Will cat5e cable support high definition tv signals?

Answer 1

There are several ways to send video over CAT5. The method depends on the type of signal. Composite video signals can use a passive adaptor at each end of the CAT5 cable. The adaptors normally use a small transformer at the transmitter to match the signal to the cable. At the far end, another transformer matches the signal to a standard video co-ax cable ready to feed into a monitor or television. These are simple adaptors and are relatively inexpensive. Signal paths of several hundred feet are quite practical.

VGA signals need a little more processing. As they have three separate video signals and two synchronizing signals, they need to be processed into only four signals (CAT5 cable has 4 signal pairs). Because of the design of CAT5 cable, on a long run, the red, green and blue signals can become delayed by different times. Although the times are minuscule, it is possible to see the timing errors on a screen. Each of the three colors will become shifted horizontally. To correct for this, good VGA - CAT5 converters will compensate for these tiny delays. This makes a VGA -CAT5 system much more expensive than a standard video system.

HDMI over CAT5 is also now available. Similar to the VGA system, HDMI - CAT5 converters are active units and also need signals to travel in both directions. Although expensive units, they do provide a method to extend the maximum transmission distance of HDMI from 60 feet or so more than 100 feet.

Answer 2

There are a variety of devices on the market that can be used to carry video signals on CAT5 or CAT6 cable. Recently, HDMI transmitters and receivers have come on to the market and are capable of carrying HD signals up to 100 feet or more. It is important to check the manufacturers' specifications but generally, they will require only one CAT5 cable. HDMI is a duplex signal, requiring data to be returned from the television to the player or receiver. Before investing in CAT5 converters, make sure that they are fully HDMI compliant. If they are tested and approved, they will have an HDMI certificate of compliance - it's worth asking if they have that certificate before buying.

In the domestic video market, analog HD signals are now almost non-existent so support for analog HD over CAT5 is also non existent.