[SML] totally off topic: installing a second monitor in the kitchen

[Jon Ares]

I'll let others comment on the feasibility of HDMI splitters from
cable boxes - sometimes there are issues with "handshaking" and DRM
issues - the cable box asking if the monitor is willing/able to accept
their encrypted data, and the monitor saying "yes, I'll respect your
over-bearing and completely unnecessary Orwellian control over
what/where I can watch what I paid for." (I don't have a cable box, so
I can't say.)

But I will mention there are a variety of ways to get a run of HDMI to
your destination. HDMI, in its purest form, doesn't like to exceed (I
think something like) 43 feet, and that's with chonky, healthy copper
wires. But there are a variety of "active" HDMI cables that can go
longer distances, and have distinct "source" and "screen" designations
on their ends. Observe that, and you get a pretty picture. Install it
backwards and you get blankness. As for the cable in between, some are
chonky copper, some are fiber optic (great for pulling through a wall,
as long as you can manage gentle arcs, rather than sharp corners.) I
have gone through a lot of these "active" HDMI cables, and have had a
lot of inconsistencies with them - specifically one computer will balk
at Brand XY, but worked with Brand XZ, but this computer over here
didn't like XZ, but was fine with XY.  Maybe cable boxes will be more
tolerant. https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Meters-Compatible-Playstation-Monitors/dp/B0BBRFYNSW?ref_=ast_sto_dp

There's also gizmos that allow you to use ethernet cabling, as well.
But that's usually a solution that results in a somewhat compact box
on each end of the ethernet cable
https://www.amazon.com/Extender-Uncompressed-Transmit-Supported-Transmitter/dp/B07WFLHTKK?ref_=ast_sto_dp

If you go this route, make sure you use at the very least Cat 5e, but
Cat 6 is much better for these, and they work great.  I haven't used
this specific model, but these usually are great at passing the EDID
data back and forth, so devices believe you're watching on a 'real'
TV.  I keep one of these setups as a backup in my facility, when those
"active" HDMI cables decides it doesn't want to work anymore. I have
noticed that the active HDMI cables can get warm, so that circuitry in
the plugs could be contributing to their failure rate.

 - Jon

On Sun, Sep 1, 2024 at 9:14 AM Steve Shelley via Stagecraft
<stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:
>
> Hi folks;
>
>
>
> *Totally off topic*
>
>
>
> So we’re joining the 20th century, by gum. Adding a second tv screen in the kitchen so we can see what’s already on the screen in the living room. Wow, is this space age or what? To Infinity or the Bathroom!
>
>
>
> That said, I’m a babe in the woods. I know nothing about video. I *think* I want to install a HDMI splitter at the cable box, and one run continues to the living room TV, and a new stick of HDMI cable runs to a newly-purchased monitor [which won’t need a tuner-right?] in my quick measurements it seems I can get away with a 25’-0” stick of HDMI cable [yes, that needs to be carefully re-measured.] it seems like the next native length is 50’. Right?
>
>
>
> Staples lists the following manufacturers: StarTech, Tripp Lite, 4XEM, NXT, and Belkin. This is just a second screen, so I don’t need the “gold” standard. Which of these is “good”? and which is “cheap, avoid”? [I know that the new HDMI run will not be just “laid down” and will be making some tight turns around doorways and such; is there a HDMI cable that is more flexible for this kind of install?
>
>
>
> Any thoughts you might have would be delightfully accepted. Happy fall!
>
>
>
> Best,
>
>
>
> Steve
>
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-- 
Jon Ares
www.arescreative.com