Method for longest run high bandwidth copper HDMI

[Finkdigital]

I have an approximate 50-ft run and I'd like to use an HDMI solution capable of 48gbps to future proof. I would use active optical cable but here's the catch- The cable is going to move back and forth often because the TV is on the rails. I'll do a thread on the rail device I built when it's done in a few weeks, but the reason I put the TV on rails is so that I can slide it forward and get more immersion without a massive size screen.

So the question is, is there a solution that can send 48 gbps over a 50-ft span that is either copper or allows the last 15 ft to be copper? My fear with active optical is that the optical cable will break when it slides back and forth. Copper should last a lot longer and if it's a 15-ft regular HDMI cable, the replacement will be cheaper even if it does break after being moved around a lot.

I do also have Cat7 running between the two locations but It looks like all HDBT solutions are lower bandwidth. I can't figure out if there's a way to connect optical to some kind of box that can then convert to regular copper HDMI? Or some boxes that can allow a long run with a regular HDMI connect for the last 15 feet? Or maybe some kind of signal booster box?

Would appreciate any advice you folks can give.

 

[voodooless]

Why do you think that sliding the TV on rails is an issue for the optical cable? They are very flexible in general.

 

[Blumlein 88]

Welcome to ASR as it looks like your first post.

Monoprice offers a certified optical cable up to 65 ft with lifetime warranty. Optical is probably less bothered by bending than copper as long as the bend isn't sharp. There are plenty offered on places like Amazon, but they aren't certified as being 48 gbps though they might still work.

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=43328

 

[JSmith]

Hey, welcome to ASR.

a long run with a regular HDMI connect for the last 15 feet?

Yeah, you can do that... just need one of these is all;

The optical are flexible, but not as flexible as normal cables... they don't like tight/sharp bends.


JSmith

 

[kyuu]

I wouldn't worry about an optical cable breaking from repeated cycles of pulling the TV forward and back on your rail system. Just make sure it doesn't get kinked during the process and it should be fine. You'd want to ensure the same thing with copper anyway.

 

[dedobot]

Optical HDMI cable with ARC/eARC support have additional copper wires and its more durable than regular pure optic cables.

 

[Finkdigital]

Why do you think that sliding the TV on rails is an issue for the optical cable? They are very flexible in general.

Your right, I'm making an assumption. I figure any material will break from repeated bending and optical glass fibers are thin and more fragile than copper. I couldn't find any real science that actually tests the theorem.

 

[Finkdigital]

I wouldn't worry about an optical cable breaking from repeated cycles of pulling the TV forward and back on your rail system.

It sounds like a few of you feel this way and I assume you have more experience w optical than I do. I guess I'll have to give it a try.

 

[DonH56]

Just keep the optical fiber in loose coils like a big open spring. You may need a string or something to help support the coil from the top to keep it in shape as you slide the TV in and out.

 

[Finkdigital]

Just keep the optical fiber in loose coils like a big open spring. You may need a string or something to help support the coil from the top to keep it in shape as you slide the TV in and out.

View attachment 438485

That makes sense. Like a pigtail. The problem is I need it to be in a cable carrier to keep it from dropping down and becoming visible inside a sort of cabinet that I built on top where the rails go.

 

[ehabheikal]

Forget any high speed copper long running cables. Do not waste time and effort on such a solution just ask anybody on projector forums.

 

[mikewxyz]

I agree with ehabheikal. If I remember correctly, using copper in data centers was limited to less than 10' and that was at a lot less bandwidth (10 yrs ago).

 

[Blumlein 88]

I've seen smaller versions of folding cable chains for machinery that moves back and forth.

Different ways to secure cable tracks (cable carriers) to machinery

Contributed by Jody Muelaner Cable carriers guide and protect electrical cables, as well as hydraulic or pneumatic hoses. They limit the minimum bend

www.wireandcabletips.com

Don't know if anything is available for your particular application.

Here is an illustration in case you haven't seen such a thing.

Don't know the cost, but here is one supplier.

Plastic Cable Carriers

Nylatrac® & Nylatube® Dynatect offers a complete selection of plastic cable carriers, offering both economical standard and customizable modular solutions to suit various cable track applications. Nylatrac® and Nylatube® plastic cable carriers are molded from high-strength glass-filled nylon or...

dynatect.com

 

[Finkdigital]

Forget any high speed copper long running cables.

Meaning HD Base T is also problematic?

 

[Finkdigital]

I've seen smaller versions of folding cable chains

Yes I'm using a similar cable carrier but with a bigger bend radius

 

[DonH56]

That makes sense. Like a pigtail. The problem is I need it to be in a cable carrier to keep it from dropping down and becoming visible inside a sort of cabinet that I built on top where the rails go.

Take a look and see if there's a way to tuck it behind the TV or something. You cannot run copper HDMI that distance, not specified for it, unless you get active copper (expensive) and you'll have the same problem coiling and hiding the cable. There are a number of wires in an HDMI cable and copper wire will also break if the radius is small and repeatedly bent. If you've a carrier already and know the bend radius, you can look up the bend radius of optical fiber. Or go hybrid with optical and a copper last run, though it must be under 6'~10' or so for 4K IIRC.

 

[ehabheikal]

Meaning HD Base T is also problematic?

These i think compress the signal.
Go fiberoptic and save yourself a lot of trouble you can put the fiber cable in one of those plastic sleeves to protect it from bending

 

[voodooless]

I've seen smaller versions of folding cable chains for machinery that moves back and forth.

Different ways to secure cable tracks (cable carriers) to machinery

Contributed by Jody Muelaner Cable carriers guide and protect electrical cables, as well as hydraulic or pneumatic hoses. They limit the minimum bend

www.wireandcabletips.com

Don't know if anything is available for your particular application.

Here is an illustration in case you haven't seen such a thing.

Don't know the cost, but here is one supplier.

Plastic Cable Carriers

Nylatrac® & Nylatube® Dynatect offers a complete selection of plastic cable carriers, offering both economical standard and customizable modular solutions to suit various cable track applications. Nylatrac® and Nylatube® plastic cable carriers are molded from high-strength glass-filled nylon or...

dynatect.com

You can also 3D print this:

Drag Cable Chain(s) by Sergiu_I | Download free STL model | Printables.com

Found easier to print the complete chain in one piece. | Download free 3D printable STL models

www.printables.com

 

[Roland68]

I have an approximate 50-ft run and I'd like to use an HDMI solution capable of 48gbps to future proof. I would use active optical cable but here's the catch- The cable is going to move back and forth often because the TV is on the rails. I'll do a thread on the rail device I built when it's done in a few weeks, but the reason I put the TV on rails is so that I can slide it forward and get more immersion without a massive size screen.

So the question is, is there a solution that can send 48 gbps over a 50-ft span that is either copper or allows the last 15 ft to be copper? My fear with active optical is that the optical cable will break when it slides back and forth. Copper should last a lot longer and if it's a 15-ft regular HDMI cable, the replacement will be cheaper even if it does break after being moved around a lot.

I do also have Cat7 running between the two locations but It looks like all HDBT solutions are lower bandwidth. I can't figure out if there's a way to connect optical to some kind of box that can then convert to regular copper HDMI? Or some boxes that can allow a long run with a regular HDMI connect for the last 15 feet? Or maybe some kind of signal booster box?

Would appreciate any advice you folks can give.

Maybe you're thinking about something that's not a problem in reality.
I don't believe that optical HDMI cables actually use (quartz) glass fiber. Today, plastic (POF) fiber optic cables are commonly used, which are much more flexible and can withstand just as many bending cycles as copper. Of course, you can't bend them, but bending radii of 5 cm shouldn't be a problem.
Look for a cable with a 10-year warranty.