Can long cable lengths be used with HDMI? - Techwatch Support Forums: Digital & Satellite TV, FTA, Cable, Computers, Mobile Phones, Apple and General Tech Forums

dave3dg · 21-10-08, 10:25 AM

Can long cable lengths be used with HDMI?

Can long cable lengths be used with HDMI? The answer is yes and no. The highest video resolution currently possible is HDMI, but one of the drawbacks of this technology is that the HDMI cable is not suggested for long cable runs, due to the fact that HDMI cable is manufactured out of twisted pairs of copper conductors that are small-gauge, instead of the usual coaxial cable, and this can cause problems when the HDMI cable needs to be run over 50 feet in length.

The usual specification length of the maximum run for HDMI cable is usually about 50 feet, or approximately 15 yards. The maximum cable run that will be efficient will be different for each individual cable, depending on the quality specifications of the cable manufacturer. A higher quality cable will cost more, but will also run further before any additional devices and technology are needed. Generally, the thicker the copper wire is in the pairs, the more costly the cable is, but the longer that cable can be run before experiencing signal problems.

To have HDMI cable that runs over the maximum effective length, which is 50 feet to 60 feet, will require additional technologies and devices. There are several excellent ways to extend thelength of the HDMI cable run and still keep the signal effectiveness.

When an HDMI cable length gets too long the signal starts to lose strength. This results in a picture distortion, sparklies, which is where single pixels drop out of the picture, or no picture display at all, only sound capabilities. If any of these problems occur than the cable length is too long, and the signal needs to be adjusted by additional devices.

The available options to extend the HDMI cable run and still have a usable signal are various. There are signal restorers, signal boosters, signal extenders, signal equalizers, cables with thicker conductors,and fiber optic cables. The cost and effectiveness of these methods vary according to the method used.

An HDMI signal restorer re-synchronizes the signal coming in back up to the original HDMI specifications. This electronic device is small and powered by a transformer. The restorer is placed near the end of the cable run, by the display unit, and can restore a 1080p signal even if the cable transmitting the signal is specified for a lesser speed. A signal restorer can extend a usable signal by roughly 40 Meters.

An HDMI signal booster is a device that is strategically placed to boost the signal over the long cable runs. HDMI cable will start to lose signal strength after approximately 10 to 50 feet, depending on the quality of the cable, which can cause display problems. A signal booster will gives the signal a boost so that it stays strong throughout the length of a longer cable. Some HDMI cables over 75 feet long have a built in signal booster inside the cable.

A signal extender is another option that can extend the HDMI cable run length, and keep a strong effective signal in place. This device first boosts and then extends the signal down the length of the cable after the signal is received.

A signal equalizer for HDMI cable is a device that can assist in keeping the original signal strength and quality over longer HDMI cable runs. An HDMI signal equalizer may also be called a signal enhancer, because of the fact that it enhances the signal, and then it removes any unwanted noise interference. This device does not remove any of the vivid colors or the dynamics of the HD technology, though.

To really boost the length of an effective HDMI cable run, fiber optic cable is an excellent, but possibly quite expensive, option. This type of cable is normally used after the 150 feet maximum run length has been reached with HDMI cable. Fiber optic cable can extend the effective run of HDMI cable to a maximum of 1,640 feet.

HDMI technology is put in terms of “all or nothing” technology. Either the signal is strong enough to give a high quality picture, or it is not strong enough to give the desired results. If the signal is not strong enough, then either picture distortion or no picture at all will be the result. The option chosen from those that are listed above to extend the strong signal along the longer cable run will depend in part on what the total length of the cable run will be. Some options will allow longer runs to be more effective than other options. The answer is that HDMI will support longer cable lengths with additional technology and devices, but HDMI will not support longer cable lengths alone without other technology added in.

Up to 5 meters ...................28 AWG flexible HDMI cable
Up to 45 meters .................24 AWG durable HDMI cable
Up to 45 meters .................24 AWG panel-mount HDMI cable
Up to 90 meters .................22 AWG robust HDMI cable

The higher the wire spec (22awg being highest) the better the signal on a long run.
High spec HDMI cables are rather expensive so choose carefully for short runs!!!

Hope this information helps.

dave3dg

scotty_dotty · 04-04-10, 08:02 AM

Just to add to this there are now self powered hdmi cables that have a built in processor. Designed for portable devices to save battery but may help in longer cable lengths to keep signal moving. Also the new redusigned monster ex1000 has Ethernet capability and has just arrived at my work place so I will be looking at this on a later date.
They also have the ex1200 which has been developed for 3d tv and carries the bandwidth and speed required for this type of technology.

scotty_dotty · 08-04-10, 07:25 PM

Just to add to the above, new hdmi cables will be classed as 1.4, they will take 2k by 4k resolution , over 12gbps speeds, 32/64 bit colour, Ethernet capable (downloads and streaming). New monster centres for LEDs have an adjustable wattage control for better power regulation (don't see the point in that as most tvs have Eco modes to reduce power consumption.)

21-10-08, 10:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
dave3dg Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 104 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Can long cable lengths be used with HDMI? Can long cable lengths be used with HDMI? Can long cable lengths be used with HDMI? The answer is yes and no. The highest video resolution currently possible is HDMI, but one of the drawbacks of this technology is that the HDMI cable is not suggested for long cable runs, due to the fact that HDMI cable is manufactured out of twisted pairs of copper conductors that are small-gauge, instead of the usual coaxial cable, and this can cause problems when the HDMI cable needs to be run over 50 feet in length. The usual specification length of the maximum run for HDMI cable is usually about 50 feet, or approximately 15 yards. The maximum cable run that will be efficient will be different for each individual cable, depending on the quality specifications of the cable manufacturer. A higher quality cable will cost more, but will also run further before any additional devices and technology are needed. Generally, the thicker the copper wire is in the pairs, the more costly the cable is, but the longer that cable can be run before experiencing signal problems. To have HDMI cable that runs over the maximum effective length, which is 50 feet to 60 feet, will require additional technologies and devices. There are several excellent ways to extend thelength of the HDMI cable run and still keep the signal effectiveness. When an HDMI cable length gets too long the signal starts to lose strength. This results in a picture distortion, sparklies, which is where single pixels drop out of the picture, or no picture display at all, only sound capabilities. If any of these problems occur than the cable length is too long, and the signal needs to be adjusted by additional devices. The available options to extend the HDMI cable run and still have a usable signal are various. There are signal restorers, signal boosters, signal extenders, signal equalizers, cables with thicker conductors,and fiber optic cables. The cost and effectiveness of these methods vary according to the method used. An HDMI signal restorer re-synchronizes the signal coming in back up to the original HDMI specifications. This electronic device is small and powered by a transformer. The restorer is placed near the end of the cable run, by the display unit, and can restore a 1080p signal even if the cable transmitting the signal is specified for a lesser speed. A signal restorer can extend a usable signal by roughly 40 Meters. An HDMI signal booster is a device that is strategically placed to boost the signal over the long cable runs. HDMI cable will start to lose signal strength after approximately 10 to 50 feet, depending on the quality of the cable, which can cause display problems. A signal booster will gives the signal a boost so that it stays strong throughout the length of a longer cable. Some HDMI cables over 75 feet long have a built in signal booster inside the cable. A signal extender is another option that can extend the HDMI cable run length, and keep a strong effective signal in place. This device first boosts and then extends the signal down the length of the cable after the signal is received. A signal equalizer for HDMI cable is a device that can assist in keeping the original signal strength and quality over longer HDMI cable runs. An HDMI signal equalizer may also be called a signal enhancer, because of the fact that it enhances the signal, and then it removes any unwanted noise interference. This device does not remove any of the vivid colors or the dynamics of the HD technology, though. To really boost the length of an effective HDMI cable run, fiber optic cable is an excellent, but possibly quite expensive, option. This type of cable is normally used after the 150 feet maximum run length has been reached with HDMI cable. Fiber optic cable can extend the effective run of HDMI cable to a maximum of 1,640 feet. HDMI technology is put in terms of “all or nothing” technology. Either the signal is strong enough to give a high quality picture, or it is not strong enough to give the desired results. If the signal is not strong enough, then either picture distortion or no picture at all will be the result. The option chosen from those that are listed above to extend the strong signal along the longer cable run will depend in part on what the total length of the cable run will be. Some options will allow longer runs to be more effective than other options. The answer is that HDMI will support longer cable lengths with additional technology and devices, but HDMI will not support longer cable lengths alone without other technology added in. Up to 5 meters ...................28 AWG flexible HDMI cable Up to 45 meters .................24 AWG durable HDMI cable Up to 45 meters .................24 AWG panel-mount HDMI cable Up to 90 meters .................22 AWG robust HDMI cable The higher the wire spec (22awg being highest) the better the signal on a long run. High spec HDMI cables are rather expensive so choose carefully for short runs!!! Hope this information helps. dave3dg

04-04-10, 08:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
scotty_dotty Panasonic rules! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Scotland Posts: 53 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Can long cable lengths be used with HDMI? Just to add to this there are now self powered hdmi cables that have a built in processor. Designed for portable devices to save battery but may help in longer cable lengths to keep signal moving. Also the new redusigned monster ex1000 has Ethernet capability and has just arrived at my work place so I will be looking at this on a later date. They also have the ex1200 which has been developed for 3d tv and carries the bandwidth and speed required for this type of technology. Last edited by scotty_dotty; 04-04-10 at 08:06 AM. Reason: Additional info.

08-04-10, 07:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
scotty_dotty Panasonic rules! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Scotland Posts: 53 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Can long cable lengths be used with HDMI? Just to add to the above, new hdmi cables will be classed as 1.4, they will take 2k by 4k resolution , over 12gbps speeds, 32/64 bit colour, Ethernet capable (downloads and streaming). New monster centres for LEDs have an adjustable wattage control for better power regulation (don't see the point in that as most tvs have Eco modes to reduce power consumption.)