HDMI Matrix switch over CAT6 recommendation for Foxtel - rather than splitter / extenders

mshanann on 19/04/2016 - 14:11
Last edited 19/04/2016 - 14:23

Hi All

I'm in the process of attempting to to centralise all my media devices in a rack cabinet.

I'm looking for a budget sub $500 foxtel IQ2 compatible HDMI matrix 4x4 (or 4x2) switch supporting 1080p that leverages one or more CAT6 cables to distribute the signal.

Has anyone got one they can recommend and can confirm working with foxtel?

4 x 4 means it accepts 4 separate HDMI inputs (e.g. foxtel, htpc, tivo etc) and can distribute any combination of these inputs to up to 4 different display devices. 4 x 2 would also work for me.

Many of these devices seem to retail at upwards of $1000.

For example:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HDMI-4x4-Matrix-Switch-over-Singl…

There are some cheaper devices such as those sold by monoprice - but I haven't heard any favorable reviews with regards to foxtel compatability.
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=101&cp_id=10113&cs_id=…

My main requirements would be power efficiency, source/target input/output combinations can be controlled by remote, HDMI 1.4 support with EDID, HDCP compliance and wideband frequency for any IR extending capability.
(Foxtel remote is 56KHz - not 38 which is standard)

If anyone can recommend something, let me know. Currently I'm trying to find a secondhand Octava or Wyreframe switch on ebay.

Note for those wanting to just send foxtel to a couple of different devices on a budget .. it looks like the following combination works well based on whirlpool discussions:

cheap 1 in 2 out hdmi splitter supporting foxtel …
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1-In-2-Out-HDMI-Splitter-Amplifie…
$21

cheap hdmi extender with bi-direction IR over cat 6
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HDMI-Extender-Bi-Direction-IR-ove…
$70

Potentially I was thinking I could in theory pair something like the following 4x2 hdmi switch @ $149 with the extender above.
http://www.lindy.com.au/4x2-port-hdmi-4k-uhd-matrix-switch-3…
The prompt and helpful lindy folks responded 'usually we don’t recommend even our own HDMI extenders to be used in conjunction with a switch due to problems caused by too many devices in the link trying to negotiate the HDCP handshake protocol.'

thanks

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • micgrech on 21/08/2016 - 19:10

    Hi

    I am building a new house and looking at putting one of these in aswell.

    What did you end up using??

    Cheers

    • mshanann on 24/08/2016 - 16:19
      +1

      I ended up getting two second hand 1080p matrix switches from eBay (America).

      The first one was a WyreStorm MX0402-PRO (4 hdmi inputs / 2 cat6 + hdmi outputs)

      The second one was a Binary B 210 Hdmatrix 4x4 HD Matrix (4 hdmi inputs / 4 cat6 + hdmi outputs)

      I haven't been able to yet locate any of the original Cat6 UTP receiver/repeaters for the Wyrestorm. So I've only been able to test this with HDMI cable to two separate televisions.

      Whereas for the Binary unit however, eBay readily has listings available both for the matrix switch itself, along with the receivers. I was able to pickup 2 receivers and the matrix switch for under $200 AUD delivered.

      The latter is probably what I will end up using once I get the Cat 6 wiring in.

      I'm still to do the wiring as yet. I will run two separate Cat 6 cables to each output.

      Most of the newer devices can get by with a single Cat 6 cable. However the older ones I have require two cables.

      The Binary matrix receiver is about the size of a cigarette packet and can be powered by the USB on the TV (5v).

      One benefit of using the powered receivers versus HDMI cable (in addition to the huge cable length gains you get) is that my Panasonic TV does not drop the picture when changing inputs on the matrix. When using only HDMI to connect to the matrix, the TV input needs to be re-pressed to get it to refresh the picture. I'm not sure if this is related to HDCP. But when using the powered UTP receivers, no such issue arises.

      I've been able to use a Mac Mini and Tivo as inputs to the matrix switch with two TVs connected and really no issues other than that mentioned above. An input can be display on one or multiple TVs.

      Note the new 4K matrix switches are hideously expensive. The old 1080p stuff like I purchased second hand is far better value at the moment.
      Unless you have dollars to burn, I'd suggest looking at the 1080p stuff and make sure your house has the wiring done correctly so that you can easily switch to 4k in future.

      One other thing to look out for is fiber optic extenders.. you can use these to transport 1080p to easily 1 KM.. they are easy to find second hand on ebay US for a good price.
      good luck.

  • mshanann on 30/08/2016 - 18:48

    this is a great price for somebody …

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Binary-B-210-HDMATRIX-4x4-Switcher-H…

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