HD200 Stock

[Bizarroterl]

Originally Posted by Suntan

Hmmm... Personally, I hate the design too. It is an ok (at best) interface for plugging a 3 foot cable from a TV to a dvd player, but it is inadequate for any type of structured wiring. The fact that they didn’t offer a more robust version (with real strain relief features) in the specification means that people who want to run CL2 wire over decent distances have to deal with constant connector problems.

And yeah, anyone that can show me where to find 28AWG cables that are light and flimsy to connect to the back of a component, but also CL2 code compliant and able to work at 35’, I’d be impressed.

-Suntan

How about 25'? That's the max that Blue Jeans Cable goes.

[Suntan]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

Proper structured wiring would terminate in a box, not go to the unit.

I am not aware of any specification for a terminal box connection that actually uses a strain relieved connector built onto the end of the cable. All junction box assemblies I have seen just use a port saver design where there is a small length of 28AWG wire that connects with a traditional, un-relieved female HDMI connector.

As for you comments about using HDMI repeaters and such, I understand how that would technically work, however I fail to see how that would actually improve upon the original issue, or more importantly, how it relates to your original quip about “it's not like the big, heavy duty cables, make the 1's and 0's heavier..”

Sarcasm aside, there is a need for heavier gauge HDMI cables with heavy jacketing when installing long distance runs in walls, and these are not that easy to bend. The fact that 1s and 0s will also run a long merrily on light gauge wires isn’t that helpful.

-Suntan

[Suntan]

Originally Posted by Bizarroterl

How about 25'? That's the max that Blue Jeans Cable goes.

Well, yeah. If you only need to cover a distance of 25' then that would probably work fine... ...but if you need to cover 35'...

-Suntan

[Bizarroterl]

Originally Posted by Suntan

Well, yeah. If you only need to cover a distance of 25' then that would probably work fine... ...but if you need to cover 35'...

-Suntan

Yeah, then you're stuck with the thicker gauges or using 2 short 28Ga cables and an extender ($$$).

[Fuzzy]

The 'quip' was about using heavy wires OUTSIDE the walls, not in the walls. You were complaining that the extender was too small/light for your big heavy 24AWG, class 2 hdmi cables. Also, why do you need strain relief on in-wall cabling? Yes, some/most HDMI cover plates use a small pigtail on them for in the box. This is to allow for stable connections in a tight electrical box. There is nothing wrong with adding 3 inches of 28AWG to your 35' 24AWG cable. The added overall resistance is negligible.

[Suntan]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

There is nothing wrong with adding 3 inches of 28AWG to your 35' 24AWG cable. The added overall resistance is negligible.

Gee, probably why I suggested this very thing a couple of posts back (back when you were busy being haha with the 1s and 0s crack) to the poster that was looking to deal with the issue of heavy cables causing his components to lift up...

-Suntan

[wayner]

There are currently two HD-200s up for bid on eBay - current price is around $70. Note that an HD-100 went for $89 a few days ago. That seems awfully high to pay for a HD-100.

[cat6man]

i'd expect the price for hd200 to come down when hd300 show up and folks start swapping things out.............

hey, today is 9/10...............any signs or emails indicating hd300 are ready to ship?

[peternm22]

Originally Posted by cat6man

hey, today is 9/10...............any signs or emails indicating hd300 are ready to ship?

I think they said it would take a couple business days to ship out once they received stock.

[medwynd]

Originally Posted by cat6man

i'd expect the price for hd200 to come down when hd300 show up and folks start swapping things out.............

hey, today is 9/10...............any signs or emails indicating hd300 are ready to ship?

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50782

[TheCowStir]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

Proper structured wiring would terminate in a box, not go to the unit. You'd have an HDMI jack on a cover plate, and then could use light weight, no CL2 cable from the plate to the component. The HDMI standard's timing is good for up to 50ft. For longer runs, repeaters are available (and yes, the repeaters are HDCP compliant). Ideally, though, you'd be distributing over long distance with ethernet, and have your extenders near the playback device.

That's why these "HDMI over CAT5E / CAT6 Extender Wall Plate" are made. Up to 84 feet with shielded Cat6 cable. Actually can be cheaper than just about all big box HDMI cables... (Look for it at monoprice). I have some and I don't have any complaints yet, but I'm only going about 35 ft from my receiver to my projector.

As HDMI is not much than an ethernet cable (a few more pairs and a fancy end) these should work great. If you need some longer distances wikipedia says that over a pair of cat6 HDMI with HDCP should be able to go up to 250 meters, or 300 meters over fiber. However I can't find those lengths from the devices at monoprice.

1 HD300 on the way, ordered 9/4 so hopefully they don't run out...

[heffneil]

I am using 50 or 75 foot hdmi cables to four tvs in my theater. Currently I don't need boosters or equalizers for them to work properly. I am happy about this but I believe adding a 6 foot cables off an hdmi wall receptacle is going to be the straw that breaksmthe camels back.

[briands]

Originally Posted by heffneil

I am using 50 or 75 foot hdmi cables to four tvs in my theater. Currently I don't need boosters or equalizers for them to work properly. I am happy about this but I believe adding a 6 foot cables off an hdmi wall receptacle is going to be the straw that breaksmthe camels back.

Sort of off topic, but care to share what this setup looks like???

[heffneil]

Sure. I havent posted this to AVSForums yet. I never started a build thread but I should have a may do a retrospective. I started in December an got everything finished and working real well in March. I hired a wood working outfit to build the cabinets around this about 45 days ago and they told me it would be finished before football season. Well football is here and as you see in the picture there is no cabinet. I think it will be completed in a couple more weeks....

Let me know what you think I had a real fun time putting it all together and it is awesome watching football. If I were going to do it again I would have done 6 tv's (two smaller ones on either side of the 55" lower tv)

Thanks,

Neil

[heffneil]

I received my shipping email on my HD300's! Too bad I am too cheap to spring for overnight or two day so it will be about a week before I see them. I ordered early afternoon on the first day FYI.

[bsung]

I took a monoprice 22 awg 50' hdmi cable (#2804) to Best Buy and plugged it into a Panasonic 3D setup from a BD player to the tv. It worked in 3D. I don't know if getting the thickest wire I could find was the key or not, but that's a setup that seems to work. I'm crossing my fingers b/c I've already put it in my basement walls. I did put in multiple in case one goes bad.