Tributaries, Gefen, Bring HDMI Extenders To CEDIA

By John Laposky On Aug 24 2009 - 6:00am

Two HDMI-over-Cat-6 solution will be on display at CEDIA Expo next month.

Tributaries will display a redesigned HDMI-over-Cat-6 system, the HXC6 extender, that sends an HDMI signal over distances of up to 45 meters (147 feet) virtually loss-free, according to the company.

The new model is half the price and roughly a quarter the size of its predecessor, the HXC5. The HXC6's small footprint allows it to fit behind flat panels or inside single-gang mudrings.

The HXC6 requires a double run of standard Cat-5e or Cat-6 network cabling. Cat-5e will provide 1080p/8-bit color capability up to 45 meters while Cat-6 will provide 1080p/12-bit color (Deep Color) up to 15 meters.

The HXC6 uses digital signal processing to ensure signal integrity for all video formats up to and including 1080p, and is compliant with HDMI v1.3, HDCP 1.1, and DVI 1.1.

It's packaged as a complete, ready-to-connect system that includes a compact transmitter (source-end) and receiver (destination-end), and two 5-volt power supplies with several power adapters, making it suitable for worldwide use.

“Our goal is provide dealers with useful products to manage the challenges of moving information over long distances,” said Joe Perfito, president of Tributaries. “Whenever a discussion of HDMI and distance requirements occurs, we always advise our dealers to plan for change by providing for accessible ways to adjust their wiring.”

Tributaries is also offering a way to double the maximum distance with the HXC6R repeater. The passive device is inserted at the end of the first dual-run of cable from the transmitter. A second length of dual cable can then be run to the HXC6 receiver. The repeater supports all the features of the extender.

The HXC6 extender, with a suggested retail of $300, and the HXC6R repeater, suggested retail $150, are sold separately and available now.

Also at CEDIA, Gefen will debut its own HDMI-over-Cat-6 system which transmits using just one Cat-6 cable.

The transmitter/receiver system transmits up to 1080p signals with up to 12-bit deep color support up to 175 feet using one shielded Cat-6a cable. Resolutions at 1080i/60 can be extended up to 250 feet. All HDMI v1.3 features are supported including lip sync audio, Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio.

“This extender was designed to offer professionals a reliable alternative to the use of two Cat-5 cables,” said Hagai Gefen, president and CEO. “If a building is already wired with one Cat-5 cable, installers can tap into the existing infrastructure at a shorter distance and avoid new cable runs. But with one Cat-6 cable, this system will streamline the installation even further and extend the range of extension.”

Each box measures 1 inch high by 3 inches wide and comes with two external power supplies and a set of wall mounting brackets.

Gefen will also bring to CEDIA its HDMI-over-coax extender, a “no-new-cables” solution that Gefen said allows installers to cut installation costs by using the existing, in-wall cabling.

The extender comes with small transmitter and receiver units that utilize ultra wideband technology to enable a delivery of 1080p HD from the source to the display. Multichannel 5.1 Dolby digital audio is also supported and transmitted alongside the video in real-time.

The units are connected by one existing coaxial cable. Additionally, the signal will operate through a splitter that is already in place to deliver cable signals, and can operate in tandem with Internet signals if the home is using a cable-based modem. Up to 1,000 feet can be traversed using the one-cable solution, Gefen said

All three systems are fully HDCP compliant.