HDMI Wall Plate>>Quality?----HDMI over Cat5E/Cat6????

[cpeters12]

I was looking on monoprice for HDMI wall plates. Is there any quality to be concerned with when using these? Does anyone have any experience with these? I am going to be running at maximum a 50ft cable in the wall and would like to cover it up. If anyone can suggest a good manufacturer or something of quality to look for.


Also, there are these which say to carry HDMI over cat5e/cat6 cables. The reviews seem to be good on monoprice, i just can't really seem to believe it. Its just that HDMI cables aren't really that expensive, I would rather just get something good and be done with it.

If anyone can give any insight into this I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks

[Webster]

I am going to be running at maximum a 50ft cable in the wall and would like to cover it up.

At 50ft, you are at the upper limit before the signal loss. You may need to use an HDMI extender for it to work flawlessly.
Also, rule for choosing cable, the bigger gauge the better. So try to use the cable with the largest gauge (24 AWG or better) I would use this one for 50ft length
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10231&cs_id=1023101&p_id=...seq=1&format=2

You may want to read the info at this site before you start.
http://www.hdmi.org/learningcenter/faq.aspx
HDMI extender:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041907&p_id=...seq=1&format=2

more info.
http://www.audioholics.com/education/cables/long-hdmi-cable-bench-tests/hdmi-cable-testing-results

Monoprice.com have a tech support chat, perhap you can contact them for more info.

[redwudz]

I run a 45 foot HDMI Monoprice cable to my projector with no problems. You may want to look into 22 gauge cable for long runs. Unless they are converting the HDMI signal, I wouldn't use a unshielded CAT 5 cable, especially as the wire sizes would likely be too small.

EDIT: After looking into the HDMI over CAT5E/CAT6 adapter, that does look like a interesting solution. Certainly a lot easier than trying to stuff a regular HDMI cable through a wall.

[cpeters12]

Ok, thanks for the feedback.

I am also wondering what the quality is like on the HDMI wall plates. If anyone has any experience using them. I just want to make everything look nice and neat. For example, on monoprice they are all about $10-15. Would that work fine?

[redwudz]

As long as the wall plates fit flush with the wall, should look fine. I noticed that one of the complaints with the HDMI>CAT5 wall plates was that they seem to stick out an additional 1/4" from the wall because of the screws on the backside. That would be a problem most times. The HDMI wall plates seem a bit better designed. HDMI cables are a bit bulkier and harder to make sharp bends with. You will probably also need about a 1" hole to feed them through the wall studs or the top wall plate.

With my system, I should be able to put the cables through the attic, but I still have to get up through the walls. Most homes have a 'firestop' 2"X4" board between the wall studs about half way up the wall. Getting a 1" hole, or any hole, through that can be a problem.

Generally, Monoprice has some of the most inexpensive components. I've seen those same HDMI plates for more than double their price on quite a few sites.

[ehero]

IME, Hdmi cat5 wall plates should be used within a short distance, because you have to carry high bandwith data over network cables without any boosting.

But if you choose hdmi cat5 extender for your requirement you will also have a chance to boost hdmi signal level when it is not good level.

Also, cable quality very important pure cat5 cables coudn't be used. At least cat5e or cat6 cables should be used. When this products firstly produced, hdmi signal levels was 720p or 1080i. After 1080p introduced, some old installations has been produced bad results.

Old users should think to upgrade at least their network cables to cat6 ones.

you can read other important details from this blog : http://www.hdmicat5.net