07.28.2008 — OWLink's HD Digital Light Link FO2850 system, which uses fiber-optic technology to transmit A/V signals up to 1,000 feet, is a unique product for installers to offer as a retrofit solution.

Other than a switcher that offers two or more outputs, the system (which ships in a lightweight, medium-sized box) contains everything an installer will need to send uncompressed high-definition video to another room in an existing home structure.

Included in the box are transmitter and receiver devices, power supplies to power these units, a 30-meter spool of fiber-optic cable, an IR transmitter and receiver and a pair of HDMI cables.

The system provides the necessary products and bandwidth capacity to carry basic control, audio and uncompressed HD video.

Setup and Installation

In my home, I set up the system using Tributaries' HM420 4x2 HDMI switcher.

I started by locating the Tributaries switcher next to my Motorola HD DVR cable box, and I connected a Tributaries Series 9 HDMI cable from the cable box's HDMI output into one of the HM420's four inputs. Taking the supplied HDMI cable from OWLink, I connected it to the other Tributaries output and into the transmitter box.

After plugging in the power supply, I ran the fiber cable from the transmitter up my staircase, hanging the fiber on clear self-adhesive 3M hooks all the way up to my master bedroom.

The total distance of the fiber run was in the neighborhood of 20 meters. I strung the cable up at the corner of the wall and ceiling of my home until I reached the HD compatible 19-inch Sharp LCD TV in my bedroom.

With the basic cabling run complete, I plugged in the power supply of the receiver box and ran the OWLink-supplied HDMI cable to my television.

The final step was to connect the IR sender to the HD video transmitter unit and to stick the IR piece over the eye on the cable box. Wrapping things up, I placed the IR eye to the front of my television and waited for the blinking blue light, which indicates "no signal," to glow solid to show the system was ready to use.

The system has provisions for analog audio via a mini-pin jack, but I did not use this option because the HDMI connection carried the basic audio signal that my bedroom television required to complete the install.

Delivers HD Programming, With a Couple Drops

As a whole, I was quite pleased to be able to have HD video in my bedroom.

With the OWLink installed, I was able to access many of the functions that make HD DVR cabling boxes attractive -- but analog-based programming was inaccessible. Even with that, there's enough HD programming to satisfy most people.

The picture quality delivered by the fiber appeared to be unaffected by the OWLink system.

There were a couple of instances where the signal dropped out for a second, but it came back up. There were some latency issues at times with the IR control, but it was probably more reliable than any wireless system.

Because it's so easy to install, the system should be a consideration for installers looking to add more retrofit options to their list of services.

A major selling point to the system is the fact that, once it's installed, it will pay for itself over time. With cable providers getting additional fees for extra boxes, the OWLink system will save on these "rental fees."

MSRP for the OWLink F02850 is $799.