is in the pre-wire stage.

So my question is, what do you find are the highest quality ways to distribute this kind of signal effectively? Most likely we will incorporate an escient fireball to run his DVD distribution. He'll be on cable, but might want to distribute one channel or input of HDTV DirecTV to several TV's from his HT room as well.

Thanks for the input (pardon the pun).

I am never one to be at the forefront of introducing new technology that will end up reaming me a new one because it has not been proven. That being said, I am not aware of any way to modulate HD signals for distribution.

If someone asked me for that at this point, I would install two different systems -- component video and three CAT5s to each display. I might also add analog audio; that depends on whether they want displays or televisions.

So far, the only HD signal technology that seems to work 100% is component video.

HDMI is coming, but is still causing heads to bang from coast to coast. The WORST thing you could do at this point would be to find a way to instal HDMI cabling with HDMI connectors at both ends. Installing three CAT5s should give you enough pairs for the HDMI adaptors that exist now and improved ones to come, and maybe even some other new technology. Maybe four CAT5s. Maybe CAT6 or whatever has the highest bandwidth. (I recently saw some info on, was it CAT7? a shielded four-pair twisted cable advertised to be the cat's pajamas for everything. Sounded like a Wesley Mullings product, and priced through the sky.)

Thanks Ernie,

I have the same sentiments about the HDMI. It's nothing but a Trojan horse at this point. I've got some smaller systems where the DVD locks up intermittently.

So can I use mini RG-6 (runs of up to 200'). Or do I need to pull a boatload of standard Component cable to each?

I know there is a product that converts on both ends to component if using cat5. Do the converters send audio as well? It was quite a while ago, but aren't the converters cost prohibitive?

I've used the CE Labs AV400Comp with good results before.
[Link: cable-electronics.com]

If you want to use Cat5, you can get baluns to convert to component video, but it will cost more. Sometimes the convenience factor is worth it though. And it's easier to pop a balun on cat 5 than to put RCA's on mini-RGB or standard coax.

my suggestion is this


3 cat 5 to each display and 6 serial digital coax (component l&r audio digital audio)

that should cover you for pretty much anything

ed

If you have the luxury of pulling component to all of the TV's form the head end, by all means do it, plus the cat 5's as Ernie said. That's an awful lot of component wire if you are sending component video and audio to every TV.

Baluns are a good option as well.

Perhaps you could consider breaking the system into smaller systems. i.e. send the video and audio on one set of component cables to say the upstairs, then use a disty amp to send it to each TV upsairs. Do the same for downstairs etc etc. It would definetly cut down on the amount of wire. The disty amp would also keep the signal up on long runs. Only drwback is that you are adding more things to the stream.

You could do the same basic thing with baluns and cat 5 which would further reduce the amount of cabling needed.

I was the one that was ready to bring a HD modulator to market a few months ago. I got the prototype and it meet our cost requirements, but they forgot to mention that you would need an encoder that cost $10,000.00 to work. I'm looking at what could be a simple way to solve this, but it is some time off. Use Audiopatch or someother device, because modulators just don't exist at this time.

I've used the CE Labs products for years. They've been very reliable. Will mini RGB work just as well as the standard stuff in runs over 70'?

Who makes a great balun?

I don't remember the exact lenght rules for RG59 and component video. I do recall mini being more limited than full size.

I have had the best luck with Muxlab baluns in the past. AVAD has them now, sometimes you have to order them though.

weve done 250 with serial digital coax doing hidef component with zero issues.

In my old store we had a Sencore product (maybe with some other parts) that modulated HD on ch 10.1 thru my entire store. It was worthless for the first 5 years but the day we closed the store there were about 50 sets using ATSC tuners scattered around the store (store closing sale). I do not know what it would cost or if Sencore makes anything stand alone that would work but I would start out looking at Sencore.

I am not a pro, but was looking into these products for my home in case this helps:

[Link: hdtvsupply.com]

or

[Link: ramelectronics.net]

does anyone have an opinion about these products and feel strongly that one is better than the other?

[Link: bkcomponents.com]

Just got our first one last week. Haven't hooked it up yet, but the demo I got last month was impressive. I've been using the CT600 almost since it came out and it is pretty much flawless. We've got high hopes!

And it comes with baluns for cat5e!!

AudioAuthority.............. Mini ( Serial) Coax will be fine. Run the CAT5 as well.

Just got mine the other day with the transformer banging around inside.Back in transit for a fix. Hope to give opinions soon.