cable length limits for tv-out?

[mohoelx]

Hi. 'Nother noob here, but done a bunch of research and not coming up with answers to a few questions.... But trying to be sensible and ask related questions in separate posts.

If one has a single high-powered computer (not 100% sure on specs, but it's a P4 somewhere over 1G, 512 Meg ram), a single DISH sattelite input, and a single SDTV, it seems like the best idea would be just a STV with a 350, using the TV-OUT for watching TV. Question, though - how long of a cable can one use for the TV-OUT? The PC is located about 35 cable-feet from the computer. Will that be a problem?

Thinking about a Christmas gift for my daughter and her newlywed husband. They love our Tivo, but can't affort the subscription fee for a stand-alone Tivo. Basically, they want to replace their VCR and be able to pause when they are watching live TV.

Thanks -
MoHoel

[krutaw]

Originally Posted by mohoelx

The PC is located about 35 cable-feet from the computer. Will that be a problem?

MoHoel ~

I've got a 30 foot rca cable attached to my PVR-350 currently without any problems whatsoever. I believe that I heard at work while we were doing some wiring that you'll start having problems in the 50-60 foot range.

Anywho, the RCA cable won't be your problem. The problem will be the remote control that comes with the PVR-350 if you use it. The cable that comes with it is only about 3-4 feet long (I may be being generous there.) I believe I heard of someone on this forum managing to make a longer cable, but I don't remember for sure who it was.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by krutaw

The problem will be the remote control that comes with the PVR-350 if you use it. The cable that comes with it is only about 3-4 feet long (I may be being generous there.) I believe I heard of someone on this forum managing to make a longer cable, but I don't remember for sure who it was.

The connector uses a 2.5 mm stereo plug. See this post for at least one link to a store selling such cables. There is more of the discussion above & below that post, but the important part is finding or making a 2.5mm stereo extension cable. As I say in the post following the above link, you can do a google search for that term & find several.

- Andy

[silkshadow]

Does the 50-60' rule apply to S-vide cables as well as RCA?

[edgley]

Thats a long way for S-video.

If you are doing runs of that length, try CAT5e cable.

You also might want to conside some baluns like these:
http://www.smarthome.com/7805S.html

[Whiskeyjack]

I'm running SageTV in my "workroom" and have a 10m (approx 33 feet) long s-video cable without problems. Both from the decoder (next to my SDTV) down to the PC (with PVR-350 output) and up again, 10m both ways. As for remote I'm happy with my ATI remote wonder and Girder.

[willemse]

I am running 75 feet S-Video. Used Matrox 550 and NVdidia FX 5200 all without problems

[krutaw]

Originally Posted by willemse

I am running 75 feet S-Video. Used Matrox 550 and NVdidia FX 5200 all without problems

WOW! That's impressive. Can't say I'd try going that far, but hey, glad you're not having problems. :-D

[silkshadow]

Thanks for the info! I don't need the full 50' more like 30'. That svideo over Cat-5 is amazing! Thanks for pointing that out. It expands the possibilities alot. Now I can consider an HTPC in one room and a TV in another. Too bad smarthome is not going to be able to ship that thing to SE Asia . Something to add to my 'pick up when I am home' list.

[zoundz]

Although it may appear to be OK, running either composite video (RCA) or S-Video over CAT-5, CAT-6 or CAT-<anything> is not really a great idea. Both composite video and S-Video are intended to be run over 75 Ohm coaxial cable. RG-59 or equivalent. The only difference between the two is that S-Video uses separate lines for the luminance and chrominance information. CAT-5 is unshielded twisted pair that is intended for totally other uses. While you will undoubtedly get a picture at the other end of CAT-5, there will be many different PQ issues as a result of the indeterminate cable impedence and lack of shielding. There may be ringing, noise, or noticeable frequency dependent changes in the signal. This can cause changes the color and in the luminance detail information in the picture.

There is no real reason not to run either composite video or S-Video for distances of hundreds of feet using quality cable. Long S-Video cables are a bit hard to come by and expensive, but reasonable lengths will not degrade the picture quality. Usually cable compensation for impedance related signal degradation is not necessary for lengths less than 100 meters, and even then, the degradation is usually only visible on test equipment for such short runs. For runs over 25 feet it's probably better to use REAL RG-59 cable with BNC connectors rather than consumer RCA cables. RCA to BNC adaptors are easy to come by and inexpensive. You can use cable company RG-59 or RG-6 with F connectors for video also. The cable is the same, only the connectors are different. F to RCA adaptors also exist.

Just my $.02

[mohoelx]

anyone have a "favorite shop" for getting these connector/adapters? I had a devil of a time finding a PS2 F/F connector one time....

[zoundz]

They are readily Googled for online shopping and can probably be gotten at any RS. Frys has them. Most electronics supply stores that carry BNC connectors will have the adaptors. PS2 F/F seem to be a particular problem. I had the same difficulty at one point.

To use standard BNC cables in consumer applications you want BNC F/RCA M. FWIW, F and M refer to the pin configuration, not the housing.