This set-up does not allow different shows on different TV's at the same time - only seperate boxes allow this. But if you just want to put the signal into another room - or rooms - this is one of the best ways out there.
1. Buy this Digitech kit from Jaycar. $89.95. The above link is to the distributor (Electus) site, the kit # is QC3683.
This kit allows the use of normal Cat 5 computer cable to run your signal out to other TV's. I have run 2 Cat 5 cables runs - one to the main bedroom (only about 10m) and one out to the 4th Dimension Bourbon Bar (about 40m total length).
The Fox box I have is a newer IQ2 HD box. It only has 2 sets of outputs on the back - HDMI (which is connected to the main loungeroom TV) and component output BUT using a digital audio output (i.e. - 1 RCA plug only, not your usual 2 plugs, red&white, L&R). So the component output is 4 leads only, not 5. The Digitech kit above, also works on 4 RCA plugs only, using digital audio for the audio feed, plus the usual Y, Pb, Pr used in component video. The IQ2 outputs a signal to both sets of outputs all the time, so you don't need to switch between them or select an output etc.
All you do is this - run your Cat 5 cable under the house or in the roof etc - to the room you want to bung the Fox signal to. You can use wall-plates if you like, I didn't for this install as I wanted as few connections in the circuit as possible. So its just one lead all the way out to the shed. Its also easier to run the Cat 5 through conduit (for external runs) without the end connectors crimped. I had a mate from work who is an IT guru, he has the correct crimper & wire stripper for Cat 5, this helped a lot as I ran the cable first, added a few spare metres at both ends - and then he crimped the lot up.
Once you have run the Cat 5 cable - then you plug it into the 'transmitter' box, which needs to be located near the main TV and IQ2 box. Plug the 3 video composite leads from this box, into the back of the IQ2 box. Run 1 further RCA cable from the digital audio plug on the box, to the digital audio output on the IQ2. (You don't need special component RCA cables for this - standard composite R/W/Y leads are fine, just make sure you get the colour coding correct
. Included in the kit are 2 infrared leads. One of these plugs into the back of the 'transmitter' box, and you position the 2 small emitters about 5cm away from the IR remote pick-up on the front of the IQ2.....In the other room - you will need a spare power point. The Digitech kit comes with a powered 'receiver' box that runs a +5V power supply to the far end. This helps boost the signal over the Cat 5 cable. Plug the Cat 5 cable into the back of the 'receiver' box. Plug in the power supply and plug in the other IR lead with the pick-up sitting under the TV. This IR set-up - allows you to use the standard Fox remote in your other room - yep, the Cat 5 cable transmits the Fox remote back up the cable to the main room and you can use the Fox remote in your other room exactly as you would in the main loungeroom. Its way cool
.From the front of the 'receiver' box - all you need to do now is plug in the 3 component cables from the box to the TV. Most TV's these days have at least 1 video input using component leads. You are now about 90% done.....
The last piece of the puzzle is getting the audio signal from the digital output on the 'receiver' box to the TV. Most TV's only have the old-school audio inputs Red & White for L & R. Not many have digital audio input. If you do, then just 1 RCA lead can be plugged into the 'receiver' box and plugged straight into the TV and you are on the way....
Otherwise you have to do what I did - which is to buy one of these digital to stereo output converters from ebay. $40.
You just connect the digital output from your 'receiver' box into the digital input on this converter using a normal RCA lead - then hook up a standard audio lead with red and white connectors, from the output on the audio converter to the audio input plugs on the back of your TV. This converter is also powered using a 5V adapter - so you will also need power for this.
The other good news with this audio converter, is that it includes a 3.5mm headphone output - the unit sends the audio output to both sets of outputs all the time, you don't need to select between the outputs. This 3.5mm jack - allows you to hook up the audio converter to an amplifier - so if you want MAX played in your other room through a decent amplifier and speakers, you can do so easily.
Yes it might sound like a lot of rooting around - but the results are fucken outstanding !!!! No signal loss *whatsoever* between the Fox picture in the loungeroom and that in the shed. The Digitech converter is meant to allow 1080p signal over 50m with no loss of picture quality - and I can vouch for that claim. The picture is perfect !!! I haven't yet received the audio converter - but will update the post once that arrives and I see (hear) how this works.
The other thing is that the current Digitech kit covers a couple of different wavelengths/bandwidths and supports the newest IQ2 remote bandwidths.
Best addition to the pub ever !! This has only been done so I can watch the AFL out in the shed.....and maybe pump some MAX through an amplifier for those shed parties
Really happy with the results. Total cost is only $90 + $40 + a few bob for the Cat 5 cable - plus a few hours time.
