HDBaseT, which can send massive amounts of audio, video and data hundreds of feet over cheap, simple Cat 5 Ethernet cables, is coming to an AV device near you. June 20, 2013 1:28 PM PDT HDBaseT can squeeze all a bunch of different signals, including 4K video, onto one cheap Cat5 cable. (Credit: David Katzmaier) All HDMI cables are the same, but that now-ubiquitous connector has limitations. Ultra-long runs can be problematic and expensive, it can't conveniently be run through walls, and when carrying 4K video, it can only handle runs of a few feet. That's the message the people from HDBaseT sent when they introduced me to their transmission protocol this week. HDBaseT is designed to allow a single Cat5e cable--incredibly common and incredibly cheap today--to carry video up to 4K resolution, audio, data (100BaseT Ethernet), power (up to 100 watts) and even other signals like USB. Runs can be as long as 100 meters (328 feet), and passive repeaters can extend it even further. It's been around since 2010, and become popular with professional AV installers. HDBaseT adapters that extend HDMI signals are available today, but they're relatively expensive ($150 and up). Now the HDBaseT Alliance member, including brands like Panasonic, Epson, Hitachi, Pioneer, Onkyo, Belkin and Monoprice, aim to make it more widespread by putting the connector into consumer AV devices. These include a "single wire" TV (no power cable!) launched in Europe by a company called AquaVision, a slew of projectors, and a high-end AV receiver by Pioneer, which will be announced next week at CE Week in New York. HDMI is perfectly fine for most people's systems, and the next version of that spec might allow longer 4K cable runs. But for longer runs, people interested in installing elaborate home networks, or anyone else who needs extra connectivity and versatility, it's a compelling solution. A look at HDBaseT: 4K video over standard Cat5 cables [pictures] 1-2 of 11 Scroll Left Scroll Right
HDBaseT, which can send massive amounts of audio, video and data hundreds of feet over cheap, simple Cat 5 Ethernet cables, is coming to an AV device near you.
HDBaseT can squeeze all a bunch of different signals, including 4K video, onto one cheap Cat5 cable.
(Credit: David Katzmaier)
All HDMI cables are the same, but that now-ubiquitous connector has limitations. Ultra-long runs can be problematic and expensive, it can't conveniently be run through walls, and when carrying 4K video, it can only handle runs of a few feet.
That's the message the people from HDBaseT sent when they introduced me to their transmission protocol this week. HDBaseT is designed to allow a single Cat5e cable--incredibly common and incredibly cheap today--to carry video up to 4K resolution, audio, data (100BaseT Ethernet), power (up to 100 watts) and even other signals like USB. Runs can be as long as 100 meters (328 feet), and passive repeaters can extend it even further.
It's been around since 2010, and become popular with professional AV installers. HDBaseT adapters that extend HDMI signals are available today, but they're relatively expensive ($150 and up).
Now the HDBaseT Alliance member, including brands like Panasonic, Epson, Hitachi, Pioneer, Onkyo, Belkin and Monoprice, aim to make it more widespread by putting the connector into consumer AV devices.
These include a "single wire" TV (no power cable!) launched in Europe by a company called AquaVision, a slew of projectors, and a high-end AV receiver by Pioneer, which will be announced next week at CE Week in New York.
HDMI is perfectly fine for most people's systems, and the next version of that spec might allow longer 4K cable runs. But for longer runs, people interested in installing elaborate home networks, or anyone else who needs extra connectivity and versatility, it's a compelling solution.
