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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Ethernet over HDMI...

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Grogster

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Posted: 12:03am 29 Aug 2023
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Hello folks.

We all know that the latest HDMI standard, supports "Ethernet over HDMI", and I want to use that concept, but I don't have equipment that does it natively.

Does anyone know of a kit with a combiner for the input end, and a splitter for the TV end, that you can feed BOTH network AND HDMI into, to squirt it over the existing HDMI cable in the wall, and seperate them out at the TV end into the HDMI and seperate network signals?

I need to connect ethernet to the TV due to constant WiFi problems(so many networks all within range of each other, all trying to use the same bandwidth!) with the streaming services such as Netflix etc.

I have had 100% success with these WiFi drop-out problems, if you simply DON'T USE the WiFi, and connect a good old-fashioned ethernet cable between the TV and the internet router - problem solved, no more drop-outs.

However, in this house, the HDMI cable in in the wall, and getting another cable down the wall is pretty much impossible, as the house has a flat roof - there simply is no roof access to draw in another cable, without lifting the roof iron!  

Architects.....sigh.....  

So, I was hoping to find a kit that would allow me to basically generate "Ethernet over HDMI" in house, using the existing HDMI cable that is already installed, and thus saving the nightmare that would be getting another cable in there now.

Does anyone have any links or suggestions?
Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!
 
Andy-g0poy
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Joined: 07/03/2023
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Posted: 01:09am 29 Aug 2023
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The standard exists since at least 2017 but it never really worked, and is not generally supported, and there is little or no adaptor kit available.

The more general adoption of WiFi enabled TV's really killed it off.

(There is plenty of kit that allows HDMI over Ethernet/IP)

The Ethernet part of HDMI is only 100 Mbps and I think it was
limited to the max length of an HDMI cable which is about 5m
However I cannot find anything to verify that.


A little bit of jnfo here:

https://thehometheaterdiy.com/hdmi-with-ethernet/


There will always be a gap between the outside roof and the inside ceiling to allow for insulation and such like, so you don't "lift the roof iron" Also where are the two ends of the HDMI cable, they cannot be that far apart?

Look at the point they come out of the wall. This may be a cable end, or a faceplate with an HDMI socket on it. If so remove the faceplate and see if you can tell if the cable is loose laid or is in some form of trunking, conduit / copex

Once you get an idea of how the existing cable is run you may - if you are lucky - get some ideas on how to run in additional/different cables. If it's in some form of trunking then is may be possible to feed a mouse into the run and get it to the other end. You can also get thin fibreglass cable rods that are very useful for getting cables into awkward areas.

Also look at how the mains power is run in that may also give you some clues.

Andy
 
phil99

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Joined: 11/02/2018
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Posted: 01:35am 29 Aug 2023
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Adding to all the above, if the cable doesn't go round any corners you may be able to attach a draw string to it and pull it back to the other end. Then attach a Cat 5 and pull the pair back again.

Plan B
100 MB/S only needs 2 pairs. Identify 4 un-used cores in the HDMI cable and make your own adapters to use them.
 
Grogster

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Posted: 01:54am 29 Aug 2023
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Thanks, chums.
I did not know Ethernet over HDMI was only 100Mb, and thought it was still something that was sometimes used!  
100Mb would probably not do it these days for streaming anyway, so that idea is now out of the question, but thanks for clearing that up - at least now I know.

The HDMI cable runs up inside an exterior wall(so will be lined with bats between the outside brick, and the inside gib-board, and it goes around FOUR 90-degree turns to get into the "Equipment cupboard".

Pulling another one in using the existing HDMI cable would be totally impossible.  

There is no under-floor access either - solid concrete slab.

It's a pre-made cable - one end is in the equipment cupboard, the other end comes out of the wall behind the TV.  There are no HDMI wall-plates.  Cable length would be about ten meters between ends I would think.  It is a thick cable, so it is a decent quality one for a longer HDMI lead.

I'll have a bit more of a think about this one.  I might just have to run some of that white trunking/capping around the skirting board and door.  Where there is a will, there is a way.  
Edited 2023-08-29 11:58 by Grogster
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Grogster

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Posted: 01:56am 29 Aug 2023
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  phil99 said  Plan B
100 MB/S only needs 2 pairs. Identify 4 un-used cores in the HDMI cable and make your own adapters to use them.


Good idea.  
Not sure that 100Mb would be fast enough for streaming video though.
Thoughts on that?

Also thought that all cores in the HDMI cable were used for the connection - I will have to research that a bit more, as you are suggesting that this is not the case.
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TassyJim

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Posted: 02:36am 29 Aug 2023
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4k video needs ~15Mbps.

I don't do 4k but no trouble streaming normal video on my ~50Mbps (at best and less during peak). last leg is mirocast which causes the most problems when there are any.

I would look at a 5G WiFi to ethernet adapter before trying a cable.

Jim
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zeitfest
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Posted: 03:23am 29 Aug 2023
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Maybe Ethernet over power would work ? eg where you plug adaptors into power outlets and it uses the standard house wiring. Obviously not wonderful but might be ok for short distances.
 
phil99

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Posted: 03:29am 29 Aug 2023
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   Wiki said  HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC)

HDMI Ethernet Channel technology consolidates video, audio, and data streams into a single HDMI cable, and the HEC feature enables IP-based applications over HDMI and provides a bidirectional Ethernet communication at 100 Mbit/s.[43] The physical layer of the Ethernet implementation uses a hybrid to simultaneously send and receive attenuated 100BASE-TX-type signals through a single twisted pair.[53][54]

Looking at a pin diagram, I don't think there are enough spare wires for conventional ethernet so scrub my previous idea.
 
morgs67
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Posted: 06:04am 29 Aug 2023
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  zeitfest said  Maybe Ethernet over power would work ? eg where you plug adaptors into power outlets and it uses the standard house wiring. Obviously not wonderful but might be ok for short distances.

These are available in Aus from several suppliers:

https://www.amazon.com.au/DLINK-Powerline-Passthrough-Adapter-Starter/dp/B00PVDQLEK

Tony M
 
bigmik

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Posted: 06:20am 29 Aug 2023
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Hi Grogs,

Yes I would try the Ethernet over power first, but there are other ways to get your cat5 to the TV, You can rip off the skirting boards and run the cable behind them, (maybe have to trim a channel into the plaster or skirting if no gap between floor boards and plaster) or if house on stumps come up the wall from underneath the house.

Removing the skirting is not that difficult they usually use minimal nails and any minor damage can be patched with filler and repainted.

Or a combination of the two skirtings and under floor.

Regards,

Mick
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Mixtel90

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Posted: 07:51am 29 Aug 2023
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Ethernet over power should be universally banned with no exceptions (said this radio amateur!). There's more than enough RFI in the world without adding to it.

Have you run out of available WiFi channels? I use an app on my phone to see if there are any reasonably quiet ones. Most people just buy something and use  the default, and they can pile up on certain channels.

Gigabit Ethernet uses four pairs. If at all possible I'd try to get a CAT5 in *somewhere*, even if it needs some redecorating or surface trunking (some of it doesn't look too bad providing you can put it on straight!).
Edited 2023-08-29 17:56 by Mixtel90
Mick

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CaptainBoing

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Posted: 10:45am 29 Aug 2023
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  Grogster said  
Not sure that 100Mb would be fast enough for streaming video though.
Thoughts on that?


network speed is over-rated and hyped by the people with a vested interest in selling fast networks. For basic internet access, 10Mbps is fine for email, browsing etc... do not forget up until a decade-or-so ago, everyone in an office had at most 10M onto their desks (often dubbed "virtual" 100M)... there is an element of snobbery involved, just like there is for the number of bits in a cpu or the number of bedrooms in a house etc. it is difficult to resist but we need to maintain perspective. Unless you are doing some very high def-streaming or moving huge amounts of data (i.e. game streaming where lag is important), it is difficult to justify "a gig"

100Mbps is easily fast enough for streaming to 4K - it's the number of people trying to do it that matters. 1.5Mbps is plenty for 720p Youtube, so long as you are on your own.

all from experience... ymmv

jus' sayin'
 
pd--
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Joined: 11/12/2020
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Posted: 11:58am 29 Aug 2023
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Pin 14 & 19 are designated for Ethernet + hotplug
you could use a single pair Ethernet transceiver at each end

https://www.microchip.com/en-us/solutions/ethernet-technology/single-pair-ethernet
 
carlschneider
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Joined: 04/08/2023
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Posted: 03:07pm 29 Aug 2023
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Could this be the basis of a wired Ethernet connection to a Mite I wonder?
Cheers Carl                                                        
Retirement is tough on Hobbies without a day job
 
Mixtel90

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Posted: 05:42pm 29 Aug 2023
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Well, it's probably something similar to RS485 in a way (different voltage levels). There may be a way to go before it becomes Ethernet. I didn't look at the chips.
Mick

Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini
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Grogster

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Posted: 06:22am 30 Aug 2023
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  CaptainBoing said  100Mbps is easily fast enough for streaming to 4K - it's the number of people trying to do it that matters.


Indeed.  There are about 20 SSID's that pop up from everyone around them with their own WiFi, and I bet they DO have a standard default WiFi channel, and that COULD be cluttered, causing the issue.  IE: All 20+ of those networks are all trying to co-exist on the same WiFi channel, and there just is not enough bandwidth.

I might log into the router, and see if I can move the channel.  Good idea.
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amigawizard

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Posted: 07:01am 30 Aug 2023
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TV  not  5GHz  WiFi enabled    

      try  WebMite

        > Web  scan

        look  for Ch  not  in usess  !  or low  level  


         Wayne !

`
 
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