I am planning to route the s-video and digital audio out from my DSS receiver to a couple of locations in the house. I have three sets of questions.

-S-video: What kind of cable is used to route this signal? I have seen the lead terminals at Radio Shack, and I figure it is just a matter of soldering a couple of wires. Also, does anyone know of an in-line amplifier for the signal? The two runs I want are approx. 40 feet and 20 feet.

-Optical: I have seen line amplifiers for the optical cable and signal splitters. I have fiberoptic cable bundled in some cable I had previously routed to both rooms, but no toslink terminals on the ends. I have seen kits (polishers, connectors, etc.) that can be used to attach the terminals, but I am a bit dubious. Is there a decent alterntive?

-If I decide to just send video and audio over regular RCA lines instead of via s-video and optical, where do I get RCA cables that long? Is 12-gauge speaker type wire used for the audio RCA? Is RG6 used for the video?

Thanks

I know it's none of my business. However I believe you could buy a couple of receivers for what you are going to spend on this cable.--Dave

You could just use RG6 for audio and video. Of course the audio is not going to be digital.

I want to keep the one receiver I have for a couple of reasons.

-The receiver I have is a dishplayer 7200 (?) and has record, pause, ff, (etc.) capabilities. I don't want to have to "dish" out more money for another similar receiver (they aren't cheap), and I do like being able to use the "recordable" features of the receiver I have.

-I have a moral objection to paying an additional $5 per month ($60/year) to DishNetwork for having a second receiver. I only plan to watch one channel at a time, I just want the option of watching it from a different room from time-to-time.

I did similar setup in my Dad's new home, there is actually a thread somewhere discussing the use of RG-59 or RG-6. We used RG-59 stranded copper from Canaire, very flexible and easy to work with. We used these for both analog audio and video runs. As well as the 3 wires for component video. With RG-59 you can buy RCA jacks that solder right to the wire. RG-6 you will need to terminate with an F connector and then get adapters to convert to RCA from radio shack. We bought a big spool of the RG-59. We did no S-video. In that other thread (I'll see if I can find it) I remember someone mentioning a CAT 5 to S-video connector for long runs so that you can use CAT 5 for the runs.

SVideo cable uses two coax cables, you can use RG6 or RG59 and build adaptors for the ends.

Papa John,

I quick search found this sort of item ...

[Link: studio1productions.com]

could be a fit for your application. Does the Dishplayer provide more than one S-video output?

BTW, I've seen 25ft and 50ft S-video cables from one of the popular cable manufacturers. If you really want to make your own here is a pinout diagram ...

[Link: milestek.com]

Good luck.

dougw

Mitsubishi sells a amplified S-Video distribution block. I think it's around 800 bucks. Key digital, Tributaries and Xtrron also make blocks, but you better be ready to spend at least a grand. Monster makes s-video cable you can buy in bulk,as well as almost every other custom cable manufacturer. Most dealers will sell you a 500 ft spool and credit what you don't use, or you can have them custom make you a cable. Soldering S-video ends is no fun task. If you want something cheaper, call Bi-Tronics in NY, they have cheap premade cables in any length. I just bought a 75 footer for a client. The bad news in if you run S-video over about 15ft you might as well use composite. Use RG-6 Quad for the digital audio or a video camle like Monster MV3. It comes in bulk 500 ft spools. Don't attempt to make the optical ends, it is extremely difficult. JDS Uuiphase makes ends if you want to give it a try but you will need some very special tools. M-audio makes optical to coax digital converters with a throuhput, and vive versa, around 100 bucks. DO NOT use speaker wire of any sort for transfer of a line level signal at any length. You need a shielded cable. You probably should talk to a custom installer before you do this.
Hope this helps

i agree...you should be using rg-59 over rg-6 for audio and video routing...and two rg-59's for s-video...do not run raw s-sideo... robert custom a/v;programmer

Why RG59 instead of RG6?

I have been checking some options and have come up with this:

Audio - Use optical out on the DSS receiver, split the signal to two-opticals (splitter $20.00 from sound professionals), run each of these opticals to separate rooms using optical cable (15 meter optical with TOSLink terminals for $43.00 at sound professionals)

Video - Use RCA video out from DSS receiver, go to existing RG6 cable run using a RCA-female to F-female connector ($1.79 at www.gohts.com), run signal through existing RG6 to both rooms, come off of RG6 to short RCA cables using a F-female to RCA male connector ($1.09 at www.gohts.com).

Will this work?

Papa John,

If you want to distribute video from the DishPlayer, why not consider using the RF out for your long runs(using coax and splitters). I think this would be safer than trying to distribute baseband video. It sounds like you're also thinking of just doing a 'Y' cable with the baseband. This sounds problematic to me.

dougw

yeeaa...i thought rg-6 would be a better choice too...after all it's bigger...go to thx school and they tell you to always use rg-59...over rg-6 for audio and video routing...and they also teach you to use bnc crimp ons over f-connectors for video....robert

any s-vid over 4 or 5 metres (i'm an aussie) should be two lengths of rg59. you only really need rg6 for rf signals (better sheilding) and besides, rg59 is a lot easier to work with. always use f-connectors whenever you can! they are the best connection type for signal and strength available. then an s-vid to 2x f-pin adaptor is all you need for each end. this will very easily maintain signal integrity over a 40 ft distance!

This message was edited by shpoinka on 09/28/01 00:51.10.

"always use f-connectors whenever you can! they are the best connection type for signal and strength available"

Not really, 'f' connectors are designed to be cheap, and they do not maintain a 75 ohm impedance.
BNC connectors are the ones to use if you want a high quality connector....you don't see many 'f' connectors in TV stations or post houses.

Papa John,
You might consider a setup of wireless GHz-range audio-video senders (one transmitter, several receivers) for your use. In my opinion, the signal quality won't be any worse than extended cable runs, and the labor is very minimal.

By the way, great pizza! (just kidding)


Automan,
One big advantage of BNC over F-connectors is the ease and quickness of connecting and disconnecting the plugs. I don't disagree with you about the impedance issue, although it's not as bad as some people think.

Every connection in any electrical or electronic system introduces some distortion, even solder joints. As I'm sure you know, with F-connectors (except some factory-molded cable ends) the inner conductor actually is the 'pin' of the plug. The conductor is not really designed to be a plug, but for plug-in-once-and-leave-alone use, it's satisfactory. It has the advantage of fewer joints, but is subject to oxidation. Fortuneatly, copper oxide is conductive.


Larry