Running a new system need cable advice

[plankton88]

So we going to purchase 2 new projectors this week and install them. They will be about 100 feet from the computer. Whats the best cable to run back?

I am just thinking about running 2 HDMI cables from each projector all the way back into a splitter and then 1 into the PC. Does that sound ok? or should I do it another way?

[Brad Weber]

Originally Posted by plankton88

So we going to purchase 2 new projectors this week and install them. They will be about 100 feet from the computer. Whats the best cable to run back?

I am just thinking about running 2 HDMI cables from each projector all the way back into a splitter and then 1 into the PC. Does that sound ok? or should I do it another way?

Two projectors + "splitter" + 100' cable runs + HDMI = likelihood of problems. What projectors are you getting? What video outputs does your computer support? What is the cable path and what cable currently exists?

[plankton88]

Thanks for the reply. I apologize for the lack of info.
Currently we have 1 older projector. We are upgrading and buying 2 new projectors. (Epson EX 7210 WXGA)

Currently we have this setup 1 Projector-vga-balun-cate5e-vga-computer all running through the ceiling.

The new projectors have hdmi inputs so I figured that was better than what we are running now. The computer has hdmi an vga outputs. We are about 100 feet from the projectors. Any suggestions on cable setup would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Stever]

It will cost you more than the projectors cost to run a proper digital run. I would suggest staying analog for the time being and put a VGA distribution amp 1 in 4 out so you can have a local monitor then run a VGA cable to the 2nd projector. 100' of decent vga cable should work fine if you use a powered D/A

[Brad Weber]

Originally Posted by plankton88

Thanks for the reply. I apologize for the lack of info.
Currently we have 1 older projector. We are upgrading and buying 2 new projectors. (Epson EX 7210 WXGA)

Currently we have this setup 1 Projector-vga-balun-cate5e-vga-computer all running through the ceiling.

The new projectors have hdmi inputs so I figured that was better than what we are running now. The computer has hdmi an vga outputs.

HDMI has advantages and disadvantages but as far as transmitting a video signal it is not inherently better than VGA. Your projectors are 1280x800 native and have both HDMI and VGA/RGBHV/component inputs. You also have an existing VGA over CAT5e setup. So you might consider a VGA Distribution Amplifier (DA) and a second VGA over CAT setup.

If you instead went with HDMI or HDMI over UTP, then you probably want to make sure what you do is compatible with the 1280x800 native resolution of the projector and that the EDID information the computer sees is appropriate.

Originally Posted by plankton88

We are about 100 feet from the projectors.

If it is 100' linear distance to the projectors then by the time you account for vertical distances, obstacles, available paths and so on that could easily result in a 150' or even longer cable run length. And depending on the path you may have to consider the cable rating (CL2, CL3, CM, CL2R, CL3R, CMR, CL2P, CL3P, CMP, etc.) for any concealed, riser and/or plenum conditions. These are two of the reasons that you might want to consider something other than direct HDMI runs.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/articl...dmi-cables.htm is an interesting presentation regarding HDMI cable certification. Of particular interest to me is that apparently it was permissible, and is questionable enough that some manufacturers still do it, to have a cable in a series tested and certified and then apply that certification to all cables in that series. So a manufacturer apparently could test a 3' or 6' cable, get it certified and then offer a 100' long 'certified' version whose certification is actually based on the shorter length and possibly even a different construction.

[Stever]

Good input Brad!

[petereit]

Originally Posted by plankton88

So we going to purchase 2 new projectors this week and install them. They will be about 100 feet from the computer. Whats the best cable to run back?

I am just thinking about running 2 HDMI cables from each projector all the way back into a splitter and then 1 into the PC. Does that sound ok? or should I do it another way?

HDMI cables are only good to 35-feet. At 100-feet you would need at least 3 HDMI cables with a powered equalizer/booster between each.

My preference would be to upgrade the video card on your PC to a BlackMagic or AJA card that has SDI outputs, run SDI cable to your projectors (SDI has a 300-foot cable limit) and place a BlackMagic SDI-to-HDMI miniconverter at each projector. This would give you a pristine, rock-solid, crisp HD image at both projectors, practically impervious to any electrical or RF interference.

[plankton88]

Thanks to everyone for your input! We went with an HDMI to Cat5e setup and plugged both in the back into an amplified hdmi splitter and into the PC. Its working good now.

HOWEVER... now we are getting an RF interference with our wireless mics when we power up the projectors. I am pretty sure its the powered amplified splitter. Any ideas for fixing this?