Alternatives to coax to HDMI?

Coax to HDMI is extremely convenient in that it allows you to use the existing wiring already in your house to distribute HD video to your TVs. However, having spent 10 years running a home audio/video business, I have learned that one solution rarely works in every situation. Over the years I have tried many of the various converters/baluns on the market. If you’ve read the “Getting Started with Coax to HDMI” article on this website, and you find that your house has been wired in the “daisy chain” method, there are some great alternatives on the market for you. Listed below are a few of the most efficient methods of getting HDMI throughout your house without using the coaxial cable.

HDMI over Cat5

A popular alternative to coax to HDMI products is HDMI over CAT5. Most older homes and almost all newer homes have been wired with Cat5 wiring for the telephone and data network wiring. There are an abundance of HDMI over CAT5 baluns on the market. Make sure to look at the distance specifications and HDMI standard capabilities before making your selection. Many units will specify 1080p at shorter distances, while specifying 1080i at the longer and more prominently advertised distance. Be sure to keep in mind how many CAT5 wires will be needed for each converter. Some require two CAT5, but many like the Atlona HDMI Extender will require only one. Some, like the Xantech HDMIC5IR are also offer IR control of the device you are distributing. Keep in mind that this will require you to have an IR repeater that may or may not be included with the unit. An IR repeater allows you to control the source equipment you’re watching from another room. HDMI over CAT5 baluns/converters come in two main types; wall plates and free-standing units. This model from Vanco is incorporated into a wall plate for a cleaner installation. Again it’s worth taking the time to read through some of the reviews to get an idea as to what will work best in your particular situation.

Wireless HDMI

Wireless HDMI is a great alternative to coax to HDMI devices when the distance to be covered is more reasonable. Many of these devices even support full 1080p resolution and digital audio. However, take care in making your selection, many of the products available are line of site, such as this unit from Gefen. If you go this route, the source equipment and the display would typically need to be in the same room. A great source of information is the customer reviews on Amazon.com. By reading a few of these, you can actually get a pretty good handle on whether or not a particular unit will work in your situation. Here is a list of Wireless HDMI products available on Amazon.com.