This weekend, i have to finish an estimate that includes the distribution of an HDMI source to 8 TVs. I can't call any distributors until Monday, and this 20-page estimate is due early Monday morning. So I need your help! In the past, Monoprice had an 1x8 HDMI distribution amplifier (Splitter) that had 8 Cat5/6 outputs and included 8 HDMI balun receivers. It was very inexpensive (under $350.00 I think), and seemed to work just fine. Today I went on line to check the price, and the item appears to have been discontinued. I can't find anything else that will do the job for under $1200.00. Does anyone know of a product that can do the same job for an inexpensive price?
Also, I have been using the Wyrestorm IR-40 baluns pairs with great success, and noticed that they are also being continued. Does anyone know what is going to replace them, other than HD BaseT baluns. The HD BaseT products just don't fit into my price-range. If not the Wyrestorm single-cable balun, what else is really reliable in the $125.00 or less price range? BTY, the Wyrestorm IR-40 has been incredibly reliable. I've installed hundreds of them and never had a problem. As the old adage goes "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
Dude, 20 page quote? how much is this job and WHY are you speccing a cheap HDMI switch/splitter, do you hate your life?
I had a large project get swiped from out from underneath me a few weeks ago by guys like you. Guess what, my would of been customer emailed me this morning asking if she should kick them out of her house and bring me back in due to "installation issues" and they only started on thursday.
Of all things you shouldn't be speccing cheap HDMI distribution, if you have a budget you need to hit then start from scratch, install a REAL distribution system like zektor or JAP then redo the rest of the estimate
The Bitterness of Poor Quality is Remembered Long after the Sweetness of Price is Forgotten! - Benjamin Franklin
I can't help you because even in my cheap ass NM, I would not install monoprice splitter. I did try to use their 1x2 unit as a clock stretcher last year, while I also ordered unit from two other sources. All but the unit from Snap were not reliable -- lesson learned.
I'm glad that the HD BaseT units you used worked for you so well over hundreds of installations. I would search like crazy and buy every one of the refurbished, used, eBay'ed and Craigslist units and stock up, as I have not found anything at that price point.
Lastly, and please don't take this the wrong way as you have been with us for 11 years; you will get backlash for using cheap crap because this is professional forum. You might be better off searching on AVS for the inexpensive parts. That's the lesson I learned some time ago and adopted. No, I don't go to AVS for suggestions. I decided to use professional products or I don't provide them at all.
I can't help you because even in my cheap ass NM, I would not install monoprice splitter. I did try to use their 1x2 unit as a clock stretcher last year, while I also ordered unit from two other sources. All but the unit from Snap were not reliable -- lesson learned.
I'm glad that the HD BaseT units you used worked for you so well over hundreds of installations. I would search like crazy and buy every one of the refurbished, used, eBay'ed and Craigslist units and stock up, as I have not found anything at that price point.
Lastly, and please don't take this the wrong way as you have been with us for 11 years; you will get backlash for using cheap crap because this is professional forum. You might be better off searching on AVS for the inexpensive parts. That's the lesson I learned some time ago and adopted. No, I don't go to AVS for suggestions. I decided to use professional products or I don't provide them at all.
They were not HDBaseT. Just HDMI over CAT. He's lucky they even worked.
The SnapAV 1x2 is not "their" unit. It is their name on a common OEM platform. Search Amazon and you can have the "same" unit for $20 under at least half a dozen other "brand names".
Stew, I feel your pain. I think the answer to your question is no, nobody knows of such a product.
After reading all of these responses, I wonder if we're having more fun than we're giving help. I've done exactly this myself, but recently, with the bit about having a DirecTV receiver on a particular channel in the morning, I've seen we have an incredible penchant for not answering questions, instead making comments on what's been used in the past, what the approach is, and just plain jokes. That's great if you can also help someone out, and some of this advice is right on and needs to be heeded in the future, but nobody's helping him now and nobody's coming out and saying they can't help him.
Can we at least start by saying "no, we can't help you" in the future, before then normal hijinks ensue?
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything. "The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
The SnapAV 1x2 is not "their" unit. It is their name on a common OEM platform. Search Amazon and you can have the "same" unit for $20 under at least half a dozen other "brand names".
I thought I did when I bought Snap's piece and two others. One looked identical from specs, size and pictures. I ordered it along with Snap, for shits and giggles. When I got both units in, I decided to see it to see if guts were the same. Upon opening them I discovered that at least in this case there were design differences. Give me P/Ns or URL to the others; I might have to repeat my experiment :-)
Thank you Ernie, for being the voice of reason! Now you know why I'm reluctant to ask questions on this forum. Some people use this forum as a means to pump up their ego by spewing their sanctimonious ridicule instead of being helpful. I can assure you that I'm not new to this business. With over 40 successful years in this business, I often do very complex projects and I have learned what products to avoid and which ones work reliably. Unfortunately, I'm in San Diego where we have a lot of stupidly cheap competitors, so we have to find economical ways to do things. The Wyrestorm IR-40 has been great. They are good for distances beyond what they claim. Although I'm not a big fan of Monoprice, they have an HDMI distribution amp with 8 Cat-5/Cat 6 outputs, and the kit includes 8 HDMI balun receivers. Hard to believe, but it actually works fine. I was leery at first, but I've used it four times in the past with absolutely no problems. They are temporarily out of them, otherwise I'd use it again. It may not be a Gefen, but dammit, it works! If I could sell this client the higher end stuff, I would, but in this case, he's got a budget,and I have to work within it, or my competitor will. With the track-record I've experienced with this product in the past, I'm not really worried about it and I'm willing to stand behind it. Maybe I'll just wait for the product to be restocked.
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