RE: Re: Confused with Video distribution

["Paul Gale" <groups2@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

You just need to think VERY long and hard before parting with any cash
- what signals exactly do you want to distribute - are you likely to
upgrade a TV in one of the locations to HD in the future etc? Whilst
composite and S video are great for most places, I already have HD capable
displays in three locations. Good video is a bit of a thing for me anyway
as I run a video production company. Saying that, for every day viewing,
it's hard to tell much of a difference between a really good quality
composite signal and something better on most smaller TV's, so the cheaper
composite switchers may be a good choice if cash is an issue.

If you can afford it - many of the bigger component switchers can also
route composite and s video signals too - so they're a good "cover all
eventualities" choice :)

I'd think carefully about the smaller 4 input/output switchers - are they
really going to be big enough once you get into it? Are you likely to add
another location? I also switch a few CCTV camera feeds too - quite useful
as you can view these feeds anywhere without any other technology (although
I also have a Geovision CCTV server). You may also want to think about
other likely video feeds - text overlay from an HA controller like
HomeVision, CCTV server outputs etc.

Paul.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ukha_d@xxxxxxx [mailto:ukha_d@xxxxxxx] On Behalf
> Of ab_mc_uk
> Sent: 16 September 2007 11:28
> To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> Subject: [ukha_d] Re: Confused with Video distribution
>
>
>
> Kramer Electronics is a good value alternative to Extron and I think
> that this unit:
>
> http://www.kramerelectronics.com/indexes/item.asp?desc=43
>
> will provide everything that the Extron does almost certainly at a
> lower price point.
>
> Andy
>
> --- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, "Paul Bendall" <paul@...>
wrote:
> >
> > Paul,
> >
> > Thanks for the reply. I have had a look at the Extron stuff and
it
> > looks very good. Yes a bit expensive but not horrendously so for
> the
> > kind of thing I was describing. I quite like the look of the S-
> Video
> > 4:4 Matrix Switch. I have found a few links about running S-video
> > over coaxial cable for long runs which seems useful. Most TVs
also
> > have S-Video input.
> >
> > Just thinking about this now and how long I would need to save!
> >
> > Paul
> >
> > --- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, "Paul Gale" <groups2@>
wrote:
> > >
> > > Most importantly, what's your budget? There are many ways of
> doing
> > this.
> > >
> > > What I've done is use a matrix A/V switcher (Extron MAV128)
as
> the
> > hub and feed all the sources into this. The switcher is only
> > composite with stereo but that's plenty good enough for most
> > standard TV's and smaller LCD's. The longer distance feeds and
> > outputs to the different rooms run via Cat5e structured cabling
and
> > I use a pair of Keith Doxey's Kat5 units to distribute the video
> and
> > stereo signals through the Cat5. I also have a variety of other
kit
> > including a component switcher with digital audio capability.
> > Signals are still fed by Kat5 units again as they can cope with
> > pretty much any signal as long as you have enough connections.
> > >
> > > http://www.kat5.tv/
> > >
> > > Cost isn't cheap though as I've spend a good few grand on
all the
> > kit so far. As I said though, there are lots of other solutions
but
> > you will get what you pay for.
> > >
> > >
> > > Paul.
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>