Q. I’m just now planning my in-home network. I want to locate all the HDTV set top boxes in the basement in the hardware closet. I plan on having a number of TVs scattered throughout the house. Outside of buying extremely long HDMI cables (very expensive), what other alternatives do I have to distribute the HDMI signal without sacrificing image quality/signal? I understand there are wireless routers that can meet this requirement. - J.L., Maryland

If you have 2 cat5s to each TV location from where the cable boxes are, you can use HDMI baluns to each TV, and I suggest the Key Digital brand.  HDMI is a complex signal and cannot be distributed inexpensively.  you then have to control the cable boxes, on another cat 5 if you have it wired infrared, or RF with programmable remotes. (different R code for each box!) Or the more expensive way is to put an HDMI switch from a reputable company with the cable boxes and also use baluns for distribution.  There are three areas you need to address——Audio and video which is handled through HDMI, and some way to control the boxes independently.

@ HDMI Questions

There are some wireless HDMI extenders available on the market, but I don’t know that any of us have had great success with them.  The other thing to consider, is that a wireless solution does compress the signal as well. 

If you are planning on keeping the boxes in a “hardware closet” in the basement, I may recommend against the wireless route, as going to a first floor room on the opposite side of the home, will cause you some heartburn.

I agree with tbertolini, in that if you have the opportunity, you would do yourself a favor in pulling 2 cat5 to each TV you want to distribute signal to, and use HDMI extenders to get the signal out, with an HDMI matrix switch if you want more flexibility.

However, if you do NOT have that opportunity, which I assume may be the case, you may consider using an HDMI over coax solution.  If you already have a cable connection at each TV you wish to give signal to, and those cables are run back to the “hardware room” as they typically are in a basement home, then you have a couple other options.

You can use a box like ZeeVee, (http://zeevee.com/residential) and assign a cable box to a channel on all the TV’s, or you can use a solution like the Gefen EXT-WHDMI, http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=4318 which has a wireless range of only 30’ but a hardwired range over coax, of up to 1000 feet. Again, you WILL incur some compression in either of these solutions, but it should be minimal.

Of course, as stated previously by tbertolini, you will most likely need a wireless remote to change the channels on the boxes located in the basement or to access the guide etc, and you will need an intelligent IR router for that remote, so that changing the channel on box playing on TV #1 doesn’t also change the channel on the box playing on TV#2.

The long and short is there is not a magic, inexpensive solution for your problem at this time but they are working on it.

best

markc at orangeproav dot com

Another option, if you’re not aware of it, is the “Just Add Power” solution - streaming the HDMI signal via your home network and a managed switch.  You still need control, which can be handled easily if the distances aren’t too great w/URC remotes (MX-450 on up) - IR to control TV (line of sight) w/RF base station to control multiple sources - all of which can be distributed HDMI using JAP senders.

Crestron has the best solution in the business with their Digital Media system for a number of reasons that a dealer can explain to you.  However, being the gold standard, its out of range for most consumers.  But once installed it is hassle free.

The second option is to use ZeeVee modulators.  They are a second best option because they have only analog RGB inuputs, and the prospect of the Digital Sunset is still unclear. 

Incidentally, we used 11 ZeeVees in a recent project with Crestron TPMC-3Xs for each TV.  The results were fantastic.  See some of the photos here.

Centralized HDMI is very cool, but you need a great integration dealer to help you make the right decision.  I have some pointers here to help you identify one.

Hope this helps

Lance Beasley
ENCO Electronic Systems
http://www.encoelectronics.com