10m DVI cable

[martintyler]

With my new projector on its way I am going to need a 10m DVI cable. I have heard DVI can have issues at that length, does anyone have any experience of this? Is the quality of the cable an issue or is it just a limitation in DVI itself? I think i read somewhere about repeaters/amplifiers to improve the signal over long runs, is this needed for 10m of DVI?



Any recommendations for a cable?

[Jonas]

I have done some research into this based on my new 868i and Panasonic PTA500 projector. I am no expert, but this is my understanding to date:



The official DVI specs seem to state 7.5m however I have found 10m long DVI extension leads (www.lindy.co.uk). Apparently it all down to the source and the display and how strong the signal is and how sensitive the display is. Which means you wont know until you try it. Neither Pionner nor Panasonic would commit to anything over 7m.



When you go over the recommended distance it either works or it doesn?t, no in between. So it?s not like composite, s-video or component where you would see a gradual drop in performance.



As for quality, my understanding is that as long as the cable meets the DVI / HDMI spec, spending more money on the lead doesn?t improve performance. However the age-old cable debate hasn?t even started on HDMI / DVI yet!



I ended up with a 3m HDMI to DVI cable, then a 5m DVI extension cable and it works great.

[martintyler]

Thanks for the info

[Samir]

I seen people over on avs using 10m + with no problems using RAM & Bettercables Dvi.

I'm in the situation, I'm just going mount the dvd player at the back of my room and have a 10m dig co-ax this way I only have to use a 2m dvi :)~:-)~:smile:



Martin what PJ are you getting?



:)~:-)~:smile:

[magking]

I use a 10m DVI-D cable from Cobalt cables with my Action Model One and Denon DVD A11 with no problems Martin :thumbup:



I know Projection Designs have tried the Model One with Denon, Pioneer and Marantz with no problems, atleast not because of the 10m cable.

[martintyler]

Mine will be HTPC to Projectiondesign Action Model 1, will hopefully work nicely :)~:-)~:smile:

[Joe Fernand]

Jonas



Not quite - you do see differences depending on the Digital cable used; we've had instances where two brands of cable have got signal through but one has lots of sparkles added to the picture.



Keep in mind also that HDMI looks to be more robust over distance than DVI and if you introduce a Digital Switch, Distribution Amp or Matrix (with or without line amp) you need to ensure its HDCP compatible and will actually pass the signal through you require.



I've had 5 x 5m Digital Magic HDMI cables with Gefen HDMIMate passive jointers ruining off the DV-868AVi into the PDP-504HDE.



Also keep in mind that not all DVI and HDMI cables are built for HD signals so if and when you get an HD source or two with Digital out you may need to upgrade.



Best regards



Joe

[Gordon, Convergent-AV]

Typical: Trust Joe to confuse the issue with the facts..... :thumbup:

[magking]

Jonas



Not quite - you do see differences depending on the Digital cable used; we've had instances where two brands of cable have got signal through but one has lots of sparkles added to the picture.




I have noticed these sparkles, but as I only have DVI connected at the moment I didn't know that the cable was the reason.

Why do I get these sparkles? Can I get rid of them without changing the cable?

[Gordon, Convergent-AV]

Sparklies are caused as you are at the transmission limit of the digital cable. You may find using a lwoer resolution down the DVI cable will help. Alternative is probably to get a DVI amplifier of some sort or a better cable.



Gordon

[magking]

Thanks Gordon

I'v been running 720p, I'll try 480p when I get home.

[Steve Stifler]

Joe

You mention not all cables will be suitable for HD. Could you give us some enlightenment on this please? Wouldn't want to get an HDMI cable that might need replacing too soon.

Cheers

Jez :)~:-)~:smile:

[Nic Rhodes]

Not all cables (digital ones) are made equally. Joe's bettercables DVI is the best I have seen to date. I would be 'concerned' over any DVI cable over 5m, let alone 7.5 or 10m, HDMI is much better by all accounts here. This is difficult to predict but bettercables seem better than the Lindy. I have both. I have got 10m working in one place but have also failed with 7.5m in others, it is all difficult to predict.



If you want to 'borrow' a 10m Lindy to try, PM me

[martintyler]

I ordered a lindy, since i need 10m, i think the bettercables ones go up to 9m only. I will give it a go and see what it is like, hopefully i will be lucky. Otherwise I will get Joe on the case with some signal amplifier or something.



If it came to it and I had to move my HTPC nearer the projector, would any of the other cables that would have to be longer have any issues? - VGA (to plasma), coax digital audio and RGB to sky box?

[Nic Rhodes]

VGA and digital coax are both easily capable of dealing with long lengths talked about here, SCARTs aren't as happy over 3m however. My 5m special is 'disappointing' though this may be the quality of the driving / receiving electronics and not the cable per se. 10m VGA is 'normal', as are Coax digital but you also have the option of optical digital as well to play tunes with. My bet is the Lindy won't work, good luck! Keep us posted.

[Jonas]

Jonas



Not quite - you do see differences depending on the Digital cable used; we've had instances where two brands of cable have got signal through but one has lots of sparkles added to the picture.



Keep in mind also that HDMI looks to be more robust over distance than DVI and if you introduce a Digital Switch, Distribution Amp or Matrix (with or without line amp) you need to ensure its HDCP compatible and will actually pass the signal through you require.



I've had 5 x 5m Digital Magic HDMI cables with Gefen HDMIMate passive jointers ruining off the DV-868AVi into the PDP-504HDE.



Also keep in mind that not all DVI and HDMI cables are built for HD signals so if and when you get an HD source or two with Digital out you may need to upgrade.



Best regards



Joe




The real challange for the non expert (me!) is getting any sort of accurate information from the manufacturers or the sources, displays and cables at the moment. Especially when you are going from HDMI to DVI-D...... arggggggggg



At least my set-up is working great at the moment, I deally I would like a 'long' HDMI to DVI-D cable, but can't find one.

[martintyler]

Well the 10m Lindy works just fine :)~:-)~:smile: Eric and Hans can confirm this. I got 1280x720 going properly after you left and it looks fantastic!

[magking]

Great Martin :thumbup:



Don't stay up all night watching your new picture on the wall :)~:-)~:smile:

[Nic Rhodes]

Great news, glad I was wrong :)~:-)~:smile:

[magking]

I just though I should mention that after connecting all the cables up when I got my ceiling mount I have the same noise on all inputs. I have also learnt that this is called dithering and is common on DLP projectors. I have also read that the upgrade this summer to a seven segment colour wheel will remove almost all the dithering. :)~:-)~:smile:

Anders L. have also said on the Norwegian forum that the upgrade will include Iris. :thumbup:

[Duder]

Hi,



Has anyone used the 10m Lindy cable to a plasma?



I am in the process of running cables in to the lounge at present and was thinking of putting a dvi in from the pc in another room to the plasma which will be in the lounge.



Ta

[Nic Rhodes]

Yes i have a 10m Lindy, some times it works, other times it doesn't. Anything over 5m is a lottery and you NEED to try the combination first.

[Duder]

Thanks for that Nic,



If it is convenient for you, is there any chance I could borrow your cable to give it a try?



I am putting my wall in at the moment (that the plasma will be hanging on) so it wouldn't be for a couple of weeks.



No sweat if you can't spare it though.



Thanks for your advice.



Paul

[Nic Rhodes]

Go on then, PM yor address and I will post off the cable for you to try. Can you post results here for people to see please.

[Duder]

Hi Nic,



Cheers! You are a Gent...



I can't try it for a little while but if you can spare it I would be more than grateful.



I will post my findings here also.



Thanks



Paul



I have sent you a pm too