Question Which type of HDMI extender do I need ?

[hw_user]

I need to send HDMI signal from an Android box to a TV in the next room. The distance is about 45 to 50 feet. I will be happy with 1080p. There is already a CAT5e cable between the rooms. I searched Google and found 3 types of HDMI extenders over ethernet (RJ45):

1. Passive (no power) using a single CAT5e or CAT6 cable between the transmitter and the receiver.

2. Passive (no power) with ethernet connections for TMDS and DDC (i.e. 2 ethernet cables required) between the transmitter and the receiver.

3. Powered HDMI extender box with one ethernet connector between the transmitter and the receiver.

Of course, Type 1 is the cheapest, and Type 3 is the most expensive.

I am not sure what is the difference between these 3 types. I know for sure that Type 3 is needed for longer distances (up to 196 feet) and better picture quality. Since it is powered, it probably modifies the signal going through it to ensure efficient transmission with no loss in quality. Since the passive ones are non-powered, it is probably just a straight signal passthrough. But will that work for my case (under 50 feet)? Why does one passive type use a single ethernet cable and the other type uses a cable for TMDS and one for DDC?

 

[turtletarget111]

If you don't want the hassle of a cable, you can use a wireless HDMI receiver. These do not perform well for anything with more bandwidth than 1080p, so if you plan to upgrade in the future, you might want to stick with a cord. For something like 50 feet, you should purchase an active HDMI cable. These cords will amplify the signal to ensure there are no hiccups signal loss and ensure stability and signal integrity. HDMI signals have a hard time reaching lengths over 30 feet; HDMI 2.1 typically cannot reach more than 15 feet without running into trouble.

I would look into this active HDMI cable from Infinite Cables. The linked cord is rated for HDMI 2.0 and has the ethernet channel built in . If you want HDMI 2.1 in case you hook up a modern game console or higher bandwidth signal, that is linked here. However, active HDMI 2.1 cables are significantly more expensive. I would not buy HDMI cables off Amazon, no matter how many positive reviews there are. Many of these cords are not rated for the HDMI specifications they claim to meet, and it is easy to fake reviews on Amazon. Hope this helped, take care.