HDMI over Ethernet w/3D?

[Skirge01]

Does anyone know of some (fairly inexpensive) ways to send a 1080p, 3D signal through an HDMI over Ethernet solution? I currently have these Monoprice wall plates, but they can't handle the 3D part of my new TV. I did use a pair of 25' CAT6 STP cables to connect them, as Monoprice recommended.

I started looking and was only finding Gefen products, which are hundreds of dollars. I'll go down that road if I absolutely have to, since HDMI over Ethernet is my only option, but I'm hoping someone knows of a cheaper alternative.

Thanks!

[Fuzzy]

What kind of distance are you running? If you truly need that high of a bitrate, they you will have to go to an active system. The passive ones are usually just transformers, which is where the frequency limits exist. HDMI being mostly one-way makes it actually quite good at long distance runs, as long as the levels can be amplified back up periodically. You don't end up with timing issues like you do in truly 2-way interconnects like USB. With a little active help, it can be done very well (that help is either via HDMI repearing amplifiers, or the newer 'Active' HDMI cables. Monoprice sells 50' Active HDMI cables that are rated for 3D and even for 4K video, for <$70.

[Skirge01]

As I said, they're currently 25' Cat6 cables. I really don't want to pull up the rug around the entire room and replace those cables. If it was just two straight walls, I'd be more willing, but this is an odd shaped room with lots of things to go around. That's why I ran the cables when the carpet was being replaced.

I'm searching for HDMI repeating amplifiers and repeaters, but I'm not finding any mention of 3D on the products I'm locating.

EDIT: Something like this?

[Fuzzy]

here's one for $34. Yes, it's a splitter, but that's because most cases don't need amplification unless splitting - except yours... still, if you aren't going with the CAT6/5e method in the end (which is going to require more expensive converters), and giong to have to run new cable anyways, you might as well not do the separate amp, and just use the active cables. They are very thin because of the active nature, and should work quite well under-floor: High Performance HDMI Cables w/ REDMERE

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

here's one for $34. Yes, it's a splitter, but that's because most cases don't need amplification unless splitting

Where?

- except yours... still, if you aren't going with the CAT6/5e method in the end (which is going to require more expensive converters), and giong to have to run new cable anyways, you might as well not do the separate amp, and just use the active cables. They are very thin because of the active nature, and should work quite well under-floor: High Performance HDMI Cables w/ REDMERE

I do have CAT6 cable already run under the carpet, so that's what I'm trying to utilize; I really don't want to run new cables there. If the only way to avoid that is via more expensive converters, then I'll probably go that route.

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

Where?

whoops - fixed it...

Originally Posted by Skirge01

I do have CAT6 cable already run under the carpet, so that's what I'm trying to utilize; I really don't want to run new cables there. If the only way to avoid that is via more expensive converters, then I'll probably go that route.

well, monoprice does have 3D rated extenders as well, just not the pretty wall plate variety, and not passive, so they require power. HDMI® Extender Using Cat5e or CAT6 Cable - Extend Upto 328ft and not cheap either - probably cheaper to pay a carpet guy to come out and restretch after changing cables... 25ft definitely doesn't require even an active cable. A plain HDMI cable should have no problem unamplified at that distance, but the active ones are MUCH smaller, about the same size as a CAT6.

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

HDMI® Extender Using Cat5e or CAT6 Cable - Extend Upto 328ft and not cheap either - probably cheaper to pay a carpet guy to come out and restretch after changing cables... 25ft definitely doesn't require even an active cable. A plain HDMI cable should have no problem unamplified at that distance, but the active ones are MUCH smaller, about the same size as a CAT6.

After reading the info on that extender, I'm wondering if I have a cheap HDMI cable in the current chain. Obviously, I'll check that out first.

Although, that extender still might not be a bad idea. Since I already have two CAT6 cables running under the carpet, I could repurpose the 2nd one to give the TV wired internet, instead of relying on wireless. I'd just need to figure out a way to hide the extender and make it look nice.

Thanks for the info, Fuzzy!

[wbarber69]

you could tape a redmere cable to one of the cat 6 you have run already and use it to pull the hdmi cable back through

[Skirge01]

I thought about that and if the cable was run straight or even with a slight bend or two, that might work, but these cables are routed around a ton of objects along the floor, with corners at varying angles. After some additional testing, I've resolved myself to the fact that I need to take up the rug. I removed the wall plates and connected them with short cat5e cables and was able to get 1080p and 3D over to the TV, so the issue is definitely related to the cables under the rug. I'm not sure if it's interference, kinks, or something else, but I'll be tearing it all up and figuring it all out in the spring*. In the interim, I'm going to hang some ethernet around the doorways and other items, so that I can get new cables over to the TV.

* I wanted to replace the rug with a Pergo floor, but the wife didn't. Since we're tearing up half the rug anyway, she agreed to do the Pergo at the same time. I'm not cutting all the boards in an unheated garage during the middle of winter, though!

[wbarber69]

cant you just go through the ceiling? Or perhaps around the outside of the walls. There is a reason that pro installers don't run things under carpet. Ethernet cables are very susceptible to damage if bent too far or crushed. And the HDMI extenders do not like any interference I have a problem with one of my tvs losing signal when I turn on the ceiling fan because the wires come too close to mains power. They sell drill bits at lowes and home depot for drilling through the top plates of your walls from the same hole you made for your wall plates.

[Skirge01]

If only it were that easy. There's no attic or even a crawl space above the ceiling in that room and the joists run the wrong way, plus we're on a slab. The ceiling is also a "textured" style (the closest thing I can use to describe it would be a popcorn ceiling, but it's not one of those), so it's not as simple as cutting a pathway, patching the drywall and repainting.

I'm planning to run the ethernet cables at the edges of the laminate flooring since I know there will be enough space--both vertically and horizontally--between the floating floor and the bottom plates. I'm slightly concerned about the corners of the room and bending the cables too much, but I'll test it first and figure something out if there are any issues.

[wbarber69]

Just remember not to use any staples or fasteners to affix the cabling. Actually if your going with laminate, I'd get some flat Ethernet cables and run them directly from a-b