Length restrictions and amplification

[ummagumma]

I need to do some long runs ranging from 150-300 feet. Where could I start learning about what is needed to accomplish this? I'd prefer hdmi. I'll have vendors do the actual pulls to ensure compliance with structured cabling standards.

Right now we're running analog to signage and the picture looks terrible. Can coax look good if done correctly? Any other recommendations on hardware? I only have 4 TV's and was going to use a high end desktop that I have laying around. What are my options for expansion if we decide to add 2-4 more TV's? Should I invest in a device besides the desktop and amplification now, to avoid costs in the future?

[ummagumma]

After a small amount of research I'm leaning toward cat6.

[DB83]

So pray tell how you will connect even a single tv using cat6 ?

[Cornucopia]

You need to give us much more info...

Layout, obstacles, existing equipment, budget, timetables/deadlines, purpose/need.

Scott

[Bjs]

This device (hdmi cat6 extender - sender and receiver) will allow you up to 120m from source in and out ... can be used with routers to extend (growth)

So long as the cabling is done professionally it should last many years ... pity devices connected to it wont but that's part of the maintenance schedule ... you do plan having one, lol

[ummagumma]

Thanks for the reply. I don't really have a skillset in this type of deployment, and am thankful for any push in the right direction.

Layout-
Physical Logical Current Proposed
This is why I'm here

Existing equipment
Will take recommendations from ground up
separate managed switch for video environment
physical redundancy options for source (beefy desktop with spare parts and whatever cards I'll need or vm on san.. but i'd assume we stay away from virtual due to me not considering putting a rad video card in any of my servers?)
Existing lcd TV's (can drop specs later)

Obstacles-
No experience with physical portion of video deployment planning or integration. Extensive networking experience for multicast environments may be a plus, why I mentioned standard Ethernet cabling.

Budget-
Flexible, $10,000 as a rough hard cap w/out tv purchase

Timetables/deadlines
n/a

purpose/need
Public facing digital signage placed inside of a building. I need all TV's to play the same video on a timer, from whatever source would be considered best practice for this length of run (est. 150-200) feet at the highest quality available within a reasonable (whatever is standard in the smb) price range.

Also looking for examples of multi-floor implementations over large buildings.

Maybe our current configuration is just jammed up on the applications side and other people run great looking video's over analog. This is just very far from my specialization... and was hoping for a place to start.

Thanks.

[ummagumma]

This device (hdmi cat6 extender - sender and receiver) will allow you up to 120m from source in and out ... can be used with routers to extend (growth)

So long as the cabling is done professionally it should last many years ... pity devices connected to it wont but that's part of the maintenance schedule ... you do plan having one, lol

Thanks! Everything in my shop has a maintenance schedule and redundancy considerations.
I'm really looking for a case study or best practices paper for how companies run good looking video throughout a 10-15 story building, using solutions to overcome 300+ feet from the source. I assume it's the "router" that you mentioned in your post. Can you expand on the "router" device? Would another switch 100 feet from the source provide amplification or is the extension process outside the scope of networking? When you say router do you mean OSI layer 3 capability or is that term used differently in the video world?

[ummagumma]

I've talked with a few vendors and contacted companies that have long runs. Looks like we will be going with cat6 for the short runs and fiber for the long runs. I've spoken with a few company's offering the hardware to get the job done and, after speaking with a few account managers, was impressed with Kramer Electronics.

Looks like this should be wrapped up pretty quick. I can provide technical details as the project moves forward if anyone is interested. Looks like this thread was dead from the beginning though.

thanks anyways. Have a good day.

[jagabo]

Out of curiosity, I'd like to see what you get for the fiber connections.