Connection questions

Posted by: Mike Hughes on 31 March 2009

As a follow up to the Kuro no more thread I have just been advised that my LX5090 due to arrive 2 weeks from now "at the earliest" is coming in 2 days time.

I need to book an installed but have some questions I need answered before I finalise that.

1) I currently have a cheap cable from the Sky+ 160 to my 202 via a Mayware connector. Will need a 3m run to do this when system moves to accomodate/complement TV. Not looking at Hi-Line quality. Given that I'll also need 3 HDMI and 2 scart channeled into the wall I'm looking for good bang for buck rather than spectacular. Any suggestions.

2) Need 2m runs of the HDMI and scarts. Any suggestions on those. Have read elsewhere about Molex for former but no real clue. Was planning to research all this over next fortnight. Oh well, the best laid plans.

3) Is it best to leave this to an installed or to spec. It myself?

4) No plans for BD. DVD player is 6 years old and may change for upscaling. Tend to watch films off Sky with DVD reserved for series. Main issue for me is decent picture quality for ordinary Sky+ viewing with audio going from Sky and DVD to 202. Any additional thoughts on this would be appreciated. Right approach? Other ideas? After buying TV cash us limited as there's a Miele dishwasher to be sorted too!!!

Cheers,

Mike

Posted on: 31 March 2009 by Flame

Hi Mike;

I'm not familiar with your sky box (what cables it needs) but regarding HDMI I might have something to say. At 3m of cable length you are venturing into the "sensitive" lengths of HDMI cable. Whenever you exceed maybe 2.5 or 3 meters, signal degradation can become a significant problem and you need to get a better cable. I personally use a premium cable from Monster with a length of 7 m and I'm extremely happy with the result. Some have found the Chord company HDMI cable to be good too but I'm not sure whether that is 1.3a compatible or not. QED make quality HDMI cables at a no so unreasonable price too.

I'm sure the other members will give you advice regarding scart cables as well as other suggestions regarding HDMI. Good luck.

Regards...

Posted on: 31 March 2009 by Mike Hughes

Thanks Flame. I should clarify.

The 2 audio cables need to be 3m. The HDMI and Scart only need to be 2m long. I need 3 HDMI and 2 Scart but their length should need to be no more than 2m.

I was aware from my initial Reading that 2m was a significant threshold.

Mike

Posted on: 01 April 2009 by Flame

Hi again Mike. As long as your HDMI cables aren within two meters then you will do well with most generic HDMIs coming from the far east. That should allow you to dedicate funds elsewhere in case you need to.

Regards...

Posted on: 01 April 2009 by ChrisBathory

Hi Mike,

my suggestions would be Chord Cobra for the audio (I use a 5m one and it performs pretty well) - they make longer lengths to order, I'd also shop around as a few places will do deals.

Having tried a few scarts I like the QED ones as a decent compromise on price/performance. ---Again deals can be had on t'internet.

I've both QED and Chord HDMI - both excellent, but a bit pricey, I have a posh elderly upscaling dvd (denon 3910) that can be had off evilbay for 20% of the new prices, and it works really well - picture is within a hair as good as a PS3 playing blu-ray through my 50inch panasonic plasma...

Finally the Miele won't disappoint!

Hope this helps!
Chris