[nakbrooks]

I'm recabling a large property which will have up to 10 TV nodes. As Freesat receivers are cheap and most TVs now come with DTTV receivers built-in I'm proposing to distribute the source signals to each node. Obviously I could use WF100 coax (which is what I've done in the past) but I'm planning on installing a fibre network anyway so am investigating the feasibility of that meeting all my needs (AV, data, VOIP).

I have a few questions:

1. Presumably a fibre network can easily handle the bandwidth to distribute satellite signals (Sky HD and, when available, Freesat and DTTV HD)?

2. Can the same physical fibre carry multiple AV sources (e.g. DTTV + Freesat + Sky) simultaneously or does it have to be switched? If it can how are they multiplexed/demultiplexed?

3. Similarly, can the same physical fibre carry both AV and an IP network simultaneously, if so how?

4. What kit do I need at the central point (to convert DTTV/Satellite signals to fibre) and the individual nodes (to convert back to feed into the satellite or TV receivers)?

5. Who are the main manufacturers of this kit (for serious home or small commercial - e.g. hotel - use), not hobbyists (it needs to be reliable with minimal maintenance)?

6. What order of cost am I looking at?

7. Is this a sensible approach or should I really be sticking with coax to each node, in parallel with a Cat5e or Cat6 network for data/phone use?

A lot of questions - but I'd really appreciate some views on this.

Many thanks

[dwhite]

Moved to cat 5 cabling forum. I know your not talking about cat5, but I think the guys in here will be able to help.

[Joe Fernand]

Fibre is only starting to make an appearance in the consumer market.

Fibre will cater for anything your going to throw at it in terms of consumer video and audio signals.

A Matrix switch would be used to switch multiple sources to multiple displays.

The AV network is usually kept apart from any IP network - unless you look to implement some form of AV to IP conversion before jumping on to the Fibre backbone.

We work with two manufacturers who have 'Over Fibre' extenders plus 'Over Fibre' switching and distribution products.

NeoPro - have just announced the NeoStar Matrix switch (http://www.neoprointegrator.com/docu...Star-A-web.pdf) to partner their LightSpider HDMI over Fibre extender (NeoPro® - HD Video (HDMI) over fiber cable).

The LightSpider range will be extended to cater for other video and audio signal types/formals.

Digital Extender - have a fairly comprehensive range of HDMI and Fibre switching, distribution and extender products (RTcom USA, Inc. - Digital Extender specialized in Matrix Router, Switcher, Distribution Amplifier, Fiber Optic Cable and CAT-5 extender with HDMI and DVI format).

Joe