Sending Content to Multiple HD TV's

[Capture Scratch]

We are currently setting up 2 HD TV's in different hallways of our church to promote the our youth ministry. What are your thoughts on this set up:

We are looking at using and Apple iMac to output content through the DVI port. Using a DVI to HDMI converter cable, the content will go to a 1x4 channel HDMI Distribution Amplifier. We'll use the other channels in the future.

We are looking at Samsung LCD screens with HDMI inputs and a resolution of 1366 x 768.

Will this work? Will our computer play nicely with the Distribution Amplifier? Do you have links resources I can look to for more info?

Thanks a million,
Lee

[TSA AV Crew]

I'd use component somehow. HDMI cables are really expensive, (unless you are one of the churches with faithful givers )haha

I don't have much experience in digital signage though so I'm just going from a home theater standpoint. However, our church is building a new facility and we are heavily considering digital signage for that so if you can keep me posted on any info you find, that'd be awesome

[Nathan J]

The bigger problem than the cost of the cables is the length you can drive them... if you're going more than 20 feet, DVI and HDMI can really drop out bigtime.

Another option besides component would be to use VGA - could just take a VGA out of the iMac, send it into a distribution amplifier, and send the cables 100 feet without any problem. Component is fine too -- but you're going to have to convert it to that from the DVI/VGA out of the computer.

[JHVideoGuy]

We have 4 plasmas on our stage that we use to throw up background elements/ textures. We take the VGA output of a G5 PowerMac and use Magenta Research boxes to send the signal over Cat5.

[hoosierdraft]

I would advise HDMI. Have two recent new campus locations that are using multiple Vizio LCDs running at 1920x1080 using 75' HDMI cables with equalizers, HDMI splitters and DVI-I to HDMI converter cables.

Monoprice HDMI 75' cable
Kramer 1x4 HDMI DA
Monoprice 1x2 HDMI DA

Both sites are running EasyWorship. Both sites take DVI-I from PC and convert to HDMI.

One site has HDMI to Monoprice 1x2 HDMI DA. One out to back wall confidence Vizio 42" LCD. Other out 75' HDMI cable to Kramer 1x4 HDMI DA. Two HDMI cables out to two Vizio 52" LCD on left and right of stage.

Other site has 75' HDMI to Kramer 1x4 HDMI DA. Three HDMI cables out to one Vizio 52" LCD center stage and two Vizio 42" LCD left and right of stage. One HDMI cable out to Vizio 42" LCD confidence monitor mounted on a Chief mobile bracket in front of stage.

All cable runs are HDMI with some signal paths running through multiple DAs. Some runs are in excess of 150' total. Zero sync or dropout issues. Cabling costs using HDMI was cheaper than using Cat 5 converters.

Of course, YMMV.

[Capture Scratch]

We just ordered the two TV's, 1x4 HDMI DA, and the HDMI cables. I forgot to mention that we want to send audio as well. We really like being able to send an HD signal plus digital audio in one cable. We found a good deal on our cables at a local vender. We only paid ~$37.00 per 50ft cable. I'll post more as the equipment comes in. I get the impression that this route is becoming much more affordable than it was in the past.

[chiabob]

I might be a little late with this, but I like www.pchcables.com.
They have great prices and you can even get 22AWG cables, which is important for really long runs. Plus, since they are right next to my work, I don't have to worry about shipping costs and time.

[mswebb]

Originally Posted by Capture Scratch

We just ordered the two TV's, 1x4 HDMI DA, and the HDMI cables. I forgot to mention that we want to send audio as well. We really like being able to send an HD signal plus digital audio in one cable. We found a good deal on our cables at a local vender. We only paid ~$37.00 per 50ft cable. I'll post more as the equipment comes in. I get the impression that this route is becoming much more affordable than it was in the past.

Just wondering how you are getting the audio into the HDMI stream from the iMac. The DVI port is only going to put out video. You will need some sort of device or cable that will put the audio into the line somewhere.

[waynehoskins]

Old thread ... but Aja makes good SDI embedders and deembedders. That would work plenty well. A touch expensive, but good.