Thursday, May 24, 2007

Some more Questions and Answers from Support emails

We occasionally like to post some of the good Support questions we get. Here are some from today.
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Q) Can I use component video cables (Green-Red-Blue) to connect analog to analog (Yellow-Red-White)? If not why not?

A) You cannot convert between Composite video and Component video with a cable, you will need a converter box.
The Red, Green and Blue is Component video.
The Yellow is Composite Video.
The Red and White are analog stereo audio

Component Video uses a bandwidth reduction method to convert RGB to signals called Y, Pr and Pb (analog) or Y- Cr-Cb (digital)
Composite video uses a single RCA or BNC connector with color, brightness and sync in a single connector)

Video Converters

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Q) I've been serching the Net and I am confused. Is there such a beast that will accept component video, s video, and component video, and convert it to HDMI output? If so can I purchase a home theater amplifier which has this switching and conversion internally?

A) Yes, there are video processors that will do this as well as take care of the audio/video switching between A/V sources. Many new Receivers offer some or all of these capabilities as well, but generally at a much lower level of processing quality.
Video Processors


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Q) Hello, I read your DVI-I page and am still a little confused. I have a Radeon X1900 XT video card and would like to buy an LCD display (2560x1600 60hz) to use with it.
According the manufacturer web sites:
The video card has dual link DVI-I.
The display has dual link DVI-D inputs and will come with 2 DVI-D cables.
Will one of the DVI-D cables be sufficient to connect these devices?

A) Yes, one "dual link" cable for one "dual link" capable monitor connected to one "dual link" output from the video card.
The term "dual link" is confusing, it only requires a single cable.

Dual link DVI cables, in case you need a longer, shorter or better one.

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Q) What is the best way to distribute HD video though out the house. Can Cat5 be converted to component video?

A) Cat5 (cat5e or cat6) is the most cost effective way. Fiber optics is great, but costs a lot more, is way harder to repair, and the associated equipment will cost way more. There is also the "Pro" solution - SDI. The cable you need is not too expensive, but the equipment sure is.

Cat5 can be used to distribute Component video and audio using either baluns or proprietary conversion systems.
Audio Authority has a good example of proprietary system:
The AVAtrix Whole-House Routing System

more Distribution from Audio Authority

With the method that uses baluns, you use standard distribution amplifiers, like the Key Digital or Calrad ones:
AV Distribution Amplifiers

along with baluns to convert the audio and video for Cat5 cable runs over long distances:
AV Baluns

Rather than baluns there are other proprietary Cat5 extension solutions such as Gefen's:
Gefen Home Theater Distribution
These are great when you want the latest or best technologies such as HDMI.
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Well, that's it for today. We wish everyone a great holiday!

Friday, May 11, 2007

Future proof audio and video cables

We are often asked about what cables to run in-wall, or in ceiling, raceway, etc to a projector or other video or audio device(s) in order to "future proof" the installation. Closing up a wall or ceiling is usually a pretty final act and having cables for any future necessary connections already installed is paramount.

Several years ago, having numerous 75 ohm cables installed to the necessary local would support all the necessary forms of Component video with analog and digital audio. Six of them would be fine to support Component video, digital multichannel audio and stereo analog audio.

HDMI changed all of that. Running an HDMI cable could support digital video and audio. You have to test before installation and assure that the cable will work at the length you need with the resolutions you may need now and in the future.

So what about the future? With HDMI continually changing its requirements for cables you probably need the latest, amplified and equalized cables to offer support for 1080p, high resolution audio and possibly available formats coming in the future. While HDMI will be a great solution for a number of years, since there is no sure way to know about where the future lies, HDMI at its best, is possibly a temporary solution, albeit a pretty nice one, and certainly the best currently to use.

Adding Cat5e/Cat6 Cables or Fiber optic cables to the installation is as close as you can be at this point to a "future proof" solution. You don't have to use them now. Just have them in the wall for future possible use. Cat5e or Cat6 is particularly cheap to add. You should add several cables, depending on what the possible usage may be. Running four or five CAT5e/6 cables will cover most any video and audio requirements that the future will bring, using external baluns or converters. The more you run, the more flexibility you will have for the future formats, converters and Baluns. Running two cables will offer a lot of options for video or audio separately. Even two connections may be enough in the future for high resolution audio and video in coming formats.

The conclusion? Cat5e/Cat6 is definitely worthy of considering along with HDMI for inwall solutions, for now and in the future. Fiber is more expensive to have installed, and the devices which take advantage of it are generally more expensive, but it is capable of great data bandwidths. If you are only running audio, or digital audio, baluns using Cat5e/Cat6 are a great way to go.

Cat5 for Audio and Video

Fiber Optic and other DVI and HDMI extension

Wireless Audio/Video

Friday, May 04, 2007

How to connect your Home Theater

Our Home Theater connections page was very popular for a long time with its pictures of the various connections and explanations of what they were for. It has been a long time since we updated it. With the new HD DVD and Blu Ray connections, 1080p, HDMI 1.3 and new digital audio formats, we felt it was time to update our guide with the latest information. We also added in a section on Speaker cables. Please check it out and let us know if you'd like us to add anything to it.

Home Theater Connection Guide