Recommendation for new private LAN network

[Siegfried]

Hi guys, I would like some advice on how to wire the home network. I have about 7 finishing points. I think I should connect the modem to a switch and then get to the various finishing points, right?
To have a LAN at at least 2.5Gbps what type of ethernet cables should I use?
Then I should bring HDMI from the PC to the TV (distance about 8 metres)for gaming in 4k 120fps. What specifications should it have?
Thank you and sorry for my bad English.

 

[Bill_Bright]

A router with a built in 4 or 8 port switch would probably be better. If only 4-port, you can easily add another 4-port (or bigger) switch to the router.

 

[Siegfried]

A router with a built in 4 or 8 port switch would probably be better. If only 4-port, you can easily add another 4-port (or bigger) switch to the router.

Yes, actually a router is better.
However, can you tell me something about the specifications of the Ethernet and HDMI cables?

 

[Bill_Bright]

Well, I always make my own Ethernet cables - having never bought any in over 30 years. All I can recommend is buy quality, and I would get CAT-6.

For HDMI, again, buy quality - especially when going that distance. None of mine are more than 6 feet (~2m). Hopefully someone with more experience with those distances, and recent purchases will stop by with some advice.

However, since you suggest English is not your native tongue, and since product availability is often different in different parts of the world, telling us where you live my be of help too.

 

[Siegfried]

Thank you very much, can you reach 2.5Gbps with cat 6?
What ethernet ports do the fastest routers on the market have?

 

[Tahagomizer]

If you want 2.5 gigabit Ethernet, you need a separate 2.5 gigabit switch since I don't know of any consumer routers with an integrated 2.5Gb switch.
Buy good quality cables, cat6 or, better yet, cat 6a. Don't get duped by cat7 or cat8 some sellers claim. cat7 is a proprietary standard not endorsed by IEEE and you won't find real cat8 cables on the consumer market, much less will need one. On that note, don't buy cables on Amazon, they're all fake chinesium rubbish.

cat6 and 6a will easily do 2.5Gb, they are certified up to 10Gb. Most routers on the market are 1Gb.

 

[Siegfried]

If you want 2.5 gigabit Ethernet, you need a separate 2.5 gigabit switch since I don't know of any consumer routers with an integrated 2.5Gb switch......

Ok I will definitely take cat6 or 6a at least I'm good for the future too. For the router/switch I will decide when they will be more widespread. For the specifications of the HDMI cable at 8 meters distance, can you give me directions? Thank you.

 

[Tahagomizer]

8 meters if far beyond HDMI specification so you will need an active fiber optic cable for that. I heard Cable Matters has decent ones going up to 15 meters, but that's far beyond my expertise so you might need to ask in the audio/video forum, people there will surely be more knowledgeable.

 

[skizzo]

I heard Cable Matters has decent ones going up to 15 meters

I bought a 25FT (which is about 8M) HDMI 2.0 cable at one point to go to a TV that was across the room. Worked fine for me. I noticed it was considerably thicker by comparison to "normal" length cables. Think of the diameter of your pinky vs the diameter of your thumb kinda difference. I'm sure that was done for a reason, but for technical details I don't know about.

For reference, this was it

Amazon.com

 

[R-T-B]

I bought a 25FT (which is about 8M) HDMI 2.0 cable at one point to go to a TV that was across the room. Worked fine for me.

Yeah HDMI 2.1 is a whole different ballpark with lengths. For anything more than ~3-4m he will need a optical active cable.

 

[Siegfried]

Thank you all, it's always nice to see so much participation. Perhaps for HDMI it is better to move to a dedicated thread in the audio/video section. Bye

 

[Bill_Bright]

~25 feet is the theoretical limit for copper based HDMI. The use of extenders can increase that and while many have had success with extenders, IMO, they just introduce additional, potential problems.

There are fiber based HDMI cables and they may be the way to go.

That said, if possible, I would suggest going with DisplayPort - as passive (no boosters, repeaters, extenders) DP cables have a typical maximum range of ~15 meters.

But again, this is assuming quality cables in excellent condition.

 

[Siegfried]

The problem is that not all TVs have DisplayPort, or am I wrong?
In any case I also opened a dedicated audio/video thread.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Not all TVs have HDMI either. It pretty much depends on the age of the TV. The problem with HDMI is it was created by the TV (AV) industry and as such, the TV makers collect royalties with HDMI. DisplayPort was created by the computer industry and is royalty free. So it is slow to be adapted by the TV industry. But it is slowly moving in and will continue to do so on the newest models - especially if we consumers keep demanding it.

I will note there are HDMI to DisplayPort and DisplayPort to HDMI adapters.

 

[Siegfried]

But all 4k TVs have HDMI while I see that even some top of the range TVs don't have DisplayPort. Then isn't it always better to have a connection without adapters?

 

[TheLostSwede]

2.5 Gbps Ethernet works over regular old Cat 5e cables, but most cables you can get hold of today are Cat 6 or Cat 6A, the difference in your use case is none, unless you have runs longer than 50 meters and want to upgrade to 10 Gbps in the future.

As for the right hardware, only WiFi 7 routers so far have built in 2.5 Gbps switches and they have no more than four or maybe five ports you can use, plus a couple of 10 Gbps ports on the more expensive models. As such, get a router that suits your need, unless your ISP provides a router/modem type device that you're happy to use. Get a 2.5 Gbps switch from pretty much anyone, as everything on the market so far is using the same or very similar hardware with little to no real world performance difference.

Servethehome has a lot of reviews of 2.5 Gbps switches, from both known and unknown brands.

Networking Archives

www.servethehome.com

 

[Siegfried]

want to upgrade to 10 Gbps in the future.

Are Cat6A needed in this case?

 

[TheLostSwede]

Are Cat6A needed in this case?

Only if a single run is longer than 50 meters. Not likely in most home networks.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Then isn't it always better to have a connection without adapters?

I am not suggesting you should get adapters and go with DisplayPort. I was just pointing out that it is an option to consider - especially when cable length is a factor.

For sure, it is always better for any cable connection between two points be "straight runs" - that is, no splices, no extra connectors, no adapters (and no sharp turns, bends or kinks). This is because every extra splice, connector, and adapter adds some resistance therefore introducing some attenuation of the signal. And they also introduce additional potential points of failure. And for the record, that is exactly why (well, one reason) many, including myself, are not enthusiastic fans of modular cable power supplies. They make for a tidy case interior but introduce a multitude of potential problems too - but that's for a different discussion.

 

[R-T-B]

DP cables have a typical maximum range of ~15 meters.

But that's not the case with the higher bitrates like HBR2/HBR3, which are needed for 4K@120hz.

It basically becomes the same crapshoot as hdmi with the same (if not worse since unlike hdmi displayport does not certify the completed cable length, just a segment of spool) length limitations for 4K @ 120hz. Keep in mind for 4K @120hz you need either Displayport 2.0 or dsc support.

 

[Bill_Bright]

But that's not the case with the higher bitrates like HBR2/HBR3, which are needed for 4K@120hz.

You can use that same argument for any cable technology. The higher the bitrate, the shorter the maximum cable length can be - at least without needing some form of "active" signal boosting.

If I had a choice, and both ends of my hardware supported the latest HDMI and DisplayPort technologies, I would go with DP (and quality cables, of course). But as noted above, DP support has not fully migrated throughout the industry - yet. So we may not have any choice.

 

[R-T-B]

That's my main point really. That we don't have a choice here.

 

[Siegfried]

Only if a single run is longer than 50 meters. Not likely in most home networks.

I don't know exactly what maximum distance I will reach. Is there much cost difference between cat6 and cat6a?

Keep in mind for 4K @120hz you need either Displayport 2.0 or dsc support.

Is DSC (for HDMI, right?) a cable or device requirement?

 

[R-T-B]

Is DSC (for HDMI, right?) a cable or device requirement?

It's not needed on HDMI, only lower end displayport versions to make up for insufficient bandwidth (Display port 2.0+ doesn't need it either). Disregard it, you won't need it for your use case with hdmi 2.1.

Is there much cost difference between cat6 and cat6a?

Not really worth mentioning. CAT cable in general can be had rather cheaply vs something like video cabling of any sort.

 

[TheLostSwede]

I don't know exactly what maximum distance I will reach. Is there much cost difference between cat6 and cat6a?

You'd have to check locally, but it shouldn't be a huge difference. Some places charge extra for Cat 6A though.