Different types of Cat5e cable?

indus · 11-05-2009, 5:05 PM

I notice there are a few different kinds of Cat5e cable. Could somebody explain what the difference is.

Thanks

ben.bayliss · 12-05-2009, 10:12 AM

Care to link to some of these different kinds?

LINDY Chris · 12-05-2009, 10:17 AM

Firstly,

UTP and FTP or STP

UTP is unshielded, FTP and STP are shielded versions of the cable.

Solid core has a single metal core, where stranded has lots of small cores, typically these are patch cables and solid core is used for wall installations for example.

CAT5/6/7 just refers to the standard, typically CAT6 has a higher twist rate than CAT5 and it rated a lot higher.

It really depends on what you are using them for, if it's a small home setup typically every cable does the same job.

RBJTech · 12-05-2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indus

I notice there are a few different kinds of Cat5e cable. Could somebody explain what the difference is.

Thanks

If you're talking physical see above - if you mean the actual connections - then you can get a Standard or Crossover cable.

> The standard cable connects a Host (PC) to a Network (Switch).
> A crossover (or X-Over) cable connects a Host (PC) to another Host (PC) directly, or a Network (Switch) to another Network (Switch). However, these days most switches have MDI-X ports, which basically means it will work with either type of cable.

LINDY Chris · 12-05-2009, 10:48 AM

I knew I missed something ! Doh

indus · 12-05-2009, 2:17 PM

Thanks.

Lindy, mine is for running HD movies on my 1080p pj using a HDMI extender. Which kind do you recommend?

Can I ask another stupid question? Once I've bought the cable and run it, how do I get the connectors on the ends??

LINDY Chris · 12-05-2009, 3:34 PM

How far do you need the CAT5/6 run?

We have different extenders for different lengths. Longer lengths need two cables.

As for the ends, you need a RJ-45 crimp, with the tool. Simply push in the correct wires to the ends and squeeze

indus · 12-05-2009, 4:08 PM

Chris, the run is only 12m. What kind of Cat5e/6 would you recommend?

Also at the pj end, the power socket is not close by. This would mean the powerlead to the extender would have to be about 4m long, could this be sorted?

Many thanks for your help

RBJTech · 12-05-2009, 5:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indus

Chris, the run is only 12m. What kind of Cat5e/6 would you recommend?

Also at the pj end, the power socket is not close by. This would mean the powerlead to the extender would have to be about 4m long, could this be sorted?

Many thanks for your help

If it's only 12m, why not use a proper HDMI cable ?

LINDY Chris · 13-05-2009, 8:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RBJTech

If it's only 12m, why not use a proper HDMI cable ?

Because 12m of HDMI cable is beyond the recommend limit using 1080p

However if that is an option, take a look at this, its an in-line booster.

HDMI Repeater / Extender, 80m | Video Splitters & Extenders | Sharing, Converting, Extending | LINDY UK

I would recommend CAT6 as this is the best with digital extenders.

UTP or FTP/STP, it shouldn't make any difference unless its near high voltage mains etc

RBJTech · 13-05-2009, 9:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LINDY Tech

Because 12m of HDMI cable is beyond the recommend limit using 1080p

However if that is an option, take a look at this, its an in-line booster.

HDMI Repeater / Extender, 80m | Video Splitters & Extenders | Sharing, Converting, Extending | LINDY UK

I would recommend CAT6 as this is the best with digital extenders.

UTP or FTP/STP, it shouldn't make any difference unless its near high voltage mains etc

Being a cable supplier you obviously know your stuff (but may also have other reasons not just to recommend a longer cable..) but I thought there is no 'maximum' length set in the HDMI specifications. The quality of the cable and it's attenuation will dictate its's maximum length.

To the OP - I run a 10m HDMI cable @ 1080p - about £20 from the net - it works perfectly. I can't see that another 2m is going to suddenly kill the signals - infact the same source sold a 15m one too.

Surely worth trying a 15m cable on sale or return ?

Jamie S · 13-05-2009, 10:00 AM

For lengths under 15m, a HDMI cable would be the better option.

As LINDY says, it may be "beyond the recommended limit for 1080p" but that certainly does not mean that 1080p is not achievable via a HDMI cable over 12m.

There are thousands of people out there, (certainly hundreds of our customers) happily using a 15m HDMI cable to watch Full1080p/60hz no problem at all.

A 15m HDMI cable would be a cheaper and easier option.

It is important to note that most projector and display manufacturers are now adding cable EQ (equalization) circuits into their systems. This is a way to counteract the filter effects of a longer cable and help the system to correctly read the digital data. In addition, HDMI 1.3 removed the restrictions on overshoot which prevented the use of pre-emphasis (signal amplification) on source components. Now, sources can improve performance at higher speeds and when using longer cables. As it turns out, most manufacturers are doing exactly this on newer released devices, making long HDMI runs far more achievable than before… Hooray!

We have not had a 15m HDMI cable returned for over 6 months.

I am sure if this thread was in the HDMI cables section of this forum you would get many members giving you the same advice as me.

You can get one of our 15m Pro-2 HDMI cables for £34.99 delivered.

LINDY Chris · 13-05-2009, 10:48 AM

I'm not saying every setup will not work with HDMI cable alone, after all we've coupled our Premium Gold HDMI together at DAFT lengths and these still work fine at 1080p

But I doubt everyone would have the same findings, which is why we don't recommend it

indus · 13-05-2009, 3:33 PM

sorry I should have given more details.

I already have a 15m hdmi cable that works perfectly. Its a very good quality one from one of the advertisers on this forum.

Problem is now that I've actually come to install it (as opposed to just playing with it) I find it very thick and inflexible. For the install the cable will have to negotiate about 5 full 90 degree bends. This will be very difficult given the stiffness of the cable, and would probably damage it.

Hence I'm investigating the alternative plan of Cat5e/6 with hdmi extender.

To be clear, the powerline for the pj will also run with the cat5e/6 cable(in a plastic conduit) for some of the distance. should I therefore go for the shielded variety? Cat5e or 6

Many thanks

Jamie S · 13-05-2009, 3:41 PM

OK, in that case and at that distance - unshielded UTP stranded Cat5e or Cat6 cable will be absolutely fine!

indus · 13-05-2009, 5:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie S

OK, in that case and at that distance - unshielded UTP stranded Cat5e or Cat6 cable will be absolutely fine!

Many thanks

Joe Fernand · 14-05-2009, 8:05 AM

Hello indus

One 'oddity' with HDMI over Twisted Pair (CAT5/6) Balun is that many designs wont work with short (sub 15m) lengths of CAT5 or CAT6 cable.

Some do - The Media Factory

We supply/install the Black Box, Giga True 550, LSZH, UTP, CAT6 cable on all current contracts.

Joe