Output From Computer To Plasma Screen Via HDMI

[6Foot2]

We have been asked to put up a 42" plasma screen in our Crush Hall to display rolling presentations. We need to be able to push the signal out over a 20 metre HDMI cable. We found this to be problematic, so we put an HDMI equaliser in the line at the plasma TV end of the run. This still does not work. However connecting the cable directly out of the GeForce 7 video card into the input of the HDMI of the plasma [a run of about 2 metres] gives a great picture. We have changed cables and equalisers and still no picture.

 

The information I have is that we should be able to push the signal out over a 50 metre cable with the equaliser in line. What else can we try to make this work?

[Geoff]

You need a HDMI repeater and/or high quality cabling.

[john]

I would say cabling issue myself, I would expect you to spend many hundreds of pounds on a HDMI that lenght, judging by the cost of the 3 meter ones!

[Geoff]

I'd expect to pay around £150 for a 25m HDMI cable. I'd expect to pay a similar amount for a HDMI repeater.

[PeterW]

Must you use HDMI, I'm sure if you used component and stereo audio over cat 5 it would work out a lot cheaper?

[6Foot2]

Must you use HDMI, I'm sure if you used component and stereo audio over cat 5 it would work out a lot cheaper?

 

We tried SVideo on the recommendation of a school in our Consortium and it gave an awful picture. We then chose HDMI because we had a compatible card in the computer and cables and a compatible input in the plasma. However that does not mean we are not open to other ideas.

[amcevoy]

How about putting the computer a lot nearer to the screen and using a KVM extender (e.g. Daxten Voyager Micro) to control the PC? Presuming the PC is networked and thats how it is going to access your rolling presentations. Or you could use a really powerful wireless keyboard and mouse.

[MicrodigitUK]

Has the plasma screen got a standard VGA input? I use a 20m VGA cable and a stereo audio cable to my screen because it worked out cheaper than a long HDMI and still gives a high definition image on the screen. I don’t know the max length you can have VGA though?

 

Also you can get VGA and stereo cable to CAT 5 RJ45 adapters to run the signal down a standard network cable with an adapter at each end of the cable! Although some are very expensive, have a look at this one:

 

http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=CS10933

 

or

 

http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/level5/module.jsp?moduleId=cpc/436786.xml

 

[6Foot2]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. We now have it running over a 10 metre HDMI cable [no HDMI repeater or equaliser required!]

 

This is not ideal, as the keyboard and mouse are within the range of students, and I feel sure that one of them will attempt some kind of interference at some stage. That aside I have noticed a shadow developing on the screen. Is this akin to screen burn-in? It certainly looks like it. What I am hoping is that it is not permanent and if we 'rest' the screen will it go away, but I would like to ask if anyone knows the truth of this could they post a reply A.S.A.P.

 

Thanks.

[Geoff]

Is this a consumer grade plasma screen? or an industrial one? how long have you had it?

[6Foot2]

Is this a consumer grade plasma screen? or an industrial one? how long have you had it?

 

Yes it is one that you might buy for home. It is a Philips FlatTV. We have had it about 2 months.