There are several games that I'd rather play the pc version of than the console version. The problem is that my pc is in my bedroom with 2.0 sound and a 24" monitor while out front in my living room I have a 40" tv and 5.1. I'd rather not build a gaming pc and stick it out front so my idea was to use the hdmi out on one of my video cards with something like this
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10425&cs_id=1042501&p_id=8009&seq=1&format=2#description

My questions are; what is the latency like when doing this and can you use a switch or do you have to do direct cat5 connection (I imagine this isn't actual ethernet communication)?

I'm still not sure how I'd get a keyboard and mouse setup out front when the computer is in the back (kinda stretching bluetooth range and rf stuff tends to suck)

7/24/2011 1:33:31 PM

as you said, this allows you to run HDMI signal over Cat5e or Cat6 cable, not Ethernet. Ethernet is a network protocol which supports Cat5/6 as one of several physical layers.

So, you can not use an Ethernet switch since this does not run over Ethernet.

Also note that you need 2x Cat5e/6 cables between the endpoints.

7/25/2011 1:35:51 PM

^ correct (except for the multiple physical layers thing, but that's more of a pedantic point rather than practical).


I'm running HDMI over cat5e, but only over a very short distance. I have a TV mounted to a wall, and my directTV receiver in a closet on the other side of the wall with HDMI to cat5 plates on either end and the cat5 cable in between.

[Edited on July 25, 2011 at 1:41 PM. Reason : .]

7/25/2011 1:40:38 PM

If you run it more than about 15 feet you want to get the baluns instead of the wall outlets (or embed the baluns in the wall too.) They change the signals over bandwidth within the CAT5/CAT6 standards.

In our church I'm running.... 5 of these if I remember correctly. All of them over 2 CAT5e cables up to a distance of about 300' on the longest run. Use quality cable and you can stretch that 60m range a tad.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10105&cs_id=1010504&p_id=6532&seq=1&format=2

You can also use fully shielded cat6 and stretch that distance for another 50%. If I remember your house correctly you'll be well under that 60m wall, and can probably get the $10 cheaper 50m baluns. The keyboard/mouse can also be ran over CAT5, but you've got to be careful what you buy. The cheaper units are only compatible with USB 1.0 or 1.1 Gefen stocks the only USB2.0 units that I've seen actually work, and they want like $Texas for them.

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=5529

7/25/2011 2:28:05 PM

usb 2.0 shouldn't be necessary for keyboard and mouse, right?

7/25/2011 5:46:40 PM

no.

7/25/2011 6:31:06 PM

my problem was finding a USB1.1 port to connect to the extender. It doesn't automatically downgrade. (For instance when I plugged it into a USB2.0 port it didn't downgrade, it just didn't work - the units have no logic built into them, but they won't work at all unless it's a usb1.1 port. These were the $40 special from monoprice).

To get the presentation clicker to work from across the building I had to order an old usb 1.1 hub off ebay, then hook the CAT5 device to that. It still had issues - I don't think it's transmitting enough power for the presentation remote, but I got a mouse to work on it.

7/26/2011 5:05:54 PM

Hmm, should I run HDMI over cat5/balun or use cables? It's new construction so there's no drywall or ceiling tiles.

8/15/2011 10:22:21 AM

Use HDMI, but run in through a channel so that in 3 years when every standard changes you're not ripping apart your walls.

8/15/2011 12:10:46 PM

oh yeah there's conduit stubbed out everywhere I'm having shit pulled.

I've been quoted 200 bucks for HDMI baluns and I have to tiptoe around nickel and diming everything listed...

8/15/2011 12:28:30 PM

I switched from 50' HDMI camble to a wireless HDMI system to connect my computer to my TV when i moved to a new apartment, and I honestly can not see the difference in quality or any significant lag time. I don't game, but just moving the mouse aound and playing/pausing stuff it seems to be real time. I can probably try it with a game tonight and see if it's any different. I used this wireless kit: http://www.amazon.com/brite-View-HDelight-BV-1222-Uncompressed-1080p/dp/B00435EXNI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1313437181&sr=8-4

the only downside so far is that the computer does not recognize the HDMI device on the other end as Sony TV, and does not load an appropriate display profile. It does not look too bad, but the color/brightness seemed to be more muted and with the correct color profile.

[Edited on August 15, 2011 at 3:59 PM. Reason : I use a Microsoft wireless keyboard/mouse combo with this setup]

8/15/2011 3:44:28 PM

What's the difference in this 40.00 kit http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10105&cs_id=1010504&p_id=6532&seq=1&format=2

as opposed to the 200 dollar kits?

8/19/2011 2:30:06 PM

I have my gaming PC in this case



http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1345&ID=1424

it sits next to my receiver under the TV and you can't tell it's a PC. I run a wireless keyboard and have a long USB extension that runs hidden under carpet to under my couch where I can hook up my trackball.

but that's just an option if you don't care where the PC is located. then you have no worries about latency

8/19/2011 3:56:37 PM