Re: Can I transmit the serial signal over 50 feet of CAT5 cable

[VDR U. <use...@gm...>]

On Sun, Nov 11, 2012 at 6:27 AM, Jim Bojan <boj...@gm...> wrote:
> I have successfully constructed an IR receiver to RS232 and controlled my
> XBMC box with that.  I would like to place the HTPC out of site, and run the
> serial cable through the wall with the IR receiver placed under the wall
> mounted TV.  I tried extending my wire (about 50 feet of CAT5 by the time I
> routed down through the basement and back up behind the TV) and did not get
> a signal.  I assume this is due to the length of wire.  Obviously I can get
> an IR repeater, but that seems inefficient.  I would rather have a powered
> IR receiver that would push the RS232 signal through the wire to the serial
> port on the computer.  Is there such a thing, or can I hack an IR repeater
> to act like this?

I'm actually doing this with one of my htpcs. I built a homebrew
serial IR which is @ the tv, then it runs over cat5 to the box which
is roughly 60ft. away. In total it signal goes through: tv -> 3ft to
wallplate connector -> about 60ft run outside -> wallplate connector
-> 4ft to serial port. It works here just fine with only the wire. The
only problem I had was making sure the HDMI cable from the box to the
tv didn't run along side it. I'm guessing the reason it's not working
for you is cable quality. I don't think it makes any difference which
wires I used in the cat5 but I can check if you like.