Ethereal to Convert HDMI to CAT5E/CAT6 Cables

We live in a world that is under technology's rule. We pile up stocks of electronic appliances, either at home or at the office, and we tend to interconnect them into an intricate, yet very useful spider web. What's more and more annoying is the cabling system serpenting under and on the floor. Wireless links won't always do the trick, so you have to cope with this, or find more intelligent methods to re-use the existing wiring.

Ethereal has come up with a new solution of connecting your HD-capable media server in your basement with your HDMI-enabled TV-set in your living room, at no extra cabling costs. This elegant solution of transmitting HDMI signals at long distances uses common CAT5 (network) cables and HDMI converters.

"The HDMI-CAT5D is built around Ethereal's Leviton Decora-style wall plates, and is intended for in-wall installations in which appearance is as important as performance. It features Ethereal's low-speed line driver and high-speed data digital restoration circuit.

The HDMI-CAT5D has the HDMI diagnostic built into the back side of the units so as to not be visible when mounted above a projector or behind a flat panel display. Twisted pair balanced mode transmission design greatly suppresses radiated noise from high voltage (110V)," said the company in a press release.

The HDMI cable is converted to CAT5/6 , then re-converted into a HDMI cable where the display is located. The user can send HDMI signals at distances up to 23 meters over CAT5, up to 28 over CAT5E and up to 61 over CAT6 wirings.

The kit is comprised of Tx (send) and Rx (receive) units, and two networking (RJ45) type connectors at each end for an "easy-to-install and service interface." The new method of sending HDMI over Ethernet is pretty pricey (about $500), while a 45-meter HDMI cable only costs $250.