Why won't my long-run HDMI cable work? - Blu-ray Forum

florad · 09-21-2009, 12:24 AM

Hello. I have my basement home theater nearly finished. I have 8 HDMI lines run throughout my basement and upstairs. I have tested all of them, and they all work EXCEPT for my longest run line. Nearly all of my HDMI cables are 25 feet or less. I have one line that is 50 feet, and for some reason when I plug my tv into this line, either I get no signal or a snow-covered screen. What gives? All my lines are CL2 rated and I didn't think this would be a problem, but I'm lost. Any ideas what I might be able to do? Thanks!

Hammie · 09-21-2009, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by florad

Hello. I have my basement home theater nearly finished. I have 8 HDMI lines run throughout my basement and upstairs. I have tested all of them, and they all work EXCEPT for my longest run line. Nearly all of my HDMI cables are 25 feet or less. I have one line that is 50 feet, and for some reason when I plug my tv into this line, either I get no signal or a snow-covered screen. What gives? All my lines are CL2 rated and I didn't think this would be a problem, but I'm lost. Any ideas what I might be able to do? Thanks!

First, CL2 is an electrical code that means it can be run inside residential walls. It has nothing to do with HDMI specs. What you want is a Category 2 cable.

Secondly, can you tell us where you bought it? What brand? Any other details would be helpful.

Steve · 09-21-2009, 03:23 AM

This write-up is about long HDMI runs specifically. Give it a read and it might help you resolve the issues you're having.

crackinhedz · 09-21-2009, 03:46 AM

HDMI is hit or miss when it comes to longer runs. Distance plays an extreme factor to signal transmission.

Another issue could be the devices your HDMI cables are connected to. Sometimes the outputting device does not send a strong enough signal, or sometimes the receiving device does not do well enough to recreate the signal when errors do occur.

Distance is your biggest culprit, but the devices can also play a role in your troubles.

crackinhedz · 09-21-2009, 03:47 AM

...also you could just have a faulty cable? (less likely)

blu_world · 09-21-2009, 11:45 AM

some device's dont keep it in mind to sent out enough energy required in the hdmi cable needed to run 50 feet

florad · 09-21-2009, 12:57 PM

Sorry guys, I should have given more information before I quit typing. All my in-wall cables are monoprice cables. Here is a link to the cable I used....

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

I have used another 50 ft. hdmi cable that goes to the bedroom in my basement, and it works just fine. I know I tested my cables before I ran them, but I'm just scratching my head on this one. To test this, I used my Panasonic DMP-55k blu-ray disc player, so I figured that would be as good of a piece of equipment that I had to test the signal.

Could it be the monitor I'm testing the signal on? I'm using a simple, 23" Samsung HDCP monitor. It only has a DVI jack in it, so I purchased a DVI-to-HDMI converter from monoprice that is connected directly to the back of the monitor. The thought was that I buy an inexpensive monitor to place in this area and I have speakers in the ceiling for the sound. I tried the monitor by plugging it into all the other HDMI outlets throughout my basement, and it worked fine in every one but this one. Could that be part of my problem?

Thanks again to all who wrote in. If anyone has any advice or thoughts on what I might or should do or try, I'm all ears!

Hammie · 09-21-2009, 02:19 PM

I think it is the combination of the HDMI to DVI converter and your monitor. The converter either is not passing the HDCP signal at all or weakening the signal enough that after 50 feet it is not strong enough. You may want to consider an HDMI amplifier.

solarrdadd · 09-21-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louhamilton

I think it is the combination of the HDMI to DVI converter and your monitor. The converter either is not passing the HDCP signal at all or weakening the signal enough that after 50 feet it is not strong enough. You may want to consider an HDMI amplifier.

I agree with Lou, also make sure the unit you get is HDCP compliant and states, it big letters somewhere that it supports "long" HDMI cable runs! if it doesn't then you may still be out of luck. In fact it should state the maximum cable length that it supports. if not, don't buy it.

Johk · 09-21-2009, 07:43 PM

Perhaps you need a booster like this one: HDMI Super Booster

solarrdadd · 09-23-2009, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by florad

Hello. I have my basement home theater nearly finished. I have 8 HDMI lines run throughout my basement and upstairs. I have tested all of them, and they all work EXCEPT for my longest run line. Nearly all of my HDMI cables are 25 feet or less. I have one line that is 50 feet, and for some reason when I plug my tv into this line, either I get no signal or a snow-covered screen. What gives? All my lines are CL2 rated and I didn't think this would be a problem, but I'm lost. Any ideas what I might be able to do? Thanks!

try this one, it's from BJC and it's made for distance. I use BJC for interconnects and i'm very happy with the quality of their products.

http://bluejeanscable.com/store/hdmi-cables/index.htm

neogeo64 · 09-23-2009, 11:44 PM

sounds like its not getting a handshake from the device. I had this with my in-wall monoprice cables when i would turn on the player first, then the tv or receiver second. you might want to turn on the tv first then the player to see if that helps. my cables were 30ft 24ga. cl2 btw.

jc480 · 10-08-2009, 11:44 PM

Certified long-run HDMI cables from Bluejeans are an excellent investment. I installed 2 in my wall...I thought the price was reasonable and I had some serious peace of mind...that would have sucked to snake those things through and have to re-do if they didn't work.

crackinhedz · 10-09-2009, 12:15 AM

How about using a 50ft HDMI-DVI cable?

Ive never been a fan of adapters...especially on a long distance run where signal is being pushed to its limits.

Fors* · 10-09-2009, 12:22 AM

How about an HDMI Repeater from Monoprice for like $16, so the signal remains strong through the entire run?

10-12-2009, 04:51 AM

Thanks for the suggestion, I wish it had worked.

osofast240sx · 11-16-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forsberg21

How about an HDMI Repeater from Monoprice for like $16, so the signal remains strong through the entire run?

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

i use this one but it was a lot less 6 months ago.

09-21-2009, 12:24 AM	#1
florad Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Indiana Home Theater Gallery:16	Why won't my long-run HDMI cable work? Hello. I have my basement home theater nearly finished. I have 8 HDMI lines run throughout my basement and upstairs. I have tested all of them, and they all work EXCEPT for my longest run line. Nearly all of my HDMI cables are 25 feet or less. I have one line that is 50 feet, and for some reason when I plug my tv into this line, either I get no signal or a snow-covered screen. What gives? All my lines are CL2 rated and I didn't think this would be a problem, but I'm lost. Any ideas what I might be able to do? Thanks!

09-21-2009, 03:47 AM	#5
crackinhedz Super Moderator Member since:Feb 2007 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:19	...also you could just have a faulty cable? (less likely) Last edited by crackinhedz; 09-21-2009 at 03:54 AM.

09-21-2009, 12:57 PM	#7
florad Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Indiana Home Theater Gallery:16	Sorry guys, I should have given more information before I quit typing. All my in-wall cables are monoprice cables. Here is a link to the cable I used.... http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2 I have used another 50 ft. hdmi cable that goes to the bedroom in my basement, and it works just fine. I know I tested my cables before I ran them, but I'm just scratching my head on this one. To test this, I used my Panasonic DMP-55k blu-ray disc player, so I figured that would be as good of a piece of equipment that I had to test the signal. Could it be the monitor I'm testing the signal on? I'm using a simple, 23" Samsung HDCP monitor. It only has a DVI jack in it, so I purchased a DVI-to-HDMI converter from monoprice that is connected directly to the back of the monitor. The thought was that I buy an inexpensive monitor to place in this area and I have speakers in the ceiling for the sound. I tried the monitor by plugging it into all the other HDMI outlets throughout my basement, and it worked fine in every one but this one. Could that be part of my problem? Thanks again to all who wrote in. If anyone has any advice or thoughts on what I might or should do or try, I'm all ears! Last edited by florad; 09-21-2009 at 02:06 PM.

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09-21-2009, 03:23 AM	#3
Steve Blu-ray Knight Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Anna, TX 4K collection:128 Blu-ray collection:416 Trading Score:41	This write-up is about long HDMI runs specifically. Give it a read and it might help you resolve the issues you're having.

09-21-2009, 03:46 AM	#4
crackinhedz Super Moderator Member since:Feb 2007 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:19	HDMI is hit or miss when it comes to longer runs. Distance plays an extreme factor to signal transmission. Another issue could be the devices your HDMI cables are connected to. Sometimes the outputting device does not send a strong enough signal, or sometimes the receiving device does not do well enough to recreate the signal when errors do occur. Distance is your biggest culprit, but the devices can also play a role in your troubles.

09-21-2009, 11:45 AM	#6
blu_world Special Member Member since:Nov 2006 Home Theater Gallery:27 Blu-ray reviews:1	some device's dont keep it in mind to sent out enough energy required in the hdmi cable needed to run 50 feet

09-21-2009, 02:19 PM	#8
Hammie Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Washington, DC Metro Home Theater Gallery:53 Blu-ray collection:545 DVD collection:12 Trading Score:12	I think it is the combination of the HDMI to DVI converter and your monitor. The converter either is not passing the HDCP signal at all or weakening the signal enough that after 50 feet it is not strong enough. You may want to consider an HDMI amplifier.

09-21-2009, 07:43 PM	#10
Johk Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Blu-ray collection:645 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:2	Perhaps you need a booster like this one: HDMI Super Booster

09-23-2009, 11:44 PM	#12
neogeo64 Active Member Member since:Nov 2008 Blu-ray collection:230 Blu-ray reviews:1	sounds like its not getting a handshake from the device. I had this with my in-wall monoprice cables when i would turn on the player first, then the tv or receiver second. you might want to turn on the tv first then the player to see if that helps. my cables were 30ft 24ga. cl2 btw.

10-08-2009, 11:44 PM	#13
jc480 Power Member Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Detroit, MI Home Theater Gallery:28 4K collection:22 Blu-ray collection:747 DVD collection:10 Digital collection:882 Prime collection:2 Blu-ray reviews:15	Certified long-run HDMI cables from Bluejeans are an excellent investment. I installed 2 in my wall...I thought the price was reasonable and I had some serious peace of mind...that would have sucked to snake those things through and have to re-do if they didn't work.

10-09-2009, 12:15 AM	#14
crackinhedz Super Moderator Member since:Feb 2007 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:19	How about using a 50ft HDMI-DVI cable? Ive never been a fan of adapters...especially on a long distance run where signal is being pushed to its limits.

10-09-2009, 12:22 AM	#15
Fors* Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Pottstown, PA Home Theater Gallery:160 4K collection:12 Blu-ray collection:142 Trading Score:11	How about an HDMI Repeater from Monoprice for like $16, so the signal remains strong through the entire run?

10-12-2009, 04:51 AM	#16
carupsa Guest	Thanks for the suggestion, I wish it had worked.

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