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Comsol HDMI Extender (over 2x Cat5/6) - $1 @ Officeworks in-Store Only

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Comsol HDMI Extender (over 2x Cat5/6) - $1 @ Officeworks in-Store Only
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SuiCid3 on 15/04/2017 - 20:38 comsol.com.au (7054 clicks)
Last edited 21/04/2017 - 09:22 by 1 other user

Details of the product here:
http://www.comsol.com.au/Products-by-Category/HDMI-Video-Cab…
Can't find it on the Officeworks site but it's definitely instore (if available).

Was reduced to $5 a couple of weeks back and now reduced to $1.
Most likely an end-of-line stock as it only supports basic HDMI, coupled with the fact it requires 2x network cables to make use of them.

Product Brief
Extend the distance of your HDTV, HDMI monitor or HDMI projector up to 30m at Full HD 1080p or up to 60m at Full HD 1080i

Features
• Uses inexpensive Cat 5e or Cat 6 cable - requires two Cat 5e or Cat 6 cables
• Conveniently host powered - requires no external AC adapters
• Simply connect and enjoy - no setup or adjustments required
• Supports HDMI formats 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 576p, 576i, 480p and 480i
• Supports 3D
• Supports 24-bit deep colour
• Supports 7.1 surround sound in Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD
• Supports HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection)
• Supports Full HD 1080p up to 30m
• Supports Full HD 1080i up to 60m

Bought 2… don't know if I'm even gonna use them, but too cheap to pass up. :)

Electrical & Electronics

Related Stores

Officeworks
Officeworks
comsol.com.au
comsol.com.au

closed Comments

  • SuiCid3 on 15/04/2017 - 20:54
    +1

    Edited title to reflect in-store only

  • ro0sta on 15/04/2017 - 21:02

    Great find. hard to go wrong for $1 but never used the brand before…

    • wtfnodeal on 15/04/2017 - 21:10
      +1

      They make lighting cable MFI certified.

  • NGPriest on 15/04/2017 - 21:39

    What's basic HDMI? :S

    • HuskyActual on 15/04/2017 - 22:19
      +1

      I would presume up to 1920x1080p/i, and not 4K / HDR?

      • SuiCid3 on 15/04/2017 - 22:22
        +3

        I would assume this as well. Manual/website mentions nothing about 4K compatibility, so this device was probably manufactured during the 1.3 days.
        That's what I meant by basic.

  • bluemeanie23 on 15/04/2017 - 21:58
    +1

    interesting find never seen these before

  • d1s34s3d on 15/04/2017 - 22:19

    Anyone know where the cheapest 30m cat cable may be? Honestly haven't started looking, my normal go to is msy though.

    • sween64 on 15/04/2017 - 23:03
      +5

      Middy's. Cut your own length as required and wire the plugs yourself.

      • d1s34s3d on 16/04/2017 - 03:51

        Not heard of them before. Checked website but couldn't see any prices listed. Looks like there may be a branch that I can visit on my trips between NSW and QLD. Thanks.

        • sween64 on 16/04/2017 - 10:09

          Wait. I'm mistaken. I actually bought my custom length Cat 6 from JayCar. Sorry. I was tired last night.

        • d1s34s3d on 16/04/2017 - 10:54

          @sween64: Awesome. There's one of their stores near by. Thanks again.

        • Suspect420 on 18/04/2017 - 18:48

          @d1s34s3d: Middys are predominantly Vic based.

          Local TLE , John R Turk, Elec Wholsaler and if all else fails Bunnings has a cut your own size cable services but much more expensive.

    • jonathonsunshine on 15/04/2017 - 23:17
      +1

      I'm thinking that DIY would probably be the cheapest way to go. That's just the first one I found, dunno if it's the cheapest. If you really want to go 30 metres though, I'd say you def want cat6 over cat5e and if you can get by with a shorter cable, is recommend that as well. I bought a 10m actual HDMI cable on eBay, PC to my monitor, didn't detect monitor at all, PC to TV, it detected it but couldn't get a picture.

      • d1s34s3d on 16/04/2017 - 03:59

        Thanks for link. Appreciated. Haven't measured exact distance I need yet. It's going to be close to 25/30 m though and was definitely going to go for cat6. Price is decent but I really hate making my own cables.

        • Steptoe on 16/04/2017 - 10:18
          +2

          Haven't measured exact distance I need yet.

          Are you waiting for the Neighbours to go out for the day?

        • d1s34s3d on 16/04/2017 - 10:56

          @Steptoe: haha. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) I don't have any neighbours for a few hundred metres.

        • jonathonsunshine on 16/04/2017 - 19:09

          It's pretty easy. Fiddly, but pretty easy. And with the spare 40m you'll have, you'll never have to buy one again fingers crossed. You can buy caps at Bunnings for like $4 for 10 as well.

          Bought all my cable from this deal back in the day. Just cut the length off I need, still got about 30 metres.

    • Diji1 on 16/04/2017 - 00:19
      +2

      MSY. That Cablelist brand is legit, things are so stiff.

      • d1s34s3d on 16/04/2017 - 04:02

        That's the brand I normally get. Never had a problem with them. Just thing to find cheaper alternative for this length though.

    • gguu on 16/04/2017 - 21:07

      http://www.selby.com.au/cables/computer-cables/networking.ht…
      Very good quality. And they sell on eBay cheaper I think.
      Or you can buy from China even cheaper

  • netsurfer on 15/04/2017 - 22:55

    Do they really make sense? You need a pair of cat5e/cat6 cables (which you cannot get them cheaply online - because of the weight which adds to the postage cost). You might as well just get an HDMI cable. Also, these devices don't support 4K.

    If you have lots of unused cat5e cables… then maybe it is okay.

    • Shitforbrains on 15/04/2017 - 23:07

      These things exist because cat5e/cat6 cables are capable of reliably transmitting data over longer cable lengths than hdmi

    • jonathonsunshine on 15/04/2017 - 23:37
      +4

      100m of cat6 with the caps and a crimper for $50 on eBay.

    • DangerNoodle on 16/04/2017 - 05:44
      +1

      The quality of the hdmi signal tends to degrade over longer distances. Some people find that they can't go over 15m without running into signal loss with hdmi. Using this, you can bypass this issue without having to use a powered hdmi repeater.

      It would be easier to use in new homes as a lot of new homes have network cable sockets built into the walls. Other way of using this would be Ethernet over power, although it won't be as reliable as double cat 6 from point to point.

    • netsurfer on 16/04/2017 - 08:08
      -1

      I don't really see the benefit of having 30m to 100m HDMI cable. I had bad experience with 30m cat5e cables. Also, I purchased a Comsol product before and it started playing up after 1 year.

      Regarding using 100m cat6 cables, remember the specs of this extender:
      • Supports Full HD 1080p up to 30m
      • Supports Full HD 1080i up to 60m

      I assume @100m, the device is probably only safe for 720p. For me, my current issue is that majority of my HDMI cables are not able to do 4K@60fps. 1080p cables or adaptors / extenders… I expect them to be heavily discounted now.

  • pcox on 15/04/2017 - 22:58

    30 metres, eh?

    I guess it could be useful running a connection under the floorboards from the study to the living room.

  • [Deactivated] on 16/04/2017 - 05:31

    If someone can get me a few I'll happily pay postage… And a little extra.

    Interested in seeing how these work as an alternative to coaxial cable + converter(s).

    • sween64 on 16/04/2017 - 10:11

      If there's stock at my local I'll pick them up for you. PM me.

  • decr on 16/04/2017 - 08:41

    Best part of the post: (if available).

  • lostn on 16/04/2017 - 08:48

    Had no idea you could receive HDMI signals via ethernet. Unfortunately, I don't have any devices with dual ethernet.

    • Shonky on 16/04/2017 - 09:01

      It's not Ethernet. It uses cat 5e cable. At each end there is a convertor to or from HDMI to/from cat 5e. You can't just plug one end into a PC.

      • [Deactivated] on 16/04/2017 - 09:08
        -7

        well technicially its recieving the data over ethernet, and yes you can send HDMI data across ethernet, has been done for many years prior to this deal even been posted, it essentially is taking the HDMI signal and pushing it across ethernet as its medium for data transfer

        He also never said anything about plugging it into a PC either

        Either end is HDMI to send the signal in one end and out the other

        Basically a media convertor

        Also FYI Cat5e is a revision of the ethernet standard, you could say it just uses ethernet cabling to extend hdmi signal as these work fine with cat6 compliant cables as well

        lostn is technically right, you can receive hdmi data over ethernet cabling, how else do you think this works lol

        Magic

    • SuiCid3 on 16/04/2017 - 09:36

      This device is supposed to be used as a pair to extend a HDMI run.

  • Foxtail on 16/04/2017 - 10:22

    They work better with Cat6, also low 24awg No. helps, sometimes depending on sending device the lengths mentioned can be an ask.

  • smpantsonfire on 16/04/2017 - 10:24
    -2

    Eh, I'd rather set up 2 routers bridged over Ethernet with a chromecast. Easier and less mucking around.

  • immature on 16/04/2017 - 12:39

    Whereabouts in the store did they put these - in one of the clearance bins, in the AV section or somewhere else?

    Interested to pick one up but have not had much luck in the past finding things like this in my local Officeworks :(

    • jono80 on 16/04/2017 - 13:45
      +1

      In the Cannington (WA) store they were in the aisle with the rest of the HDMI cables / Comsol adaptors, ticket price said $15 but they scanned at $1. There were 3 left though they had all been opened by the looks so maybe returns…

  • ro0sta on 16/04/2017 - 13:59

    FYI This is a clearance item; only available in Fitzroy VIC. Can you get in other states???

    • SuiCid3 on 16/04/2017 - 15:49

      Have seen them in a few different stores in NSW.
      Also noted above, available in WA.

    • HuskyActual on 16/04/2017 - 17:07

      Sold out Vermont South (VIC), clearance sticker says 69.88, then previously marked down to $5. Edit: Store employee says 1 in Frankston, Mooney valley ascote vale.

  • Carve2 on 16/04/2017 - 17:27
    +2

    We used to import a version of these at Radio Parts. The only thing I'd highly recommend is making sure the two cables (either CAT5E/CAT6 will work) are as close to the SAME LENGTH as possible. Because these aren't using official HDBaseT or HDBaseT Lite chipsets, you'll need to have every piece of copper to be a very similar length. Whether that means using pre-made cables, or being careful with your own hand-made is up to you. HDMI is a fairly resilient signal, but if half your copper is shorter than the other half, you'll end up with half the signal getting there before the other half. That way madness lies.

    One last thing - these are powered from your host/source device. Some HDMI devices are better than others about producing stable +5V DC rails in the HDMI signal, and these Comsol devices need decent voltage to work consistently.

    For $1, I'm going to try and hunt down a couple of sets. Not sure when I'll use them over a proper HDBaseT extender like a Blustream or Wyrestorm, but useful to have in my bag of tricks.

    • Suspect420 on 18/04/2017 - 18:54

      Im still not sure exactly how these work. Can you please explain?

      The HDMI connector goes into the TV. Why do you need to have two CAT5E/CAT6 cables? Why could you not only have one running from the source your trying to extend (lets say PS4)?

      Or is it it simply needs 2 CAT cables? So in essence you will need 2 x Comsol HDMI extenders, 1 into the PS4, run 2 x 10m CAT6 cables (exactly the same length) and then connect them into the Comsol HDMI extender that plugs into the TV?

      • Shonky on 19/04/2017 - 09:35
        +2

        It just needs 8 twisted pairs ie two runs of Cat 5e. It's "converting" HDMI's digital video/audio to run over a different medium. There's 19 connections inside an HDMI cable.

        HDMI out -> TX Adapter -> 2 x Cat5e -> RX Adapter -> HDMI in

        You need one adapter at each end. One will be a transmitter and the other a receiver. They are a pair and will likely be different.

        • Carve2 on 19/04/2017 - 16:14
          +2

          Yes, pretty much what Shonky said.

          HDMI uses a 19-pin connection. Very crudely, you can use the 16 copper wires in two CAT5e/6 cables to do the job of 19.

          One of those pins is primarily used for a HDMI Ethernet Channel/Audio Return Channel (ARC), so on these cheaper extenders, they ignore this pin. That leaves us with 18 pins/wires needed.

          There are four twisted pairs (8 pins/wires) for video, and one ground pin/wire for each pair of video wires. There's also a separate ground for the Display Data Channel (DDC) pair of pins/wires. Generally, these sorts of extenders combine all five ground wires together, or use two ground pins/wires to keep the DDC ground separate. That saves another three or four pins/wires, taking us down to 14 or 15.

          Now you've got 2x8 wires across two CAT5e/6 cables, so you've got enough to transfer the signal. Not every dual-CAT extender works this way, but for $1, I'd bet that's how this one works!

          This kind of extender isn't there to deconstruct/reconstruct the HDMI signal like a HDMI-over-IP, HDMI-over-Fiber or HDBaseT. These are the technologies I sell and use all day everyday, and they're mostly a lot more reliable, add extra features, work at higher resolutions/Hz, and can even work over seriously long distances (100m plus).

          Because these Comsol extenders don't do that, it means they're cheaper, but that has drawbacks. Notably, any difference in CAT5e/6 cable lengths is like sticking extra copper wire into your HDMI lead, but only for a few of the pins. You're also susceptible to EMI noise, distances are less, you're more reliant on cable quality, and there's no real way to include useful things like IR/RS232 control.

          TL;DR - these extenders are like using Google Translate to speak with a Spanish friend. He might get an idea of what you mean, but it's not perfect!

        • Suspect420 on 19/04/2017 - 17:47

          @Carve2: thanks for the in depth explanation.

          Mind sharing your business? Planning on building a new property and would like somewhere to purchase some equipment for a home theatre.

        • Carve2 on 20/04/2017 - 09:33

          @Suspect420:

          No worries. I'm never quite sure how much OzBargainers like it when we promote our businesses, so I tend to not push it.

          I work for Radio Parts (http://www.radioparts.com.au/) in Melbourne, and we're basically an importer & distributor of our own brands, along with supplying & distributing a range of local brands. From your profile, it looks like you're in NSW. We don't have an office up there, but we do have a NSW rep, so he can probably help you out. His details are on our website, if you want to contact him directly.

          All the best with the new property build, and I hope you come in early and under budget!

        • Suspect420 on 20/04/2017 - 10:44
          +1

          @Carve2: Thanks mate - I hope so too. Except my wife things otherwise and keeps adding things on the go!!!

  • petry on 16/04/2017 - 17:31
    +1

    jeez the staff at these places are so rude over the phone. They wont use a computer to look at stock level and hang up on you faster than punters at a free lunch. Reminded me why I never bother with them anymore. Still they'll profit from protectionism soon even they are so badly run. Good luck to those who can up with this garbage at Easter.

  • CircularIllusion on 17/04/2017 - 14:16

    None available at North Ryde (on Epping Rd). I had someone look the product code up for me in-store after not finding any on the shelves or in the few clearance bins I spotted.

  • albyrw on 17/04/2017 - 15:50

    Just bought the last one at Bankstown, does indeed scan as $1, thanks OP. Officeworks item number is COHDC545 if you're stock checking.

    • albyrw on 17/04/2017 - 16:17

      And can report it works fine with 10m CAT6 from MacBook Pro HDMI at 1080p and 24Hz (at 60Hz I get no signal).

  • Abaddon on 18/04/2017 - 15:22

    None in Sydney at Hunter St, Clarence St or Pitt St stores.

  • neon crossing on 20/04/2017 - 00:13

    Thanks for the post.
    Currently wiring up a new house and this saved me putting hdmi through a couple of rooms.
    Picked up the remaining stock at Keswick (SA) x 3 and Trinity Gardens (SA) x 2. A few packets looked like they could have been opened I hope not a return due to crap quality.
    The computer can't check stock both those stores said they didn't have any on the phone but physically checking they were in the cable isle with a $39 clearance tag on them.
    Also most staff are absolute douches on the phone, will only check computer stock not walk out to the bloody isle, when connecting me to apparent floor staff the phone would ring out until disconnected at two different stores. Even worst phone etiquette than JB Hifi!
    Checked Windsor Gardens and Prospect also with no luck.

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