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Old 30-09-2007, 20:07
Dave_Philips
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Join Date: Aug 2007
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I'm running antenna cables to all rooms in my house at the moment. Was going to run the output of the PVR in the lounge to all bedrooms by coax, but then figured why not do it by scart? But how? Is there some kind of booster that can do this?
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Old 30-09-2007, 20:36
Chris Simon
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There are loads of threads about SCART distribution, just do a search in the forums, e.g.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...d.php?t=562491
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...ad.php?t=64506
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...d.php?t=595631
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...d.php?t=533595

In summary, products available that will help you with this are:

a. Long SCART leads. I'm running approx 12m with no perceivable loss of quality. One device also has an additional 10m cable *before* it gets to the matrix switch (see below) so it effectively is travelling 22m.

b. SCART distribution amplifiers, 2-way, 4-way, 5-way and 10-way

c. SCART switchers, manual/automatic/remote control

d. Matrix switcher/router - 4 or 6 inputs and 2 independant outputs

e. SCART wall plates

Basically, yes it is possible, tell us what more you want to know, how many rooms you want, how many sources you've got, how much 'independance' between the rooms you want etc! For complete independance, several rooms, and several sources, it's going to complicated and expensive. Make some compromises and it will be feasible. Read the above threads for more background.

I've got 6 devices via a matrix switch going to two rooms independently. Some devices go through a 2-way distribution amplifier first to give a third 'zone' which is my DVR, i.e. I've got 2 rooms and one record path, all independent. Don't really need any more expansion that that but if I wanted more rooms I could just put an amplifier onto the second zone to duplicate it across the additional rooms. They wouldn't then be independent, they'd all be the "second zone", but that's OK for me.

I also have an exandable wireless infra-red extender system so can control any device from any room.

RF will be easier and cheaper but of course you lose a lot of quality, stereo, widescreen switching etc.
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Old 30-09-2007, 20:49
Dave_Philips
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Many thanks for the quick response. Didn't know what I was searching for, but you've told me what I want to know. I'll get reading!

Thanks again.
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Old 30-09-2007, 21:08
Chris Simon
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If what you want is simply to send one device to multiple rooms, all you probably need is an n-way distribution amplifier (n being your number of rooms) and some long SCART leads, depending on the layout of your house. The infra-red extender would be useful for controlling the PVR from the other rooms.

For example:

2-way amplifier: http://www.lektropacks.com/view_item...6&&category=17

4-way amplifier: http://www.bluedelta.co.uk/page7.html

5-way amplifier: http://www.keene.co.uk/electronics/multi.php?mycode=SDA (they also do the 2 and 10 way products)

10-way amplifier: http://www.lektropacks.com/view_item...2&&category=17

Matrix Switch: http://www.cybermarket.co.uk/ishop/923/shopscr5754.html (4x2)
http://www.ricamstore.co.uk/erol.html#4207x4252 (6x2)

Expandable IR extender: http://www.habitek.co.uk/catalog/item656.htm
and http://www.letsautomate.com/10952.cfm
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Old 01-10-2007, 16:24
ShuffleBoard
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Looks like you are getting very helpful advice from everone here.
I would however suggest you use economise a bit and use cat5e as your distribution cable rather than long scart leads. Once you have a Cat 5e network installed, you can send pretty much anything you like around the house using baluns. This will give you a nice upgrade path.

Global Communications have a nice low cost Cat 5 distribution system.

http://www.globalcom.co.uk/prod_blank.php?ProductsID=65

I have not used it myself but it looks like a nice low cost solution.


Good luck
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Old 01-10-2007, 16:53
Mane
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I'd agree with cat5.

Scart is getting on a bit, component would be the way to go if you wanted a specific video solution that would be 'HD ready' (unless your lengths are within the range of HDMI, in which case you could do that).

I'm renting so I distribute over my wireless LAN, it works great (yes, even at HD res! Although some of it is resized since it is for smaller screens). It does get a bit geeky sometimes though.
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