Question:

Hello Tony,

I was wondering if I could impose upon you for some advice. I have a Sony PC with a dual monitor capable video card (one DVI connection and one Analog). It is currently hooked up to a 19” LCD monitor and wireless keyboard and mouse using the DVI connection. The computer is in my study at a computer desk.

I’m about to purchase a 52” LCD TV for the study and would like to set up my PC so that I can optionally work from my other desk using a second wireless keyboard and mouse and the 52” LCD TV as the other computer monitor. I’ve found TVs that offer analog or DVI PC connections. The cable distance (up the wall, over the ceiling and down the opposite wall) between the PC and the 52” LCD TV will be 40-45 feet.

My questions are:

1. Is the distance too great to use a monitor cable without a booster/repeater?
2. For the 52” LCD TV connection, would it be better to use the Analog or DVI connection to the video card? I don’t know if one carries a long distance signal better than the other.
3. If I use the DVI connection, any concerns with using a cable that has a DVI connector at one end and using an HDMI connection at the 52” LCD TV rather than a cable with DVI connectors on both ends?
4. Any recommendations on the best source for long video cables of this type?
5. Any thoughts on the best way to set up the second keyboard/mouse combo?

Thanks very much for your help!

Mark

Southlake, Texas

Answer:

First, let me start by saying I’ve tried a very similar setup and I just wasn’t happy with the results. Even the nice new large-screen LCD TVs are just that–TVs. They’re designed to show life-like video, not Microsoft Outlook. Your monitor will look blurry and be hard to read at any normal distance. So, if you’re hoping to get some work done on that 52-incher, you’re much better off getting a laptop and using that on your couch.

On the other hand, if you’re hoping to watch video or play games on the big-screen, those will look great. Now, to answer your questions:

1. Is the distance too great to use a monitor cable without a booster/repeater?

The official maximum length of a DVI cable is 16 feet, but it really depends on the strength of the signal put out by your video card. Well, at best, you might be able to get 25 feet out of it, but you won’t get 50 feet (you said 40-45, but every time i’ve run cable like you’ve described I underestimated the length). So yeah, you’ll definitely need a DVI booster/repeater like this Acoustic Research model or this this Gefen booster if you use a traditional copper cable (which will probably run you about $200). When I looked at the exact same cable run, I was lookin at fiber optic DVI cable, which won’t degrade like a copper cable would, and you should be able to use it without the booster. Either way, that cable run will probably cost you about $400. Save your receipt, because there’s a solid chance you won’t be happy with the results anyway.

Also, if you do use copper, you’ll need to take great care to avoid interference. Don’t run the cable near electrical wiring, and if you have to, cross the electrical wiring perpendicular. Cables with more shielding will help you avoid interference, but they won’t eliminate it (and they’ll cost you more). Also, assuming you’ll be inside walls, be sure to get cable that’s rated for being inside walls–you don’t want the cable to spread a fire through your home.

2. For the 52” LCD TV connection, would it be better to use the Analog or DVI connection to the video card? I don’t know if one carries a long distance signal better than the other.

Well, either would look bad at that lenght without some kind of boost, though they’d degrade differently. Based on your TV choice, I suspect the noise and ghosting and such you’d get from the analog signal would drive you nuts–so definitely go with DVI and a booster.

3. If I use the DVI connection, any concerns with using a cable that has a DVI connector at one end and using an HDMI connection at the 52” LCD TV rather than a cable with DVI connectors on both ends?

Nope, no difference at all.

4. Any recommendations on the best source for long video cables of this type?

No, not really.

5. Any thoughts on the best way to set up the second keyboard/mouse combo?

It sounds like you’ll be at a desk (rather than sitting on the couch), so any wireless keyboard/mouse combo will do. I’d just head to a Circuit City or any electronics store and pick out a combo that feels good to you–that’s the most important factor.

I hope that helps. It’s sounding like a pretty expensive setup–certainly in the $500 range. Your best bet might be to get a cheap computer that you can connect directly to the TV without the long cable, and then use Remote Desktop to connect to your primary computer’s desktop. The new computer can be super cheap–Remote Desktop takes almost no horsepower to run. You won’t be able to play games or watch videos across the network, though.

Let me know what you decide and how it turns out.

UPDATE: Here’s a response from Mark. Sounds like I saved him some headache (if only from his wife… there’s nothing worse than the ‘I told you so’ :) ).

Tony, your advice is terrific and I really appreciate the candor.  My wife has been convinced all along that I am not going to be happy with the results.  Your input is exactly what I needed – a neutral third party to bring me back to reality.  

You were right on the mark with planned PC applications – it’s all about email, Quicken and web browsing.  I’m not a gamer and other than the occasional news article etc., wouldn’t be watching video on the large monitor either.  

I really like your idea about getting a 2^nd PC.  That makes perfect sense and will likely be cheaper than what l would have spent on high end fiber optic DVI cable plus the cost of having it pulled to where the new TV will be located.  It never occurred to me, but now that you suggested it, I like that idea much better.  If I set this up, I think I’ll go that route.  If it doesn’t work out, at least we’ll have the additional PC to use instead of a lot of money spent on a cable that won’t be used.

Thanks again for getting back to me so quickly!  You’ve likely saved me money and a lot of disappointment AND you’ve made my wife VERY happy!

All the best,

Mark