2009 Mac Mini + Long HDMI Cable problem

[THENIZZZEIL]

Hi guys, I have a macmini and am trying to set up my home theater by using it via dual display. I have it hooked up to my monitor (DVI) and have a minidisplay-to-HDMI converter, however I seem to be having a problem getting anything to display on my projector.

I don't know what the maximum length of the cable is for the macmini transmission. I even notified monoprice and asked them if I needed an amplifier or extender, but I got a pretty broad answer of, "you'll have to just buy them and test them."

I don't exactly have the time or money to try out a wide array of products. Ive tested the set up with a short cable of 15ft and it works fine. I am running about 40-50 ft from my adapter to the projector and nothing shows.

Do I need an amplifier or a repeater? How else can I transmit the video..perhaps the macmini isn't capable of transmitting the video that length of cable.

Thanks in advance.

 

[peterdevries]

I have a 45 ft cable connected to the same Mac mini with a mono price mini-displayport to HDMI adapter. It works great.

There shouldn't be any problems with a cable of even that length. Have you tried a replacement cable of the same length?

 

[THENIZZZEIL]

I have not tried a replacement cable.

Another option that I just researched this morning is the CAT-6 to HDMI kits that seem to be gaining popularity for the 100+ feet installations. I saw them when I was making my setup months ago, but it didnt register that it was a form of getting all the bandwith across long distances of cable.

I'm reluctant to go back and redo the whole thing, my next step is to try a repeater, however they are backordered on monoprice.

thanks for the feedback though!

 

[peterdevries]

Sorry, but that makes no sense. The cable is the cheapest component, and with the hardware you have there shouldn't be any problems. Adding more expensive components wouldn't solve a break in your HDMI cable if that would be the cause.

If you add more hardware you will be complicating the process of finding the error.

I would suggest you first try a shorter or equal length HDMI cable to see if the problem is the cable. Also try connecting a dvi monitor to see if the adapter is the problem. It could also be the projector.