Advice on where to buy 50m cat6 cable for hdmi signal

[tabs79]

we are building an extension and I want to run prob 40m of cat 6 cable from the lounge, outside, up and into the loft, across the house and down into new extension. Cable to be used for hdmi from Sky / bluray over hdbase t transmitter / receiver set up.

I have no idea about cat 6 cable or where to buy from, a 50m drum would be enough so advice on where to buy from. Also any advice on the hdbase t devices to send the shy signal! Any recommendations.

 

[Member 581642]

If running externally you will need external grade CAt6 and also should be placed in some form of containment

 

[tabs79]

Ok thanks for that Aclass, but the question really is where do people recommend to buy the cable from really and what do I need to look for in the cable to get beat hdmi signal with it.

 

[neilball]

As long as it is external grade Cat6 (which should use solid copper cores, so stay away from any cable that is described as copper clad aluminium or similar. Cable that is not solid copper does not meet the Cat specs, so should not be called cat"x", but some of the less scrupulous online sellers seem to do this.

The other thing to watch out for is damage to the cable during installation - you need to pay attention to the bend radius at changes of direction, so no tight bends, ensure you don't kink the cable or stretch it by using too much force to pull it through the structure, and also do not staple or tightly clip the cable as this crushes the cores together which will also damage or degrade the cable. Running the cable in conduit externally will give additional protection from UV and weathering too.

 

[Member 581642]

Sorry

Cat6, solid core, Normally sold in 305m rolls

Try Blackbox

Black Box Network Services

Seb

 

[Member 581642]

its expensive if using outdoors

C6GF-A-1000, CAT6 UTP Outdoor-Rated Solid, Gel-Filled, Bulk Cable - Black Box

 

[tabs79]

Thanks for the replies!

Do you know anyone selling shorter distances as that's a lot of money and cable that I don't need! Only need 50m max so a 50 or 100m reel would be fine but seems a lot of duds on Amazon and eBay!

 

[neilball]

CPC have cat6 in 100m lengths for around £32+vat with free delivery.

 

[Member 581642]

But unfortunately not external grade .

You maybe a bit stuck if wanting external grade as not used that often .

 

[tabs79]

Ok thanks!

I take it this is no good as its CCA cable? Is that correct?


Multi-Cables External CAT6 100m Outdoor use waterproof - Direct Burial UTP Ethernet Network Cable - 550 Mhz-with Crimp tools -100 meter: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

 

[tabs79]

Does this look a decent buy?? And what about the connectors required? Anything I need to look for?

External CAT6 Outdoor Use COPPER Ethernet Network Cable Reel UTP 100m - OUTDOOR_CAT6_100 -kenable for HDMI Optical TOS Network Ethernet RJ45 Scart Audio Phono Jack USB Firewire 800 ADSL Cable Leads

 

[neilball]

Ok thanks!

I take it this is no good as its CCA cable? Is that correct?


Multi-Cables External CAT6 100m Outdoor use waterproof - Direct Burial UTP Ethernet Network Cable - 550 Mhz-with Crimp tools -100 meter: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

If it is CCA as suggested in the body of the advert, then it cannot be called CAT6, so is a perfect example of the problems with uneducated or unscrupulous sellers using plain wrong descriptions.

 

[neilball]

Does this look a decent buy?? And what about the connectors required? Anything I need to look for?

External CAT6 Outdoor Use COPPER Ethernet Network Cable Reel UTP 100m - OUTDOOR_CAT6_100 -kenable for HDMI Optical TOS Network Ethernet RJ45 Scart Audio Phono Jack USB Firewire 800 ADSL Cable Leads

It states the conductors are 100% copper, so it would appear that this is "proper" cat6 cable. I've not used this supplier myself so cannot say much more than that.

In terms of tools, you will need a cable stripper that cuts the external sheath without damaging the internal cores (I use a Cyclops cutter) or be very careful trimming the outer sheath! You'll also need an RJ45 crimp tool and suitable RK45 connectors. Make sure you read up on the process to correctly terminate these types of connectors and have a good number more than you need so you can practice a few times before making your final connections. Pay close attention to the colour sequences needed in the plug, stick with the TIA-568B scheme for both ends.

If you don't want to buy any tools or risk making poor quality terminations (RJ45 plugs can take a bit of practice to get right if you are doing this for the first time) then there are projects like the Asheridge Communications gigabit Ethernet adapters which provide a punch-down IDC connector for the cable termination, which requires no special tools. The insertion losses from the IDC connectors can be a problem for some cheaper HDMI extenders, but if you are using HDBT these will be fine.

 

[neilball]

Does this look a decent buy?? And what about the connectors required? Anything I need to look for?

External CAT6 Outdoor Use COPPER Ethernet Network Cable Reel UTP 100m - OUTDOOR_CAT6_100 -kenable for HDMI Optical TOS Network Ethernet RJ45 Scart Audio Phono Jack USB Firewire 800 ADSL Cable Leads

It states the conductors are 100% copper, so it would appear that this is "proper" cat6 cable. I've not used this supplier myself so cannot say much more than that.

In terms of tools, you will need a cable stripper that cuts the external sheath without damaging the internal cores (I use a Cyclops cutter) or be very careful trimming the outer sheath! You'll also need an RJ45 crimp tool and suitable RK45 connectors. Make sure you read up on the process to correctly terminate these types of connectors and have a good number more than you need so you can practice a few times before making your final connections. Pay close attention to the colour sequences needed in the plug, stick with the TIA-568B scheme for both ends.

If you don't want to buy any tools or risk making poor quality terminations (RJ45 plugs can take a bit of practice to get right if you are doing this for the first time) then there are projects like the Asheridge Communications gigabit Ethernet adapters which provide a punch-down IDC connector for the cable termination, which requires no special tools. The insertion losses from the IDC connectors can be a problem for some cheaper HDMI extenders, but if you are using HDBT these will be fine.

 

[tabs79]

That's brilliant thanks! I think my sparky doing the extension is going to do the connections for me but I need to get the cable etc!

Would just be nice to have a cable recommended rather than me trying one out and hoping for the best!!

 

[Joe Fernand]

Blackbox GigaTrue 550 with matching connectors is what we always use - Cables, Bulk Cable, CAT6 - Black Box

Joe

 

[Timmy C]

Blackbox GigaTrue 550 with matching connectors is what we always use - Cables, Bulk Cable, CAT6 - Black Box

Joe

Sorry to jump in on someone elses thread but it seemed silly to start a new one. I always trust your advice on these things Joe so can you just confirm the one in the link below is the one I need. In my case It's for internal use only for both internet connections for sky/squeezebox etc and also for HDMI over Cat 6 using my Gefen and Octava bits and pieces. It's all going above the ceiling during extension work so I can't afford to get it wrong!

EYN864A-PB-1000, GigaTrue® 550 CAT6, 550-MHz Bulk Cable - Black Box

 

[Timmy C]

I see there's a shielded one that's more expensive. Would that be a better option or is it not necessary? Thanks in advance for advice....I don't wanna mess this up!

EYNLSF641AW-PB-1000, GigaTrue CAT6 LSZH F/UTP Shielded Bulk Cable - Black Box

 

[neilball]

Unless you plan to use shielded connectors and accessories throughout, and terminate the shield to earth correctly, you should stick to UTP. Incorrectly terminated shields can act like antennae, injecting noise/interference into the cable rather than keeping it out! In a residential environment there really is little or no need for STP/FTP cable.

 

[Timmy C]

Unless you plan to use shielded connectors and accessories throughout, and terminate the shield to earth correctly, you should stick to UTP. Incorrectly terminated shields can act like antennae, injecting noise/interference into the cable rather than keeping it out! In a residential environment there really is little or no need for STP/FTP cable.

Thanks. I just had a response from the company and they said the same about termination. I know little about this as you can probably tell but would far sooner take advice from you guys on here than the electricians my builders bring in! So just so I don't make a mistake, the one I first linked to is my best option right?

 

[neilball]

That cable will be fine.

 

[Timmy C]

Many thanks, I appreciate your help.

 

[Joe Fernand]

As Per Neil's advice avoid the shielded option and yes the link is to the cable we use/recommend.

Good luck with the build.

Joe

 

[Timmy C]

Thanks everyone. Cable arrived the next day...excellent service!

As you can guess I'm no expert at this but have terminated a few runs of Cat6 I installed in the past without any problem. I seem to remember reading differing suggestions when it came to the order the wires go in the plug. I couldn't really understand how it would make much difference as long as you do it the same at both ends but just in case there is a preferred way for my purposes do you think one of you could link me to details? Thanks again.

 

[Member 581642]

The pairs are twisted together and thats what makes the difference . 568b is the one to use

 

[Joe Fernand]

See - FAQ Why use HDMI DVI. What is a HDMI switch. What is the difference between HDMI and DVI

The majority of systems use 568b - though always worth checking with any hardware manufacturer!

Joe

 

[Adrian Hatton]

Hi, I'm a data/fibre optic cable engineer
The four pairs (cat 5e/6 cable)are twisted at different rates , for example if you cut length of data cable then took the four pairs out the sheath and untwisted them you would see the actual length of the pairs are all different.
This is how high speeds are achieved -Signals are sent over all the pairs but arrive at the receiving end at different times because the actual distance to travel is varies over the four pairs- thus preventing data collisions,
Important to stick to 568b standard and not just make each end the same as you may not transmit down each pair correctly!

 

[Joe Fernand]

'Important to stick to 568b standard and not just make each end the same as you may not transmit down each pair correctly! ' - that would be true for HDMI/HDBT if all HDMI Extender Manufacturers used 568b, we have one range of Extenders which does not stick with 568b (or a) and requires a straight wired connection.

Always check with your Extender Manufacturer.

Joe

 

[Adrian Hatton]

Data outlets should be wired to standards. (Future use etc)
Corrections in cable scheme should be made with patch cables.

 

[Joe Fernand]

I see where you are coming from but for HDMI we run/advise folk to run a 'stand-alone' cable network and it is best for it not to go anywhere near the premises data network.

HDMI (especially with the advent of 4K) is putting a much greater than normal 'expectation' on the CAT6 cable (which is simply being used as a cheap transport medium) every break in the cable run is a potential signal fail point, we don't advise folk to use terminated plates.

Joe