Sky HD distribution

[nutter45]

I've got a Sky HD box installed in my loft and, as a stopgap, am currently able to watch Sky throughout the house with distribution via coax and Sky eyes.

Can anyone help me with the hardware I'll need to distribute Sky HD via Cat 5e and coax? I've got runs of 2x cat5e and 2x coax to each TV point.


edit - think i've answered my own question :suspect:

http://www.hdcable.co.uk/hdmi/hdmi-cat5-extender.html

http://www.hdcable.co.uk/hdmi/hdmi-switchers-splitters/hdmi-splitter-4-output.html

Can anyone confirm that this will work ok?

[nutter45]

Bump :)

[DJBenson]

The splitter will do exactly what it says on the tin; will split the HDMI output from the HD box into 4 distinct outputs. The HDMI over Ethernet will also do it's job carrying the 1080i output from the SkyHD box to your TV(s) BUT you will also need the coax link too for the SkyEye as you cannot switch over HDMI. For this I would imagine you'd need a splitter for the RF output (the powered one which the SkyEye connects to) and hope that the rest of your distribution system is compatible with the power on the SkyEye (which if it's working now should tell you the answer).

HD Satellite systems are listed as "compatible" on the HDCables site so you should have no issues on the a/v side.

[nutter45]

Thanks for that djbenson, I'm happy with the hdmi over cat5 now, but have just learnt that sky hd doesn't send a 5.1 signal over hdmi :brickwall

So that means an optical lead, but the amp is away from the sky box with lots of walls, ceilings and floors in the way and only runs of cat5 and coax to help. Is there such thing as an optical -> coax converter, in order to get 5.1 downstairs? Anyone know what the best solution to this problem is?

:help:

[dseven]

Hi Nutter45,
Did you get sorted on the SKY HD distribution, wonder if you/me could PM or chat about this, i am in the same situation as you, just completed a new build house and had only COAX and CAT6 ran from all rooms to 1 plant room.
My problem would have been that the distance is all too long for the HDMI to carry over, but CAT6 would be OK i think.
Would love some help or pointers on this....

Thanks
James

[Just]

These will sort out the picture and audio distribution from the Sky box to TV points, you'll need a splitter for as many rooms too;

Neet HDMI over Cat-5/6 (http://forums.thedigitalfix.co.uk/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=8&url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002ECYEYA/thedvdforums-21)

For 5.1 if the Sky boxes still can't do it over HDMI or it's not suitable, you can get Optical > Coax converters and try the Coax you've put in (again splitting the Optical or Coax digital feed first).

Otherwise you can get Octava HDMI+Optical over Cat-5/6 but they're expensive.

http://ukhdmi.com/Octava-HDOCAT-BD-UK-HDMI-IR-Digital-Optical-Audio-bi-directional-over-CAT-6-Extend_QQ103070

IR-wise you can use the Neet boxes and then a Sky-eye over the Coax, or again using something like the Octava send the IR over the same cables that are doing the HDMI.