Long DVI Cable Runs

[Shan]

Hi all,

After upgrading my Audio and Video system this week, I find my current projector (a Dell 3200MP) lacking. I am planning to purchase a BenQ PE8700+ projector next week to replace it.

The concern that I have is with the length of the DVI cable run. If I use the DVI output on my Lumagen VisionHDP, the cable needs to be between 40 and 50 feet long. I have been searching on the net and in this forum and am getting mixed messages about how long the cable can be.

Can anyone confirm if I can do a 50 foot DVI run and still get good video? If not, I will be forced to run analog BNC.

The next question will be on which cable should I buy? I assume it is not a good idea to go the $69.00 Ebay DVI cable route? :)

Thanks in advance for the help.

Shan

[Tom.W]

I can't answer your 50ft DVI question.I'm running a 25ft DVI cable to my Barco CRT projector without any problems.Blue Jeans sells some very nice cables at a reasonable cost. :)

[megaman_y]

From my experience with DVI cables, not all cables are made equal (meaning some work and some don’t). That said, you'd want to get a long DVI cable from a company that knows what they are doing. I’ve never used a DVI cable at 50ft, but bettercables.com seems to have that available:

http://bettercables.com/15me4febecad.html

You can return the cable within 30 days if they don’t work. And if that’s the case you may need to get a DVI booster:

http://www.bettercables.com/dviamb.html

*Sigh*… this is an expensive hobby isn’t it…?

[Shan]

*Sigh*… this is an expensive hobby isn’t it…?

Yes it definately is. The good news and bad news is that I found out I was off on my measurements for the projector placement. My current projector is 18 feet back from the screen but the new one has to be mounted 12 feet back. Only 6 feet closer but it cuts the cable length I need down to about 25 feet....wooohoo! :) I figure 25 feet should be easy to deal with.

Thanks for your help guys.

Shan

[Kei Clark]

Performance of the cable depends on length+resolution. At 25-30 ft., most decent cables should work fine with 1080i/720p but can be problematic with 1600x1200p or 1920x1080p. At 50 ft., the last two resolutions would be much more difficult to achieve. Differences in price for the two lengths are substantial for high quality cables.

[collinp]

So does anyone make some sort of DVI amplifier/repeater that could be used to help out with long cable runs?

- Collin

[dave7]

Collinp - yes - check out Ram Electronics:

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/DVI_monitor_cables.html

They have many different solutions for long DVI runs. Their 2x1 and 4x1 boxes have built in amplifiers. I have their “high-end” 30' DVI-D dual link cable (big woop…it is like $100) and have had no issues at all. Best of all...like my cable, most of their stuff is super-affordable! Imagine that!

I also have their 30' component cable and it too works great.

Give them a call, they can steer you in the right direction. I have found them to be very helpful on the phone, especially to head off any potential compatibility issues...which fortunately I don't have. They were honest with me about the DVI cable though, and told me which combinations have had problems. It is nice to know that kind of stuff before attempting to trouble-shoot. Plus they have a 30 day return policy...AND...most importantly...they are a forum sponsor.

No...I don't work for them.

Best of luck

[vinodk]

Also check out Ethereal DVI cable from Digital Connection. They are thick but flexible & are reasonably priced. I switched from Lindy to Ethereal 10 m. cable & now my pj syncs with the source in a snap & the picture is punchier too. Good luck.

[pulper]

Is Ram Electonics similar to Dalite screens in that they are sold by this forum?

[collinp]

Originally posted by dave7
Collinp - yes - check out Ram Electronics:

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/DVI_monitor_cables.html

They have many different solutions for long DVI runs. Their 2x1 and 4x1 boxes have built in amplifiers. I have their “high-end” 30' DVI-D dual link cable (big woop…it is like $100) and have had no issues at all. Best of all...like my cable, most of their stuff is super-affordable! Imagine that!

I also have their 30' component cable and it too works great.

Give them a call, they can steer you in the right direction. I have found them to be very helpful on the phone, especially to head off any potential compatibility issues...which fortunately I don't have. They were honest with me about the DVI cable though, and told me which combinations have had problems. It is nice to know that kind of stuff before attempting to trouble-shoot. Plus they have a 30 day return policy...AND...most importantly...they are a forum sponsor.

No...I don't work for them.

Best of luck

Excellent site. Thank you much.

- Collin

[dave7]

pulper-

I don't know. I have only dealt with them directly. Since they are close to me, shipping is really quick too.