Media Computer Upstairs to Downstairs

[wick780]

I recently built a computer for trading and gaming. I'm currently running three monitors. I was going to build a second computer for downstairs, to hook to my TV. I got to thinking and realized I have support for 4-6 monitors, so if there was a way to connect my upstairs computer to my downstairs TV that would be optimal.

The only way I can think of is to run a HDMI cable from my video card to the TV. This would take at least a 50' cable. I would also need a USB cable for my wireless media keyboard dongle. I'm hoping there is a better way.

Anybody got any ideas?

 

[Petrofsky]

Fifty feet of HDMI cable would cost about $300. That's because you can't use everyday consumer crap at that length, no matter how much marketing hype they slap on the packaging of their rubber-coated Chinese baling wire. Series 1 Belden is the only way to go. Not to mention fishing it through your house. USB can't go that far without a repeater cable, for another $30. What with this and that, call it $400. For that money you could get an HTPC and a NAS, with money left over for a copy of "Portal 2". You should have Ethernet to your TV setup, anyway, for Internet content and firmware updates.

 

[shinerthetech]

Here's the cheap alternative. HDMI wall plates with signal being carried by two eth cables. Have this setup at my house and works very well.

http://www.geektonic.com/2009/09/diy-hdmi-and-usb-over-ethernet-extender.html


Hope this helps!

 

[Wolfshadw]

@ Petrofsky - You should look at MonoPrice.com - 50ft 24AWG CL2 Standard HDMI® Cable - Black. Lots of positive reviews and the 35' DVI to HDMI cable I purchased from them has been working flawlessly.

That said, your best bet would be to go ahead and build a low end HTPC type system for your downstairs monitor. Set up a network (if you don't have one already) and just run a network cable between the two systems.

-Wolf sends

 

[Petrofsky]

@ Petrofsky - You should look at MonoPrice.com - 50ft 24AWG CL2 Standard HDMI® Cable - Black. Lots of positive reviews and the 35' DVI to HDMI cable I purchased from them has been working flawlessly.

That said, your best bet would be to go ahead and build a low end HTPC type system for your downstairs monitor. Set up a network (if you don't have one already) and just run a network cable between the two systems.

-Wolf sends

It's not rated for 1080p. If I'm going to go to all that trouble, I'm installing tip-top cable.

 

[shinerthetech]

HDMI wallplate > ethernet > hdmi wallplate is the way to go

 

[Wolfshadw]

@Petrofsky - Huh!! I didn't even notice that part. I will note, however, that the 35ft 24AWG CL2 Standard HDMI® to DVI Adapter Cable - Black I purchased states the same, but I have no problems with 1920x1080 displaying on my Optoma HD20 projector.

-Wolf sends