| If you own more than one High Definition (HD) | | | | Long HDMI cables are also fairly expensive |
| capable television and several HD capable 'toys' | | | | especially you want decent quality ones. |
| then you may need a way to connect these all | | | | Another option is to use a HDMI over CAT5 |
| together. High definition really does make a | | | | enabled matrix. This gives you the ability to send |
| difference especially on large screens and the | | | | high definition signals over standard CAT5 |
| extra cost is usually worth it. But the question is | | | | networking cable - which is many times cheaper |
| how do you connect all these devices together, | | | | than HDMI cable. These devices can also transmit |
| while taking full advantage of their HD capabilities. | | | | full 1080p over a distance of 50 meters! Which |
| One way of accomplishing this is to use a HDMI | | | | should be sufficient for most homes. You can also |
| matrix. These come in a few configurations but | | | | get an in line repeater module which will extend |
| the most common are 4x2 and 4x4; which | | | | the distance up to 100 meters. |
| means 4 inputs and 2 outputs, and 4 inputs and 4 | | | | There now even newer devices which can |
| outputs respectively. A matrix will allow you to | | | | transmit HDMI over IP. Bear in mind that this is |
| connect any input device to any output device. | | | | not the same as HDMI over CAT - which is |
| Not only that but you can also have any | | | | essentially just using the CAT cable as a cable |
| combination of input to output. For example you | | | | with no networking protocol involved. |
| may have 4 TV's and 2 skyHD boxes; a matrix | | | | The HDMI over IP devices are truly grand in their |
| will allow you to connect one skyHD box to 3 of | | | | specifications. They allow cable runs up to 1000 |
| the TV's and the remaining sky box to the other | | | | feet and can transmit to up to 200 compatible |
| tv. | | | | devices all using a standard Ethernet |
| A HDMI matrix with HDMI ports means you are | | | | infrastructure.! |
| limited to using HDMI cables which are only usable | | | | Unsurprisingly such power comes at a price and |
| up to about 15 meters without boosters. This | | | | these devices are significantly more expensive |
| doesn't give you much freedom in locating your | | | | than the standard HDMI only units so it's good to |
| devices around the home especially if you want | | | | do some surveying first before buying either one. |
| to locate devices in separate rooms or you want | | | | However, this is relatively new technology so |
| to run your cables along walls to keep things neat. | | | | prices are sure to drop given time. |