Vga cable - max length?

[lockstock2sb]

Hi All

I've just bought a flat and already my minds going into overdrive on what i can put in. One of my ideas i will be doing is to use a digital freeview pci card in a unused p4 system i have. This in turn will feed a projector onto the wall so i can watch TV and films the big screen without forking out for a plasma screen which is very expensive. I have just ordered a Leadtek winfast DVT1000T card as its one of the best out there. Comes with a remote.

Now while i was thinking about the various configurations i could have - i thought what is there to stop me putting a VGA splitter on the output of the pc and running a long VGA lead into either the kitchen to a 15/17 inch tft screen recessed into the wall, or even the bedroom or bathroom ala cribs style?

How long could a VGA cable be before the signal starts to degrade ? Anyone else got any ideas on freeview tv/dvd's into multiple rooms from a pc on the cheap !?

Would a DVI lead be a better choice for an extended run around the flat ?

Cheers

Steve


>> Edited by lockstock2sb on Wednesday 15th February 17:19

[aldi]

Not very long unfortunatly, DVI is better but for 10m+ ish you might want to look at the cat5 extender box thingys.

[agent006]

I have a long VGA lead that must be getting on for 30'+ and that works fine.

[lockstock2sb]

well i'm guessing as i'm going to route the cable to hide it, its going to be a fair length.... do you think running a splitter will degrade the signal ? Or... i suppose i could put the pc in the loft in a central position that way i can run it directly to the room and run it down the corner in some trunking? Control via wireless keyboard and mouse ?


>> Edited by lockstock2sb on Wednesday 15th February 17:35

[neil.b]

www.gefen.com

We've bought a fair bit of extender products from them as we run long lengths of VGA cable from the studios to a central PC hub (to remove fan/mechanical noise from the studios).

[Plotloss]

If you think Plasma is pricey, best not look into the cost of wall embedded bathroom screens

VGA baluns and Cat5e is probably the easiest way. VGA cables are thick and inflexible you see...

[lockstock2sb]

That VGA balun is an excellent idea/product - looks like the signal can travel 135m according to a website. Got to use Shielded cable as well by the looks of things... Its a shame the units are so damn expensive (£123 a pair)-kind of takes the shine off what i am trying to do here - Digital TV on the cheap in several rooms

Might consider it though !!

Cheers

Steve

>> Edited by lockstock2sb on Wednesday 15th February 20:15

[Plotloss]

You dont have to use shielded and there are cheaper versions than £135 a pair...

[catretriever]

A media center PC and an xbox might do what you're looking for

[lockstock2sb]

where would an xbox come into this ?

Plotloss: do you know where i can get a pair cheaper then ? They seem quite a specialist item and i cant find many places online...

Cheers

Steve

[UpTheIron]

I used a 10m S-Video cable to run from my PC (upstairs) to my TV (downstairs). Quality is as good on the TV as it is on the flat panel upstairs.

I warn you now though, the pursuit of Media Center utopia can prove expensive...

It starts with "take an existing PC".
Then add a monitor.
Then upgrade the RAM.
Then the Mobo / CPU.
Then more RAM.
Then a new graphics card.
Then another graphics card, to support 4 outputs.
Then around 60m of SVideo and 20m of TOSLink cables.
Lots of CAT5, once you give up with wireless for streaming video.
Oh, and a IR sender to allow remote control from each room.

...and that is before I mention the 1.2Tb of storage connected to a quad processor server, and so on.

Bloody good though (when it all works).

[Plotloss]

Granted not a lot cheaper...

www.cyberselect.co.uk/product/423

I'll continue having a poke around when I get a minute...

[lockstock2sb]

UpTheIron said:

I used a 10m S-Video cable to run from my PC (upstairs) to my TV (downstairs). Quality is as good on the TV as it is on the flat panel upstairs. I warn you now though, the pursuit of Media Center utopia can prove expensive... It starts with "take an existing PC". Then add a monitor. Then upgrade the RAM. Then the Mobo / CPU. Then more RAM. Then a new graphics card. Then another graphics card, to support 4 outputs. Then around 60m of SVideo and 20m of TOSLink cables. Lots of CAT5, once you give up with wireless for streaming video. Oh, and a IR sender to allow remote control from each room. ...and that is before I mention the 1.2Tb of storage connected to a quad processor server, and so on. Bloody good though (when it all works).

Cheers Plotloss

Bloody hell that sounds like a serious setup which i would love, but all i want is anything thats on the pc to be displayed on a second monitor with sound in another room. I quite like the thought of being able to have the music videos on in the kitchen as well as the front room when having a party etc TFT screen with some decent amplified speakers should be good enough ?

>> Edited by lockstock2sb on Saturday 18th February 21:18

[rebelstar]

I have in my hands a VGA signal booster that claims to give 75 metre transmission. I may be in your neck of the woods next week, so let me know if you want it. (No cost - it's being thrown out).