[zifa1906]

Hi - I'm looking for some advice on extending my existing cat6 HD setup. I have one full HD TV and one HD ready TV. Both have 2 x cat6 cables connecting them to a single Sky HD box. Both rooms also have 2 x coax, connected to a Global Loftbox. I have 1 set of non-powered baluns and swap them between TVs if I change rooms while watching HD. Sky remote control is via magic eyes on the coax.

I want to extend this setup but don't want to waste money buying components which won't support my longer term set-up - if that's at all possible. My longer term set-up is multiple HD inputs (BlueRay, AppleTV) and up to 4 outputs once I connect other rooms.

My immediate aim is to move away from having to swap the baluns when I move between rooms, but not sure if the latest HD matrix switches still need them. Also, a BlueRay player is on Santa's list so that's a second HD input.

[Jamie S]

Our HDMI over Cat5 4x4 Matrix has recently had the price slashed massively.

It would solve your problems perfectly.

HDMI Matrix over CAT5 Switch - by hdcable.co.uk

You can continue to use the coax for magic eye channel switching.

Each remote display has a receiever box that allows you to select any of the 4 video sources and via an IR remote control.

It would also give you the scope for future expansion with 4 inputs and 4 outputs.

[Joe Fernand]

Hello zifa1906

If you wish to retain your passive Extender pairs you can add a 4x4 HDMI Matrix to the system and connect two of the Matrix HDMI Outputs to the Extender units - Media Factory - Octava HDMX44-UK, 4x4 HDMI Matrix switch (ensure you fully test this arrangement as you could run into EDID and HDCP issues).

Alternatively you could install an HDMI Matrix that caters for both HDMI and 'over CAT6' output and use the matching HDMI in-room Receivers for any runs going over CAT6 cables - Media Factory - Octava HDMX44CAT-UK, 4x4 HDMI CAT6 Matrix switch

Ensure everything is HDMI 1.3 compliant and you will be OK for a while to come.

Joe

[zifa1906]

Thanks guys, both options look good. I'm keen to get away from the baluns and the problem I've had with them raises one more question. My baluns are:

HDMI over CAT5 Balun Kit - 1080P upto 30m

and I've found them rather bulky for trying to fit between the wall and the back of a flat screen. As you can see, they plug straight into the hdmi socket, so add on the cat6 plugs and wire and there's a good 5 inches of space needed. They even stick out if I plug them into the side hdmi socket. Yes, I could have bought a male to female hdmi cable, and plugged it between the balun and the TV, but I was thinking longer term. So, my question is, do your in-room receiver units plug straight into the hdmi socket and if so, what space is needed behind the TV to accommodate them.

[Joe Fernand]

I'd always avoid plugging anything 'solid' into the HDMI socket on a piece of kit - a little bit too much leverage and your going to have a damaged socket.

The Octava units have a standard HDMI output socket on the Rx units and require a short (or long) HDMI cable into the display.

The Rx units have screw/tie down lugs and are easy enough to hide behind your display if required - the Rx unit is 85mm x 65mm x 30mm.

Joe

[zifa1906]

Thanks Joe, good advice